The Tuesday before our Friday embarkation NCL called with an upsell offer from our Mini-Suite to a Penthouse Suite. As a 20th anniversary treat my husband said, "yes", so we (hubby, 14 year old daughter and I) were set to be pampered.

We took a taxi from the Downtown Miami Hilton to the port (10 minutes, $20) around 12:30, checked our luggage with a porter and then waited in a short line to get into the terminal. When we checked with the Suite registration person, we were escorted to a room off to the side where we sat down, snacked and got all our papers, cards, photo id, etc. We waited for another couple to finish and then Daniela, the concierge, escorted the five of us to and through the screening and on to the ship. Hubby and I enjoyed the welcome champagne, while my daughter had a glass of OJ. Daniela handed us off to our butler, Madel Bunyi, who escorted us up to our cabin on 11. We were on board shortly after 1.

Madel explained how the fancy coffee machine worked (got dd some hot chocolate mix and me some teas), told us about breakfast/lunch in Cagney's (including lunch that day), took my order for pillows and mattress pad for dd's fold out bed (which he passed along to our steward) and explained all the things we could do for us. Read more