This was our 3rd cruise, our first with NCL. (We have previously sailed with Celebrity and Carnival.) We booked the cruise directly through NCL and we booked during their "Kids Cruise Free" promotion. This made this trip EXTREMELY affordable for our family of 3. If I had paid paid more for this trip I would be extremely ticked. I hardly feel as if we got a value as it is.
EMBARKATION: Very smooth, probably the quickest and easiest I have experienced. We arrived at the port at approximately 11:15 am, did not wait in a line to check in and only waited in line about five minutes to start boarding the boat. Once onboard we went to the Palace dining room for lunch and then found our room. It took a while for our luggage to arrive.
ROOM: We stayed in a balcony room, which was offered as a very affordable upgrade by NCL about 6 weeks prior to our trip. This was our first time staying in a balcony room and while it was nice, I don't think we utilized it enough to pay full price for one in the future. The room was nice though. The bed was not comfortable at all (I have been spoiled by the Carnival Comfort Collection). The temperature was nice. I don't know what was located above our room but at all hours there were constant thuds and thumps (very loud) from overhead. I did not get a good night sleep the entire time on board.