I had last cruised Norwegian in 2003. I was unimpressed then, but this cruise came up for Christmas, it was a local embarkation, and we wanted to get away. It was a mistake. The ship itself is very beautiful and with one exception is nicely laid out. The exception is that the casino is located on the center level of the open 3 story atrium. It is one of the only indoor spaces that allows smoking. The smell of cigarette smoke permeates all 3 floors of the atrium, which includes all of guest services, a large entertainment space, a cafe, and many many premium eateries. This was not a smell of someone smoking at that moment It is the smell of closed up, rancid smoke. Very very unpleasant. I feel that locating the casino here was very poor planning.

Norwegian sells itself as the "Freestyle" cruising line, where they claim you can do everything or nothing. This is really not accurate. I have never been on a cruiseline where you have to reserve "tickets" even for the free, repeated entertainment, nor where the majority of the dining venues are at extra cost. If you do not decide, on the first day of your cruise, what you are going to do and when you are going to do it, you will likely have very few entertainment and/or dining options available. While dining in the "most elegant" dining room on board, which clearly states a dress code (though way more laid back than most lines) we were surrounded by people in cut off jeans and "wife beater" t's. Why have a dress code at all? We really shouldn't have packed anything more than shorts and tee shirts.

I really don't enjoy the concept of not having the same waiter every night. On other cruises we have gotten to know our wait staff and I know that we tipped far more than the staff on this ship receives. This policy is evident in the service received. I also really enjoy meeting new people at dinner. This is not accomplished by sitting with just my husband every evening. We do that at home. Freestyle is just not for me. Read more