We are unfortunately back from our first cruise on the AOS (January 23, 2005). DH and I are both 42. We chose not to take our kids out of school (DS 14, DS 19, DD 21).

One word: WOW!!! More specific? Best vacation we've ever had.

Our cruise route took us from San Juan, to Aruba, Curacao, St. Marteen/Martin and St. Thomas and back to San Juan) - it was fantastic! We went to Aruba, Curacao, St. Maarten and St. Thomas. The ship is amazing and beautiful! It is clean and just unbelievable! We had a 9th floor JS on the hump (9318). We booked it because the difference between a balcony and a JS (at that time) was only $200. The room was fabulous. The only problem I saw with it is the fact that I can never go back to an oceanview or regular balcony. We had more than enough storage space (didn't use a lot of it) and the view was spectacular. The walk-in closet was a keeper & having the extra space for the bathtub was something I don't think I could give up. We were in the middle of the hump and could see the entire ship on the starboard side. The food very good to excellent; we were never disappointed. There is always something to do on board and always something to eat! If you went hungry and forget to eat breakfast or in port (like we did) I'd have to say that's your own fault. The weather was perfect (there was rain on the first at-sea day, occasionally during the cruise, and on the debarkation day, but how can you complain about a little rain in 80+ degree weather when everyone at home is freezing with snow/wind and the temp is at or below freezing)? DH really isn't "into" shows, so we didn't see any. Didn't really miss them though - we had late seating and were generally getting ready for dinner about the time that the shows were happening. We did try to make it to Karaoke one night, but it was so packed that we just didn't feel like pushing out way in. Read more