A step down from last year

Took the exact same trip one year ago, only this time we included our 2 teenagers.  This was their 1st cruise for them, and we wanted to be sure they would be ok on a ship, find enough entertainment, etc. to accompany us to a much longer trip in 2015.

Because there were 4 of us, we chose a suite with a large balcony, #9202, which was 600 sq ft +/-.  A little disappointed here because the room turned out to be nothing like the brochure information.  We thought we were going to have a queen bed in a bedroom separated from the rest of the living space.  This was important for my wife sharing a cabin with 3 guys.  What we found was our bed was in the middle of the room, and bunk beds separated by a sliding wall.  It worked, and the boys like having "their own room".

We were surprised to see all the water leaking into the top of the ship when a thunderstorm blew thru on the 1st day of our trip.  Not just a little water dripping thru a crack, but a waterfall flowing from one floor to the next to the next all the way down to the main Atrium level.  This caused a good deal of the elevators to have to be shut down.  So hundreds of guests were getting exercise walking 3-4 flights of steps to get to and from dinner or to and from a show.

Remember I mentioned we took the exact same trip a year earlier and I must say that I'm convinced the quality of the food this time was far below where we reviewed it last year.  general dining areas are always crowded, and something of a zoo depending on the time of day.  But my wife and I also agreed the specialty restaurants' staff were less customer service oriented.  And the food itself was just barely average.

Wanted to also be sure to mention that our boys found the "Teen Center" on the ship and loved it.  It is staffed by NCL folks, no one is allowed to be there unless you have been verified 13-18 years old, and it is so much more than just a bunch of kids sitting brainlessly in front of a TV playing video games.  They have their own itinerary every night, special events, dances, etc.  My guys (13 and 15) couldn't get enough and made a dozen new friends that they are still checking in with online.  The volleyball court on GSC was taken over by all the teens cementing some new friendships.

With the good has to come some bad and we all agreed Nassau was the worst part of our trip.  Nasty place.  Armed military everywhere, the scooter rental stand (which was close to the pier) was staffed with 5-6 men that I wouldn't trust to carry groceries to my car, and when you return from an excursion you are forced to walk thru a bizarre that is seedy at best.  If Nassau is on our itinerary next year, we will likely just stay on the ship.  #Purell  :-)

All in all, I'd say a consensus of the 4 of us would say :  getting on and off the ship 5 of 5,  food 2 of 5, ship activities 3 of 5, excursions 3 of 5, Nightlife 4 of 5, and Teen Center "6" of 5.  Take your teenagers with you on your cruise....  they will have a blast !