RCVoyager

I might also mention, the OP claims this was the "worst cruise ever".  I can think of plenty of cruises that were way worse than this one.  Today is April 17.  One in particular ended rather suddenly 110 years and 2 days ago that I'm sure was way worse.

We were on the 2nd week of October, and although it wasn't announced, the ship had to be at capacity (6500).  Oasis Class full capacity is 6700, and it is 25% larger.
There were people everywhere all the time.  Elevators were a nightmare (my mother-in-law was with us so had to use them).  The Carnival App is a joke.  Even with it, there were lines down the hall for every restaurant at every meal.  The service people were doing the best they could, but there was no way to manage that crowd.    Three times during the week, our entrees arrived before our appetizers.  Oftentimes the food was cold, and again we did not believe the problem was from poor service, it was from an overwhelming crowd.
If you weren't waiting in line for a show or comedy show at least 30 minutes prior, you would not get a seat.  There were people sitting on the floor for every comedy show we attended.
To make the crowd matter worse, there is a big theater in the front of the ship that is hardly used, and there is an inadequate stage that carves a bunch of space mid-ship that takes 3 or 4 decks.  The seating is poor, and the flow of the ship is badly interupted.  And the main theater sits empty.
The roller coaster can't be used for 4 hours after the slightest rain.  Needless to say, in the Caribbean, there is not much use for it.  It does however interfere with important deck space, namely the walking track with is totally inadequate to begin with.  People didn't even bother to try on that track.
When you get that many people, the worst comes out in some of them.  My m-i-l was pushed by a guy who didn't want to wait his turn.  When confronted, he claimed it was accidental.  I saw it, it was purposeful.
What Carnival is doing is cruise malpractice, and that was the first vacation I've been on, out of many, that was a waste of money, and I felt cheated.
I sent a negative review and never heard back from them, so I followed-up.  Got corporate run around.  Carnival does not care.
I say again, do not sail carnival.

I've been thinking about this for several months.  I don't want to sound like a grumpy or winey old man. I think, in the end, my wife and I are done with the big ships.  I know many here love them, and I've been trying to put my finger on why we didn't like our cruise last October on the Mardi Gras... yes, I know this is a Royal fan site, but Royal even more than Carnival is in the big ship game.  If this post offends you, please back out of it while I try to make a short, but I think relevant point that I think some here will agree with.
For my wife, it was simply the number of people jammed onto the ship, the poor service associated with managing 6500 people in such a small space, ect.  She probably wouldn't go back for free if offered.
For me, it was something different.  I didn't like the crowds that were everywhere all the time.  I didn't like having to use my phone on the ship to make reservations, but that really wasn't it.  I think it was the loss of connection with the sea.  It used to be when on a cruise, you were one with the sea.  There were great vantage points everywhere, and people would stand at the rail staring at it, being part of it, looking a the horizon, perhaps daydreaming of what could be or what could have been.
Now with all the activities and people, the ships are more like an amusement part, and the people are everywhere.  On the Mardi Gras, in the public areas, the rails are higher and set back from the side by an extra foot... the panoramic view is substantially cut for people of average height.  On these ships, the sea has become just another interstate.  It's nothing more than a way for the cruise line to kill time while they fill you with food, drink, and activities that drive revenue.
I haven't been to this site or posted as much in the last six months, and I think, sadly, it's because I've lost a lot of interest in cruising.  Again, not wanting to be a winey child, I've really tried to figure out why I didn't enjoy that trip at all, and wondered if any of the long time posters here have any of the same thoughts.

I've been thinking about this for several months.  I don't want to sound like a grumpy or winey old man. I think, in the end, my wife and I are done with the big ships.  I know many here love them, and I've been trying to put my finger on why we didn't like our cruise last October on the Mardi Gras... yes, I know this is a Royal fan site, but Royal even more than Carnival is in the big ship game.  If this post offends you, please back out of it while I try to make a short, but I think relevant point that I think some here will agree with.
For my wife, it was simply the number of people jammed onto the ship, the poor service associated with managing 6500 people in such a small space, ect.  She probably wouldn't go back for free if offered.
For me, it was something different.  I didn't like the crowds that were everywhere all the time.  I didn't like having to use my phone on the ship to make reservations, but that really wasn't it.  I think it was the loss of connection with the sea.  It used to be when on a cruise, you were one with the sea.  There were great vantage points everywhere, and people would stand at the rail staring at it, being part of it, looking a the horizon, perhaps daydreaming of what could be or what could have been.
Now with all the activities and people, the ships are more like an amusement part, and the people are everywhere.  On the Mardi Gras, in the public areas, the rails are higher and set back from the side by an extra foot... the panoramic view is substantially cut for people of average height.  On these ships, the sea has become just another interstate.  It's nothing more than a way for the cruise line to kill time while they fill you with food, drink, and activities that drive revenue.
I haven't been to this site or posted as much in the last six months, and I think, sadly, it's because I've lost a lot of interest in cruising.  Again, not wanting to be a winey child, I've really tried to figure out why I didn't enjoy that trip at all, and wondered if any of the long time posters here have any of the same thoughts.

