This was our 4th Cruise, 2nd with NCL. Our Cruise mates from Dallas (R&B) outside cabin on 5, we had Balcony on 9 and R&B's friends from LA (L&H) aft suite on 9. Overall we had a great time even though a cold was passing around us 6, we enjoyed the trip. I won't do detailed day by day review, just highlights and opinion, however this review got to be a bit longer than I wanted. If you have any specific questions I will be glad to answer. I am not sure what Freestyle 2.0 consist of exactly. We have argues the pros and cons of Freestyle v. Traditional. We enjoy them both. Our motto is "The Worst Day of Cruising always beats the Best Day at Work" Embarkation This was easy as usual, we arrive Saturday, rented a SUV, got a hotel and went to South Beach to eat and have fun. Sunday we dropped the girls and luggage off at the pier around 11:30, took the car back to the airport, they had a cab there and was back at the pier by 12:15. I can't tell enough how great that worked out for us. I had the E-docs, (don't much like them) laminated my luggage tags, but the porter put on new ones and for the second time, put the wrong stateroom # on it. Lesson learned, verify the cabin # before the luggage goes away. Ship Was very clean and organized. I go overboard (probably wrong term to use here) in my research prior to a cruise and this board's majority opinion is they like this ship and I agree. I bought the 100 minutes of Internet to keep in touch with my office (we own our own small business), cell phones worked, Cellar at Sea (expensive per minute but worth it once or twice). In St. Thomas we had our regular AT&T, (not sure about the charges there yet). R&B staked out seats at the Pub for the Superbowl, he is originally from NJ, needless to say a very happy guy, we had a great time there. Stateroom Was very clean, did show some signs of age, but you would too with as many people that us it. The bathroom, specifically the shower was the largest we have been in. This was our first balcony and now we are spoiled. Spent more time in our room/balcony than ever before. Our steward (x2) were great, $10.00 on the first day got us our robes we always enjoy. Food This was the standard average fair, we ate in several of the restaurants. I guess they could be placed into 3 categories, the standard free cruise line restaurants, The Free specialty restaurants ( Freestyle 2.0 ?) and the ones with the cover charge. Cagney's (cover charge, food ok, service poor, they pushed bottled water, ask for the ships water, free and just as good). Teppanyaki (cover charge, Great time, Good food, even my DW who doesn't' eat Asian food, found something for her and loved it). Impressions (no cover, great food, again service was only fair). Venetian (We only ate Breakfast here, good food, great service). Salsa (No cover, Great Food, Great Service). Aqua (No cover, kind of a specialty restaurant, Service ok). Garden Cafe Ate (Breakfast, Lunch or Snack, Omelet station was DW favorite, Waffle station was good, never tried the custom cook egg station, but that was a pleasant change from a Breakfast buffet line). On deck BBQ was ok. Ironically, because the wait staff rotates around between restaurants, you would think the service would be the same, but as general rule, we found the specialty restaurants to have poorer service. Entertainment We did not frequent the shows, so can not comment directly. R&B did go to several shows and functions and they enjoyed them all. We visited the Casino, my cruise ship wining streak came to an end on this trip. However a lady sitting next to my DW, did win big on her slot machine. Samana Tender port, poor country, very little pan handling hassle. We had the whale excursion, but after reading on these boards of the disappointment, we canceled as soon as they opened the desk and did the Jeep tour. What a great decision, we had a blast. However there were quite a few people leaving the lounge when called for the whale tour. I heard no feedback either way on that tour. Tortola Our favorite stop, we had a tour scheduled there but L&H had set up a boat to take us around, so we canceled that tour also the first day. We took a cab (a bit pricey) over to a marina, got on the boat and went to Van Dyke Island and the Soggy Dollar Bar. WOW, what a day, and a few to many Rum Punches! Made our way back, guys bought Cubans for our traditional last day on the ship smoke and the girls did some shopping. St. Thomas We had nothing scheduled here. You have to go through customs on the ship before getting off in a US territory. Once off and through the gallery of shops there was a car rental place, 20/20 hindsight, I would got a car and gone over to the Aquarium on the East Side of the island. Our Canadian friends we met on the ship had a great time, taking a Taxi around OT various places. We did taxi over to a beach for a while, then came back into town, where the girls shopped, the guys had a few beers. Great Stirrup Cay Another Great day. Usually your last Day at Sea ends up back in port, but here you ended at the private Island, nice change of pace. Granted there are no major Shore excursions to do, but just to be able to relax, have some nice drinks, was very enjoyable. It is also fun to watch everyone literally running to get the best chair, geeze. Debarkation We did the early express, all in all, we were at the gate at the airport in about 2 hours after the card swipe on the ship. Getting off the ship and through customs was fairly easy (note to self, take less luggage when dong this). Cabs right out front, however they seam a bit disorganized, or maybe because there were several groups of 6 or more, with luggage, and we are not going to fit into a sedan, they need more vans, or SUV's to accommodate. I read here about American Airlines at MIA, they were right, VERY busy. Do not schedule an early flight. Our was at 11:30, we had no problem, just bring some patients and be prepared for 5 ships worth of passengers going to the airport. Summary We had a great time. I probably spent more on this trip than before, but it was well worth it. I over heard some 60 something couple complaining to friends how everything was wrong, bad food, poor service, bumpy ride, everything. Two things came to mind, first, you can't please everyone all the time or some people are just not happy unless they are complaining. Second, if you are expecting Caviar and Champagne in your room everyday, you are on the wrong ship. Spend the bucks and cruise a different line. For the money, we got the cruise we expected and even a bit more. Don't know if I would do this route again, nothing wrong with the ship, ports, anything, but our philosophy is "Been There Done That", ready for a different Port of Call!