we decided to jump on the opportunity to take a warm weather cruise out of NYC knowing full well that the week before would be the week that was higher priced. We left NYC on Easter Sunday and the weather was beautiful. Embarcation was simpleand we were able to make dinner reservations right in the port. They also served drinks to wainting pax.I was thrilled to been greeted on the ship by the Easter Bunny and quite pleased that NCL was celebrating Easter on the ship with signs, decorations and solid chocolate Easter Bunnies in their restaurants. We ate at Le Bistro on Easter Monday and the maitre D gave my 10yo the solid bunny to take home.We were lucky in that we had a nice day to embark and were able to enjoy the deck, pool and sailaway party. It was apparant that there were mostly parochial school kids on the ship and high school spring senior trip groups as well...this was all good. Many families and load of babies in strollers. I am one that likes to see this sort of thing on a cruise...a family or friends group vacation that is. None of it bothers me as DH and I always cruise with our kids and this time we only had 3 of them with us as the oldest is away at college.We always do connecting OV's and I will admit that they were slighly smaller on NCL than our previous cabins were on CCL, but it made no difference at all to us.Now for the day by day:Sunday.. we ate in Tsars upon arrival and since we carried on all of our luggage we just checked it at Chin Chin until we were finished eating. The lunch was very good and made for a nice Easter luncheon. The MDR is very bright and spacious. We opted for the buffet that night which was excellent each and every time we ate there and is much better than CCL buffets.Monday..a glorious day on the pool deck and we of course did get loungers..5 of them..but we are smart and stay away from the pool and go to the upper deck..much nicer. We had dinner at Le Bistro which was fabulous. Do try the Rack of Lamb and our waitress brought us every dessert on the menu to try. The escargot and onion soup is as good as they say. Kids under 12 were free this week so we paid $80 extra and of course we left a $20 tip.Unfortunatly, I was a little upset this day because the NCL cell tower was not working and I heard this from fellow cruisers as well and therefore many many pax were unable to use their cells..even though NCL said no problem as did the cell phone companies. I know it was a tower issue not a phone issue but try to get NCL to agree to that..no way. Regardless, we had service on land in Florida and the Bahamas, so I know it was not my phone, it was the ships tower and everyone knew this.Tuesday..a very nice day at NASA. We contracted with Michael at VIP Limo and for $59 he drove our family of 5 to and from NASA. He was prompt and efficient. NASA was a very nice experience. It was close and educational and all of us agreed that with the exhibits, rides and programs that they have there it should be looked at like a very mini Disney type day. We ate at the Blue Lagoon that night. The panini and chef salad and wings were great as was the burger. Service was OK but it didn't matter. Wednesday..beautiful weather and we were on the first tender for GSC and got 5 loungers under a palm tree. The first tender was easy to get on and there were only a small number of people on the island when we got there. Rented a family tube and the kids had pre purchased Hippo slide tix. The buffet was very good. Excellent day. Ate in the MDR as was very disappointed as the MDR food is just not so great...CCL has them beat in this category for sure. Thursday..We had prebooked tix for the British Colonial Hilton and walked over there. Quiet beach, nice beach bar and restaurant with good food and drinks. We have food vouchers, beach entrance, chairs, towels and thatched umbrellas for all of us and the beach is private, uncrowded and walking distance from the ship. We were pleased with this choice and the simplicity of the day. Again we ate in the MDR..again disappointedFriday..a beautiful day at sea and we discovered the Great Outdoors for breakfast...sunshine, breeze good hot food. Rain in the afternoon but we enjoyed the ship and being able to watch the royal wedding in the Java Cafe with great cappucinos. We ate at Tangos and loved it.And decided there and then not to return to the MDR so we got reservations for Cagneys for the following night. NCL knows what they are doing by keeping the MDR just ok..not great. Of course for a first time cruiser or someone who never travels, the MDR would be considered spectaclular....bit it is not.Saturday..another beautiful day at sea with 5 loungers on the top deck and great dinner at Cagneys.Sunday..easy walk off embarcation and customs with good direction from the staff. Left our cabin at 7:45 and were home in Westchester by 9:15Entertainment....we say all of the shows and were thrilled with all of them...the entertainment is very good on this ship as is the seating and the layout of the theater is much much better than CCL and all the seats are good. We saw Cirque Bijou, Art Duomotion, Band on the Run, the magician, the comedian and the Welcome Aboard show. All in all, we found NCL to be very pleasant and nice and the crew was good, no problems there. Comparing to CCL, I would sail both lines again and I plan to do so, but for next year we are going on the Ruby Princess because it is all about itinery, dates, price, etc..in no specific order...just what works for us and we are happy to have had our expectations met by this cruise and as frequent cruisers we can accept all the little differences in cruiselines and understand the things that are out of anyon's control and fortunately all went well on this cruise, weather, ship, ports...and thankfully we had no problems getting reservations for the specialty restaurants and that the buffet is delicious..because the MDR is not. agbooe