Overall, I was very happy with this cruise. Great ship, ports and family fun. We had 3 generations of family on the ship and everyone had something to do.
Embarkation
4 out of 5
The embarkation was a bit slow, but there was a delay in leaving due to fog. The only real issue with embarkation was they unexpectedly closed the lanes for the metal detectors for over 30 minutes (backing up the lines on the floor level out the door to the luggage lines) without any announcements. This was probably done to to catch up (in the upstairs check in area), however making people wait without explanation makes people cranky and after the fog delay was not ideal.
Ship experiences
Food and Dining
4 out of 5
I must say that dinner in the Main Dining Room was excellent. So good, that I felt the $30 spent for the specialty Italian restaurant one evening was almost a waste (it was really good but why pay extra if the main dining room is good?). Breakfast in the MDR was good, but I was very disappointed with breakfast and lunch in the Windjammer Restaurant. First off, it was very average (pancakes were dried out by heat lamps) and the burgers were no better than a school cafeteria (not exaggerating, they were grey!). I also did not like its location because it is not close enough to the pool. With a 1/2 hour "unattended deck chair policy" before they could literally take your stuff off your chair and give it to someone else, you could easily lose your deck chair trying to get breakfast or lunch with the location and then having to deal with the lines. The pool bars were awesome, and the service was quick. Best I've ever had on a cruise ship.
Pool Bar
5 out of 5
I'm awarding them the Best Pool Bar on a Cruise Ship award. I've been on many cruises, and the drinks/wait times here crushes the competition. Having the Unlimited Beverage package, I was afraid (like on many other lines), I would be waiting on slow "island time" service. These guys pushed the drinks out like champions.
Onboard Activities
4 out of 5
As a family, I think we did everything and used everything. The Fitness Center is a full and well equipped Gym. Everything you need with an ocean view. Flow Rider was very cool as were the water slides (but long lines made me use only on 1 day). Kids didn't mind the lines though and went ice skating as well.
Entertainment
4 out of 5
The main stage shows were just okay. The comedians were funny, but the production show was average. The DJ and 70's night was great, and the Pool contests were entertaining.
Children's Programs
5 out of 5
My 9 y/o daughter loved Adventure Ocean, begging to stay late many evenings. Made friends which made for fun time at the pools for her as well.
Service and Staff
5 out of 5
Room Steward, waiters and bar staff all were great. No complaints.
Ship Quality
5 out of 5
This boat is absolutely amazing. My only complaint was the lack of food near the pool area. Having to go 2/3 the length of the ship from the main pool areas to the back of the boat to eat is not a good layout in my opinion, but I'm still giving them a 5.
Cabin / Stateroom
5 out of 5
Compact, but we got connecting rooms. Plenty of space for 2 people and having a connecting room gave our family of 4 bathrooms. Rooms were clean and kept up very well by the cabin steward.
Ship tip
If you get the Unlimited Beverage package, make sure you take advantage of the coffee shop in the promenade. Lattes, espresso, and frozen coffee beverages were excellent and are included in that package.
We did the Stingray City & Dolphin Push Pull & Swim excursion. Completely worth the $119 per person. Dolphin Swims alone can cost more than this, and it included a great boat ride and plenty of time to interact with the Stingrays too.
I really liked that RC has their own port here. Way better than Montego Bay's port (which basically has nothing), and it was enclosed and safe. We probably would have stayed on the boat otherwise. There is a Margaritaville here too! Fun place with pool, swim up bar, and no entrance fee (just spend money).
We arrived early in Galveston due to the Captain being worried about fog again, so I think they had extra time to get bags off and set us up for a great disembarkation. Smoothest one ever.
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