Rating the embarkation process with a top 5 rating is in recognition of the fact that my wife's disability (stroke survivor with hemi-paralysis) essentially shortcut the process for us. We were waved through long lines and waiting. We very much appreciate the Port of Everglades their helpful courtesies.
Ship experiences
Food and Dining
4 out of 5
The food on board was good, but not outstanding. Compared to our earlier Celebrity cruises, it fell short of the high bar set by Celebrity. Of course, we have not cruised in over 5 years and they could have changed also. The sight of long food lines ("chow lines") at the Windjammer Cafe turned me off and ate at the much smaller Solera Cafe, where the choices were very small. Later, when we ate at the Windjammer, we noticed that the amount of food offering was about half of what it was on Celebrity Summit, a ship with half the number of passangers. We clearly felt that this was (like everything else on the ship) by design to drive you to the expensive specialty restaurants. We ate one such meal (Chop's) and the food was pretty much the same as in the Silk Dining Room. Giovanni's Table - on the first night - was pretty good.
The drinks were very good and the Bow & Stern pub was awesome with a truly outsanding beer selection. Pilsener Urquel!
Onboard Activities
3 out of 5
We did not participate in many onboard activities, but the pools, which we tried to enjoy, were packed like sardines and deck chairs were hard to find.
Entertainment
4 out of 5
We loved the production of Mamma Mia. Talented, enthusiastic cast and great direction. The Diving show was great also. The Blue Planet show was disappointing, although not the fault of the cast.
Blue Planet at the Amber theater left a bad taste with because the theater allowed anyone to come, without checking for reservation. As a result the theater was overflowing. The last row of moveable chairs, reserved for wheelchair guests were filled with families and kids, who were unwilling to make room for a disabled person. Staff was nowhere to enforce the rules. I finally pushed my wife to the top of the walkway and I sat on the stairs between decks 4 and 5.
It was very evident, that the ship, with 6,500 passengers, was not adequate for the crowd.
Service and Staff
5 out of 5
Our cabin attendant was outstanding and helpful. Dining room staff did their best to deal with an overcrowded ship.
Ship Quality
4 out of 5
Cleanliness deserves 5 stars. The ship design is not for my taste. I heard a number of passengers say that the inside balconies, looking out over the park and boardwalk were way too noisy to be enjoyed.
The most annoying aspect was the noise level in the enclosed Promanade. Promising to be a very nice place to enjoy a drink before dinner, it's peace was shattered by a loud, annoying Midway barker type of person, who used a microphone to amplify his annoying voice to hawk $99 watches for half price. I am sure that if I brought onboard a bullhorn and stood in the middle of the Promenade for an hour, yelling at the top of my lung for an hour, I would have been thrown off the ship. Yet Royal Caribbean tolerates this huckster....
Cabin / Stateroom
5 out of 5
Excellent cabin, close to the elevator, yet very private. Well laid out shower, comfortable bed.
Ship tip
I would not want to go on another cruise on a ship of this class and style.
By far my favorite port of call. Clean, well organized, calm. My trip to Nevis was very enjoyable, especially the visit to Alexander Hamilton's birthplace. How special! The rumor in Nevis is that Prince Harry and his bride Meagan will spend part of their honeymoon there. I can understand why they would choose it.
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