I had my first cruise with NCL. 2 days to nowhere was a great way to start. Check-in was over an hour but departure was smooth sailing. I was a little scared as it appeared that there was an open casting call for the next filming of Big Momma. Wife has 3 ROYAL cruises under her belt so I listened to her.

Food was good. We took in 2 great shows. We viewed every bar/restaurant-plenty to do. We had dinner at Italian Rest for $25 cover to get away from the masses at the buffet. The Big Momma's were getting their money$ worth and we didnt want to get in their way. 2nd night we dined hibatchi style with some great people. Chefs were great. Had midnite snacks at the Garden Cafe. Limited food choices as the night wore on but it is a 48 hour cruise so you take what you can get. The 70's show and SNL Comedy Troup were awesome.

Some brave souls brought kids and even infants. Very mixed crowds:bachelor/bachlorette parties, older folks, hard working stiffs like me, newly weds and a group of special needs folks. Mandatory safety drill was done within an hour aboard the ship. Finding the staging area was hardest part. Mixed drinks were around $10 and soda's (at cover charge restaruants) were $2 for a can of Pepsi(I hate coke). Parking was easy right off the West Side highway. We watched a great dodge ball game and rock climbing. Didnt know what time it was or think of our kids at all. Most moving was the Lee Greenberg song that played as we passed the Statue of Liberty and the World Trade Center.