Lots to like

The Good --

1. The food was excellent in both the Main Dining Room and Windjammer Cafe/Buffet, and was in fact a highlight of the cruise.  The Windjammer offered a HUGE and varying selection of quality foods.  The MDR provided a more upscale experience with fancier foods. We quickly decided to use the Windjammer for breakfast and lunch for the wide selection and quick service, and eat dinner in the MDR. 

2. We chose the cheapest inside cabin and were delighted with the comfortable king bed, beautiful furnishings in excellent condition, the more-than-adequate amount of storage available. 

3. Service was friendly and helpful and generally outstanding throughout the ship -- cabin steward, waiters, etc. 

4. The ship is decorated beautifully throughout and kept very clean.  

5. Outstanding fitness center that is large, offers more than enough machines of various types -- treadmill, elliptical, rowing, spinning, weight training.  I used the facility most mornings and never had any trouble getting a machine.  It also offers free weights and yoga room.  

6. The Captain announced on our first morning that the US Public Health Service had just completed their inspection and the ship received a rating of 100 out of 100. 

7. The ship had a wonderful splash zone for kids to play in near the pools. 

The Not So Good --

1. The ship offered many activities on board but I must not be a cruise person because I didn't find them appealing. We went to one show and it was just okay. We would have gone to see another show but it conflicted with an NFL playoff game. 

2. I would have liked a large public space indoors with lots of windows that was not a bar, with comfortable stuffed chairs for lounging and reading.  The Library was tiny, with maybe 2 chairs and in the center of the ship with no windows. 

3. Like all cruise lines these days, the emphasis is on enticing passengers to pay for extras like specialty restaurants and drink packages. The central area of the ship contains a large number of boutiques selling wares, and of course the required art auction and casino. 

4. We used 3rd party shore excursions for snorkeling and they were about as expected -- meh.  I prefer to go someplace and experience it  for several days or a week, rather than bustle on and off with crowds for a thoroughly brief and superficial experience mostly with souvenir sellers. 

Conclusion --

Royal Caribbean could hardly have done a better job with the most important aspects of the cruise.  I can recommend them highly, but I have learned that cruising holds little appeal for me.