This was the third cruise out of Boston on NCL for my wife and I. No lie.......Third time was a charm. The first two were great, the third spectacular. After reading all the negative reviews about service and the condition of the boat, I was worried. I did not encounter anything like I read (period). Service was outstanding. Sometimes I think people put too much expectation that the cruise line is meant to make your vacation perfect, it doesn't work that way. You make your vacation what it is. Nothing, in life is perfect and I suspect NCL would also concur that no cruise vacation is perfect. Yes, we did have a waiter one night that was slow, big deal. Yes, we did have a neighbor that smoked on his balcony...the front desk took care of that. Yes, we did have a casino host that was rude to us, not over that one yet. Perfection is boring people!

Now that I have gotten that off my chest, The boat is what it is, an older boat that is going into dry dock for renovation in the spring. The balcony room was roomy enough for the two of us, bed was comfortable and the bathroom was a good size. Yes, we did have trouble with the toilet one night, but you know what....make a call they fix it quickly and even followed up with a phone call. That is customer service! I have been on Holland America in suites, I have been on RCL in suites and both had their problems too. The front desk was excellent. We ate in one specialty restaurant, Le Bistro which was excellent. Our experience with the other specialty restaurants are that they are not worth the up charge. The other dinners were in aqua and were good...not outstanding but good to very good. I found that the Venetian was a much slower pace so we only ate breakfast there. Didn't go close to the Garden Cafe. I didn't encounter extremely slow service at the bars, I think the available drink package give away made the bartenders busier than normal. Yes, someone soiled the pool. This problem could be taken care of by not having babies with diapers in the pool. It was unfortunate that it happened in port where it could not be drained. Not NCL's fault....inconsiderate parents would be to blame for that one. Vacation is a time to relax, and that's just what happens if you get out of your own way and relax! Disembarkation was slow as usual....due to one exit point and the amount of people getting off in 2 1/2 hours...to be expected. I will take this cruise again, I will read all the current reviews again, I will be worried again, until I get into vacation mode and Relax!