We arrived in Ft.L a few days early so we wouldn't have to worry about cancelled flights due to weather and stayed at the Marriott Renaissance. It's a beautiful hotel located within sight of the pier.

This was our first cruise with RCI so we didn't know quite what to expect. I had a slightly different view of the embarkation area. We entered a human warehouse that could hold thousands of people and were moved around like cattle. It was efficient but not terribly pleasant.

The ship itself is amazing. The public areas were beautifully designed, and the Christmas decorations added a festive air. My favorite area was Central Park. Gardeners will love all the different plants and trees, many of which are identified by small signs. I heard birds chirping and thought the sounds were piped in until I saw a few birds flying around. All this in the middle of an ocean! Read more