This is our 6th cruise, 4th on RCCL. The cruise was a 50th (!) birthday gift from my DH. We arrived at Port Liberty at noon. I wouldn't recommend getting to the port much before noon as people were still departing the ship at 11:30 AM. The port is a shipping, industrial port not a cruise port. Our luggage was dropped off, we were processed and then taken to the cruise ship via shuttle bus. (Although the ship was within walking distance, there were fork lifts and other vehicles delivering supplies and luggage to the ship, so I think this was done for safety reason.) We were on the ship by 12:30 PM. We went to the Windjammer for lunch, as the corridors to the staterooms were closed and wouldn't be opened until 1:30 PM.

Our stateroom was ready at 1:30 PM and it was very clean. The balcony and sofa showed a bit of wear, but otherwise the room was great. Our room steward introduced himself and he was very efficient throughout the cruise.

The public areas of the ship were immaculate and in great shape. We never had trouble finding lounge chairs around the pool, however the solarium was packed and we didn't get to spend anytime there. Read more