I've been thinking about this for several months.  I don't want to sound like a grumpy or winey old man. I think, in the end, my wife and I are done with the big ships.  I know many here love them, and I've been trying to put my finger on why we didn't like our cruise last October on the Mardi Gras... yes, I know this is a Royal fan site, but Royal even more than Carnival is in the big ship game.  If this post offends you, please back out of it while I try to make a short, but I think relevant point that I think some here will agree with.
For my wife, it was simply the number of people jammed onto the ship, the poor service associated with managing 6500 people in such a small space, ect.  She probably wouldn't go back for free if offered.
For me, it was something different.  I didn't like the crowds that were everywhere all the time.  I didn't like having to use my phone on the ship to make reservations, but that really wasn't it.  I think it was the loss of connection with the sea.  It used to be when on a cruise, you were one with the sea.  There were great vantage points everywhere, and people would stand at the rail staring at it, being part of it, looking a the horizon, perhaps daydreaming of what could be or what could have been.
Now with all the activities and people, the ships are more like an amusement part, and the people are everywhere.  On the Mardi Gras, in the public areas, the rails are higher and set back from the side by an extra foot... the panoramic view is substantially cut for people of average height.  On these ships, the sea has become just another interstate.  It's nothing more than a way for the cruise line to kill time while they fill you with food, drink, and activities that drive revenue.
I haven't been to this site or posted as much in the last six months, and I think, sadly, it's because I've lost a lot of interest in cruising.  Again, not wanting to be a winey child, I've really tried to figure out why I didn't enjoy that trip at all, and wondered if any of the long time posters here have any of the same thoughts.

I've been thinking about this for several months.  I don't want to sound like a grumpy or winey old man. I think, in the end, my wife and I are done with the big ships.  I know many here love them, and I've been trying to put my finger on why we didn't like our cruise last October on the Mardi Gras... yes, I know this is a Royal fan site, but Royal even more than Carnival is in the big ship game.  If this post offends you, please back out of it while I try to make a short, but I think relevant point that I think some here will agree with.
For my wife, it was simply the number of people jammed onto the ship, the poor service associated with managing 6500 people in such a small space, ect.  She probably wouldn't go back for free if offered.
For me, it was something different.  I didn't like the crowds that were everywhere all the time.  I didn't like having to use my phone on the ship to make reservations, but that really wasn't it.  I think it was the loss of connection with the sea.  It used to be when on a cruise, you were one with the sea.  There were great vantage points everywhere, and people would stand at the rail staring at it, being part of it, looking a the horizon, perhaps daydreaming of what could be or what could have been.
Now with all the activities and people, the ships are more like an amusement part, and the people are everywhere.  On the Mardi Gras, in the public areas, the rails are higher and set back from the side by an extra foot... the panoramic view is substantially cut for people of average height.  On these ships, the sea has become just another interstate.  It's nothing more than a way for the cruise line to kill time while they fill you with food, drink, and activities that drive revenue.
I haven't been to this site or posted as much in the last six months, and I think, sadly, it's because I've lost a lot of interest in cruising.  Again, not wanting to be a winey child, I've really tried to figure out why I didn't enjoy that trip at all, and wondered if any of the long time posters here have any of the same thoughts.

