We're Diamond members on RC. We've cruised a lot, and I still find much value in these reviews. As I re-read this review, I realize I sound quite negative. Overall, we loved our trip, but I do feel I need to point out some issues you may encounter. We would totally do this trip again. We LOVED it! But, here are some things to keep in mind.
1. Internet is terrible slow. I wasted 10 minutes.....a full 10 minutes, to open one email in yahoo. I gave up after that. $6.50 down the drain (65 cents per minutes is the on-board internet charge.) Don't expect to use the on-board internet to really get any work or any research done. It's painfully slow. I overheard one guy say out loud at the internet stations, "This is a scam. It's so slow, yet they charge 65 cents a minute. What a ripoff." I tried again during the day, when the internet area was less crowded. It was usable then. So, my recommendation would be to try to use it off-peak if you can.
2. I've cruised a lot over the years and I've noticed RC "nickel and diming" us more. It's not even close to an all-inclusive vacation. Charges for all-you-can-drink soda are extra. Internet is extra (most hotels have it at least free in the lobby), fresh squeezed orange juice is extra, parts of kids club costs extra. Each cruise, I see more and more ways for them to get money from us passengers. When I first started cruising 15 years ago, it was glamorous and everyone was treated like royalty. The waiters knew our name at dinner and knew our preferences after the first night. Not any more. Wait staff service is bad, no one even tries to learn your name, and every time I turn around, they want more money from us, and there is no raving about the service any more. Our first two nights in the dining room were terrible. We sat at a different table each night and had a different waiter each night. They were both equally bad. The third and following nights, we had the same table and waiter and the service got much better. But, those first two nights left a really bad taste in our mouth. (no pun intended) Windjammer service is terrible. The water station didn't have water at it the whole time we were there. I'd go up for three glasses and he'd only have one ready.
We had an interior cabin that faced the promenade. You can see directly into these windows from across the ship, so you MUST close the curtains to get dressed (unless you want others to see you naked). Drawer space in here is tight. Just 4 tiny, angled drawers in one corner. The noise from the Promenade was not a problem. We could hear it, but it didn't affect sleep or anything. We were on the 8th floor. Our rooms looked out over the purser's desk. This was a great location. Close to the elevators and the dining room.