Who We Are: We are a family of 4 from Kansas City, KS Mom, Dad & 2 Sons (11 & 15). This was a Christmas cruise to celebrate the Holidays. We have been on 3 different cruise lines before (Disney, Princess and Royal Caribbean) but this was our first NCL experience. After months of research on Cruise Critic and other resources, NCL was chosen due to high recommendations and value of accommodations.
Embarkation: We took a taxi from our Hotel to the Port and arrived around 11:00am. Check in was a breeze because we were VIP status since we were staying in a Penthouse Suite. We provided our ID's, Documents and a Credit Card for onboard charges and were guided to a special VIP lounge where the Concierge was waiting. Alex introduced himself, asked us some individual preference questions, gave us a briefing on our amenities and we were off to the Cabin. The whole experience took 20 - 30 minutes.
Our Stateroom: Where to begin. We have enjoyed Balcony cabins in the past but the Penthouse Suite blew the doors off anything we had experienced before. We chose these accommodations because the boys would have their own room and more importantly their own bathroom! The pictures on the websites do not do the suites justice! We were all in awe as we entered the suite. We actually had and entry hall! The boy's room was to the left. It had a fold out couch/bed and a loft bed w/ladder, table, TV, phone, hair dryer and separate bathroom w/shower.