There are two main dining rooms onboard Norwegian Spirit: the Garden Room and Windows. Windows is our top pick and is actually one of the most breathtaking spots on the ship, sitting at the aft end of Deck 6. Dark woods, brocaded chairs and hushed candlelit elegance are framed by gigantic Palladian windows looking over the stern. This room is a classic, and could easily have been found on the famous ocean liners of bygone eras.

NCL's "Freestyle Cruising" concept allows passengers to choose when and with whom to dine for breakfast, lunch and dinner. But that's not all. NCL's "Freestyle Cruising" means choices beyond the traditional dining rooms. One of our favorites is Cagney's Steakhouse, on Deck 7 behind the Grand Centrum, which levies a $20 per-person fee. The eatery offers entrees ranging from grilled salmon to steaks and chops to whole lobsters; the presentation is attractive, the servers solicitous and the meals nicely prepared.

Le Bistro, NCL's French restaurant (surcharge $15), is located forward on Deck 7. Menu items range from appetizers of escargot in garlic butter to Spirit's version of "surf and turf," which includes four small half-tails of lobster, filet mignon, three sauces and a choice of vegetables. A generous portion of salads is offered, including a Caesar complete with anchovies, and a lovely spinach salad with pine nuts and goat cheese. The Bistro's most popular dessert, chocolate fondue, is simply divine: Chunks of fresh fruit are served in a pineapple "boat" and a pot of warmed chocolate is placed on the table for dipping. That item alone is worth the Bistro's surcharge.

The Thai/Japanese/Chinese Shogun ($12.50) serves Asian-fusion dishes such as chicken in green curry, sweet and sour pork, and teriyaki salmon. Not only are the dishes fresh and delicious, but they are also visual works of art. This area is also gorgeous, benefiting greatly from the Asian design influences. The complex also includes a Teppanyaki room and sushi bar (a la carte pricing applies), as well as a Tatami Room where guests sit on the floor for a traditional Japanese dining experience (it accommodates eight, so make reservations early).

The Lido buffet, Raffles Cafe, is the least impressive of Spirit's dining areas. While the food itself is hot and ample, the space is a bit problematic; Raffles features a two-sided buffet line (save for desserts and salads) rather than the staggered food station system many cruise lines including NCL have embraced. Even when the venue didn't "look" busy, there were lines for food and general confusion as to where the queues started.

In the evenings, a section of Raffles is converted into a fee-free Italian restaurant La Trattoria serving pasta and popular Italian fare.

Late-night snacks are provided in the casino and include sandwiches, olives, pickles, veggies and dip, and some sort of hot item (the chicken sate with peanut sauce was great). The Blue Lagoon serves up burgers, fish and chips, and wok dishes 24 hours a day. NCL's signature Chocoholics' Buffet is also present.

Room service is simple, with mostly cold items. The exceptions are ramen noodle soup, made-to-order pizza and grilled cheese sandwiches for kids. Breakfast is continental only, though suite guests get a wider range of room service choices, including hot breakfast, dining room meals served in-suite and a couple of sandwiches not on the menu for guests in standard staterooms.

Hint: The room service sandwiches are very nicely presented, but they are pre-made and sit in the refrigerator for who knows how long before your order arrives at your door. This causes the bread to be kind of hard and curled on the outside, soggy from the lettuce on the inside. Opt instead for one of the grilled cheese sandwiches from the kid's menu; they're freshly made and really good.