The embarkation process went smooth. They check for you citizenship paperwork and then send you through the metal detectors. Make sure to bring a pen or pencil. You have to fill out a paper about possibly being sick. You then get in line and they put your credit card on file and give you your "Sail and Sign card." Your then whisked away to have your picture taken in front of a backdrop. You can later purchase the picture for $11.99 on deck 3. We were then escorted up the walkway into the ship. Upon entering deck 2, all these people welcome you with a pink drink in a souvenir cup, costing $7.50. We then went up to the "Serenity" deck. Very nice and peaceful. It wasn't very long before they announce rooms were ready. We loved our cabin with extended view. Our cabin steward, was Garfield and he was amazing. He made sure our room was always clean,clean towels, and the beds turned down at night, with mint chocolates. I wasn't a big fan of the Lido deck. I always seemed to come at the wrong times, because they always seemed to be changing over the food and couldn't eat. If you get an omelette for breakfast, make sure when you walk in from the elevators to get them from the station on the left. He makes the BEST omelettes. The staff was always pleasant. The shows were good. We played bingo for $20, but didn't win. We ate at Normandie's for dinner on a few days. We did not do the elegant nights. The best night was Saturday night. I had 4 crabcakes. If you go to the casinos, DO NOT PLAY the quarter machines, where you have to flip the quarters. VERY ADDICTING! The only nights you have to worry about ship movement is on Friday and Saturday. The ship will be speeding back at 24 knots and it feels like the ship is moving up and down. On specific nights they have, $1 for each inch of gold or silver. You can get customer necklaces and bracelets. On Saturday they will offer $90 watch sets for $19.99. Monday was cloudy and then it really warm on Tuesday. If you want a good seat to lay on deck, get out early. Seats do run out! Had so much fun, I am going back in October for my Birthday!