I have done Carnival as much or more than RCCL.  I really liked the Magic, and I was so looking forward to the Mardi Gras.  I was badly disappointed by the poor layout, the wasted space, the poor service, and the overcrowding of the Mardi Gras, but again as mentioned, it was almost as if the designers wanted passengers to forget they were on a ship.  Double width 5ft high glass rails everywhere is just terrible.  No connection to the Sea.
I've been fortunate enough to travel a couple of hundred weeks in my 59 years.  Very few times, maybe only this one time, did I feel cheated... did I wish I have done something else with my vacation time and dollars.
Carnival was not interested in our experience.  I tried to discuss it with their customer service people after the fact.  I received boiler plate responses.  I guess they know they can fill that ship every week with 6500 passengers looking to eat and drink until they are drunk and foundered... even if they run a few dozen sea loving traditional cruisers off per week.  There is a never ending supply of partygoers to take our place.  
Thanks to those above who mentioned the smaller ships, and I do think that's the way to go. Royal's Voyager Class has been good to us.  Additionally, we have most enjoyed renting condos at small complexes in Providenciales, St. Croix, Barbados, St. Thomas, and Grand Cayman.  The small complexes allow you to unplug.  St. Croix was on a small beach that was not crowded at all.  Cayman and Provo were on World Famous Seven Mile Beach and Grace Bay Beach... but were not near a big resort.  Very nice.  Very quiet.

I've been thinking about this for several months.  I don't want to sound like a grumpy or winey old man. I think, in the end, my wife and I are done with the big ships.  I know many here love them, and I've been trying to put my finger on why we didn't like our cruise last October on the Mardi Gras... yes, I know this is a Royal fan site, but Royal even more than Carnival is in the big ship game.  If this post offends you, please back out of it while I try to make a short, but I think relevant point that I think some here will agree with.
For my wife, it was simply the number of people jammed onto the ship, the poor service associated with managing 6500 people in such a small space, ect.  She probably wouldn't go back for free if offered.
For me, it was something different.  I didn't like the crowds that were everywhere all the time.  I didn't like having to use my phone on the ship to make reservations, but that really wasn't it.  I think it was the loss of connection with the sea.  It used to be when on a cruise, you were one with the sea.  There were great vantage points everywhere, and people would stand at the rail staring at it, being part of it, looking a the horizon, perhaps daydreaming of what could be or what could have been.
Now with all the activities and people, the ships are more like an amusement part, and the people are everywhere.  On the Mardi Gras, in the public areas, the rails are higher and set back from the side by an extra foot... the panoramic view is substantially cut for people of average height.  On these ships, the sea has become just another interstate.  It's nothing more than a way for the cruise line to kill time while they fill you with food, drink, and activities that drive revenue.
I haven't been to this site or posted as much in the last six months, and I think, sadly, it's because I've lost a lot of interest in cruising.  Again, not wanting to be a winey child, I've really tried to figure out why I didn't enjoy that trip at all, and wondered if any of the long time posters here have any of the same thoughts.

I too am not a fan of the big ships. Freedom is the biggest I like, Oasis doesn't do it for me and I have ZERO interest in Icon. I love Radiance class, where you do feel connected to the ocean. While I do enjoy the promenade I can get that on Voyager or Freedom class. I also enjoy quantum class, Odyssey being my favorite (I know that is not a popular opinion LOL) 
We are branching out and trying new things lines. We are trying MSC this fall in Yacht Club, something I would never consider except it was only $300 more than Symphony in a OV for the same week. We tried Celebrity last year, it was ok, older ship so we would like to a newer ship. 

For us, the itinerary is everything, since we are traveling. I agree with OP that smaller ships make the sea more accessible. Medium-sized ships have a Promenade and quiet spots, too. I can also see the appeal of larger ships for family reunions.

I’ve been on just a few classes of Royal ships and enjoyed each one for their unique style.  Have truly never experienced feeling overcrowdedness (?) on any…so far.  Perhaps the other cruise lines do not quite match what Royal has achieved?
 Since the OP mentioned Mardi Gras…I look forward to seeing it for myself as it’s going to be one of 2 larger ships for me in September!
I am definitely partial to Royal!  I do hope @RCVoyager will give Royal another chance by taking the advice of the above comments!

Just stick with the smaller ships that give you the connection you desire. We love Freedom Class, like smaller classes, tolerate slightly bigger, don't plan to set foot on megaships.

