40th Anniversary Cruise.

We were bringing 13 people as part of our 40th anniversary celebration. It was leaving from a port, (Galveston) that I have left out of before. And I wanted them to experience Royal Caribbean. We had a cabin on the hump. 7340. The balcony was larger than a normal balcony. But is considered a regular balcony. My son was in the cabin next to us. 7338 and they opened the balcony partition between them so we had a really large balcony. In my cabin, 7340, the AC was not as good as it was in any of the other cabins that our group had booked. We had 8 total. 

The ship is beautiful. I have always loved the Royal Caribbean promenade. They have fun parades on different days. They have one night that is a disco night. The performers on the ship do a whole show on the promenade and play disco. It is packed. People are dancing and having a great time. 

Our dining waiter, Eldy, and assistant waiter, Jermaine, were wonderful. They remembered every night who wanted iced tea, who wanted coffee, etc. As for the food it was lacking this time around. The choices were exotic. but that is not always better. There just was not a regular starter every night. Except caesar salad. Not everyone eats caesar salad. 2 nights there were a warm soup. The other nights there was only cold soups. I do not eat prime rib but every ship I have sailed on has had a night with prime rib. This ship did not. And the food came out cold every night. And it was pretty bland. 

We did eat in the Sabor room for lunch and it was wonderful. So delicious. The table side guacamole was great. They did 2 bowls for us as some wanted spicy and some didn't. The salsa were good. As was all of the dishes. Just be careful, it is really easy to order too much food. And save room for the dessert plate. So worth it.

We ate one night in Giovanni's. It is amazing there. They make their own pasta. Order the steak and you get pasta too. Again way too much food. But everything was really tasty.

We went to see 2 of the shows. Both with the dancers. They were both entertaining. I didn't go, but some in our group went to the ice skating show and loved it.

While laying on deck above the pool we watched some of the pool games and they were fun. It really is worth watching...or participating...

We did the behind the scenes excursion. I have done them on other cruises and they have always been really informative and fun. Well this one was more expensive than most of them and was not very good at all. It was really rushed. We toured the bridge and the officer, Christian, that talked and explained what the instruments are for and what happens there was very good. BUT we really should have been able to meet the captain. For $150 a person it really should happen. Then we saw the laundry. And how they put sheets in the dryer/presser. But never saw a finished product. We went to the kitchen and it was not a kitchen that was being used at lunch time. So we basically saw a kitchen. We did not learn how they manage to fix and plate food for as many people as they do everyday. We could not hear the person giving the tour. On the front 3 people out of 18 could hear what he was saying. It was said many times that we couldn't hear and he would say sorry. But never changed the way he gave the tour. The engine room was very informative though.

We took the Chichen Itza tour in Cozumel. It was the worst tour we have ever been on. Out of probably the 70 excursions we have taken. We knew it was 2 1/2 hours each way to get there. And on the Royal Caribbean website states that we would have 1 1/2 hours at the ruins. Well when we got there and got off the bus, we were told we had to be back on the bus in 41 minutes. We had to follow our guide, who pointed at things in the distance and explained what they were. No chance to go and get photos. We were told a number of times to hurry so we could get to go look at something. Then we hurried back to the bus. While we were driving to the ruins the guides were taking a paper around to sell some personalized necklaces. And if you ordered they would be done when we left. Well their credit card machine was not working. So we had to sit on the bus for over 30 minutes while they were trying to get another one. We drove out the gate and had to stop at the side of the road for one to be brought to the bus. It did not work. So we had spent all that time when we could have been at the ruins. Very disappointed. And then when we were back and I went to the excursion deck to complain all the guy behind the counter had to say was "sorry to hear" That customer service was terrible. Which I have never experienced on Royal Caribbean. I have never complained about an excursion once. I guess it really doesn't matter if you do. They apparently do not care.

This was my 18th cruise. I have sailed with Royal Caribbean, Carnival, Norwegian and Princess. People always ask me what my favorite cruise line is. I always say Royal. Now I cannot say that. This whole experience with the Chichen Itza has turned me off from them. I know it is not their fault. But they should have taken the time to listen and check with the people who run the excursion. I feel if they offer it, they should be responsible for it.