We chose this cruise because it embarks out of Tampa and we live 30 miles from Tampa. Double bonus for us is that Tampa cannot handle the mega ships because of bridge clearance so size of ship was just what we like - about 1900 passengers. This size ship makes for more manageable group functions like dining, pool usage and seating, as well as shore excursions. Only exception to this was first stop in Key West which was only half a day in port so everybody queued up to disembark and got backed up because shuttle trams off ship couldn't keep up to the numbers of people. You have to shuttle from ship through a Navy Yard to get into town. We are a senior couple and we traveled with two other couples from our neighborhood so we all got same level of suites (Neptune Suites) and were located all together on starboard side. Neptune suites have a private lounge where we could get snacks, read, play cards, watch TV, and was staffed with concierge type employees who could coordinate any special requests we might have (shore excursions, specialty dining, anything requiring appointments, and could print out itemized account info so we could see how much we might be spending). Neptune suite residents also could eat breakfast in one of the specialty restaurants (Piccadilly) at no extra cost.

Suites were large and roomy, along with bathroom (double vanity, whirlpool tub, shower stall, marble counter tops), couch and chairs, dressing area, extra closets, and large balcony. Room attendants courteous and efficient; not as personable as we're used to on Celebrity cruises but still pleasant to deal with. They just stayed out of sight for the most part.

Dining in the main dining room was used each night. The first night we expressed wish for better table location to assistant manager and starting following night were given a much better (more scenic) table. Dining steward was efficient, friendly and very personable. He earned the extra gratuity we gave him and made dining a very pleasurable experience. Wine steward was almost as good but had to coordinate ordering drinks via a note pad that he could swipe with room or beverage card. This was kind of a long and involved process (but got quicker as days went by) but the system meant, for example, three drinks ordered were delivered by three different orderlies at three different times. Half a minute between drink orders could result in five minute separation of delivery to the table. Read more