This was our first cruise, so we had nothing to compare it to. However, it was absolutely the best vacation we ever had both for value and price. We did an outside balcony, and would never do anything less having had it.
We were met at the airport by the cruise line for a transfer to the ship. This was done quickly and painlessly. We had signed up for express check-in, and it took a total of no more than 10 minutes to get through.
My wife was very nervous about being seasick, but she never had to open the various boxes of pills that she brought - the ride was extremely smooth without rocking at all. The ship is beautiful and the crew was very pampering and quick to respond. Our room steward, Magda was extremely helpful, and we were very thankful for her.