About us 53/58 y.o. retire/semi-retired professionals. Not too fussy. This was our 26th cruise, 6th with NCL and 2nd on the Sun. We travelled with 2 other couples, one cruise virgins and the other, their 3nd.

Embarkation was a breeze. From the time we got in line til boarding was 15 minutes. I do not remember security being as tight on previous cruises. Not only do they screen your baggage but now you pass through airport style metal detectors and are wanded. My jeans rivets set off the detector and our friend had a steel shank or something in his tennis shoes.

Note to booze smugglers: don't - you're gonna' get busted. Against our advise both couples tried to bootleg booze in carry ons and checked baggage and all was confiscated. They had lots of company as NCL seems to be extraordinarily vigilant about this. They also were confiscating irons (but not steamers). Lots of angry people but, hey, the documents say no booze or irons and they actually mean it. We ordered a bottle of Dewars (1.12 liters) and it was in our room when we arrived. Cost was $40 and ordered through the special services number on their website. Lots less hassle than smuggling and cheaper than per drink at the bar. Read more