We are mid 50's couple from Canada. This was our sixth cruise, second on Royal Caribbean. Previously we were on Voyager of the Seas, so we didn't have a real learning curve getting around. Being able to drive to the port and park our car was a big plus. Express walk-off worked well once off the ship. It was our first inside cabin (1557), selected on Deck 10 which was not as crowded as other decks. Price was a good value.

Thursday; We arrived at the port around 1 pm, unloaded 2 suitcases and continued to the (uncovered) parking lot, pay in advance cash/credit $16 per day, (total $144). We considered other stay & park hotel options, but this worked the best for us. Very short lineup at check-in, with a slight delay in getting the SeaPass card printed due to backlog. (i.e. not enough printers to handle all the registration clerks). Passports of non U.S. passengers require a supervisor's review, so there was another delay. On to the shuttle bus for the short ride and when we board the ship we're told the room was ready ! Dropped off carry-on and proceeded to Windjammer for a nice lunch and initial walk around the decks. Sign-out books from the library and found our table (number is on the SeaPass. First digit of the 3 indicates the deck number). Also signed up for Murder Mystery at the Promenade. Muster drill was ordinary. Luggage took a long time to get to our room (maybe 8 pm). We had a glass of wine at Dizzy's with free dry roasted peanuts. House Merlot was $5.50 (plus 15% gratuity). We arrived at the second seating dinner on deck 3 dining room and were the only couple at a table for 8. Where is everyone ? Had time to chat with the excellent assistant waiter Willar from Peru who learned our preferences for tomato juice and coffees for the rest of the cruise. I found nice variety in the menu compared to previous cruises. Some Indian, Thai and vegetarian choices. Celtics/Lakers game was projected on the big screen in Studio B. We found a good spot on deck 7 to view the Sailaway Parade at 10:30pm on the Promenade. Then had some tea and good Granola Apricot bar at Cafe Promenade. Despite everyone raving about the cookies, we found them a little too hard for our taste.

Friday - at sea. Breakfast at the dining room. No grapefruit juice - my only disappointment. Took the Digital camera seminar, which offered a few tips, and not too pushy selling products. We went to Captain's Welcome Aboard party. Free champagne cocktails and food on the Promenade and Maharajah lounge. Captain said we had 3,650 guests from 32 countries. At the formal dinner we met our tablemates - two couples from Staten Island and one from Norway - all very nice people. Ship had a nice mix of passengers, maybe 70% from the NY/NJ/CT/MA area. There was also a tour group of 50 - 60 motorcycle riders who were generally very well behaved. Night show was the young singer Delisco who was very good. Read more