This was our 3rd cruise, though our first with our 7 yr old. We sailed Carnival 9 yrs ago and RC 11 yrs ago. Our first day was amazing, embarking took about 20 minutes - the fastest ever. We ate lunch at Guy's Burgers - very good and had a delicious piece of chocolate cake from the buffet. Next we explored the Ocean Club. I noticed right away that the Stingray room (for ages 6-8) was very warm and there were no toys, nothing to play with. There was only seating and video games built into the walls. More on this later.

Next we played in the Dr. Seuss reading room. Books and games and open to children and parents - we came here almost every day and it was never crowded. We enjoyed exploring the ship and ate our first night in the Chic dining room - food just ok, chocolate melting cake is to die for.

Day 2, a day at sea, we decided to check our child into the Ocean Club for the first time. There was a long line and check in was chaotic. There were 3 separate lines depending on the age of your child, and no one knew this, so after waiting in one long line, you were told to go to the end of another long line. On another day we went to the middle line, because that's where the Stingray check in was on a previous day. But no, on this particular day, the stingray line was at the far right, so we had to move to that line. Very frustrating. Read more