Very Disappointing

I chose this cruise because of the destination and recommendation from someone who had sailed with Royal Caribbean. We were very disappointed. It wasn't the worst cruise we have ever been on, but it certainly didn't rank near the top. It seems that RC has invested so much in its new giant ships that it has forgotten about the older, smaller ones.

The cabin was so tiny that there was no place to put our luggage except for on the nightstands. The bed was like sleeping on plywood with a rock for a pillow. This had nothing to do with which deck we were on. Same complaint from many others. The ship was noisy. Loud banging could be heard on all decks at all hours of the day and night. One person was told it was cargo shifting. How would you hear that on the 8th deck, which is the top level of staterooms.

Activities are poorly planned, with so much time left with nothing to do on board. Entertainment features (a very bad pianist in one bar, a so-so group in the centrum, etc.) ran for about 30 minutes, and then there was nothing for an hour. Maybe we were supposed to hang out in the casino. Since we don't gamble and couldn't stand the smoke, that was out.

At every meal, which was mediocre to say the least,and sometimes very odd (how do you make lasagne without cheese?), they were constantly trying to get us to upgrade by paying for a meal from one of the specialty restaurants. The constant buzz around the ship was that they nickel and dime you to death. There will not be another RC cruise in our future.