Let me start out by saying this was our 2nd time on POA - the first was almost exactly 2 years before this one. We have cruised on other lines and other NCL ships. This cruise remains our favorite still! Sometimes I read people's reviews of POA and I wonder what cruise they were on? Here are my thoughts from our 2/28/15 cruise:
Embarkation: We arrived at a busy time - around 12:30 or 12:45. We waited a little while in line - the photo taking was the worst part. We don't get a photo taken. There are 2 lines - one side was allowing those who weren't getting pictures taken to go through but the side we were on was not. This photographer (he was on the ship as well) was a bit rude and that is the only rude staff member I can say we encountered the whole time. I have no problem waiting but lets keep it consistent. The whole process the way they do it in Hawaii is very time consuming with the photos. They should do it like other ships where its right when you are going to board. Anyway, after that everything was quick and smooth and we were onboard and off to lunch.
Food: I thought it was improved in the buffet over the last time. The buffet is always crowded at breakfast (and a bit at lunch too) as everyone is getting off to explore the islands each day. We had our breakfast each day (except 1 we didn't have time to eat) and while the food was fine it is just very hectic and my least favorite part just all the other people cutting in line, standing right in front of the toaster so you can't grab a piece of bread even if you aren't toasting, etc. The staff was friendly and always on top of clearing empty plates. Yes, there were washy washy people everyday - I saw it mentioned there weren't and the only time I didn't see them was if it was an off time and the buffet was closed or really empty. Then there was dispensers to use. In fact, they made us wash even if we weren't going to the buffet but just walking through.
crew are right outside the window when working! We had to keep the curtains closed. We did have a decent view of the ocean even with the "obstruction" of the end of the lifeboat. They also did some daytime work that was a bit on the noisy side.