I have been on 2 cruises in past, both with RC (Navigator, Rhapsody) and wife has never cruised. She finally got the chance April 2014 on Serenade out of New Orleans on a 7 day Caribbean. I must stay that I was victimized by taking the Navigator in 2003 and then sailing on this smaller ship. Its hard to go big and then go small. Especially since the Navigator has had so many upgrades now. Anyways, my review and my $0.02.

I stressed how the lines were going to be long so we prepared early and printed out guess booklet and paperwork. Arrived at check-in counter to learn we didn't have the stupid paper with barcode info to scan us in. I told lady I printed out everything it said to print and bring 30 days prior to sailing, under the CHECK-IN tab. She said but you have to go back and print out the single paper a week prior to sailing that allows you check in quickly. So I brought like 70 pages worth of paperwork/info when they did not even want any of it and only wanted the single sheet with the barcode that I didn't print out. Nonetheless, was still at the counter less than 6 mins after waiver and medical forms filled out so not gonna complain. How did I do it? Read on.

Boarding on the ship was SUPER fast! Our cabin was on deck 3 and deck 3 boarding was printed for 3:00pm boarding... year right, like I was gonna wait until 3 when you can board at 11. Of course special needs and Pinnacle, Diamond, Platinum were all allowed to board 1st at 11:00am first, but guess when they called my class of Gold... at 11:20am!! we were boarding the ship 20 mins after boarding time was allowed! Conclusion... board anytime between 1st boarding and when the ship leaves. =) Read more