Top 10 Aboard the Norwegian Gem

10. The employees! It's not too often that college students feel like royalty, but when the sommeliers and stewards knew our entourage by our first and last names, it was hard to not feel like we achieved princess status!

9. The ceiling! Upon entering the ship's grand atrium, a gleaming and glittering ceiling of purple stones turned the lobby into a castle.

8. The fish bowls! A frozen cocktail tastes ten times better when it's sipped from a mini souvenir fish bowl.

7. The towels! Turn-down service turned our beach towels into monkeys, mice, and walruses, among other crittery friends! It made showering especially cute.

6. The board game room! It was almost too adorable to watch the lil old couples play round upon round of Monopoly and Bridge while the Spring Breakers took over the pool deck.

5. The spa. I splurged on a massage. Ahhhhh...

4. The themed lounges! Vegas-ey Bliss, '20s-esque Spinnaker, Classy Shakers, Beachy Bali Hai...

3. The Dirty Martinis! I have a new favorite poison...

2. The Cruise Director! Brett Mance, you never failed us. Thank-you.

1. THE FOOD! Lobster. Lobster again. Filet Mignon. Goat Cheese ravioli. All-you-can-eat guacamole. Tortellini gone wild. Fennel and cucumber salad. Lox. Omelets. Soft-serve ice cream. Creme brule. Lobster yet again. Jambalaya. Ceviche. Grouper. Scallops. Risotto. Corn. Sushi. Mac'n'cheese. Wings...

I wonder why the scale read a number I was less than thrilled with upon returning to New York...