Embarkation went smoothly. We were onboard and eating lunch pretty quickly. Make sure to keep a swimsuit and any other essentials with you so you can enjoy the ship before you get your luggage. Ours came very fast though. We opted for the extended balcony because we had 4 days of cruising and only 3 in a port. We could've saved the money; we barely used it. The balcony wraps all the way around the length of the cabin, but it is narrow and windy. The room is also a bit bigger however.

The first and last sailing days out of and back into Long Beach were very chilly. Being outdoors wasn't really an option. Be sure to pack a light jacket. There were things going on inside, but much of it costs extra. There's no charge for your photo to be taken, but they were $29 per 8x10 to purchase. There are lots of spots to take your own pic and have it printed when you get home.

It seems that the daily itineraries are scheduled around having the early dinner time. We like the later one so you can enjoy the pool longer before having to clean up. You can always opt out of the dining room 1 or 2 nights and eat the buffet. There's no limit to what you can order off the dinner menu, so try everything you want. The chocolate melting cake is wonderful! So are the paninis made out by the pool. Read more