The Good Things about NCL

Here are the things which I really liked about cruising with NCL:

1) I found the staff very friendly and helpful

2) The free beverage package is actually FREE--on Celebrity we were limited to 6 drinks per person.  You just can't beat this deal.  I am not even certain how they make money on this program because you call any drink under $15 and it is included. 

3) I enjoyed the dinners at Manhatten. It is nice atmosphere and comes off like fine dining with white table clothes and entertainment.  I thought the food quality and service were very good as well.  The other two choices, Taste and Savor,  I for reason didn't enjoy as much. I guess the food is the same, but it was just more enjoyable at Manhatten. 

4) Speciality dining --Tapanyaki was outstanding.  You get a ton of food for the money.  The chefs were all really good show men and the food was high quality.  The steakhouse I also enjoyed.  The food was really good and we had very good service.  The french restaurant I would skip and here is why: A) the food took a long time to come out B) the bread was marginal (something I think a french restaurant should be good at)  C) the servers were very nice, but they lacked the professionalism of fine dining.  My wine glass went empty for a long time and when it was finally served, the waiter said "and here is your Sauvignon Blank"  D) the food itself wasn't worth the money extra paid for 

5) I enjoyed the breakfast selections, but lunch was another story.  I found it surprising that they did not offer rice everyday (given the Asian travelers). I also would have enjoyed a better all around selection at lunch time.  We ended up eating at Taste or Savor which has the same lunch menu all week long. 

6) the blow dryers...although balcony staterooms do not have robes.  I had to ask my steward to get me one. 

7) the showers seem a tad bit larger then other ships. 

All in all, I enjoyed NCL.  We had a so so experience on the Epic a couple of years ago, but they seem to have worked out the issues.  Celebrity is still my favorite because the staterooms are nicer, the food is slightly better, they have afternoon sushi, and the other guests are my demographic (mid aged, couples, experienced cruisers).   The other reason I like Celebrity is the layout of the ship.  The Escape is very cut up and has many dead ends.  The walking track is joke--it is a very small circle and it is on the main deck for sunbathing, which means by 9:30am, it is impassable for anyone to get through. Deck 8 was the hidden gem on Escape.  It has bars and cafes with outside seating and was never crowded.