We really enjoyed our time on NCL. We traveled as a family of four on the Jewel. Our two teens met lots of other teens in Entourage and really enjoyed their time as well (I overheard my 13yo say that her days at sea were some of her best memories of the cruise). Our biggest gripe was that the mini-suite was sold to us as a roomier cabin with bunks for our teens. Instead they spent the week sleeping on a hard sofa bed. The cabin was really roomy for a family of four. The food was really good. The service was slow, but still good at Tsar's Palace. We absolutely loved the Le Bistro restaurant and Cagney's was excellent as well. Teppenyaki was good, but I don't think I'd go again (our neighborhood restaurant similar to Teppenyaki is way better). The front desk never seemed to be able to answer questions directly, they either couldn't help or provided inaccurate information. Evangeline who was handled specialty dining reservations and also was the Maitre d in Azura is an excellent asset/employee for Norwegian! Wow, she really has it going on!! From day one she remembered my name and was always asking how my trip was going. All of the staff were so kind. My kids loved the washy, washy ladies. NCL is great about making something so necessary, so fun! Entertainment was good. The magician was a little slow, but the Cirque show was amazing and the acrobats were fantastic. We loved all of the ports, it would be nice if their were more options to get to Anchorage after the cruise. The Garden Cafe was a good option always. The croissants were excellent as were most of the food stations. We liked the Indian food options and would love to see NCL offer an Indian food specialty restaurant. We played Bingo a number of times, we felt that the payout was really cheap compared to Royal Caribbean and Disney. Payouts were meager at best.
Spacious cabin just down from the Bridge viewing area which was really neat to go and see. Christopher our steward was awesome! Great views of the glaciers and even though we were port side we saw orcas and seals and land every day of the cruise except for the last afternoon and evening. Our balcony was spacious (one chaise and two chairs). Our biggest gripe is that the mini-suite (which is the best option for a family of four) didn't have bunks. Two teens on a sofa bed for the week wasn't the best option.