Did the Monday to Friday cruise on NCL Sky from Miami to several different ports in the Bahamas. I wish I would have known these things in advance, so I will try to share a few details that might help others.
Little background, my wife and I are in our mid to late 30's and like to have fun. We traveled with our 5 yr old boy/girl twins and our 4 yr old son. We have enough money to do what we want, but are not wealthy and we are frugal - so take that into account as it is my perspective. It was a family trip, with my wife's mother and her husband, my mother and brother and my wife's brother also going.
Boarding the boat was very smooth, no problems although it the luggage was not available until after 5.