Check-in is a very cumbersome process. There are numerous steps to complete prior to boarding which can take up to 3 hours. Thankfully we had a VIP check-in pass, so it took us about 75 minutes to complete the process – without this we would have been standing in line for a long time.

At the first stop, where they collect your passport and take your photo, you get your cabin assignment and room keys. From there you proceed to the tour desk, after a stop for a photo. While at the tour desk, you can have any vouchers for onboard credits processed and added to your account. I had a $50 for $100 onboard credit voucher which was quickly processed by the staff handling these – only 1 guy for the 1200 or so passengers that board – there were 3 people ahead of us, 2 of which became quite upset for reasons unknown to me. If you are doing a cruise and stay you will be given the opportunity to purchase ground transport to and from the port - $17 per person is reasonable considering the cost of a taxi is $35 each way. Next stop is dinner reservations - we chose the semi-formal Crystal restaurant - men have to wear long pants and collared shirts. The final stop before boarding was an opportunity to buy duty-free liqour and a drink discount package that saves 30% onboard at the bars and restaurants.

Finding our inside cabin, 5205, on the fifth deck was easy and to our surprise our bags were already outside our door. The cabin had a double-bed, a tiny bathroom, desk, and small flat screen TV that gets 9 channels. The cabin was about the size of a walk-in closet. The double bed had a steel-frame, with cross rails and steel lattice between - the lattice was sagging and with the thin mattress atop you could feel all the cross rails but it felt comfortable enough for one night's sleep, so I didn't give it any further thought. Read more