We booked the cruise Thursday the 22nd with a GREAT deal on cheapcruises.com. We've been on the Escape before and had a good time. There were some issues previously, and they hadn't been solved.
Our 15th cruise: 2/Carnival; 1/Princess; 1/MSC; 3/NCL; 2/Holland America; 5 1/2 /Royal (our ship, Grandeur, caught fire and they put us off after three days--btw, they handled it great and I'd sail that ship again).
Kids on the dance floor: Given, my wife and I are ballroom dancers and we go on cruises to dance. We dance as much as possible. Too many parents think their little darlings are "so cute" to be up there running around when the adults are trying to get some enjoyment out of the excellent dance floor in the Main Dining Room (Manhatten); or the Atrium. If you want your kids to dance, get them lessons. For those of you parents who wish to do this when adults are on the dance floor: do you really want your dear precious to be kicked in the head by a woman doing a spin and knocked into the Men's room? Good, then keep them off the dance floor--its a dance floor NOT A PLAY AREA. I don't dance in the Splash Academy, don't dance on my dance floor.
We use the cabin strictly as a place to sleep, shower, and change into something to go dancing. We spend our time outside. So long as the mattress and pillow are comfortable; there's a hair dryer; and the shower works we're happy. We tried a balcony once and found it wasn't worth the cost. We cruise to dance, not spend time in the cabin.
Shower didn't drain when we got on board, but was reported and fixed promptly.
Went to Magen Beach on our own, it was great.
Went to Cane beach on our own, it was great
Went to the public beach on Paradise Island, I do not recommend it.