Five day cruise to Grand Cayman and Cozumel. Two of our favorite ports. Our first time sailing out of Tampa. We parked at the parking doctor lot just down from the ships. This was a good choice. We found Tampa to be an easy port to use and the embarkation process very painless. The weather for the first couple days was great but it rained at Cozumel and on the way back. Still, it was a fine trip. We had booked a junior suite on deck ten. Since deck 11 is the pool deck and windjammer deck, don't be surprised to hear some noise up there. We were in 1582 under the windjammer and it was not uncommon to hear carts rolling overhead.
Embarkation
5 out of 5
Great experience for our first time using Tampa for embarkation. Got there by 10:30am. No line to get through security and checkin. Waiting area was orderly and boarding was a breeze.
Ship experiences
Food and Dining
5 out of 5
Chops and Giovanni's were typical good experiences. For a 5 day cruise we never went to the main dining room. The other three nights we used the windjammer and we were very pleased by the quality of the food offered and the variety you just don't get in the main dining room.
Onboard Activities
3 out of 5
I rate the solarium pool and jacuzzi highly as it just seems to suit my eye (I guess). Onboard activities are standard fair for royal. Trivia and a few game shows. Evening music and dancing in the Centrum. They're nice when you are in the mood. There are two billiard tables that saw good use during the trip. We like that but they were busy this cruise.
Entertainment
4 out of 5
We saw a couple of headliner show which were pretty good. Music in the centrum was also good.
Service and Staff
5 out of 5
All staff were very good again. Can't say we've ever seen bad service on any of our many Royal cruises.
Ship Quality
5 out of 5
We have sailed this class of ship several times as well as the Oasis and Quantum class. We really like them all but this ship has features like the outside seating of the windjammer, the layout of the schooner bar with specialty restaurants leading to the colony lounge and its great views out the rear of the ship. We also like the onboard cinema. Certainly it is easy to get around the ship. due to its size.
Cabin / Stateroom
4 out of 5
This is a junior suite and deck 10. It is in the last 1/3rd of the ship. Unfortunately that puts it under the windjammer. The sounds of carts rolling around above us was quite common. Distracting at first but never bothered us while sleeping. The room was quite comfortable. The only small issue was the design layout of the walkin closet door just opposite of the bathroom door. With the closet door being open you could pinch you hand as you came out the the bathroom door. So be aware.
We love 7 mile beach. We usually go to the public beach at Calico Jacks. This time we tried Royal Palms thinking it would be less crowded since it costs more if you rent two chairs and an umbrella. Well it was crowded here too. On the plus side, their wifi extended to the beach chairs and worked well and they had a pool. There was good bar service on the beach too.
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