I LOVE the Oasis class ships and feel the crowding is at a minimal due to the amount of activities and areas to congregate. So over crowding hasn't really been an issue to me, BUT I will agree, and have brought this up in other forums and platforms- the lack of ocean views and connectivity to the water is definitely lacking.  The fact that you can't see the ocean from the bars and lounges, or the restaurants and even the promenade unless you go out to the running track, is something they really seemed to have dropped the ball on.  The Older\smaller ships have windows in the Schooner bar and most of the restaurants, along the promenade areas....so you can see outside, Oasis does not. It does look like they opened it up some more on Icon, especially with that giant window on the side.  And the Quantum class ships have the lounge in the back with a great view. I am a huge fan of  Oasis, and the lack of interior views is really my only critique.

I've been thinking about this for several months.  I don't want to sound like a grumpy or winey old man. I think, in the end, my wife and I are done with the big ships.  I know many here love them, and I've been trying to put my finger on why we didn't like our cruise last October on the Mardi Gras... yes, I know this is a Royal fan site, but Royal even more than Carnival is in the big ship game.  If this post offends you, please back out of it while I try to make a short, but I think relevant point that I think some here will agree with.
For my wife, it was simply the number of people jammed onto the ship, the poor service associated with managing 6500 people in such a small space, ect.  She probably wouldn't go back for free if offered.
For me, it was something different.  I didn't like the crowds that were everywhere all the time.  I didn't like having to use my phone on the ship to make reservations, but that really wasn't it.  I think it was the loss of connection with the sea.  It used to be when on a cruise, you were one with the sea.  There were great vantage points everywhere, and people would stand at the rail staring at it, being part of it, looking a the horizon, perhaps daydreaming of what could be or what could have been.
Now with all the activities and people, the ships are more like an amusement part, and the people are everywhere.  On the Mardi Gras, in the public areas, the rails are higher and set back from the side by an extra foot... the panoramic view is substantially cut for people of average height.  On these ships, the sea has become just another interstate.  It's nothing more than a way for the cruise line to kill time while they fill you with food, drink, and activities that drive revenue.
I haven't been to this site or posted as much in the last six months, and I think, sadly, it's because I've lost a lot of interest in cruising.  Again, not wanting to be a winey child, I've really tried to figure out why I didn't enjoy that trip at all, and wondered if any of the long time posters here have any of the same thoughts.

I've been thinking about this for several months.  I don't want to sound like a grumpy or winey old man. I think, in the end, my wife and I are done with the big ships.  I know many here love them, and I've been trying to put my finger on why we didn't like our cruise last October on the Mardi Gras... yes, I know this is a Royal fan site, but Royal even more than Carnival is in the big ship game.  If this post offends you, please back out of it while I try to make a short, but I think relevant point that I think some here will agree with.
For my wife, it was simply the number of people jammed onto the ship, the poor service associated with managing 6500 people in such a small space, ect.  She probably wouldn't go back for free if offered.
For me, it was something different.  I didn't like the crowds that were everywhere all the time.  I didn't like having to use my phone on the ship to make reservations, but that really wasn't it.  I think it was the loss of connection with the sea.  It used to be when on a cruise, you were one with the sea.  There were great vantage points everywhere, and people would stand at the rail staring at it, being part of it, looking a the horizon, perhaps daydreaming of what could be or what could have been.
Now with all the activities and people, the ships are more like an amusement part, and the people are everywhere.  On the Mardi Gras, in the public areas, the rails are higher and set back from the side by an extra foot... the panoramic view is substantially cut for people of average height.  On these ships, the sea has become just another interstate.  It's nothing more than a way for the cruise line to kill time while they fill you with food, drink, and activities that drive revenue.
I haven't been to this site or posted as much in the last six months, and I think, sadly, it's because I've lost a lot of interest in cruising.  Again, not wanting to be a winey child, I've really tried to figure out why I didn't enjoy that trip at all, and wondered if any of the long time posters here have any of the same thoughts.

