Hi, this is our first cruise ever and would love some info on this cruise...11 day western caribbean cruise on March 11/07. Have seen the little pool on the front of the ship but don't see it in the deck plans, or how you get to it? also we are booked in a mini-suite do they ever offer to upgrade you to a penthouse? Is the java coffee shop included in price or do you have to pay extra? anyother info would be greatly appreciated. thanks

As a passenger, you can't get to the "little pool" on the Dawn's bow, 'cause it's the crew's hot tub.

NCL does offer upsells, but don't call them, wait on them to call you. You have to be lucky to be offered them.

The java coffee shop isn't free, you have to pay there. But, there's free coffee and cappuccino every day and night at the main restaurants.

Ron,

Do you know if there is a specific type of reservation you need to have in order to be offered an upsell? I have a reservation that had to be a specific room not a level guarnatee as we are traveling with a 1 year old and had to book a specific room.

There's no rhyme or rhyme for NCL upsell offers.
It really depends upon what's available on your ship for your cruise and what cabin you've booked. Those booking Inside Cabins are not going to be offered a sweet deal for a Garden Villa. Someone in an Owner's or Penthouse Suite will be offered a sweet deal for a Garden Villa. Inside cabins will probably be offered a Balcony Cabin upsell, assuming someone in a Balcony Cabin took an upsell for a Mini-Suite.
The purpose of upsells from NCL's point of view is to book empty higher priced cabins and freeing up lower priced cabins for later bookings. It's primary purpose is not to let all of us to get a great deals at the last moment.