We are a couple in our fifties and this was our first cruise ever. I had researched everything on this web site, but nothing prepares you for the actual experience.

Embarkation: We drove from the SF bay area with a overnight stop in Santa Barbara. We arrived at the San Pedro port at around 11:00 AM and were on the ship in less than 30 minutes. There were plenty of parking spaces available and I was able to find a spot in the very first row closest to the shop. Parking for the week was $ 84. The embarkation process was painless and the fellow passengers were all in good mood. We notices a lot of families with school age kids, turned out to be Spring break week. Our cabin (6th floor balcony, starboard aft, near the center) was ready at exactly 1:00 PM and the luggage arrived later that evening. We wandered around the ship and were awed at the size.

Stateroom: Our room was spacious and you could store the suitcases under the bed. We loved the balcony and had our breakfast most mornings in there. The room has a safe, TV, plenty of hangers in the closet. Bathroom is rather small and has soap, shampoo, etc. You get live CNN, Fox, ESPN. But other channels are taped. I was able to watch Masters golf tournament live. Our cabin attendant was very friendly and had a different towel animal every day. Read more