I travelled on this cruise with my friend - we are both late 30s and have been friends since college. We both travelled in on the day of embarkation, so we did not utilize a hotel. That said, I've stayed in the Embassy Suites and Hyatt Place (both very close to the port), and would highly recommend both if you can get a decent rate.
The ship itself is in great shape. Please don't believe any other reviews that say that the ship is in poor repair. We never saw any signs of wear.
There are plenty of activities on this ship... we were never bored or in search of things to do. Make sure you look at the daily schedule so you know what is going on... bring a highlighter! The FlowRider was tons of fun - shout out to Amy and Alan on the sports deck!
Great cabin - centrally located and quiet. Nice view of Promenade and nice to have extra window seating area. No noise from Promenade or anywhere else.
Scariest port ever. Don't wander too far from center of town if you leave the gates.
Seven mile beach is nice. If you like to snorkel, look up locations on the web beforehand. There are places you can walk to easily.
Always a great time!
Great starting point!