Our family vacation

This ship was very new and very clean.  We had a great time.  The cons were that the desserts were not good at all, 13-18 youth program was disappointing in an that the staff dropped the f bomb a few times and when playing name that tune they played hardcore rap which included racial slurs (the n word) and a lot of swearing.  We are from the States and swearing and racial comments are not acceptable in our home.  Knowing that there are many different walks of life that maybe on a cruise (I believe the staff member had an Austrailian or  New Zealand accent) we understand things are different in other places. For this reason, my 15 year old daughter and her 14 year old friend did not return.  Getting a drink took a lot of time.  It seemed that the bartenders did not have to work for their 15% since they already were receiving it automatically.  Your best bet, buy a bottle from the bar for around $80 and bring on your soda and make your own.  You will get it faster because the drink package is not worth it if you have to wait 15 mins each time you get a drink and you can only order one at a time(with the drink package).  Pools were too small and not enough seating around them. bad design for the outdoor space.  should have a larger pool in middle. Service at the Tropicana restaurant was very poor.  We didn't even know the kids had a menu to choose from and again getting a drink was like pulling teeth.  The food served was very good though.  There seemed to be a constant banging in our rooms just above our heads and we stayed on 5.  Funny enough other friends stayed down the hall on 5 and said the same thing as well as others in our party that stayed on 9.  it became white noise after a while.

Pros: The illusionairiam show was great and the food at the show was really good. Kids loved the water slides and ice cream. Cafe buffet was good with a lot of choices.  Cleaning staff was very good and nice. Legally Blonde was a cute show but I wish they would change the opening song to Oh My Gosh instead of Oh My God.  We are not a go to church every week family but after hearing Oh My God over a 150x one could grindge.  Beds were comfy, boat was very clean.  Back of the ship outside on deck 8 was my husbands happy place. Kids (12 and 15) loved the freedom to roam on the ship.

My advise to Norwegian: Get a better serving staff, ones that can understand English  (when having a cruise that leaves from the states), get a pastry chef, though your desserts looked pretty they were bad tasting.  Your cruise director was very funny, lively and entertaining.  I loved hearing his voice every morning with the announcements.