Booked direct with RCI on-line. Original booked ocean view guarantee but was given deck 2 so changed to balcony guarantee (x category) and was given D2 on deck 8 which was great. Booked our flights separately with BMIBaby Birmingham to Malaga, flew on the morning of cruise (was insured!) and arrived pretty much on time. Taxi very easy to get outside airport - 30 euros, approx 25 minutes.
Dropped off outside cruise terminal which I would describe as chaotic. Logged cases in and then joined the masses to check ourselves in; it took about 30 minutes. Then suddenly we were walking up to the ship, photo taken and we were in!
Cabins available 1pm, suitcases followed within 30 minutes. Room very clean etc. Sailed away 5pm to Ajaccio. Malaga at the time was very warm, and from there in went downhill!
Small balcony, getting a bit tatty - the left hand side of the balcony had a kind of metal column so there was no clear divider to the next cabin, just sold metal but it didn't obstruct any view, may be a bit of day light. Beds very comfortable and enough room for 2. Bathroom kept spotless but again some areas tatty (there was a wine cork stuck in the corner of the bathroom then sealed up!).
No noise from the ship or crew at all.