We went on the Royal Caribbean Splendour of the Seas mediterranean cruise, leaving Venice on August 8th. We've been on 6 cruises with various lines, so this isn't new to us. I enjoyed the cruise, but there are some things that are lacking with RCCL.

Embarkation was fairly seamless. They had us stand in a very long line going in a large building where you checked in. The line is actually to have your "welcome aboard" photo taken. I wasn't very happy about that, as I would have rather skipped the picture - 12 hours of flying, then riding a shuttle bus is not the best photo op for me! If you want, you can walk into the building and not wait in the long line and just go get your passes. The photo people are pushy (I noticed this through the cruise), but just say no and walk past them. Take your Set Sail pass that you printed with your passports and then you get checked in and given room keys. After that, you get to go on the ship. Rooms aren't ready until 1pm. They have the doors to the hallways closed off, so you can't go by your stateroom and check and see if it's done early. We got on the ship at 11:30 and ate lunch at the windjammer.

Windjammer cafe - Buffet galore. Food was pretty good most days. The meat, etc. is not from the states, so it just isn't of the same quality that I am used to. This is especially noticeable with the bacon, sausage and hamburgers and hot dogs. I didn't go on the cruise for burgers and dogs, but if you have kids and are from the states - they'll readily tell you that they aren't as tasty. And I agree with them. Read more