Embarkation
We opted to fly down 2 days early to avoid a forecasted winter storm. We shuttled to Miami Marriott Biscayne Bay hotel for a two-day stay prior to the cruise. This is a popular pre-cruise destination hotel. At 12 noon on embarkation day we were in line for the check-in process. After waiting in line for 30 minutes, NCL's check-In system crashed. More than 90 minutes later, the systems came back up and the check-in process resumed. Only one announcement was made at the beginning of the crash. Several people in line received medical attention due to the long wait. On the way up the boarding ramp we were greeted by several of the ship's officers but they did not offer any apologies for the check-in snafu. First impressions are sometimes the lasting impressions. At the CC Connection party the next day, which was attended by many of the ship's officers, I brought up the check-in issue and they profusely apologized and promised to forward a communication to NCL's headquarters regarding the check-in debacle.
Dining