This cruise was fine. Nice staff. Acceptable accommodations. Only our second cruise ever and a once-in-a-lifetime event as a family, so a bit disappointed in the entertainment and the extra costs involved, specifically the price of pop ($7 per person PER DAY for unlimited, or $2 per can, even at dinner) and the mandatory tip ($12 per person per day - $420 for our family), and parking ($112 for 7 days).
Ship experiences
Food and Dining
3 out of 5
Appetizers fantastic. Main dishes great for adults especially, if not a bit too exotic for teenagers. Desserts only mediocre. Even Chocoholic Buffet was better to look at than to eat. Fruit was awesome and plentiful.
Entertainment
3 out of 5
Comedian was excellent at opening night teaser, but then rated for adults-only at main show. Second City was PG-13, so could not take our 11-year-old daughter that night either. Should have gone with Carnival or another line more attentive to families. Magician and acrobats do too much dramatic build-up and extra-curricular dancing to keep show interesting (hard ot keep my eyes open while waiting for actual climax of act, and that was the early show!)
Children's Programs
3 out of 5
Sons loved teen program - probably because minimal supervision.
Service and Staff
5 out of 5
Everyone friendly and helpful.
Ship Quality
3 out of 5
Layout a bit confusing, even after several days. Elevators very busy, which was a blessing because we needed to work off great meals. Hand sanitizer available (and madatory!) everywhere, especially in restaurants and when boarding ship after excursions.
Cabin / Stateroom
3 out of 5
Was expecting adjoining rooms with kids. It was a pain to keep keys straight this way. Closet door kept sticking and even came completely off track twice. Stewards were great.
Took taxi to Playa Corona - a tiny beach/restaurant/snorkeling venue off the beaten track. Perfect day. Had equipment for rent. Taxi ride $15 each way for family of 5. Lunch was authentic. Snorkeling was good - no guide this time, just a reef! Shopping was the best at this port, too, because everything was much cheaper than the other spots (touristy stuff like t-shirts and hair-braiding is what I am talking about).
Hanging out at the huge pool with swim-up bar and great music was actually quite fun, especially before adults got drunk. Watching dolphin swim was good too. Wouldn't recommend renting golf carts as once outside port area, it goes downhill fast. Did not do the ruins because of the long bus ride it entailed.
Went on the huge zip-lines. Outstanding! Felt safe with driver and on course for the most part (watch your feet on each platform - it would be a long fall if you stepped backward). Came back and went snorkeling with a guy right off the beach. Took a chance with a stranger, but he and his partner were wonderful and delivered what they promised. Much cheaper than thru cruise line.
Going to Caye Culker for snorkeling with Coral Breezes was fantastic. Guides were fun and knowledgeable and helpful. Saw eels and flounder and sharks and barracuda and sting rays - it was great.
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