I learned so much from this Cruise Critic forum prior to our first cruise I would like to thank every one of you!! As I said this was our first cruise ever, we didn't know what to expect, but we did know that we would go into it with a great attitude and NOT expect perfection, but as you will read it nearly was that... perfection. We are a family of 4--me and my husband (married 21 years), our daughter (16) and our son (13). We typically vacation in Disney World... or we head to California or North Carolina to visit family. We're very predictable. This trip was a new adventure for us and I did a TON of research first, and it really paid off!! For instance our cabin selection---research seriously paid off in that respect!!We took a 7 night Eastern Caribbean cruise, we left on June 1 and returned on June 8. We absolutely LOVED seeing the islands, they were gorgeous and everything I thought they would be.... the blue waters were breathtaking. It's something I never thought I would see in my lifetime and I didn't take one minute for granted, I felt very grateful the entire time we were there. I may have shed a couple tears ;)Pre-Cruise: We stayed at the Country Inn & Suites in Cape Canaveral, we chose the Snooze and Cruise package. We were very happy with CI&S!! Clean rooms, NICE pool, great free, hot breakfast the next morning!! There were a lot of cruisers staying here and you could feel the excitement in the air. Prior to checking in we went to Publix (which is close---less than a half mile from the hotel) and bought some water and sodas for our cabins. I had read conflicting thoughts on this---some liked having their water and sodas in their cabins, others didn't want the hassle of carrying it on board. For us it worked out, we liked having the extras and not having to pay for them. We did check them through with our luggage and there was no problem. We didn't have a lot of luggage though so that's why I think it was OK. Anyways.... the hotel was nice, clean, and the front desk staff was very helpful. The parking lot where we parked out car for the week was right there on their property and there were plenty of lot lights. We had no worries or hesitations at all! Embarkation: We had purchased Faster To The Fun. Again, I had read conflicting thoughts on this, but for us it was definitely worth the money. We used the hotel's shuttle (Dwayne and his wife---great!!) to get to the port. I called the day prior to reserve a time (DO THIS in order to get a good time!!!) and we were given 12:00 time slots. We were in the holding room waiting to go by 11:20 and because all the families who were in that time slot were there and ready to go, and because Dwayne was ahead of schedule, we left by 11:30 and were at the port by 11:45. Our luggage was dropped off with the porters (we tipped them as well as Dwayne) and we made the walk into the check in area.... the Faster To The Fun line was empty and we went straight through security and to the counter in no time at all!! The regular line had about 40 people or so in it waiting. We were on the ship by 12:15 or so, we went and dropped out carry-ons off in our rooms, and were eating lunch by 12:35. Smooth and easy!!!!Cabins: We booked 2 cabins... a balcony room for hubby and myself, and an interior cabin right across the hall for the kiddos. We were on the Verandah deck, rooms 8304 and 8306. I had researched a LOT prior to choosing the rooms, and I had talked to our PVP, Lance, a lot also, and we finally chose the Verandah deck. I'm so glad we did!!!!! Great rooms!! Rooms above us, rooms below us, virtually NO NOISE AT ALL!! We knew we didn't want the casino above or below us, we knew we didn't want the galley above or below us, nor the Camp Carnival areas above or below us.... Verandah was perfect for us! I loved having a balcony room, and our view was NOT obstructed at all. Below us the only thing we could see was deck 5's Fun Tub whirlpool, but you literally had to lean way over to see it. The cabins were so clean. I'm a clean freak, I came with my Clorox wipes and my flashlight (to look for bed bugs)... and I can tell you I looked in the nooks and crannies... it was exceptionally clean! The shower was spotless! The mattresses were comfortable and the pillows were great! No complaints at all from us! My husband is very picky with his mattresses and pillows (he suffered from a pinched nerve in his neck for nearly 2 years and has to have good quality support) and he slept like a baby on this cruise! There was a lot of storage, we had plenty of room. I am very glad we decided to book 2 cabins, we weren't on top of each other and I do believe it contributed to our satisfaction of this trip.Our Room Steward: Deny. He was great! Literally every time we'd leave, and return, our room would be straightened up and cleaned. My kids loved the towel animals! We loved his attention to when we would want extra towels. He was great and we tipped him extra and well. He deserved it!

Food: The food. Oh my gosh, where do I start? Well, first off, I had only one teeny complaint, and that wasn't even a complaint really, just a personal preference. My only negative the entire trip was with the Mongolian Grill in the Lido Gathering. The wait was always very long, and for me personally I didn't care for it too much, but I do know that many folks love it and that's why a cruise is great---you can go where you want and eat what you like!

The main dining room was fantastic---we were assigned to the Crimson Dining Room. The wait staff was great! We chose Anytime Dining and that was perfect for us. We got there between 5:45 and 6:00 every night and never had a wait, but for the ones who got there anytime after 6:15 or so, we saw they did have a wait. The food was fantastic, absolutely some of the best meals we've ever eaten. I can't recommend the Warm Chocolate Melting Cake enough. I may have seen a tear come from my husband's eye on the last night, LOL! The Flat Iron Steak was fantastic! The shrimp cocktail was my hubby's favorite and he always ordered 2 each night! The last sea night's dinner service was very special with the wait staff's musical goodbye being the highlight, very special! OH, and the Cruise Elegant nights (we had 2)... we saw everything from collared golf shirts/slacks on men, to full-length beaded gowns for the ladies! I did see one couple turned away because the man was in wrinkled shorts and flip flops, but they returned with him in more proper attire just a half hour later! My hubby and I fell somewhere in the middle, I chose long maxi-dresses and dress shoes, my hubby wore dress shirts/slacks, and my daughter dressed in her formal dress from last year's homecoming dance. We all fit in and none of us felt over- or under-dressed. Read more