This was our 8th cruise with RCCL, so we are Platinum members of C&Anchor and embarkation was seamless, actually, my wife signed us in and I dropped off the rental car and showed up 30 minutes later and just signed the form, got my card and walked on the ship to eat lunch.
The refurbishment was really needed, since we sailed a 3 day cruise just one year earlier, and I can tell you that RCCL did a great job of improving most everything, flat screen tv's, nice beds, updated windjammer, and loads of other subtle items that go to creature comforts. The first day before sailing the Windjammer is a bit crowded due to everyone wanting to start that 10 pound weight gain, but tables were cleared by staff almost immediately and turned over fast.
The ports of call were ok, since we have been to them almost every year, I will not expand upon these.