Let me start by saying we just got back from the Norwegian Escape, during NJ Week. This is a week that all NJ schools are closed for 2-3 days, so it's a popular time for families to go with school-age children. We went with 4 teenagers (15-17) and a toddler (less than 3). We booked this trip for a few reasons: It sailed from NYC so we didn't have to fly, it looked VERY family/kid friendly, it was a newer ship with lots to do.
The Ship: The ship is GORGEOUS! It's very well maintained, very clean, and has quite a bit to do on it. After being on it for a day or so, you get used to it and know where to go and how to find places.
Bars: There are a TON of bars. If I didn't have the unlimited drinks package, this would actually be annoying as it seems there's a bar every 10 feet (similar to a Starbucks on every corner in NYC). The drinks were GREAT! There's a mojito bar (Sugarcane) that had amazing passionfruit mojitos, and a bunch of other varieties. Margaritaville (on Deck 17) had amazing margaritas, etc. Drinks were great overall.
Cabin was very small, but not unexpected, with very little storage space for clothes.