This was my first cruise and I have to say it was great. No wonder so many people do it so often. After I made my reservations I started reading and looking at cruise blogs to get an idea of what I was getting into. There were a lot of good tips out there, so took the ones I knew would work for me. The best tip being, get there the day before. I would have never made it flying in the same day even though I took the first flight of the morning, and shuttles are really cheap from most hotels.

No one mentioned the embarkation process that is a mad house in its self. Thousands of people trying to board ships all over the port of Miami. I don't know exactly what I was expecting the Disney like lines to check in shouldn't have been a surprise When I finally got onboard it was time to vacation and party. I found the crew to friendly and helpful, and I met my cabin steward as soon as we were able to get into our rooms. He was very engaging whenever I saw him. I felt kind of bad I didn't have any extra cash to give him a little something extra.

I had a great steak at Cagney's and filled up at Moderno, and as busy as the buffet was for breakfast I never had to wait or stand in line. The bartenders at 5 O'clock Somewhere and the pool bars remembered my drink orders. I missed the show After Midnight, I guess I got my days mixed up, but the Brat Pack was entertaining, However my favorite was Howl at the Moon dueling pianos. I'm a sucker for drinking and singing along. There was a party every night at H2O except one, but the late nights were starting wear an old guy down..LOL. Read more