More crowded and loud than we'd like, and it seems to be geared to families who like big crowds and lots of noise. The snorkeling was amazing, though, and the staff and food were both great.
Embarkation
5 out of 5
I paid for Faster to the Fun, which was so worth it for the embarkation and debarkation process. It was very easy and quick!
Ship experiences
Food and Dining
5 out of 5
We loved the dining rooms, and our waiters were amazing. The food was good in general.
Onboard Activities
3 out of 5
The pools were far too crowded. We played mini-golf and used the fitness center and they were nice.
Entertainment
We didn't attend any of the entertainment stuff.
Children's Programs
3 out of 5
Not enough unstructured time.
Service and Staff
5 out of 5
Herald (steward), Learoy (head waiter), Shaju & Exmelin (team waiters) were amazing. The cruise director was engaging and had a good sense of humor.
Ship Quality
3 out of 5
My kids are not loud kids who like to run around. There were multiple times that we tried to find areas on the shady side of the ship instead of full sun where they could sit with a book and read outside, and the only options were smoking decks, which is a no-go for kids with asthma. There should be middle ground between "adults only" areas and "smoking" areas where kids or teens who are quieter can be allowed to relax.
Cabin / Stateroom
5 out of 5
It was bigger and more comfortable than we expected; plenty of storage space, bathroom was a decent size. I'd love more power outlets, though!
Ship tip
Be prepared for it to be loud and crazy! It was not the most relaxing experience. Also, bring power splitters!
We did a dolphin encounter. The process to get to our excursion was disorganized and chaotic. We paid for Faster to the Fun but still had lines getting back on the ship - the signage was poor and everything was very confusing.
Great review! For us, it’s all about trying to find that quiet space to relax. We usually sit on the couches on the smoking deck. Even without a lot of children, there is still a party atmosphere and most of the noise seems to come from adults. Main dining room for brunch and dinner, the serenity deck, there’s a lounge aft level five that is usually quiet was no one there during the day.
If you want to cruise in a quieter environment without lots of loud children, don’t cruise Carnival, Royal Caribbean or NCL, especially during the time of year school is out. They are primarily geared towards families with children. Try Celebrity, Holland America, Princess or one of the upscale lines like Oceania, Regent, Symphony, Crystal or Viking; Cruise when schools are in session; take itineraries longer than 7days; etc.
*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.
