This is great to know that you liked NCL we are going to Hawaii with them in December - if you have a second let me know what you really liked about them? I love the anytime dining we just had on Carnival so I think that part of NCL will really appeal to me.
First, let me put on my flame suit.
What I liked about our 14-night cruise on the Norwegian Pearl:
* Freestyle dining. We never waited more than five minutes for a table, and that only happened once or twice. (Tip: go early, go late, or make a reservation -- just like at home.)
* Overall food quality was fine. While some dishes on NCL are better than on DCL, the food overall on DCL is slightly better.
* Having so many dining choices. There are 13 different restaurants. Five are free, and you could spend an entire cruise at these restaurants alone. Eight are specialty restaurants, and we paid as little as $5 pp at the Italian and Tex-Mex restaurants. I find that on
any ship, the food is better (the quality, preparation, presentation) when it's made to order in a small kitchen.
* The best buffet layout I have seen. It's large, open and spacious, and you can go right to
any food station. So if you just want pasta, you don't have to stand in line cafeteria style.
* Four omlette stations at the breakfast buffet.
* A made-to-order dessert crepe station at the dinner buffet.
* Hand scooped ice cream (eight flavors, such as vanilla, chocolate, strawberry, coffee, cinnamon, butter pecan, pistachio, pineapple-coconut) with toppings, plus soft serve.
* Newness of the ship (2006). It has plenty of public areas, a rock climbing wall, bowling alley, 2-story Wii. There were few children on our cruise, so they let adults use the 720 degree waterslide.
* In the main theatre, good shows and entertainers each night. Live musicians instead of pre-recorded tracks. The production shows on Disney are better, unless you've seen them too many times.
* In our cabin, a refrigerator that actually kept things cold.
* A real library with floor to ceiling windows, a very good selection of books, comfy chairs, sofas, and tables.
* An excellent future cruise program. Pay $250 for a Future Cruise Reward Deposit, and immediately get a $100 SBC on your
current cruise, so you can use it right away. Deposit is good for four years and is transferable. No need to pick a "dummy date."
* No rush to leave at disembarkation. The pools, whirlpools, bowling and Wii are open in the morning. We went for breakfast then returned to the cabin to relax. We were able to stay in the cabin until 10:30 AM.
YMMV
Woody