This was my first cruise with Royal Caribbean after going on 5 Carnival Cruises. I have been told by many people that Royal Caribbean was sooo much better than a Carnival cruise so I thought I would find out first hand. Let me start with the fact that this is a beautiful ship. She is in excellent condition.

We booked two balcony rooms that adjoined. I was VERY disappointed that this ship is not designed to allow the two balconies to open into each other. On Carnival ships there is a divider that can be opened by the room steward to have one combined balcony. I also did not like how they are constructed of so much metal. This balcony really was private but at the expense of the balcony experience. For those who have not been on a newer Carnival ship with a balcony you should give it a try!

The service and the food were wonderful. I did find that the wait staff in all areas were very attentive. I do think that the service was friendlier and much more apt to go the extra if there was something you wanted or needed. I wanted a particular souvenir glass that I was told to get early in the cruise because they go fast. I got two but wanted to get two more the last night. I asked two different bartenders and they trapsed all over the ship trying to get me that glass. Later in the night I went to a spot I had gone to a few times and the waitress asked me if I had gotten all the glasses I wanted because she hid one for me and she knew other bartenders were looking for them. That was nice - little things like that - personal service! Read more