Chose this cruise to experience locations by shore excursions. Due to mechanical problems on the immediately prior cruise, OUR cruise itinerary was shortened and changed - not what we booked. Really wanted to experience the western Caribbean! NCL offered 'considerations' for the changes; other passengers we talked to glowed about how well NCL typically took care of their customers compared to other cruise lines.

The 2 (instead of 4) shore excursions we DID get experience were OK. On-ship dining options were good. Garden Cafe was WONDERFUL, but too easy to over-indulge. The dining rooms (Taste, Manhattan, & O'Sheehan's) offered a better chance for wonderful but controlled dining. The band in The Manhattan offered a wonderful and entertaining background to 'formal' dining.

We did not purchase the drink package; only had a couple of drinks on ship because we don't drink that much. Never really saw anybody over-doing their use of the unlimited drink package - which was good. Read more