We flew into Dallas from the west coast on January 29, late after mechanical trouble. My sister and I few into Houston Hobby on Sunday the 31st, planning on meeting our 89 year old Mom, who bussed down from North Texas with 59 of her friends. I had never received my cruise documents (tracked as leaving Houston on 4 Jan) but "borrowed" two luggage tags from mom, and read the rest online. After all, this is my umpteenth cruise. Worried a bit that online reservation did not show that we had purchased transfers, but we were on the list. Arrived at the ship around 11:30. Platinum status bought us a slightly shorter but still long and chaotic line. On checking in, RCCL had no record of my purchase of the soda card. Guest relations tracing this, but bought another in the interim. Those who arrived on the bus with Mom waited over two hours in a cold wind outside to board.

Stateroom: Arrived at cabin to find carpets soaked throughout and in the hall. Reported to guest relations and huge fans set up, which I eventually had to heft out into the hall so that we could sleep. Water persisted until Tuesday am. Not as much storage as Celebrity. Wished balconies connected as on Princess.

Dining room: 90 people in our group. Travel agent had carefully listened to seating preferences and filed list with RCCL, which fouled it all up. Food pretty good though. In general found RCCL food a cut below Celebrity in innovation and variety but OK. Several entrees outstanding, and Chef's Selections a good idea. Shawn G from Trinidad the best waiter I have experienced. Seating problems persisted for several days, with tables reshuffling. Read more