We embarked on our nine night Royal Caribbean Western Caribbean cruise in Baltimore, MD on May 12, 2006. It was our first cruise and my husband and I were traveling with our three children- twins age nine, and five year old.

Our departure was rather hairy. We got to the parking lot at around 1:30 and spent the next hour in the car waiting to have our luggage taken, and paying to park. It was 2:45 until we got in line to go thru customs, and then we had to wait until almost 3:45 until our card was called and we were FINALLY allowed to register and board the ship. It was a mess. I found out once we boarded that we were the very first cruise to depart from Baltimore. I hope they work out the issues, as it was nice leaving so close to home.

The stateroom was very clean and comfortable although not glamorous. We were starving, but the only food to be found was in the Solarium Cafe and that was another very long line. We paid for the soda cards and that was a good deal for me because I live on Diet Coke. My kids just drank the free lemonade most of the time at meals, so I may not purchase the card for them if we go again. Read more