This was our first cruise for the family and we were pulled in by the great deal and good reviews. And it was a phenomenal experience. Royal Caribbean's personnel are truly top notch. Even in situations with lots of people that could set off tempers, they had a way to keep things relaxed and moving so that everyone could enjoy the experience. I definitely recommend getting a balcony if you can. It was a little more than we wanted, but for those mornings when you can watch the sun rise and sit out on the balcony are magical.

Take advantage of all that you can on the boat. There are so many activities, most of which cost nothing extra, that it can be overwhelming, so do plan ahead. Same with restaurants, everything is good, but do try and hit one or two or the premium restaurants as it is a big step up for what is a nominal extra fee for the quality of food you are getting.

I would say, the one thing that threw me off was not being prepared for how much tipping there would be on the shore excursions, so make sure you have some small bills on you when departing. Also, not a big fan of the "haggling" that goes on in Haiti and Jamaica and it is a decent part of the shopping scene there, so if you aren't comfortable with this make sure you have someone with you that can say no/walk away or help you deal with it if you want to purchase items. Read more