We are frequent cruisers, but this is the first time we are on a Norwegian and experiencing free style cruising.

Let's begin with the embarkment process. There are lines after lines for different stops even though they have a virtually paperless process if you register with them ahead of time. We were at the dock right when they started letting guests come on board, and there's already a line at that early hour.

Dining... the food in the regular dining rooms were the worst we've ever experience. Like most ships, you can always tell them to bring something else, and that's what we did. But everything was mediocre. Some are worse than others. Broccoli soup taste like milky white paste. We finally went to one of the paid dining rooms, and that made a major difference. the food was so much better, and we couldn't go back to the regular dining rooms anymore. It's like they purposely created that level of difference in the quality of food, AND SERVICE TOO (!) so you will pay more to eat at the restaurants. I will say however that their buffet lunches at the Garden Cafe are not bad and they have a restaurant with limited menu that is open 24 hours. that's always good in case you come back on shore too late for lunch and too early for dinner. Read more