Although this was not our first cruise, it was our first experience with NCL. We were part of a large group of 650 cruisers with Joannie Madden's Folk N Irish Cruise. We enjoyed the casual atmosphere but found some very annoying features. The check in process was efficient and although our mini suite was not completed when we boarded we were allowed to drop off our hand luggage and eat lunch in the dining room. We did soon discover that there was a charge to have a full room service breakfast. We ate most of our meals in the dining room but did chose to go to Cagney's for a steak dinner. We expected to pay the $60 charge (for 2) but were quite shocked to find that the actual bill was over $74 because of an extra tip and port and tax charges that were added on. On other cruise lines the published up-charge is the price you pay. I was under the impression that the tip charges added to your bill each day included all of your dining room tipping where ever you ate. The cocktail party for our group at the end of the trip was one of the best of any cruise line. The food was fresh and good and the drinks were plentiful.

Our biggest complaint was the disembarkation process. We chose not to use the walk off service because my husband is handicapped. We were off the ship before 9 AM which was great - until we realized that once we were through customs we had to lug all of our luggage across a double street and down almost 3 blocks to meet our limo. Even though the driver was there to pick us up early she was not allowed into the actual port area where we had been dropped off. This was very difficult for us.