We love to cruise and this one was especially nice as we were taking my mother-in-law to celebrate her 80th birthday and went all out and stayed in a suite cabin. Very nice indeed! I won't see that again probably, but that's okay...I just love to cruise!

Boarding went smoothly. Got to the terminal around 10:40am. Should have started through the process around 11am but the computers were down so we they got going around 11:15am. The cabin was ready when we got on board. Checked it out and met our room steward, Vincente, which did a wonderful job all week and very quick! Went to lunch in the Windjammer (buffet style - good selection). Luggage was brought to the room around 1:00. Unpacked, unpacked, and unpacked!

Was raining when we went down the Mississippi River so we didn't see much. Thanks Mother Nature! First day at sea was nice, overcast but warm. Laid on the deck in a lounge chair rather than to go up on the pool deck and search for a chair! Usually all are taken as on all cruises by 6am by the chair hogs! (they save 6 or more chairs in the wee hours and don't appear till noon or so) Read more