This is our 2nd time Cruising with N.C.L. we enjoyed both . We were on the Pearl Jan.3,2009. This time we took a chance and flew in same day as our sail date. I don't recommend very nerve racking. We didn't have any problems though. We did have a freezing rain we had to drive through to get to the airport. We landed in FLL and had to take a limo ride we used QLS Quality Limo Service to take us to the Port of Miami . They were good but drove right by us and that made us nervous. We got to the Port and on our ship with a bit of time to spare but any mishaps and we would have missed the boat. We had no problem with embarkation, they got us through and on ship in minutes. I was holding a glass of Champagne on the Dawn on my Birthday what could be better. The ship was beautiful every thing was in shipshape . I took a tour of the Spa and we got it for the 5 days , I have to say its a nice spa we liked the Pearls just a bit more. I missed the cold dip tub that the Pearl had . I enjoyed the lap pool though which the Pearl didn't have so that was a wash. My husband did find something amiss in the sauna a broken plank step stool he witnessed a man almost falling because of it and reported it to the desk clerk on his way out . Next day same stool still broken. Reported it again but we never went back again to check on it. Still it is a lovely Spa and do take advantage of it. We had such a lovely state room that we didn't spend as much time in the Spa as we would have in a inside cabin. Our mini Suite was so nice it had a tub/shower and that was nice lots of room. It had a couch that opened up into a bed I guess we didn't need it. Nice balcony on the port side . Room was clean and really comfy. Our room stewards were very nice and took good care of us.

Now the food, we ate in the main Dining rooms most of the time. I enjoyed there breakfasts, over the Buffet just like the relaxed calmness over the hustle bustle of the later. The food is good in both .At dinner I was given a birthday cake and the wait staff sang Happy Birthday . That was nice. We are not big drinkers but on our last cruise we wished we could afford wine with our meals we did splurge one night on the Pearl and it cost us 17.00 for 2 glasses. I understand the tip is included but we couldn't afford it every night . This time we thought we would just pay the 15.00 corkage fee and have wine with our meals. We had the wine out at embarkation and we were just rushed though to check in. No problem we will tell them before dinner. So we went down to the service desk and asked them to add the corkage fee. They told us to take it to the restaurant and they would take care of it. No one did . I'm not complaining but was quite surprised. We did eat at the Italian restaurant. That was a nice change and we enjoyed the food. We had lobster ravioli , very tasty . The new Dinning hall menus can get a bit old after a few days but they do add something new every night. I used up 2 starters with every meal so I was running out of options. We ate a couple of meals at the Buffet the food was good, we just couldn't find seating half the time, we had to take turns in order to keep our seats. So breakfast together wasn't an option. We had lunch there on the 1st day and it was pretty crowded.

One thing I would like to mention beware of Birthday and Anniversary free gifts they come with shipping costs. I got a free picture that cost 35.00 to ship in a tube.I did decide to get it but this wasn't free. I couldn't take it with me. I am still waiting to receive this item. Its been 2 weeks . I also got caught up in the free bingo . I went to the Bingo they made it sound like they were going to do that and it was for some other night or time. Which I missed . total waste of my time. Bingo is at least 30.00 to play minimum.