Background Info: We are a married couple (15 years) ages 45 & 46. This was our 2nd cruise - but 1st w/ NCL.
Embarkation: We live about 55 miles from Boston so we decided to drive into the city & park in the nearby garage for the week (cost $112). Left home around 10:15am & arrived at the parking garage around 11:30am. After a brief walk to the cruise terminal, we got in a short line to drop our luggage w/ a porter, walked into the terminal, went through security, got into the check-in line & before we knew it we were on the ship & in Windows MDR enjoying lunch by 12:30pm.
After a tasty & quiet lunch, we explored the ship a little. We stopped in the Grand Centrum Atrium to check out the special dining options & signed up for the 2 for 1 dinner special at Le Bistro that night (cost $20). We also signed up for the 1st Martini Tasting for the next day (cost $15pp). Then, we located Henry's Pub, where our CC Meet & Greet was scheduled for the next morning, had a beer & sat out on the Promenade Deck while waiting for 2:00 to arrive so we could check out our cabin. Cabin: We had cabin #9611, an inside/sideways cabin located mid/forward on Deck 9 just around the corner from the Grand Centrum Atrium elevators. We had a balcony cabin on our previous cruise, which was wonderful, but decided to TRY an inside cabin this time since we could save a significant amount of money. Although we missed having the balcony & being able to see the light of day, our cabin was clean & cozy, and we did not regret the choice. The storage space was adequate w/ plenty of drawers, hangers & cubby holes/shelves in the closet. We loved the large shower stall w/ sliding glass door in the bathroom! We could not hear the elevators, or the people waiting by the elevators, but because of the cabin's location right next to the Grand Centrum Atrium & just a deck above & opposite Champagne Charlie's, we could clearly hear the music. BUT... it was the music/singing of Arvin & Emily, which actually lulled me to sleep one night -- or maybe it was one afternoon, after a Martini Tasting & maybe it was less like sleep & more like pass out. Anyway, it was not difficult to fall asleep listening to them, but those folks who hit the hay early & need complete silence to fall asleep might not enjoy this cabin's location. We cannot talk about our cabin w/out mentioning our stewards. They were two of THE most wonderful, attentive & personable staff members we encountered on this cruise. A BIG shout out to Richard & Dave! They addressed us by name each & every time we saw them, always asked how our day/evening was & often had suggestions or comments about certain activities we had planned. We LOVED them & those who get these two should be so lucky! The only complaints we'll make about the cabin/amenities are as follows: 1) There's only 1 outlet, so bring a power strip. 2) The TV is miniscule & you cannot lie back in the bed & use the clicker - you have to get close to the TV, hold the clicker up in the air & point it directly at the TV. But, then again, we didn't spend hundreds of dollars to go on a cruise to sit in the cabin & watch TV. 3) The blow dryer is old & weird. It was fine for hubby, but it took forever to dry MY long, thick hair. And, I had to use a towel or wash cloth to hold it because it got so hot!