Our journey began on United from Harrisburg, through O'Hare, to Seattle. Beautiful flights, easy connections. We arrived the afternoon before our cruise and spent the evening checking out the Space Needle, Pike's Fish Market and the pier (stayed at a Quality Inn near the Space Needle for under $100 and got their shuttle to the pier the next morning).

Norweigan took wonderful care of us from the get go. We boarded with relative ease just after noon, had lunch on the ship and were in our room shortly after 2pm. It was a gorgeous, sunny day to set sail. We set about to learn our way around the beautiful ship, and soon found ourselves in the Stardust Theatre for our lifeboat drill (I forget the other title the ship gave it...muster?)

We booked an inside cabin which was not in a main hallway, but just off the one near the front of the ship (4543) fairly near the elevators. This kept us away from any hall noise and yet close to the elevators to the theatre and Spinnaker lounge. We also discovered we would disembark in port from this level several times, so our least expensive cabin turned out to be GREAT, and we never felt deprived as we spent very little time there. (the tv always had a few from the front of the ship so you could tell where you were and what the weather was). We spent time in the library, lounges and restaurants to enjoy the view, or ofcourse, on deck. I took the money I saved on the cabin and used it at the spa and for our excursions! Read more