We were traveling with a large party (15 or more). Boarded the ship around 12PM. This was a very speedy process. We had suites so we had priority boarding. Went to Windjammer Buffet for lunch. Great selection. Even had burgers and dogs with fries for the kids. Weather was awful. It was raining and windy, and was also very cool. Got to rooms and had to wait a little for luggage. Not a big deal! Had life boat drill. I was very impressed. As you went to your lifeboat, they checked you off. They also checked to make sure that kids had wristbands and were in the correct station. We had previously cruised with Carnival and they did not check you off as you got there and never looked at wristbands. I guess you were just on your own and if you got there good and if you didn't that was fine too! We toured the boat to familiarize ourselves. Boat was very large and beautifully decorated for the holidays. So many oohs and aahs the whole trip. The Centrum was absolutely gorgeous!!!! Everything was very clean and just sparkled.
We had late seating for dinner. We went to Welcome Aboard show in theater. I wasn't impressed with the singers and dancers, but the entertainer was WONDERFUL! It was Rodney Johnson a comedian from Atlanta. We later noticed that his cabin was two doors down from ours. Went to dinner. The food was great every night. The waiters and waitresses were very accommodating especially to the kids. If they did not like something, they were very willing to get them something else. Everyone was very friendly!! Much friendlier than Carnival. The second night show was From Stage to Screen. Again not impressed with it!! Third night was Levent a magician. He was GREAT! And fourth night was Team Rootberry, a juggling team. WONDERFUL!!!!!! Kids really enjoyed them.
KEY WEST: Took trolley tour. We had never been before. Enjoyed it very much. Shopped and went to Jimmy Buffet's Margarittaville and had a Cheeseburger in Paradise. Our 5 year old loves the song and sang it for the rest of the trip. This was what I wanted to do most!!!! Went back to ship. I wish we would have had a longer stay in Key West. There is so much to see and do there.