After months of anticipating our first cruise, we (2 parents, 2 boys, aged 22 and 16) arrived at the port at 10:00 a.m. Check-in was very smooth and not crowded. The ship is gorgeous. As we boarded around 11:30 we were handed flutes of champagne and started our tour of the ship. The staterooms were not available until 1:00, but who cared? We started at the top, had a wonderful lunch at the Windjammer, (we are all vegetarian and there was PLENTY to eat) and worked our way down. The ship is a floating art gallery. There are interesting sculptures and paintings everywhere. We were greeted with a smile by every staff member who passed us. The ship is spotless. When our rooms became available we explored them as well. We were on deck 6 with a balcony room and an interior for the boys. Both rooms had ample storage and were very comfortable.

The trip was wonderful. I discovered that I had an aptitude for trivia and sought out all the games. We also attended every show and game show at night. Spectacular doesn't even begin to describe the shows. Cruise Director Allen Brooks is hysterical, as is his staff. We ate all our breakfasts and lunches at the Windjammer, and dinners in the main dining room. My boys didn't love the formal nights, but did participate. The food was very good, very fresh and tasty. I was very impressed with the entire operation. In the mornings I worked out at the fitness center. I only had to wait for a machine twice, which, given the number of cruisers, didn't bother me. The fitness center is very well equipped and the machines top of the line.

I was concerned about pool chaises, having read other reviews. We didn't have a problem there either, maybe because the weather on our voyage was VERY windy. There were several days we stayed in, not because it was cold, but because of the wind. Read more