We chose this cruise because our first ever cruise was with RCCI and we thoroughly enjoyed it, and because it went from Southampton which is only an hour's drive for us.
We had about a 20 minute wait in the car park queue to drop the bags, but after that embarkation was fast and efficient. Because we were Gold passengers there was a separate line and we went virtually straight to a check-in agent.We were on board within about 20 minutes from dropping the car.
We encountered the usual frenzy in the Windjammer when we went for a bite of lunch - nothing much has changed there. What we were not to realise until we sailed was that the Windjammer remained like this for the whole cruise - always more passengers than there was room available and I must say, the quality of food (with the exception of the salad bar) was not as high as I remember it being on Navigator a few years ago.
Just off the stairway next to the Library. No noise. Balcony slightly angled which prevents view of the front of the ship.