Live and learn.

Although we are both world travelers this was our first cruise on a ship of this size. 

Good Things:

Staff and Crew were EXCELLENT. Really top notch, kind, wonderful people.. out of a 1,000 we encountered only one person with a little attitude and he was quick to correct himself. Yet, the maintenance crew seemed overwhelmed by our requests to rid our room of a plumbing stench.

Dining was great, yet none of the restaurants really "understood" desserts - no "wows", just passable. 

Shows - Second City was great- saw all their performances including the murder mystery and the "adult" show. They were at their best when they had to think, instead of settling for expletives or sophomoric sexual innuendos, his the "adult" show was the least impressive if not just plain boring, due to their playing to the lowest intellect and or maturity (there were quite a few people in the room that were clearly under 18, despite the caution).

The singers and dancers were very talented, yet it would be nice to have them more clothed or at least warn focus with children about the level of skin. Elements was brilliant, minus the overt "sex acts" in the fire movement, again just give folks a heads up, so they can decide for themselves what they want to tolerate. Otherwise the Frog aerialist were wonderful, the Wind, Movement was actually quite moving, Water Movement was lovely, but the jellyfish moving across the backstage is kind of "lost" (intentional?), yet the Snow movement was gorgeous and a brilliant finale.  It is a fun show, despite that fact that Haines and Haines majic performance and style is a bit "dated" and was underwhelming...again the dancer ensemble and aerialist save the day. The Ineffable Two were flawless...really spectacular demonstration of strength, elegance, and grace. Well Done.

Accommodations: our room was surprisingly spacious and our attendant, Jasemere was lovely and kind. However, the shower and toilet had an unfortunate, yet pervasive stench that lasted the entire trip. we reported it 3 times and, but solution wasn't found. We suspect the traps needed to be cleaned because they smelled of refuse. It would have been nice to have been moved to a different room, since it was our anniversary/honeymoon, but there was not offer to do so.  Fortunately for us the excursions and events kept us out of the room most of the time,but sleeping in the stink was unpleasant and unromantic.

We specifically, loved Dan French. He was delightful, witty, kindhearted, and engaging. Dan also facilitated a Christmas service that was quaint and sweet. He is also a heck of a tenor, despite the late hours and lack of sleep he must endure. 

Dora, the Internet Director, was a saintly example of customer service and professionalism as we witnessed her being bombarded by tech savvy-less cruisers from all walks of life. We were impressed. 

Sunshine, in the Spa was helpful in dealing with the drunk people who overran it daily and unfortunately made what should have been a restful haven an ineffective expense, instead of an alternative to the crowded and noise main deck pools. Again, maintenance was poor in the Spa as well, with slippery dressing rooms, running toilets, broken saunas and steam rooms, and a weird black slime in the swimming pool around the rim near the ladder (all of which we reported to no avail.)

That all said, minus the mall like atmosphere and constant up-selling, the lack of a really good dark chocolate dish, and the smelly room... we had a great time because of our love for each other and mostly cheerful encounters with new people. It isn't for everyone,but now that we are more knowledgeable we would cruise again... and having spent almost 5,000 on the cruise alone, we will do some informed shopping to see what else is available to us.

A refund on our room and the spa, would make us choose Norwegian again, but if not we can afford to spend our money elsewhere.

For additional clarification feel free to contact us:

Mary Johnson Ernst and James Ernst

Happy New Year.