Embarkation was quick. We are Latitudes (our second cruise), and we got number 4. We were still in line getting our pictures when our number was called! We went right in, got our soda packages, and went to the Venetian for lunch. A great start! There were 13 of us traveling together. Our room was ready around 2. We are a family of 4 (2 children ages 9 and 5) who stayed in an inside cabin (as did the others in our group.) I would rather spend money on doing things than on a room we are not in very often. We fit comfortably and had enough storage room. The layout of the room could have been better--when the bunk is put down, it completely blocks the TV so it cannot be watched at all. Other than that, no complaints about the room. Our room stewards were very nice. They called the kids by name and greeted them every day. The only problem there was we got linen and towels for 2, but once we asked for more they were brought promptly. We had to ask almost every day, but it was not a big inconvenience. The beds were very comfortable in the room. The restaurants were all very good. We had excellent service in all of them and found the food to be very good. We only ate in one surcharge one, Teppanyaki. It was a $25 surcharge, but kids were free. My kids love to go to our local one, and we definitely cannot go there for $50 for the 4 of us, so hopefully that will quell their appetites for a while! The service was excellent and the food was amazing. I read other reviews that said the dress code was not enforced, but I did see it enforced. They did not allow shorts after 6pm except in the Blue Lagoon or Garden Cafe. People were getting turned away from the Venetian and Specialty restaurants, but in the Aqua they were a little more relaxed and as long as you were dressed in nice shorts and a polo shirt they seemed to be allowing it. Gym shorts or tanks were getting turned away. The entertainment was great. We saw almost every night show, and some comedies throughout the day. There was always something to do if you so desired, but we spent most of our time by either the main pool or the kid's pool. It was hard to find a table or chair on sea days by the main pool, but on the upper decks there was usually something available. After about 2 people dwindled out and it was much easier. The kid's pool area was really nice for them, and pretty relaxing for adults. The kids also enjoyed the kids club when they were there, but spent most of their time with us instead (only because the weather was beautiful and they wanted to swim!). The only thing I don't agree with there was that they charge the same tipping fee for the kids as adults, but the Kid's Crew is not included in the tipping. They had to be tipped separate. When we sailed on the Gem 2 years ago, kids were half the fee, and I gave what would have been the other half to the kids club. Disembarking was a breeze. You pick the color you want, which corresponds to a time, then they call groups by color. We picked the 9:50 time, we got called a little after 10, and we left the ship with no problem. There was a line for customs--they had 16 possible lines, but only 9 open. That had nothing to do with NCL though.