We just returned from seven-day Caribbean cruise on Royal Caribbean's Voyager of the Seas. My wife and I (ages 65) took my daughter, her husband and our three grandsons -- ages 14, 12 and 10 on this cruise that left from New Orleans on March 31, 2012.
We chose this cruise because we could drive to New Orleans rather than fly seven people to New Orleans. We had three staterooms -- two balcony staterooms rooms and one inside room for the three boys across the hall from their parents. This was our seventh cruise and our second on RCI - the first RCI cruise having been 24 years ago. We have also cruised on Norwegian, Costa, Renaissance, Oceania and Azamara -- most with European itineraries. Our first RCI cruise and the cruise on Norwegian had similar Caribbean itineraries and the NCL cruise also originated in New Orleans. We took the NCL cruise with our grandchildren in 2009.
Voyager of the Seas is a big boat -- especially for us who are more accustomed to smaller, more intimate vessels. However, it worked really well. The staff and crew are fantastic and made us feel that we were on a much smaller boat. Getting on and off were handled very efficiently and with no issues.
Balcony is very private due to its location on the ship. However, location aft of the 'bump' in the center of the ship restricts your view of anything forward of your room.
Room needs redecorating but is fully functional. Everything worked. Bed was surprisingly more comfortable than expected.
Bathroom was very good layout for cruise ship. Always enough hot water and great water pressure.
All of us had been to Cozumel before so we did not need to go to Chankanab or to spend time in town buying Mexican junk. Instead, we booked our own trip to Passion Island. We picked up two Jeeps in town and four-wheeled our way to the boat launch following our guide. The trip was over the beach and through the jungle and was a load of fun. We put the Jeeps through their paces for about an hour. Passion Island was a very nice - and very clean - respite. Good food, good drinks and great guacamole! The kids played in the water and on the beach. The segways that were advertised for rent apparently left for parts unknown. Oh well. All of us enjoyed our time here - with my son-in-law and me having the most fun 4-wheeling through the jungle.
We took the Hannibal catamaran snorkeling tour to Stingray city with another snorkeling stop through Captain Bryan's tours. It was nice being on a smaller boat instead of with 100 plus people.
loved our time Jamaica. We booked a private tour to Dunn's river falls and then for three hours at a private beach in Ocho Rios. Falmouth is about an hour away from Ocho Rios. Fortunately, we were one of the first groups to Dunn's River falls and that is a really good thing! There were hundreds of people there when we left and it was completely crowded. GO EARLY!!! We then went to a small private beach right next to the Riu in Ocho Rios. Their was great snorkeling right off the beach and the food and Red Stripe in the restaurant was really nice.