We've been on several cruises and had wonderful experiences and we really expected this one to be amazing but it was such a huge disappointment.

1. There was almost no family appropriate entertainment. Not a single show in the Breakaway Theater was okay for kids. Rock of Ages--the main show was inappropriate enough that they made multiple special announcements that it was adults-only. During the unfortunate day when we had to tender to the private island they had us all line up in the theater and we got to enjoy an hour of staring at the stage complete with a giant sign (from the production) reading "LIVE NUDES." That made for some interesting discussions with the kids... The other shows in the theater (a ballroom dance show and a Broadway singer) were just boring. Literally the only entertainment that we found bearable was a comedy show. The daily programming was also baffling. There were endless rounds of bingo and art auctions (of the tackiest art ever) and spa demonstrations and Deal or no Deal, but there was NOTHING for families except a "cupcake decorating" event where-in we stood in a line and got a cupcake, a spoonful of frosting, and a spoonful of sprinkles so we could "decorate" with our kids, and an ice carving demonstration on the pool deck, and a fruit carving demonstration in the atrium. That was it. All week. Including FOUR sea days.

2. The New York departure port made for a very cold start and end to the cruise. This was unfortunate because literally the only thing to do on sea days were the activities on the sun deck. The rock climbing wall, water slides and ropes course were actually pretty cool, but they were closed a good deal of the time. Read more