This is my second journey on a cruise ship, the previous some 30 years ago, and what a world of difference those 30 years has made to cruising. We have difficulty flying or driving any distance due to my partners back injury, but we had never before considered a cruise until some friends suggested we travel together. We also invited our 20-something kids, Booking was easy and surprisingly cheap, especially considering accommodation and all meals are included in the price.
Embarkation was smooth and simple affair and we were directed to our room quickly, efficiently and courteously. We secured an ocean view room on deck 8 aft. Great location, no noise, wonderful views and stepping out onto the balcony to greet the deep blue of the Pacific Ocean every morning was a delight. After reading reviews on other sites we didn't expect much, but were pleasantly surprised at the cleanliness of the room and the friendliness of the attendant. Our room was spotless, sheets changed daily, fresh towels, turn-downs and each day we discovered a new novelty towel animal made by our steward.
Plenty of places to explore, from the Art Deco inspired lobby and quite areas on decks 2 and 3 to the Playa cafe area on deck 9. Four separate pools and spas, wide decks, various locations to sit in the sun or in shade, indoors and outside, an adults only "Serenity" retreat from the kids with hammocks and shaded pods, loads of bars, meeting and reading areas, an impressive dining room and two separate theatres. Surprisingly with over 2,000 passengers and almost 1,000 staff, the ship seldom felt crowded.
Clean, tidy, functional, very good sound insulation, plenty of room, 3 wardrobes/shelves and 5 drawers, excellent sized bed, mattress firm and comfortable, pillows were a tad flat and hard. Desk area and sofa. Good sized compact bathroom. Balcony small with 2 chairs and small table - adequate for quiet reading and chatting, watching the sea go by. Very, very happy with the location - deck 8 aft.