This cruise was a pre inaugural shakedown cruise from Dover to Amsterdam and then back to Dover. We were part of a group cruise organised by our TA, Phil.

Check in was scheduled for 12:30pm however as soon as we arrived at the Dover Terminal at 11:00am we were checked in and on board. The check in procedures were excellent, much better than I had previously experienced in Miami.

Stateroom 8501

We had an inside cabin on Deck 8 Forward. The cabin was excellent. As we were the first guests to use this cabin everything was in perfect condition and brand new. The beds were very comfortable. The showers were nice, There were toiletries provided. One thing I did like was the do not disturb sign on the outside. You turned the disc to give notice that you wanted your room made up, bed turned down etc. However the disc was a bit stiff. No major problem.

Grand Pacific Restaurant

The word grand sums up this restaurant. The restaurant is impressive. The food was equally impressive in particular the Beet Soup and Rotisserie chicken with rice, roast carrots and parsnips. I have often heard people complain about the food on NCL. I have not experienced that and this cruise was no different. The freestyle was good for me as I could have my meal as and when I wanted it. I never waited longer than a minute to get a table.

The Blue Lagoon

Another nice little restaurant on the second floor of the Crystal Atrium. I had Chicken wings and Cantonese Rice with pork. All very nice. My parents both loved this restaurant.

Cagneys Steakhouse

We had a booking for 16. Unfortunately we ended up with 2 tables of 8.
The food was great. I enjoyed my T-bone with port wine sauce.

This was a specialist restaurant with a cover charge of $20 per person.

Whilst the service on our table was very good, the other table of 8 was not. The Maitre'd stepped in to sort matters out.

It was my mother's birthday. I had ordered a birthday cake for her. It was duly presented at the meal with the staff singing "Happy Birthday". Her face was a picture.

Garden Cafe

This is the main cafe/buffet place to eat. There were stations for every type of food. For diabetics there were plenty of sugar free desserts. The food here was very good and in the main cooked on the spot so you know it is fresh.

There were two minor problems here (nothing to ruin your vacation). The tea provided was not very good (As an Englishman I like my strong and tasty tea). The main problem and I think NCL will have to do something about it is that the table and chairs are so close to each other that it is difficult to pass by.