I have gone on over 10 Carnival cruises and 3 NCL cruises in the past. This was my first time on a royal ship. I haven't done royal in the past due to high prices than normal but receiving a free trip I obviously wasnt going to turn it down.

Embarkation Was smooth from Miami and was on the ship by 11:15. Got the drink package online ahead of time and saved 20%. Was definitely worth getting for a 5 day cruise. Wifi was 80$ for the 5 days and was pretty good. Much better than Carnivals. Room was a inside room but nice and my room steward was great. Room was done twice a day before 11:00 and 7:00. The breakfast food at the windjammer was surprisingly very very good. A lot of bacon, scrambled eggs, sausage, fruit and much more. As well as multiple omelette stations. The quality of the food exceeded my expectations. I purchased a 4 night specialty dining package before the trip and saved 20% on that as well and all 4 specialty restaurants were outstanding. The steakhouse had great apps and sides as well as a 16 ounce Rib eye that was incredible. Both the Italian and Mexican restaurants were very very good. The Japanese is A La Cart so with a dining package you get $35 to spend and anything over you pay the difference. Food was very good but without a dining package I would not of eaten there. Prices for a cruise A La cart restaurant were much higher than I was expecting (5 pot stickers for $8.) The dinner my 5th night at the buffet had a prime rib carving station and all the food looked great. Overall the food was one of the best parts of the trip which is never a bad thing.

The ship was in excellent shape and condition on all the floors especailly the 5th floor where all the shops and the Ben and Jerrys was. I thought the ship was 5-6 years old but then found out it was turning 16 this year. So kudos to the staff and Royal for keeping the older ship in great shape. Read more