We are a family of three, with 14 year old son, traveling with our neighbors, a family of four.

Sunday We made good time from central Florida to Port Canaveral, arriving at a little after 11am. The port was not yet allowing luggage dropoff, but we bought our parking pass and went to drop off the luggage anyway because the parking attendant told us to. Dear husband (DH) parked the car and met us at the terminal. We were on the ship by appx. 12:15pm. We explored the ship somewhat and then had lunch in the Windjammer. We requested of the maitre d that our dining time be moved from late to main seating, which they accomplished by the second night. Played a little basketball and ping pong...it was very hot. Attended the muster drill, which made me feel like what it must be to be a sardine, squished in together on the deck, and then we were off. We made it to the Welcome Aboard show at 7:45. Our first dinner, at 8:45, was not the greatest (I had some sort of cod), but we had three women from Hong Kong seated with us who kept us entertained. Though it was casual night, we still saw many people being turned away at the door of the dining room because they were wearing shorts or jeans or whatever. Sat on the promenade for drinks at the Wig and Gavel, and ended up having great seats for the parade, which was colorful. We were in bed by 11pm, as it had been quite a long day!

Monday We were up by 7am to have breakfast in the Windjammer and then to the first tender at 8:30am. I must say, by now I am in need of a good cup of coffee, as what is served is not the greatest. For some reason, the purchased lattes are so much better. We reached CoCo Cay quickly and found it to be a pleasant stop. We grabbed a hammock in the shade, but yet on the beach where we did a little snorkeling along the rocks. My son agreed to his first parasail with me. Though you spend so little time at the top height, the view is beautiful and the boat ride exciting. Back at the beach it was lunch time. Some of the offerings were questionable...potato salad sitting out in the hot sun? But I enjoyed the chicken and a nice fresh salad. Was able to do a little reading in my hammock. Our hammock was literally stolen from us when I stood up for a few minutes...still had some of our snorkel equipment sitting on it, and I was standing right there. A guy just came up and sat in it. I would have made an issue out of it, but we were ready to get back to the ship anyway. DH and I soaked in the solarium hot tub for a bit. Went for a snack at the Windjammer...the tables way in back have the most awesome view as we pulled away from CoCo Cay. Got all dressed up for the first formal night. The maitre d had been able to move us to the main seating and we are now at a table for 10 which included two ladies and a family of five and right next to the captain's table. Had filet of beef, which was actually very good. The lines for portraits were so long that we bypassed them on the way in, thinking they would be shorter after dinner, which they weren't. But we found a shorter line on another deck. We then headed to the show "Front Row", which featured a variety of song and dance numbers from various musicals, etc. I thought the cast did an excellent job. Some of the numbers were better than others and the lead singer really stood out as the star. We had a few drinks in the Schooner where a talented guy was playing piano and singing. DH checked out the casino and by this point was proud to be up $10 for the trip so far (playing Black Jack.) We went to see the late night comedy at 12:15pm...Michael Dean Easter. He was quite funny, and handled well this really drunk idiot that was heckling him from the front row. After the show we headed to bed. The rooms are small, yes, but the beds are comfy and everything is clean. Our son is sleeping in a bed that the stateroom attendant pulls out of the ceiling at night, located right above our bed, so we have to watch our heads. I've had no trouble sleeping thus far. The ship was really moving now, and I feel if not for the patch, I'd be having some trouble with my motion sickness. Read more