This was our 10th cruise, 7th with RCCL. This is also the largest ship on which we have ever sailed. We were 2 couples in our sixties. We booked 2 superior balcony cabins next door to each other on deck 7, aft, starboard side. I like aft because there is less movement felt at sea. Deck 7 is about halfway up. We like the Superior balcony cabins because they are longer than the deluxe balcony cabins and offer a bit more space. Sofa is full size and balcony is deep. We asked our cabin steward to open up the partition dividing our balconies so that it became one huge balcony and the 4 of us could visit out there.

Terminal:

We were in a brand new terminal that was recently built ( Terminal #1). It is located 1 block from the Marriott Residence Inn where we all stayed for 2 nights prior to the cruise. We could see the ship from our hotel suite. Carnival and Disney ships were docked on the other side of the bridge that we drove over to reach our hotel...about a mile up the road. First, a word about the Residence Inn. LOVED it. The 4 of us stayed in a 2 bdrm. 2 bath suite. There was a free breakfast buffet off the lobby each morning that was pretty extensive and delicious. We had rented a car for the week and there was plenty of space in the lot. We had a delicious seafood dinner across the street right next to the new terminal at a restaurant called Fish Lips overlooking the port. The she crab soup was to die for. The morning of the cruise, we drove across the street to the new terminal at 10 am, parked in the brand new 4 story parking garage. You pay with credit card as you enter. Go early as it was already pretty full. We ended up on the roof top but were able to park right next to an elevator. We all fit in it with 4 suitcases and carry ons. Went down to the 1st floor and as soon as we got off there were porters there waiting to take our suitcases, which were already tagged with our cabin info. We proceeded inside the terminal with our carry ons and followed the signs to the security ck in....we just breezed through as there were no long lines at all...It goes so fast if you get there in the morning. Went through security just like at the airport so fast....then they lead you into a large waiting room on the 2nd level. First you get in a line according to your RCCL level...for example, we are platinum members so we were guided to that line, which was much shorter than the general boarding line for people who had not gone on any RCCL cruises before or few. So there were lines for each level. Now, our friends were Gold level, which is less completed cruises but the staff let them come with us in the Platinum line. The staff told us that we are allowed to bring 2 people with us to our line who are of a lesser level...but only one couple. We waited a short time in this line to be called to the counter where a staff member took our pictures and printed our Sea Passes. Once that is done, then you are guided to a holding area for your group. It is much like waiting to board a plane but the space is enormous. We sat in chairs and beverages were offered to us. The Diamond Plus and suite guests sat in a roped off area with sofas near the gang way. They were the first ones called to board the ship. We waited no more than 20 minutes for our group to be called. We were on our way and our pics were taken just before gong up the gangway. It was all pretty exciting! Read more