We did an overnight stay in Barcelona before embarkation. Really great place but need more time there. Embarkation was really easy. Really well organised, much easier than boarding a plane. We dropped our luggage outside to waiting staff, then went in for check in. Photos taken for identification, room cards issued all with in 20 minutes. We were then allocated a number, when our number was called we could board the ship. We soon found our cabin and dropped off our carry on luggage. Cabin was very good, much larger than I expected. Nice to have a Balcony, but not warm enough in January to sit outside. Bed was fantastic, really comfortable. Shower was really good. Overall the room was better than a lot of 4 star hotels we have stayed in.

Food in all the restaurants was good. You had a fantastic choice in Raffles restaurant, to much sometimes.We had booked a fine dining package, so glad we did.This gave us 5 nights speciality dining, which you need to pre book, to guarantee the time you want to dine. We do enjoy having waiter service at night, so we alternated between the Garden restaurant, Windows restaurant, Le Bistro , Asian, Teppanyaki, Cagney's steak house and La Trattoria. All the restaurants were very good with a great choice of food. Very good waiter service. We were asked every night if the food was good, however one night we all said the food could have been hotter, they wanted to change all our meals but we said that it was ok, They did say they would tell the chef. The following night we were in a different restaurant, when the head of all catering on the ship cam up to us and apologised for our meal the night before as well as asking if everything was ok. We thought this was a really good way to follow up a complaint, 10 out of 10 for service.

Most nights we would have an early evening drink in Cafe 49. The staff were very good. But we found that sheldon was our favourite waiter, nothing was too much trouble and very friendly. After the second night he had got to know all our names and even what drinks we wanted, again 10 out of 10 . Entertainment was very professional and varied. We did not book any ships excursions but did our own thing. Disembarkation was really easy, our baggage was waiting for us outside. Great cruise, great staff and a great ship. Will book again with NCL.