We just returned from sailing the Spirit. Previously a Carnival customer for three other cruises, we decided to give Norwegian a try. I have some complaints, but first let it be said that the overall cruise was very good. Come on, it's cruising! It is very hard not to find something good.

There were five in our group and we stayed pre-cruise a couple of days at the Hampton Inn Convention Center. We were very pleased with our stay there this year. We stayed there pre-cruise last year but it was just okay. I will start by getting the hiccups out of the way first.

Last year, almost a year to date we sailed out of New Orleans and witnessed a very sad situation. An older couple in line in front of us had entered the drop off area in a rush since the police pester people to move quickly. Before they realized what had happened the porters ran away with their luggage containing passports and identification. The distraught couple was told if their luggage could not be located in the countless stacked high carts being loaded on the ship, they would not be allowed to sail. Read more