June 2014 - Bahamas

Going in/out of Baltimore is the way to go.  The port employees really have their act together.  We stayed at a hotel the night before, took a cab to the port, and the driver stayed with us until the porter freed us of our luggage. The next time we saw our luggage, it was in our room. After boarding, we checked out our room, ate and checked out the ship. By that time our luggaage was in our room; we grabbed our suites and were at the pool. The cruise was lovely, the staff superb, the food in most instances was very good. I had signed my grandchildren up for the activities for their age group and although they felt the activities for their age group were immature, they certainly found enough to keep them busy.   We had a wonderful time, met some lovely people. We stayed on board when the ship docked at Cape Canavaral, went to Atlantas in Nassau and snorkled in Freeport.  Atlantas was extremely disappointing, especially for the amount charged.  Snorkling with Diana and Pat in Freeport was the best.  The worst part of the trip was waiting to leave the ship.  We were told to be out of our rooms by 8:30 a.m.  We sat in our waiting area for nearly 3 hours. There were apologies for the delay and it was announced that we could go to the Lido Deck or to our rooms.  The grandchildren were hungry and restless so we opted to eat and sit on the outside deck.  Once our number was called and we left the ship, the employees at the Baltimore port were great.  Whizzed right through customs, went to our designated station where our luggage was waiting for us as was a cab to take us to the train station.  The cruise I took 7 years ago was a major disappointment and I said then that I'd never take another; however, this cruise to the Bahamas has changed my mind. My reasons for the 3 star are the activities for my grandchildren's age groups and the waiting to get off.