Before we left the hotel for the Miami cruise ship terminal, my wife and I pinned on our Norwegian Cruise Line Diamond pins. These were spotted at the terminal by a NCL employee who directed us to the VIP check-in lounge. This was our first cruise in a Penthouse Suite and we started to enjoy it before we set foot on board.

Check in was completed in short order while comfortably seated in an elegant lounge. We were then escorted past the lines and crowds, through passageways to get us to the gangplank and then aboard. Our escort made certain we received the welcome aboard glass of champagne and then led us to a specially reserved dining room for an exclusive lunch. We would enjoy breakfast and lunch each day in Cagney's Steakhouse for the rest of the 14 day cruise. Far from the maddening crowds as it were.

As well, guests in suites receive truly royal treatment from a personal butler to fresh flowers, fruit and sparkling wine. And a fantastic concierge that saw to our every need. Priority reservations for the restaurants and in the theatre. First to get on and off in ports. And a pampering everywhere we went aboard when producing our colour coded guest cards. Read more