Let me first start this review by saying I have Been on NUMEROUS cruises with other cruise lines and twice with NCL. Once prior to "Freestyle" cruising and once just after it started. I can certainly say that "freestyle" cruising and NCL "ain't" what it use to be.

DINING - On our last "Freestyle" cruise, Freestyle really meant freestyle and far as food went. Eat where you want when you want. They had two FREE Main dining rooms where you could eat at any time, Two FREE specialty restaurants, reservation required and two "ADDITIONAL CHARGE" restaurants. NOW...... Two Main overcrowded free dining rooms reservation required and a multitude of SPECIALTY restaurants all for An Additional Fee of 10 - 25 dollars PER PERSON. With the Exception of Cagney's Steakhouse the food in all these restaurants is average at best. For a family of four that's 40 to 100 dollars EXTRA PER MEAL. If you didn't scramble for a reservation (LONG LINE) early in the morning, you where in for a long wait or dinner at 9pm.

BUFFET - The Food at the one Buffet was above average for a cruise ship. It was EXTREMELY crowed and you could find a place to sit most of the time. I don't know if it was to UPSCALE or because of Health reasons but ALL the food was served to you by NCL staff. You couldn't touch anything and I mean ANYTHING. At first thought this may seem nice but try to explain to a staff member with limited English skill how much ketchup you want on you burger. Ask for carrots get broccoli. Don't even get me started on the salad bar (A 20 minute ordeal. They wouldn't even let you get your own water. I was never so thirsty on a cruise. At about cruise day four after a guest REVOLT the buffet reverted to its prior self and all was well. PS the worst and most limited desserts on any cruise. Read more