A balcony is lovely for the fjords. But for the majority of a cruse, it’s likely that the only view will be open sea. And we’ve always found that we spend hardly any time in the cabin. The savings you can make by having an ocean view or inside cabin can be substantial.
We’ve done several cruises, mostly with NCL, as we love their ‘freestyle’ way of doing things - no fixed dining times, no formal nights, wear pretty much what you want (most people dress smart casual in the evenings, but it’s not essential). Although it’s definitely worth booking shows and speciality restaurants via the app before you board.
We like the larger NCL ships such as Getaway, Escape etc. Theres lots going on, but plenty of places to escape the crowds if you want. Definitely avoid the buffet on embarkation day - it can be a zoo! The restaurants are much quieter at this time.
Theres not as many activities for kids on NCL as Royal Caribbean, but probably more than P&O or Princess. They have a good kids club- but watch the ages, you might find your 12 year old is in with much younger kids, and not with young teens.
That said, our kids didn’t go to the kids clubs, they still made friends, and found plenty to do.
if you do go on NCL, definitely get their ‘free at sea’ package if you plan to drink at all. It costs around £150 more but includes a large selection of drinks, one or two specialty meals, some limited Wi-Fi etc. All these are expensive on board, so it’s worth having IMO. Buying drinks on board can really add up if you buy them as you go.