Jan 12th-17th 2009 Cozumel and Belize

We arrived in Miami and met a Royal Caribbean attendant who put us on a bus and drove us to Ft Lauderdale. The driver sent us into the terminal with our carry on bags. He said we'd see the other bags later onboard. Check-in at the terminal is quite quick and we were on the ship in minutes. We went to the Windjammer for our first real meal since we left home at 5 am. There's quite a selection of food and you'll find something that "works" for you. We then checked out the Nutcracker dining room and asked to confirm our Table for 2. Our seating was the second seating which takes place at 8:30. This 2nd seating time worked out great! We would snack at Cafe' Promenade in the late afternoon,nap,shower,go to the pre-dinner show and head to the dining room. After checking out our seating we went back to our cabin to see if our luggage was onboard yet. Luggage was outside cabins all along the halls, after not seeing ours, we opened the cabin to find them safe inside. Nice touch! The ship is beautiful! I got up at 6am on a few mornings to walk the ship and take pictures. The Cafe Promenade is always open and was the first stop every day. I'd get coffee and pastry, walk the ship and then bring a tea back to the cabin for my wife. We had breakfast at Windjammer everyday. She enjoyed the fresh fruit and I ate everything else! The first day at sea was very windy and cloudy.We tried to lay out but the weather was disappointing. We changed,walked the "mall" and hit the casino for the Nickel slot machines. When we got to Cozumel, it was a windy, raw rain. We walked to the pier to check the status of our pre booked beach party. They told us we had the option to cancel and our money would be refunded. So we went to the shops on the pier, got hooded sweatshirts and went back onboard for more food and naps and shipstuff entertainment. The next morning we got to Belize. The weather was the same as it was in Cozumel and once again we had prebooked a beach party. This time,the trip was not canceling or refunding the money. So we boarded the "tender" boat and it took us to Bannister Caye,island .We sat under a hut watching the rain and drinking rum drinks. In the afternoon the rain let up and we got 45 minutes of sun. If this had been a better weather day , this would be a beautiful place. I'll try to return here again. The shows were all top notch. The skating show really is a must see!

The dinner at the Nutcracker was great!. Service was excellent! Remember the food portions are small and don't be shy about ordering extra items. We shared extra desserts every night. The shower water pressure was better than any hotel I can remember! The room and shower had plenty of space for a very large person like me. We got the soda package when we got on the ship the first day. For 2 people and 5 days, it costs about $78.50 including tips. You each get a travel mug and a sticker on your seapass card. The mugs, we packed away for our daughter. When you go to a bar, you must show a stamped card for each drink, and they give you a fresh glass with ice and soda.By the way, Bud light bottle-$4.59-Fosters Ale..large can-$8..rum drinks-about$7 If you need to go to "Guest Relations", the line gets long. Try calling "Guest relations" from your cabin phone first and save some time standing in line. The ship was great, we only wish the weather had been too! Maybe next time