I've been thinking about this for several months.  I don't want to sound like a grumpy or winey old man. I think, in the end, my wife and I are done with the big ships.  I know many here love them, and I've been trying to put my finger on why we didn't like our cruise last October on the Mardi Gras... yes, I know this is a Royal fan site, but Royal even more than Carnival is in the big ship game.  If this post offends you, please back out of it while I try to make a short, but I think relevant point that I think some here will agree with.
For my wife, it was simply the number of people jammed onto the ship, the poor service associated with managing 6500 people in such a small space, ect.  She probably wouldn't go back for free if offered.
For me, it was something different.  I didn't like the crowds that were everywhere all the time.  I didn't like having to use my phone on the ship to make reservations, but that really wasn't it.  I think it was the loss of connection with the sea.  It used to be when on a cruise, you were one with the sea.  There were great vantage points everywhere, and people would stand at the rail staring at it, being part of it, looking a the horizon, perhaps daydreaming of what could be or what could have been.
Now with all the activities and people, the ships are more like an amusement part, and the people are everywhere.  On the Mardi Gras, in the public areas, the rails are higher and set back from the side by an extra foot... the panoramic view is substantially cut for people of average height.  On these ships, the sea has become just another interstate.  It's nothing more than a way for the cruise line to kill time while they fill you with food, drink, and activities that drive revenue.
I haven't been to this site or posted as much in the last six months, and I think, sadly, it's because I've lost a lot of interest in cruising.  Again, not wanting to be a winey child, I've really tried to figure out why I didn't enjoy that trip at all, and wondered if any of the long time posters here have any of the same thoughts.

I've been thinking about this for several months.  I don't want to sound like a grumpy or winey old man. I think, in the end, my wife and I are done with the big ships.  I know many here love them, and I've been trying to put my finger on why we didn't like our cruise last October on the Mardi Gras... yes, I know this is a Royal fan site, but Royal even more than Carnival is in the big ship game.  If this post offends you, please back out of it while I try to make a short, but I think relevant point that I think some here will agree with.
For my wife, it was simply the number of people jammed onto the ship, the poor service associated with managing 6500 people in such a small space, ect.  She probably wouldn't go back for free if offered.
For me, it was something different.  I didn't like the crowds that were everywhere all the time.  I didn't like having to use my phone on the ship to make reservations, but that really wasn't it.  I think it was the loss of connection with the sea.  It used to be when on a cruise, you were one with the sea.  There were great vantage points everywhere, and people would stand at the rail staring at it, being part of it, looking a the horizon, perhaps daydreaming of what could be or what could have been.
Now with all the activities and people, the ships are more like an amusement part, and the people are everywhere.  On the Mardi Gras, in the public areas, the rails are higher and set back from the side by an extra foot... the panoramic view is substantially cut for people of average height.  On these ships, the sea has become just another interstate.  It's nothing more than a way for the cruise line to kill time while they fill you with food, drink, and activities that drive revenue.
I haven't been to this site or posted as much in the last six months, and I think, sadly, it's because I've lost a lot of interest in cruising.  Again, not wanting to be a winey child, I've really tried to figure out why I didn't enjoy that trip at all, and wondered if any of the long time posters here have any of the same thoughts.

I've been thinking about this for several months.  I don't want to sound like a grumpy or winey old man. I think, in the end, my wife and I are done with the big ships.  I know many here love them, and I've been trying to put my finger on why we didn't like our cruise last October on the Mardi Gras... yes, I know this is a Royal fan site, but Royal even more than Carnival is in the big ship game.  If this post offends you, please back out of it while I try to make a short, but I think relevant point that I think some here will agree with.
For my wife, it was simply the number of people jammed onto the ship, the poor service associated with managing 6500 people in such a small space, ect.  She probably wouldn't go back for free if offered.
For me, it was something different.  I didn't like the crowds that were everywhere all the time.  I didn't like having to use my phone on the ship to make reservations, but that really wasn't it.  I think it was the loss of connection with the sea.  It used to be when on a cruise, you were one with the sea.  There were great vantage points everywhere, and people would stand at the rail staring at it, being part of it, looking a the horizon, perhaps daydreaming of what could be or what could have been.
Now with all the activities and people, the ships are more like an amusement part, and the people are everywhere.  On the Mardi Gras, in the public areas, the rails are higher and set back from the side by an extra foot... the panoramic view is substantially cut for people of average height.  On these ships, the sea has become just another interstate.  It's nothing more than a way for the cruise line to kill time while they fill you with food, drink, and activities that drive revenue.
I haven't been to this site or posted as much in the last six months, and I think, sadly, it's because I've lost a lot of interest in cruising.  Again, not wanting to be a winey child, I've really tried to figure out why I didn't enjoy that trip at all, and wondered if any of the long time posters here have any of the same thoughts.

