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Drive to Port - I would suggest NOT taking the Florida Turnpike/SR 528!!! The toll frequency is absolutely ridiculous!!!!! For the drive back home (Tennessee), we took I10/I95 through Daytona & Jacksonville. No toll stops, and actually took us less time!
Embarkation - We arrived at the Port at about 11:00 and walked right through security and check-in. We waited about 1/2 hour to board, and was on the ship at 11:40. We had eaten a late breakfast, so we skipped the Windjammer and headed directly to the pool deck until 1:00 when our room was ready.
Staff - The staff was absolutely incredible!!!!! I was amazed at how friendly and accommodating each and every staff member was!!! Special mention goes to our server on the pool deck, Jonas. He was AWESOME, and I would sail this ship again just to be served by him!!!!
Stateroom - To preface this, we have only sailed 2 other times, both on the Mariner, and both in aft balcony staterooms. So...yes the room was small, but I knew that going into the cruise. It was really not a big deal. We spent hardly any time in there. Basically just to sleep and shower/change clothes. Our stateroom was well kept, and server our purpose very well. Als, as I have previously heard of, there was a slight sewage smell around the front elevators. Not enough to make us disgusted, but enough to notice.
Food -
-Windjammer - Same quality of food as we have experienced in our past sailings. About average for buffet food anywhere. Great selection, but very bland. I will say though that the pizza at Sorentos was very good. We had that as a snack at least once a day, and it was always fresh and hot.
- Main Dining Room - We were seated in Claude's for the second seating. The quality of the food was very inconsistent. For example, one evening I had the Filet of Beef. I received 3 nice sized slices. I had ordered it cooked medium. ONE piece was medium, the other two were medium well. Every evening was like that. Some item were quite tasty, while some were sub-standard. Again the dining room staff were amazing!!!
Entertainment - Very well done!!! We went to 2 shows and both were very fun and entertaining. The last evening we went to the Late Night Adult Comedy show. The comedian was absolutely hilarious!!!!!!!
Ports of Call - Nassau is reviewed separately. Coco Cay was fun! We picked a couple of chairs under a nice shade tree, and all was well!!!
Disembarkation - We only had 2 bags, so we did the self-assist option. WOW!!!!! We will do this from now on!!!! We arrived at the specified location at about 7:40, and were in our vehicle at 7:55!!!! The line never stopped moving, and the longest we had to wait for anything was about 30 seconds at customs!
Overall, the ship is obviously an older one, but what it lacks in mega-size is MORE than made up for with superior service and outgoing, friendly staff! I would give it a 4 out of 5 stars!!!
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