My wife and I are NCL Platinum Latitude members as a result of having cruised with NCL ten times, several of those with our children and grandchildren. Eight of those cruises were on NCL's Dawn so there will be comparisons to that ship in this review. NCL is generous with platinum Latitudes members and comps us with express check-in, two complimentary dinners in the specialty restaurants, each with a bottle of wine, fruit basket and champagne in the room upon arrival,cocktail parties and a guided ship tour.

Check-in at the pier was smooth and we boarded at noon. Lunch was being served in the Garden Cafe buffet restaurant and also one of the main restaurants. Although our stateroom was not available until 2:00, temporary secured storage was offered for carry-on luggage, a new and welcome feature for us.

Our balcony stateroom on Deck 10 was small and closet space seemed to be smaller than we were used to. The bathroom appeared to be especially small. The room steward introduced himself and his assistant, something which has been missing recently. Read more