TheGastons

We are taking our first cruise on July 10th from Rome.  We chose Room 5016 as it came with more free at sea options than an inside cabin and was about $3000 cheaper than a balcony cabin.  Has anyone stayed in this room or know if it is a good choice?  Also - when and how do you bid on upgrades?  Do you have any choice of which room you are given or do they choose the balcony room for you?  Not sure if that is worth possibly having a noisy room.  Thoughts?

It is an ocean view cabin on NCL Jade.  

This will be our first cruise and we are going to Europe for 10 days at sea and 3 days on land.  Regarding our luggage - how much room do we have to store our clothing and do we keep our suitcases in the room with us?  We are in an oceanview room but it looks so small.  Any tips?  Next, regarding passports - do we take them with us when we go on shore excursions?  What identification will we need and what can we leave on the ship?