Eight of us traveled in two cars to Long Beach one day ahead of the cruise. Always was afraid to try Priceline, but thought this was the perfect opportunity. We found a $159 4-star room for $77 in Long Beach with view of the Queen Mary. Long Beach near the pier is so beautiful compared to when I was there in 1968 and the Queen Mary was perched out there near an ugly wooden boardwalk area.

We arrived for the cruise at around 11:30. This was our 11th cruise and first out of LA. and second on NCL. I have to admit the last NCL cruise was nowhere near our favorite. The people helping you out of your cars with luggage were the friendliest and most helpful we have ever dealt with. Others were Miami, Ft. Lauderdale and San Juan. We checked in with a bunch of other people, but it went quickly. They give you a number and when your number is called you can board. This is the first cruise we have taken where you can't go and see your room right away. All doors are locked down the halls and you have to wait until they announce they are ready. When you think of it this is a good idea. We went to the buffet and it is the worse we have encountered and the layout is terrible. Needless to say we ate there only a few times. We checked out our room and the bathroom was laid out great, however the room was small, but ample storage space. As with the NCL SKY cruise some 6 yrs. ago we NEVER met our steward, but this steward, whoever he was, had that room clean by 9am every day and it was exceptional.

First of all I will say I hate Freestyle dining and on NCL you don't have a choice for either traditional or freestyle. I know I am probably in the minority on this one, but I feel dining is an event and you have the same wait staff every night. Not with Freestyle. Service in the Versailles was awful and in the Aqua which had the same menu, but more contemporary the service was much better. I attribute the Aqua to the great Maitre'd they have. They have cutback here also. Sometimes the waiter was taking your order, getting your drinks and cleaning the table. We had to remind them we wanted coffee with desert. The food on this cruise was the best of the 11 cruises and I thought the deserts were excellent. Read more