Having only cruised 2x prior to this and only on Carnival I felt I made a step up in my cruise experience.

I said I would never use the NY port again, but the employees this time were very nice and also quick with checking us in. ( My last cruise out of there on Carnival was a nightmare, the lines hardly moved, and employees were quite rude to many people. ) Our cabin was ready when we boarded and our luggage took little time to get to us. The decks were less slippery than what I've had before, and the employees all through the ship spoke GREAT English and were all so nice and very sociable. The muster was the best I've experienced out of all I've had. We loved O'Sheehans, and loved the buffet choices and quality of the food. Hated Carnival buffet and always ate in the main dining room. Norwegian negative is their main dining room menus...not that great. Liked Carnivals better with Shrimp Cocktail for starters as well as some weird stuff like gator and frog legs. And of course Carnival had a Lobster Night...no need to go to a premium restaurant on your cruise for lobster. Negative on Norwegians dining room hours for breakfast...7:30-9:30am....was not happy with that nor the fact they don't have Sea Day Brunches in the dining rooms.

The juices and waters much better on Norwegian, more choices. We liked the larger showers with glass enclosures and not shower curtains. The hair dryer was heavy duty, and the cabin had a couple electrical outlets which was handy too. The entertainment was outstanding. Was disappointed at the amount of open decks and seating on the decks. I was only able to get a lounge when people we off ship and on shore. Lounges poolside would have towels and things on them, yet the pool deck was void of people. I could never get a seat and being slightly disabled it was a disappointment. Also can not understand why they had nice steps in the family pool, but only ladders in the adult only pool. Tough for seniors getting up those ladders so we had to deal with the kids in the family pool. Deck 14 was under work while we were on and closed most times or at least an area at times....thus too less seating for people. The officers were great and informative. We were lucky to get a bridge tour for our CC roll call, and we met the Capt and other staff at our meet & greet on day 2. I found the ships ambiance a bit tacky....crazy mix of colors everywhere. One woman described the Ultra Bliss Lounge as a bordello with the beds here and there in there.( The color scheme in there did not help) But, I'd recommend the ship for the crew it has, the ability to find different areas and the service and the buffet food and O'Sheehans. I can't wait for my next Norwegian experience!