We just returned back from a sailing on Aug 29-Sept 5 and I wanted to write this before I forgot everything. I am single female and was traveling with a single male and another single female who had never cruised before. You can describe things, but until they experience it, its hard to imagine what it is like. Cruising is so subjective, many people were telling them ahead of time that its easy to fall off the boat, or get the flu or get seasick from all the rocking. None of those things have ever happened to me, nor did I expect it this time. I just kept saying don't worry about it!

We arrived a day early and stayed at the Hyatt Regency. The shuttle to the port was $3, what a deal. We arrived at the port about 12:30 and it took us about 1 1/2 to get on the ship. It was hot in that building, but it wouldn't be the first time that I was hot on this trip. Everyone is very friendly and they answered all our questions. (It had been 7 years since my last cruise). When we got on the boat it started to rain, but of course being in Florida it was still very warm. We saw MANY people slip and fall. Please be careful, if you are not wearing the right shoes, sit down.

First day at sea is exploration time. We checked out every nook and cranny. We were 3 in a room, so when I saw the person who cleans our room I asked him to separate the double bed into two twin beds. It was done the next time I came back. Basically that is how housecleaning was the whole time. He knew everything about us, and did a beautiful job. Us girls booked massages for the 1st day at sea. We wanted them at the same time so we got it in the same room, sounds awkward but you can't see each other. We had either option. We got full body massages, with foot massages, facials and scalp massages... $139. It was about 1 1/2 hrs. You cannot beat that price. They said that price was only for the first day, but of course they offered it throughout the trip, you just had to go at certain times. Read more