This was our 1st cruise on NCL and it was great. The service is outstanding. We really enjoyed meeting new people, going to the nightly shows, watching movies, being able to choose from a variety of dining options and taking part in some of the activities. What did we do besides relaxing at the pool? We took part in trivia contests, bingo, deal or no deal, origami classes, Q&A sessions from entertainers and from officers, played slots, watched cooking demos and ice sculpture demo. And of course, the Panama Canal is an amazing experience.
The shows were all good and some were wonderful.
We did 2 shore excursions through NCL and 4 that were private tours with 10-12 people. Some reviewers complained that NCL tours are pricey. All cruise line tours are pricey. When you book a tour from a cruise line, one of the things they are selling is peace of mind. If they are late getting back to the ship, the ship waits for them. If you are late back from a private tour, they leave without you and you have to meet the ship at the next port.
We chose an interior mid-ship cabin to save money. We spent very little time in our cabin; so it's a good way to go for the budget traveler. There was enough space for all of our clothes. The beds were comfy. We brought along a storage thing that fits over the bathroom door. It has 25 compartments. It's great! We had an amazing steward.
We only went to San Pedro to board the ship
We booked the tour through NCL. Our guide, Aura, was great. It was a very good tour, with a nice lunch included.