We picked this cruise because we like NCL and we wanted to start and end in Rome. A stop in Marseilles was also important. NCL treated us well. We used none on the NCL sponsored shore excursions and booked all our own tours with others through the Cruise Critic rollcall.... that's the only way to go. We met lovely people and had a lot of fun doing that. Our balcony cabin was fine..though maybe I'd not pick 11th level again as we were right under the pool deck. I liked the oriental theme of the ship. Good food whether at the buffet or the specialty restaurants... do pick the Restauant free perk...it's the only one with any real value. The gratuity charge of the Beverage package is almost $300 for two people. That would cover a lot of cocktails. We do Gluten Free and they acknowledged that and worked with us everywhere but at the buffet. Only complaint about the ship was the wifi. It was horrible.