We really enjoyed our first cruise experience. Overall, the service was amazing for the amount of people on the ship. Everyone we encountered was very friendly and helpful. With that being said, the service wasn't perfect, but we didn't let that ruin the experience. Both embarkation and disembarkation was quick and efficient. We enjoyed the many varieties of bars and restaurants. We had no complaints with the food, except for the food on the buffet was pretty much all lukewarm or cold. We had amazing service at Cagney's and Teppanyaki. The quality of the food was also exceptional. The observation lounge is a great space to relax, listen to music, and play cards. We enjoyed the variety of entertainment. We especially liked the Beatles shows. We attended all of them. Each one was a little bit different and really enjoyed hearing them play in the Cavern Club. It's a much more intimate experience. If you want a table, you should arrive about an hour early. The Choir of Man is a must-see show. We felt like we needed a few extra days to be able to enjoy all of the entertainment that was offered. Another positive was the Waterfront area on deck 8. This was a great area to walk, lounge and enjoy a drink and the views of the sea. The ship including the public bathrooms were exceptionally clean. If you are hesitant like I was due to the negative reviews of NCL and the Encore, don't be. We had the most fabulous vacation, and the ship was absolutely amazing.