Prologue: This was our 17th cruise, 3 Carnival (never again), 1 Norwegian (probably not), 2 Holland (maybe), 2 Princess (would), 3 Celebrity (definitely would), 6 RCCL. We like cruising to get away from cell phones, blackberry's, the internet and our stressful daily lives, so we have a different agenda than some people who cruise; we go to relax, get pampered a little, get waited on, somebody else to cook and clean for a while. So this review will be based on our agenda for a great cruise.

Getting there/Embarkation: We flew down Saturday and rented a car from Thrifty, just missed the shuttle when we finally found where to catch it and had to wait 15 to 20 minutes for another one to arrive (Hint- rent a baggage cart in the baggage claim area because it was quite a hike). Their lot is off the airport, took another 15 minutes, had to go inside and do the paperwork even though I'm a "blue chip" member. Got a Chrysler 300 because I didn't know how luggage would fit in anything smaller, nice car but took a few minutes to figure out how to open trunk(button on dash). Cost was 69.37 for one day and to drop it off in Cape Canaveral. Stayed at the Hampton Inn in Cocoa Beach, $99.00 plus taxes. Nice room, all rooms have a balcony that you could see just a smidgen of the the Atlantic, plus a free continental breakfast. Ate dinner at a place called the Shark Pit (don't bother). Arrived at the Thrifty place in Cape Canaveral Sunday at 10:45, shuttle was coming back with people from ship so got right out and was dropping luggage off at ship at 11:10. By 11:25 we were through security and checked in, normally they start boarding at 11:30 but they started 15 minutes late due to the crew busy decorating ship for Christmas. Once we started boarding the only slow down was for pictures; when we got close enough we went around it, have enough of those. Had drink in hand by 12:15. :)

Room: We got a junior suite this time and all I can say is wow, what a nice room -- it's like a regular balcony except about 4 or 5 feet wider. Had a walk in closet that was huge, we got all our things in there and had nothing for the drawers out in the room. There are a bunch of shelves in it to put your non-hanging stuff on. Most luggage went under bed but we have one big suitcase that won't fit, so it went in the corner out on balcony. The balcony was big enough it wasn't in the way. There is also a tub/shower combo in bathroom which was nicer than just a shower, bathroom was maybe a little bigger, at least you could turn around in it. There was little bottles of shampoo, conditioner and lotion along with bar soap, which was all replenished during the week as it was used. Room had a couch and lounge chair with ottoman and small coffee table. Room was quiet, could not hear any noise from hallway or neighbors except when the people from next door were out on balcony. They were kinda loud in their talking and yelled into their room at times, luckily they weren't out there very much. Room steward was Walter and he did a fine job, if we needed something, we just left him a note and he took care of it. Read more