7 night from Galveston with stops in Cozumel, Grand Cayman and Falmouth, Jamaica.
Embarkation
5 out of 5
First cruise, so nothing to compare to, but we were really impressed at how smoothly and efficiently we moved through the whole process - from parking to boarding, I don't think we waited more than 2-3 minutes at any point.
Ship experiences
Food and Dining
4 out of 5
Definitely prefer MDR to Windjammer. Fresher food that felt fancy, even if it maybe wasn't 5 star. Windjammer, food just seemed typical of a buffet, and those kind of gross me out anyway. Sorrentos pizza was tasty, if a tad greasy (pepperoni). You definitely won't starve on this ship.
Onboard Activities
5 out of 5
Kids loved rock wall, Flow Rider, mini-golf, but we also loved just hanging at the pool/hot tubs, playing ping pong and shuffle board or just lounging watching the sea. Husband and I really enjoyed the solarium hot tubs in the evening after dinner. (I think maybe they were technically closed, but no one ever stopped us!)
Entertainment
3 out of 5
Tons of talent, but the quality of shows wasn't what it could've been to highlight the talent they had... more of an issue of show themes and concepts than production value. The ice skating was impressive, but again the show concept was weird, and I couldn't tell you what it was really about.
Children's Programs
3 out of 5
Our older son would try to go to the teen club, and no one would be there. Our younger was shy and didn't go till the last night (when we hit some weather and couldn't really be out on deck) and super regretted that he hadn't gone earlier in the week. They LOVED the arcade.
Service and Staff
5 out of 5
100% amazing! Our head waiter in the MDR was incredible in dealing with our son's food allergies, and in encouraging our very picky older son in ordering off the adult menu. Son went from ordering a cheeseburger on night 1 to loving prime rib and swordfish by week's end. Room steward was wonderful, as well, and always made a point to ask about our day and make suggestions for the upcoming day.
Ship Quality
5 out of 5
She's not perfect, and in places shows the fact that she's carried 5K+ people every week for like 15 years, but she's a beautiful and very clean ship. Extremely easy to navigate, and it was far easier than I expected to find quiet spaces to just watch the sea in public parts of the ship. (We had an interior cabin, so no private balcony.)
Cabin / Stateroom
4 out of 5
Deck 7- interior: A little worn in spots, but immaculately clean, easy to organize and served its purpose.
Ship tip
Don't miss the exteror promenades on decks 4 and 5...i believe the entrance to to bow/helipad are on deck 4. Beautiful views, peace and quiet...NO ONE was ever there!!
We did self-debarkation as we were making the 11 hour drive home that day. We stepped off the ship at about 7:20 AM and by 8:00 we were already driving up I-45 off the island.
Glad you enjoyed the experience. There are fewer school aged passengers in October, or whenever schools are not on vacation or holiday. That might be the reason your older son found the teen club so empty. So what was a negative for you may be just fine with empty nesters.
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