We have been going on RC Cruises for years, pretty much for the points and discounts. We decided this year that we would break the mold and try the CC for the first time. We expected a very similar experience that we received with their sister company RC. That could not be further from the truth. CC is a step above RC in every way, starting with the excellent service you receive in the rooms, restaurants and bars, ESPECIALLY the food and even the layout of the ship. The whole experience felt like an upgrade from RC. Besides having one horrible experience with one bartender at the Sunset Bar and an officer , SENIOR ASST. BEVERAGE OPER. Mgr., who told us he did not work for the guests but for CC.
It was an excellent experience. The food on RC does not compare with CC and the bars and lounges serve better drinks with better service. The boat was kept immaculate. The mid-night buffet is almost like the buffet you would get at lunch or dinner, unlike RC where they provide gas station sandwich's and pizza that only resembles pizza in shape.Even room service food was good where as on RC it is inedible. I felt that the passenger's on the CC were also a class above. The martini bar was excellent and the Luminae, Blu restaurants were out of this world and even the Dinning room (Cosmopolitan) had twice as many options on the menu that you would find on RC and the food and service was superb. I will not be going back to RC and I can only hope the CC will bring RC up to their standards and not the other way around.
I seriously recommend taking a Suite over the Concierge and Aqua class rooms. The $ upgrade is not much more, but the perks that come with the suite are overwhelming and the rooms do not compare. Priority unloading and loading at ports of call and embarkation and debarkation. Tea service everyday with sandwich's and sweats. Ability to go to the EXCELLENT restaurants Luminae and Blu at no extra charge. The Butler service is excellent.
The cabin was wonderful and it comes with twice as large balcony as the others in the same class.
The worse part about coming/leaving out of San Juan is the airport. We have had such horrible experiences at the San Juan airport that it has turned us off of ever spending anytime in Puerto Rico.
Our favorite Island. Forget an excursion. Go to Rainbow Beach and hangout on the beach, swim and snorkel and eat and drink at Rythms Bar. Then head down to Coconuts Bar, closer to the ship and do the same. Chairs and umbrellas are free to paying customers. This will be the ONLY port will you will not be hounded by beach peddlers and merchants.
Rent a seat on a van and go to Cockleshell Beach $7 round trip. It's about a 20-30min ride but all the good beaches are that far from ship port. The van will drop you off in a little dumpy beach area. You will think this is your only choice for beach and bar. IT IS NOT. Take a right and keep on walking through all the beach peddlers and keep walking and you will run into a beautiful beach. Keep walking until you hit SPICE MILL BAR and restaurant. It has the best bartender/drinks and food around. Best CONCH FRITTERS EVER. It makes the beach where you came in look like a garbage dump. No peddlers and the service is excellent. The vans bring you to the dump because the bar pays them a percentage. Don't be a sucker, walk to SPICE MILL.
Took a water taxi to a nearby beach. Probably the best beach and water of the trip. Would love to go back to this island and explore further. Beach peddlers are a little aggressive at first but begin to lay off after a half hour or so. Drink prices are very reasonable as well as activity prices on the beach.