I stayed aboard the NCL Jade from the 18th November for 12 nights. At check in at Barcelona Port the whole process couldn't have been easier, it took around 10 minutes to check in 3 cabins, have to say it was the best i have received so far!
When being welcomed aboard you have the choice of champagne or juice and then the chance to have a look around the ship.. One thing we found that was handy was in the Barcelona Cruise terminal you could buy cans of soft drinks that you could take aboard and these were at really good prices - much better than paying the mini bar prices aboard the ship!
We all had balcony rooms and i couldn't fault them.. you have plenty of space and if anything they are trying to give you too much in there..