We cruise every year I think this is our tenth, so Ill mainly focus on what was better or worse than our expectations. Cruising is a great family vacation. On this trip with my wife and me were our three children (daughters 18 and 5, son 16), nephew (17), daughters boyfriend (18, separate cabin!), good friend of ours and her son (15). We had a great time.
Leaving from Bayonne, NJ was very convenient since we live 30 minutes away. The ship was in good shape wed sailed on Explorer of the Seas some years before.
Food This was better than our last Royal Caribbean cruise two years ago. I think they had let the standard drop, and after enjoying great dining with Celebrity last year we were expecting to be disappointed. But the standard in the dining room was consistently good, not just on the first night. The Windjammer is always good but we particularly enjoyed it this time. Plenty of variety. The Japanese corner for early dinner (6pm) was a nice new touch.