Really fantastic entertainment made up for the few minor negatives. Have been on 15 cruises with NCL, Princess, Royal Caribbean and Celebrity. Some are better than others in different respects, and everything isn't perfect on any cruise, but we've never been on a bad cruise. I read some negative comments before we left and I have to wonder if some people just make things up for some reason.

Embarkation - Got to the pier thru Lincoln Tunnel about 11:15 and was stuck in so much traffic on 12th Ave N. just waiting to turn up to the dock. Better way would be to go up 11th Ave and make left on 56th St. onto dock. Then there was such a long line of people waiting to drop off their luggage. The porters said they had some problems with the luggage machinery and it usually wasn't like that. After that check in was pretty quick and our cabin was ready, so dropped off backpack and went to buffet. Buffet was very packed as it usually is on embarkation day, but after walking around a few times found a table, and was surprised the buffet food was really good. Then walked around various decks to familiarize ourselves with the layout.

Wear comfortable footwear as this is a really big ship - about a fifth of a mile long. The pool deck 15 is different than other ships. There's really only one main pool with a stage for the great Island band, because where the other pool would be is taken over by the kid's water park area, a big pool for children and their parents plus a special pool for smaller kids, and above a large ropes course. But there were plenty of lounges in the sun and shade. That Caribean band was probably the best we've had as was most of the entertainment. Read more