Beautiful, huge, and luxurious ship. Plenty to do, see, and explore, with amazing food, wonderful staff, and great sights to see, even while simply cruising!
One final tip: Don't forget to check out the "posting" board by Guest Services in case there are any gatherings or meetings for like-minded people, or post one yourself! :) It's a great way to meet other folks on the ship and maybe make some new friends! :)
Embarkation
5 out of 5
Very easy and simple. But be sure to complete the online check-in process first and have all necessary documents on hand! Call the cruise line if you have any questions or issues, and make sure all data is correct. Also be sure to be in good health and get any physical checkups beforehand!
Ship experiences
Food and Dining
5 out of 5
Wonderful, easy to access, and almost always available for anything you may need. Be sure to note which options are complimentary and which are "specialty" or require payments. The hot dog stand was not quite good, and their iced tea is Nestle-based, which doesn't taste all that good (since it's made from powder). But those were honestly the "worst" ones, and not much. Everything else was amazing! :)
Onboard Activities
5 out of 5
Personally, I enjoyed bumper cars, the RipCord/freefall experience, and a bit of XBox gaming. All were so much fun! I missed out on their special escape room onboard though--Puzzle Quest. Be sure to inquire about this as soon as possible and see if you can get booking for it! There are plenty of other activities to enjoy on the ship--be sure to explore!
Swimming pools were usually full up, but still nice to relax in on certain days.
Entertainment
4 out of 5
Spectra was a beautiful experience, reminiscent of Cirque du Soleil, though I felt it was a bit too loud at parts (most notably the beginning. This may just be my sensitivity to noise, but that's how I felt. Everything at two70 was amazingly constructed and wonderful to watch and listen to, including the roboshows and virtual concerts! Those were the main entertainment we saw there. Movies at the pool are good, though a few "squares" on the screen were blacked out due to malfunction or something. There are more things to enjoy, though we didn't do them. Again, explore!
Children's Programs
We didn't bring any kids.
Service and Staff
5 out of 5
All service staff are friendly, helpful, and wonderful to work with. Be mindful that most do not speak English as a first language, so be patient if they don't immediately understand what you're talking about. But we had little trouble and only found lots of sincere smiles and help on the ship. :)
Ship Quality
5 out of 5
Beautiful and regularly cleaned! Be sure to use the many Purell stations available as well as the bathrooms for washing hands, just to maintain the germ-free environment. It keeps everyone healthy and everything clean. :)
Cabin / Stateroom
5 out of 5
This is the perfect stateroom for couples, as it contains just enough room for everything you'll be bringing. The deck and balcony make for a superb view of the ocean and any sites along the way. It was regularly cleaned, and the shower amused us for looking like a teleportation device of some kind! LOL It also had a nice lower "bar" to set your foot on for easier cleaning. I definitely recommend a balcony cabin if you can afford it--it's perfect to sit outside on and just take in the vastness of beauty around you in the morning or night!
Ship tip
Be sure to call Royal Caribbean with any questions you may have beforehand, as we did that to clear up anything needed. Also, download the "Royal IQ" app on your phone, which will make it much easier to plan your daily schedule and quickly search for info on the ship or certain experiences as you may need. Your daily Cruise Compass (delivered to your room each night) is your best friend! Be sure to read it (also available on the app).
And if you're an online person, it's best to get the VOOM internet package. Try to minimize the number of devices you'll need to be simultaneously online. Two is probably the best bet, as you can just switch devices as needed (phone to laptop, or vice versa).
We went to Universal Studios for the day. Perfect ease of transportation, though the park was surprisingly busy for a day that it should have been rather empty. Still, the transportation to and from the park was clear and perfect. :)
Beautiful island, though our day ended up in early departure due to possible rain (that didn't happen, but it DID look that way). Nevertheless, it is a beautiful island with a great complimentary lunch and drinks! We did the "Snorkeling at Your Leisure" experience, which was rather fun, except the waters didn't feel as colorful or full of life as other areas I've been to (e.g. Hawaii). Still, it's a great place to swim around in the surf, as long as the weather holds out alright! (which it usually should)
Despite Nassau's recent statistics for having criminal activity, we were just fine for our excursion, which was to Balmoral Island for a dolphin swim/encounter and general relaxation. Stick with groups if possible, bring only what you truly need for your excursions, and see if you can plan an excursion to that island, which is beautfiul and wonderful to relax at. :) Don't forget the suntan lotion!!!!
No problems at all. Just be sure to have everything packed and ready the night before, and note your gathering place as well. Don't forget to pick up your prohibited items in case anything was taken before your embarkation!
*Cruiseline.com is not a booking agent or travel agency,
and does not charge any service fees to users of our site. Our partners
(travel agencies and cruise lines) provide prices, which we list for our
users' convenience. Cruiseline.com does not guarantee any specific rates or
prices. While prices are updated daily, please check with the booking site
for the exact amount. Cruiseline.com is not responsible for content on
external web sites.
Contact us
Submitting...
Need help from a personal vacation planner?
Loading...
Find the perfect cruise with weekly tips and cruise deals for as little as $30/night!
Sign up for weekly cruise deals
Join other subscribers and get the best
cruise deals of the week in your inbox every Thursday.
