We left out of Miami on Nov 16, 2009. The boarding process was very easy and streamlined. Our luggage arrived in our balcony cabin (which was very nicely located on the side of the ship right in the middle on the 9th deck.) We immediately went to get something to eat and drink. The food in the free buffets is okay but usually cold because of the breezes and sometimes just because food is everywhere that it will sit there awhile. The best place on the ship (in our opinion) to sit was at the very front of the ship. It had a fantastic view at all times and was always kept very clean. The staff are everywhere and were usually friendly and helpful. The first thing we experienced that we had issues with was that you are charged a daily fee for all your tips but you had buy a card or purchase them separately if you wanted sodas. If you wanted an alcoholic drink (mojitos, fruity drinks, beer) are everywhere and available at all hours) you had to purchase them on your room card and they charged the tip automatically and it was over $2.00 a drink! Everytime we had a drink for the two of us it was over $20! Since you don't get to pay for anything with cash, you really don't know what you are spending until the day you check out! Needless to say we only had drinks twice.

I do have to say that our most pleasant experiences (and most memorable) were when we ate at Le Bistro (had swordfish and filet mignon) and a bottle of wine and our bill was $90 (including the tip) and I would say it was well worth it! Unlike the bingo where we had to pay $78 for one person and it was over in less than 45 minutes! One thing I would like to tell everyone is that thre majority of the wait staff (at least those in the nicer restaurants) have college degrees in hospitality and are working their way up to running hotels so they are extremely professional. We talked with at least 10 of them and got to know them and they really great people!

Everyday we received a newsletter that had all the activities for the day in it and information on where the ship was stopping the next day.We had a great time at all of the ports but would discourage anyone from paying for any of the excursions through the ship as they are very expensive and you can purchase the excursions off the ship much cheaper. for example, when in Nassau we wanted to go to the Atlantis Resort and see the big aquarium. On the ship the excursion was over $50 a person. We opted to do it on our own and paid $12 for a ferry to Atlantis and got in for free. We saw many of the folks from the ship there and saw the same things they did. Read more