We embarked for our Caribbean vacation on a crisp, but not cold, December day. Embarkation was simple and quick and we were pleasantly surprised to find out the cabins were ready at 12:30 PM. We dropped off our carry-on baggage and headed for the dining room for a relaxing lunch. Following a lunch, with slow and impersonal service, we set out to find a comfortable lounge to occupy that would keep us out of the confusion of arriving passengers.

This was our first NCL cruise in quite a while as we had set off to see if we could get better service, accomodations and surely food with other cruise lines. I had read that NCL has improved their food considerably since our last cruise with them. We found that to be partially true but there were take-a-ways too. With more than 20 NCL cruises under our belt we pretty much knew their food was just OK. Their desserts are horrible often resembling hockey pucks because they are gelatin based imitations of mousse. My husbands favorite part of the NCL menus has always been their soups, especially the cold soups. Well, that is no longer the case. There wasn't a cold soup to be had and their hot soups were bad. The outdoor BBQ's were great. Cagney's Steakhouse was wonderful as was the Itallian and French restaurants for their food and service. I am just not sure you should have to pay a surcharge to get good food that you have already paid for through cruise fare. That being said we don't cruise to eat, we cruise for fun, and NCL delivered on that.

As in the past, NCL shows are among the best. They have great production shows with talented singers and dancers. Onboard activities were plentiful and diverse. The magician was excellent and funny too. As usual, the staff talent show is always a treat. Dan-Dan the cruise director has the voice of an angel. I did not expect that. Tears ran down my cheeks when he sang "The Prayer." Read more