I have been on Royal Caribbean five times and Norwegian once. Royal Caribbean proves itself again and again as far as I am concerned. I've read the reviews prior to each cruise for each ship, (Brilliance, Navigator and Explorer) and some people are just too darn picky!!

This was the first cruise I took out of Bayonne, which is crazy, since I live 30 minutes from the port. Embarkation was fast and easy and I was enjoying lunch in the Windjammer by 12 noon. I know people complain that the Windjammer serves the same foods everyday, but there is such a huge selection, you don't have to eat the same thing every day....c'mon people!

We did not do any excursions through the ship on this cruise, and it worked out pretty well. There was affordable transportation available at every stop, if you wanted to do your own thing. The beaches in St Maarten and St Thomas charged just $20-$25 for two chairs and an umbrella for the day..well worth it! Read more