CRITICS: We are a couple in our 30s from Georgia, USA. This was my fourth cruise, and my wifes third. Previous cruises were on RCL, HAL and NCL.

BARCELONA - Arrived on Friday morning and were booked 2 nights at the Hilotn Diagonal Mar so upon landing we took the Renfe train to Passig de Gracia, transfered to the subway and then walked the 2 blocks to the hotel. No problem checking in early at 10am. Hotel staff all spoke english and gave us a great welcome pack with city map and guide book. Room was very nice with seperate shower and a soaking tub, large lcd tv and we had a nice view of the city. While not exactly in the middle of the action the hotel was only 2 blocks from the subway (get a T10 pass for easy ticketing) so we really didn't find it a problem to get anywhere. Stayed here free on points so can't comment on the relative value. There is a large shopping mall across the street. Had a great time touring the Gothic Quarter, Park Guell, Sagrada Familia, Las Ramblas and Montjuic. Wish we had another day or two here actually.

CRUISE: Embarkacation was easy cheezy. Lines were very short at about 1230pm. There were seperate lanes for suite, balcony and latitudes members but we waited in the main line not more than 5 mins. Once aboard we got our mimosas and headed to Grand Pacific for a lesiurely lunch while waiting for our cabins to be ready. I toured around the ship after lunch to familiarize myself. One thing i thought was great was up on deck 14 forward they have wonderful cushined loungers you can lay in and look forward over the bow. We found ourselves up here a few times during the cruise. The ship layout is a little quirky at times and you get the "can't get there from here" feeling as a hallway will just end and you will need to backtrack or switch sides. One such oddity is the MDR, Grand Pacific which is on deck 6 aft but can only be accessed from deck 7, and then walk down the stairs. Magenta is likewise oddly placed midship. Room steward, Mr Mike, was excellent. Always had a smile and was very personable. We had an inside on deck 9 and could not be happier. While certainly not spacious there was ample room for us and having a sliding door for the shower instead of a "sticky" curtain was great. All cruise lines should follow this design. Clearance btw toilet and wall left something to be desired for this six footer but i managed. We did typically have a wait at the MDRs. Our waits were from 2 mins to 25mins. You are issued a beeper which entitles you to 2for1 well drinks at the nearest bar. Also, VERY hard to find seating at the buffet at all meal times. Quite simply nowhere near enough chairs. NCL should really consider relocating the Italian restaurant to somewhere else and freeing up that seating area. If the onboard displays are any indication the only specialty restaurant that was ever more than 10% busy was the Teppanaki so obviously there is room for space consolidation onboard. Read more