We have cruised with NCL and loved it. This experience was not the all inclusive trip we'd hoped for. It was nothing but buffet breakfast/lunch/dinner ... Repeat. And no entertainment. Why? Because we didn't get an earlier boarding time option and missed all the "reservations" ... How can you promote FREE STYLE and require reservations for EVERYTHING and allow others ALL to be booked up prior to getting sail. Public rooms, such as he game room, we got kicked out of for a private event. Not allowed to eat in the large dining room bc of a private event. It was like Everytime we found something or an alternative to do... they shut it down. The ropes course was always closed. Same with majority of the slides. Kids Splash Academy was always overbooked. Shows that actually didn't post about needing reservations, would suddenly need them and we got put on stand by (family escape the big top). We were already a bit disenchanted from being price gouged on our last minute room that became available via a cancellation. $3900 for an interior in a horrible location. NOTHING was family friendly and it was a nightmare for us with 2 young kids. EVERYTHING is an upcharge/ a la carte and comes with tis own "additional" 20% gratuities, on top of the daily service charges of $14.50/ day per person, including young kids. Lines at the bar were always so long, when they were open and bar tenders and wait staff were not personable. The few times we dined in the actual dinning rooms it took 1 1/2 - 2 hrs and that as with skipping the dessert course bc the kids were over it. Food was not worth the angst.
The ports were amazing... We MUCH enjoyed our time away from NCL. The people of Belize City and Costa Maya were wonderful and grateful for our patronage, sometime NCL seemed to take for granted. Although again the "reservation" monster appeared at our tendered port, leaving is on board for hours past arrival.
We took our own excursion... Never through over priced cruise line. $50 and we rented our own local car and toured the entire island at our leisure.
Hired a driver and car for $100 for our entire family. Saw much of the city and learned many things.
Nice beaches. Good facilities. As it is owned by NCL every package booked on board the ship (drinks & dining) should be accepted. Pool was nice but didn't allow young children. So it was the beach or small splash pad.
Made a mistake and took the shuttles to the city vs a taxi. Saved lots using a taxi for return trip. The city is great to explore. Massages on the beach. Beautiful water.