First of all, this was our 6th cruise, but our first cruise with Norwegian. We chose this cruise because of it was highly recommended by a family member who cruised on the Escape this summer and for it had a very competitive price. We flew in to Miami and took the NCL shuttle to the port. Our flight arrived in Miami about 1:00- We boarded Shuttle Bus about 1:45. When we arrived at the port the process flowed quickly and easily.
Once we boarded the ship we explored the ship and we were amazed with it's size and how it was generally well laid out. We read previous reviews that recommended going for a relaxing meal at taste or savor instead of the Busy garden cafe so we did, but only to find out it had just closed at 2:30. So we went to the Garden Cafe with the thousand other people! But, with all the people we still were able to get a Table by the Window with a Great View. We made a decision right then that we were going to have to adjust our schedule somewhat to avoid peak times and Busy venues as we wanted a more "laid Back" cruise. We went to our room where our luggage had already arrived and it was Great! We had a deck 12 balcony cabin and it seemed about the same size as our RCCL, Celebrity and Carnival Cabins but just a little "newer and nicer". The coffee maker was a good addition too. Our Cabin steward Wilfred (Willy) was Fantastic! On the subject, I had read other reviews saying that the employees weren't friendly, rude or they simply acted like they didn't want to be on the ship. WOW, that certainly NOT our experience! ALL of the employees we met were Great! Always Greeting Us, Smiling and providing excellent service!
We only ate at the free restaurants and food and service were excellent. Our favorites were Savor, Taste and the Manhatten Room was very good as well. We enjoyed Prime Rib, Beef Wellington, Steak Diane, Beef Tenderloin, N.Y Strip etc. We did go to the garden cafe also and we always found Good things to eat but, like I eluded to earlier , we went there at off peak times.