Liberty of the Seas' population is fairly evenly divided between young families and older empty nesters, which generally makes for a relaxed group of people that mixes well together. The ship's spaces and slate of entertainment reflects that generational divide, too. Liberty's home port is Galveston, Texas, which means it tends to draw a large proportion of Americans, and specifically Texans, so prepare to hear a few "y'alls" sprinkled into the conversation.

Dress code on Liberty is very relaxed throughout the week, and passengers used to more strictly enforced cruise dress codes might be surprised at the shorts, tank tops and denim that their fellow passengers wear to the dining room -- even on formal nights (though technically these are against RCI's suggested dress code, no one seemed to be turned away).

That said, on a seven-night cruise, there are two designated formal nights where women bust out their sparkly cocktail dresses and men don suits and ties for the pre-dinner photography (tuxedos are a rare sighting). And anything goes with kids' fashion.

Recommended tips are $14.50 per person, per day, and are shared by the dining staff, stateroom attendants and others. Passengers in suites pay a $17.50 gratuity each day. All can be automatically added to your stateroom account or pre-paid before the cruise. You can alternatively choose to pay in cash, and envelopes are provided for additional tips, if you wish. Any drinks you order, as well as spa and salon services, and even group fitness classes, will also include an automatic 18 percent gratuity, which is reflected on the receipt you will sign after providing your SeaPass card.

Note: Australians and New Zealanders do not have the stateroom service charge added to their account; fares automatically include this gratuity as long as the cruise was booked in AU or NZ dollars.