Background Information: This is my husband and my 9th cruise. We LOVE cruising. Our very first cruise was on NCL out of Boston. I mention this because it was in 1997 when the upper part of the ship caught on fire and we were delayed several hours out of Boston to Bermuda.

As first time cruisers, we didn't notice a thing, by the time we came back, there was a petition being signed by "seasoned" cruisers. In retrospect, the cruise was a bit of a disaster, but, they credited each cabin $250 dollars and our bill was $250 dollars and change, so we were HAPPY!

This was also during the time when envelopes were left in the cabin to tip the staff, again, in retrospect; the staff was on top of their game at all times, polite, courteous, attentive and respectful - eleven years later and automatic tipping, this professionalism has changed! Read more