Just wanted to share highlights of this family vacation with all CC readers. Pre-cruise: We are from Upstate NY and were able to locate a bus line from the greater Albany area that provided top notch round trip service right to/from the pier without any hassles, for a fraction of the cost to park your car at the pier. Embarkation: Slightly delayed due to the last cruise arriving late into port. We boarded between 1:30 and 2 p.m. Staterooms: A little disappointing space wise as compared to the brochures and boasting of new and improved space. One good thing was the bath area which you didn't have to back into to use. This was more comfortable with 3 compartments housing toilet, sink, and shower separately. Luggage was able to be stored under the beds. The TV service was not very satisfying, and the internal channels were seldom functioning properly. Room stewards were very attentive and accommodating. Ports and Excursions: The ports somewhat met our standards, although was not much to do if you didn't book an excursion. Shopping was slim to none unless you wanted to buy jewelry. There were a couple of "flea market" type set-up's that were good. Of the 3 excursions we booked, I can only say that 1 was Excellent (ATV Tour), well worth the $109. per person. The Malibu Beach break was very overrated and not very accommodating. You took a bus to the beach, were told that our admission price got you a lawn chair for the beach (which there were not by the time we got there) and the tour of the Malibu Rum Factory showed you a video, an empty barrel, and the outside of the plant. The best part of that day was the free rum drink and taste testing the rum after it was made. The HOT SPRINGS ESCAPE was overrated as well, You had to trek across a cow path over rocks to what appeared to me to be a man-made pool verses a natural made spring that was advertised. However, the tour guide on this one was the best as she detailed the scenery as we toured the countryside in a van. Ship Accommodations: Almost everything you had to do on the ship cost you extra money. Bowling was $5.00 a game, bingo cost you anywheres from $25. to $65. a session depending on the theme. Pictures taken by staff were a joke. The personal or family shots often included other cruisers in your picture. When you asked if they could digitally remove the others from the printed picture, we were told "yeah, but that costs extra". Pretty good that you have to pay extra for their lack of training on how to take a quality picture... The quality of the food was very good but in my opinion, the selection at the buffets did not change drastically from day to day. The sit down dining rooms menu's did change some at the main areas but the specialties did not. Beverage prices were a little steep, and you only got water or iced tea or coffee/tea at no charge. Bottled water was sold at $4.50 a bottle. The shows were good. The Gem productions were very good and choreographed with interesting themes. The quartet "The Cat's Pajama's" were fun to watch, as they performed with no accompaniment. The magician/juggler acts were boring. Disembarkment: I thought this went well, as they had it color coded according to when you wanted to get off. Only problem with this, the same as when we went into ports, everybody has to hang out where they are told not to. When you are called proceed to the exiting point. Hang out in the stateroom or wherever until then, but everybody has to bee the first ones out......Duh! Our Homeland Security was a joke. We made out our Customs declaration sheets and the Guard never even looked at it nor asked us if we had anything to declare, just scanned in our passports and away we went. There were several good points to this cruise, but the bad overpowered and that is why I highlighted the bad to forewarn everyone interested of the experience.