We live in Staten Island and chose this cruise because it was convenient to our location and loved that it left from Red Hook Terminal. We also sailed on this same ship last summer up to Canada/New England. This year we decided to hit the Caribbean again for the heat and we were'nt disappointed. Needless to say, this cruise was booked in the winter when we were freezing to death in NY and heat sounded like a good thing. :) We traveled with another couple who we always cruise with and loved every minute of their company. We wished our other friends (3 other couples) couldve joined us but we made due with just the 4 of us this time around.

Our embarkation was a breeze (unlike many of our other shipmates who experienced the horror of a stevedore problem with luggage) - We only ran into a bit of traffic on the Gowanus Expressway in Brooklyn for no apparant reason actually. We got to the Pier about 11:30 ish and we were on the ship and up in the Sanctuary at 12:15. Parking lot was fast and easy and we split the bill $90 each. Our luggage arrived shortly thereafter. Our room was in the front of the ship on the Rivera Deck (port side) and aside from some late night little monsters running back and forth - the room was fine and COOL (the a/c was perfect - we kept our drapes closed during the day and it was even cooler at night where you needed the blankets). We (I) even had made a door decoration which stayed on the entire cruise. It was fun seeing it everytime we came to our rooms. I got a lot of compliments on it and felt it was just a little more fun added to our vacation. It is now hanging in my laundry room where I can enjoy it and relive the cruise over and over.

We chose to book the Sanctuary for the entire week in place of fighting over deck chairs and watching kids running around and noise in general. We got to the Sanctuary at 12:15 the day of embarkation as I said and was dumbfounded to learn that only 2 lounge chairs were available for the week. We asked to see the manager and Mr. Silva certainly delivered by allowing us the four chairs we needed - which was very nice of him. We were told all the chairs were booked earlier than our arrival time but my friend and I decided that indeed SOMEHOW these seats can be "saved or pre booked" ahead of time. I don't know how but they must be. I spoke to a few people up there later on in the week and we all agreed something should be done about that. You either book it when you get on board or give everyone a chance to pre book. Also - there is a pool by the spa. After this week - I completely agree with my friend that that pool should only be for the Sanctuary people. We paid $135 per person for peace and quiet and yet this pool was PACKED! and I mean packed by very loud, sometimes screaming, people. It's an adult pool so why not act like adults. The water was always warm too.....I think only once it was cool and I was in there for an hour. I was disappointed in that fact for 9 days. The Sanctuary was an important part of my cruise and yes, I enjoyed it but it wasn't the same as last years cruise to NE and it was warm weather-wise then too. Seems our well kept secret has gotten out. Oh well - it was still nice to go up there every day and relax. Read more