We booked our cruise directly through NCL. And chose the sail away balcony option and we're assured by the booking agent that there were no obstructed view balconies on this ship. However, when we arrived we were given what they call an enclosed balcony. Let me assure you that this is an obstructed view. You can't see anything while seated on your balcony. You have to stand to see out. On day two of the trip they did switch our room to a regular balcony for which I was appreciative. However, two days later when we arrived in Barcelona they called and told us they made a mistake and that the room they moved us to was assigned to someone boarding in Barcelona and we would have to move again. I felt like I spent half my trip moving rooms We were also given erroneous information about the kids programs. While my 14 year old enjoyed his club. My 12 year old twins were highly dissatisfied with their activities. They felt very much lumped in with the younger kids. Not at all as advertised that they understand that 10 to 12 year olds need separate activities.

I will never take a trip that has two separate boarding points. We boarded in Rome and were told many times that "this cruise is based Barcelona to Barcelona" So, we could only book our entertainment etc. for the first 4 nights and had to wait until Barcelona to book the last 3 nights. The big welcome aboard was on our 4th night in Barcelona. Also, my room key stopped working while in Barcelona and when I went to customer service they were closed for the muster station drill for those who boarded in Barcelona and I had to wait 45 min. to get back in my room only to be called and told we had to move rooms. But, when we had boarded in Rome we didn't have a muster station drill just a safety briefing in the theater. I could go on and on about all the things that happened because we were the minority who boarded in Rome. Bottom line if you plan on taking this cruise board in Barcelona.

I found the staff to be mediocre. Other than the booking agent they were nice enough. But, not the super friendly service that I am used to on a cruise ship.