Insane-level service by bar waitresses; surprisingly good but limited entertainment (nothing going on in the day); average food, even in the pay restaurants, but no bad meals; some of the worst shore excursions I've ever been on; one of the easiest embarkations ever and the easiest debark in more than 10 cruises (I literally walked off the ship, no line, and was on the street in San Diego in minutes).

Details:

This was my first repositioning cruise, first Panama Canal Cruise and first with a balcony. I was told there was about 900 passengers on this cruise. That means there was more crew on the ship than passengers, and you felt it. You'd think that would be all good, but it lead to over-solicitous waiters and a dead feel in terms of atmosphere. The straight-out-of-the-training-manual chit-chat and saccharine affectations from waiters got annoying. I also believe the circumstances lead to a Nicaragua being scrubbed from the itinerary. No official reason was offered per the itinerary change, which added a sea day, but I'd have no hesitation betting it related purely to NCL's bottom line. Itinerary changes are always possible, part of cruising, but it doesn't make them any less disappointing, especially when there's no mention of why the port was scrubbed much less any compensation (what a cruise line can get away with based on their unconscionable contacts isn't necessarily fair or representative of good customer service). In my experience, NCL is the absolute worst cruise line when it comes to last-minute itinerary changes. Read more