kldock67

ok, I need to add my .02! :p

This was our first ever cruise, we had no idea what to expect. We had an early arrival time 10-10:30, which the line seemed long (about 3/4 down the building) but we got inside to a MUCH longer and slower line. It took quite a while to check in, they had several new people that really didn't know what they were doing. The lady told us it was her first day! I can't imagine doing that!! There was a small issue with them not knowing if I could check in using my married name because my birth certificate had a different name! LOL This was a last minute gift and we didn't have time to get passports. I did have my marriage license, so after about 20 minutes and several different people looking at it, they decided it would be ok! This whole time, the people were very nice and apologetic about the chaos!

We waited in line quite a while to board...when we got on board, we went to O'Sheehans. The waitress was very nice, took our drink orders, then our food orders. After probably 15 minutes she came back and apologized and told us that the USCG was doing an inspection and not all of the staff was done yet. They had not unlocked the liquor, so it was only beer available. Finally got a drink, but they kept bringing out food, asking every table if they had this...we were offered everything but our order! My husbands order of wings took almost 45 minutes. The staff was nice but VERY confused! We finally finished eating and checked into our room, which was supposed to be an Aft facing balcony. It was aft, but faced starboard. BIG disappointment! The room was nice, but the bed was like sleeping on a ROCK! UGH...not good for me with arthritis.

We rarely saw our cabin steward, but our room was always clean. So, really no complaints.

We then went to the Sail Away party...which was funny because at 4pm we were still in dock. The captain came on and said it was delayed until 10pm. No explanation.

The Sail Away party was amazing. We met the best people...5 other couples that we spent the entire week with. We have lovingly been named the "Dirty Dozen" They made the cruise unforgettable!!

I woke up at 3am to rocking and the ship going under the Skyway Bridge. No announcement had ever been made about our once again delayed departure.

The food in the restaurants was good, the buffet was edible.

The lines at the bars were horrendous! The bartenders had NO personality, and acted like you were bothering them. I ordered a daiquiri at 5 O'Clock Somewhere and was tossed a small menu and told, "this is what you can order". Yikes!!

I will say most of the staff were super friendly, always asking if we needed anything, but there was a lot of apologizing done by the staff. Not the officers, but they waiters, etc.

With that said....We had the most amazing time! Having a good time is totally up to you! We were blessed to meet the greatest friends (that have become lifelong friends) and we thoroughly enjoyed ourselves...laughing at the situations (having our sail away party in the port) lol

We will cruise NCL again, but want to try other cruise lines.

Had the communication been better, the bars stocked better, the crew trained better...people wouldn't have had anything to complain about.

Yes, there were bumps, but choosing to laugh and enjoy and not sweat the small stuff was the best way to do things! I just kept thinking, I'm not in Indiana where it's cold, there are no palm trees, no ocean, no beaches...and there is work!

Thanks to CC for bringing the Dirty Dozen together (love you guys!)

We're checking in now...scheduled on time!

I hope its fixed! We sail Monday for.our 1st cruise!