we were gifted a "free cruise" in which it only costs us an admin fee for the cruise line plus port fees. A small price for a 7 day cruise. We paid the upgrade to secure an aft balcony on the 14th deck. What a fantastic room with a really nice extended deck. This was our first Norwegian cruise and WILL NOT be our last. We were on a ship of over 4000 passengers but the way they handle people movement was superb. If you wanted in the crowds, you could find them. If you wanted in solitude or a little quiet, it was available as well. If you are a pool deck sunner, you needed to "buzzard" around and grab a chair when available. But that's OK. Sometimes the things you want require patience. With 4000 on the cruise, it's hard to fit them all around one swimming pool. I liked the separation between the "mostly" adult pool and the children's play area. There WAS something for everyone.

I enjoyed the fact that all dining/entertainment was encouraged to be by reservation as well as you could do many of the items as a standby person as well. Then adding a "supper club" where you watch entertainment in a small venue with a complimentary five course meal as well. The specialty restaurants were worth while as well. Excellent food and service was tops. The thing I also enjoyed was a smaller drink wait staff. No one went without a drink that wanted on, but there was not the constant pressure to order drinks. If you wanted a drink, you simply caught the eye of a server and ordered a drink.

My entire 7 days was totally professional and customer oriented mores so than other cruises I have been on. I will definitely choose Norwegian as my go to cruise line in the future. Coffee pots in the room were also a great plus for that wake up jolt and a nice morning of deck relaxation.