Twelve days is NOT too much, we LOVED IT!! We chose this cruise because we always wanted to do a reposition cruise. Leaving out of NOLA allowed us to visit with family who live there and arriving back in Boston sealed the deal since this is where we live. Thanks to our niece and nephew, we got to see a great deal of New Orleans via walking and by car the day before the cruise. It is s beautiful city. We stayed at Hyatt Place Convention Center which is very near the port (you could actually walk there). I would definitely recommend this hotel. Clean room and fabulous free breakfast!!

Since we were in a suite, embarkation was very smooth, although the first couple of people you meet at the port don't look to see what type or room you have or what latitude level you may be, but if you have cruised before you usually know if you have special embarkation available. We waited a short time and were brought up in small groups to our suite. Ours (the Amber Suite 11560) was not completely ready, but we were able to comfortably wait there and enjoy the living room area and balcony until word was given that we could go to have lunch. The main space was lovely, but the second bedroom not so great. It was suppose to be a couch that converted to a queen bed, but the bed didn't have legs to it and was just a mattress on the floor. Adults were staying in that room. It was very difficult getting in and out of bed when you are on the floor!!! Our room steward was great and always available. Since it was a suite, we had a butler, Henry. He was very pleasant and always available. We may not have utilized his services too much but he spoke to us daily to see if we needed or wanted anything and always brought goodies to the room.

Dining options are good. All the restaurants specialty and MDRs were good. I would like to see a little more variation the MDRs. In the main dining rooms, the left side of the menu stays the same and the right side varies a little. The food was excellent though. I feel Norwegian is really pushing the specialty restaurants. Read more