I read of this horror story for a family on NCL a few months ago.  Arrived late to Vancouver.  NCL and Federal Law didn't allow them to board on their 1st Alaska port of call, because the requirement to have at least one out of the US port wasn't met.  To make matters worse, the financial obligation to NCL was only $500 per person which did not pay their way back home.  It was NCL's air to sea, and a family of roughly 14 lost $60,000.  I never read if a better resolution was ever obtained.
My advice, get earlier flights now.

My brothers and I did the Barenaked Ladies 1 & 3.  Most of the ship's regular entertainment was given the week off.  There was about 25 bands on board.  They started as early as 10AM around the pool and went until about 3 AM.  They played everywhere a stage could be set-up including the casino.  These were not cover bands, but regional lesser known bands with BNL being the headliner.
Upon embarkation, there was a long line... we did not know why.  When we finally got to the end of it, a pair of double doors opened.  We walked in.  There, set in pose  was BNL. A photo was taken, and every passenger received an 8x10 photo of their party with the band.  It was a very nice touch.  That was also the cruise where the now famous Barenaked at Sea photo took place.  700 people posed naked for a photo on the Lido Deck.  You can look it up.
At the sail away show by the pool, the band mentioned they were on board with their families.  Their request was if we see them about the ship alone or with other band members to approach to say hello.  When with their families, please give privacy.  And that's exactly what happened.  The bands we accessible, and would sign stuff if you wanted.
That's where we met our now favorite band: Gaelic Storm. One afternoon at lunch by the pool, a member of GS asked if he could sit with us for lunch.  He said, "I saw you at our show last night.  Thanks for coming out."  We had a nice 30 minutes with him.
This was the  best cruise experience I've had.

FYI... off topic, but also relevant.  The Carnival Mardi Gras (and its sisters too presumably) has no public spaces anywhere on the ship with less than 5 foot high glass and a double rail.  It is another reason to never book that ship.

Absolutely.  100% way too crowded.  I'm surprised whoever from a government standpoint allows that many.  It was like being in a packed high school gym 100% of the time.

We were on the 2nd week of October, and although it wasn't announced, the ship had to be at capacity (6500).  Oasis Class full capacity is 6700, and it is 25% larger.
There were people everywhere all the time.  Elevators were a nightmare (my mother-in-law was with us so had to use them).  The Carnival App is a joke.  Even with it, there were lines down the hall for every restaurant at every meal.  The service people were doing the best they could, but there was no way to manage that crowd.    Three times during the week, our entrees arrived before our appetizers.  Oftentimes the food was cold, and again we did not believe the problem was from poor service, it was from an overwhelming crowd.
If you weren't waiting in line for a show or comedy show at least 30 minutes prior, you would not get a seat.  There were people sitting on the floor for every comedy show we attended.
To make the crowd matter worse, there is a big theater in the front of the ship that is hardly used, and there is an inadequate stage that carves a bunch of space mid-ship that takes 3 or 4 decks.  The seating is poor, and the flow of the ship is badly interupted.  And the main theater sits empty.
The roller coaster can't be used for 4 hours after the slightest rain.  Needless to say, in the Caribbean, there is not much use for it.  It does however interfere with important deck space, namely the walking track with is totally inadequate to begin with.  People didn't even bother to try on that track.
When you get that many people, the worst comes out in some of them.  My m-i-l was pushed by a guy who didn't want to wait his turn.  When confronted, he claimed it was accidental.  I saw it, it was purposeful.
What Carnival is doing is cruise malpractice, and that was the first vacation I've been on, out of many, that was a waste of money, and I felt cheated.
I sent a negative review and never heard back from them, so I followed-up.  Got corporate run around.  Carnival does not care.
I say again, do not sail carnival.

I believe there are many negative NCL reviews.  Carnival too.  I think in the post Covid world, the almighty dollar is more important than ever to those companies.  I have not heard a lot of bad RCCL reviews, so maybe it is different.
I personally carried Carnival's water up until our Mardi Gras experience in October.  Unless you want to be packed in like sardines, do not, and I mean DO NOT book Carnival. 

I read of this horror story for a family on NCL a few months ago.  Arrived late to Vancouver.  NCL and Federal Law didn't allow them to board on their 1st Alaska port of call, because the requirement to have at least one out of the US port wasn't met.  To make matters worse, the financial obligation to NCL was only $500 per person which did not pay their way back home.  It was NCL's air to sea, and a family of roughly 14 lost $60,000.  I never read if a better resolution was ever obtained.
My advice, get earlier flights now.