ALL people were friendly, helpful, warm, welcoming etc from staff, to restaurant to tour guides, locals, etc. Great experience. Will do it again!!
Embarkation
4 out of 5
Even though I had a difficult delayed time not having a passport, wrong birth certificate and having to get an email from my husband so our son could board with copy if his license I found it ok still. Have a passport, and the new restriction is kids without both parents, make sure if you're traveling with friends and their kids you get written permission and copy of driver license from children's father if you can. My friend that has cruised before also said that was new and she is single mom. They didn't have issues as they have passports.
Ship experiences
Food and Dining
5 out of 5
We were NOT disappointed with the food. Ate at main dining rooms most nights. Buffet once for dinner, mostly buffet for breakfast or quick lunch. Extensive wine list. The ultimate beverage packages are WORTH the money. Even non alcoholic drinks like mudslides were delicious. Portions were great size most times. We were happy about healthy options at dining rooms and the buffet. The service was outstanding every time we ate. I can't think of anything we had we didn't care for. Wish Buffett was open maybe a tiny bit later but also realize the ship needs to run in a tight schedule and the workers need enough time for themselves as well.
Onboard Activities
4 out of 5
We went to a few of the shows in the theatre. They were really good. Enough seats in theatre. Good sound, temp and view. Our 13 and 14yr old boys used the pool which they enjoyed. We used one of several hot tubs a few times and they were good. The boys played basketball, shuffleboard, arcade games in the arcade and air hockey and enjoyed them. I used the fitness room and outdoor track.
Entertainment
4 out of 5
Children's Programs
No small kids.
Service and Staff
5 out of 5
The entire time on ship I only encountered someone a little irritable maybe twice.
Ship Quality
4 out of 5
Layout was fine once you got it figured out. Once we figured out how to walk BELOW the casino vs through it to get to theatre that was good because of all the cigarette smoke. But if we weren't coming from our room to a show and walking through cabin hallways and already on main floors we had to. I would recommend locating the casino somewhere people won't have to go through it to get to the theatre. Common areas well maintained and seemed clean.
Cabin / Stateroom
4 out of 5
Being a first time cruiser was pleasantly surprised with size cleanliness amenities and closet and drawer space! Had 4 in a room and we did just fine. I liked the built in soap and shampoo dispensers.
Ship tip
Take lots of hooks. Magnetic ones, over door ones, etc. An over door shoe holder is handy for all kinds of stuff. Be aware there is a 300 dollar hold on your card for on board expenses. I didn't know what it was until I asked on board after checking account. Check with your cell phone plan on international rates. Always have phone in aurplane mode so no accidental roaming charges. You'll wajt to ensure you have a lanyard if you don't want to buy one onboard. You will want to have your room card always on you. Purchase ultimate beverage plan when it's on sale. It's worth it. Book excursions, they were awesome and be SURE to be at meeting time on time or early for first boats to shore. And do NOT miss times to be back at boat. Take a reusable cup. And plan to dress nicely for dinner. Make sure you take pants, a hat of some kind, an extra pair if sunglasses in case you lose a pair, sleeves and a light jacket. Some days were chilly. And sometimes it can be chilly on boat and at night.
We did the yelapa & majahuitas excursion. We loved it!!! The boat ride was kind of long so be prepared in advance for motion sickness if you're prone. At least 5 on our boat got sick! The entertainment was amazing by the your guides though so that helped the lengthy ride. Be prepared for water and sand. Take valuables in a water tight pouch and comfortable clothes to put on after snorkeling for the hike. The lunch was good and free drinks. The staff were amazing hosts. Make sure to get the local moonshine! (Raicilles) take shoes more sturdy than flip flops to change in to for the hike.
We did the stone island beach getaway and rode horses briefly. Loved it. The lunch was DELICIOUS. Drink selection was really good. Sand was soft and amazing. The tour guides were very friendly and willing to share facts and answer questions in a friendly manner. They were very helpful. The short horse ride was fun and the guide was good. I also took close toed sandals for this excursion to change into for the horse part. Be prepared for the vendors to ask you multiple times to buy something at this port. They were most persistent here out if the 3. Do not leave belongings at a table but take with you. Local kids also hang out at this beach spot. We walked up and saw a couple leaning over our things.
We loved the camel ride and Mexican food with tequila lunch. The bus ride was a jaunt to get there but with a window seat, watching scenery made it pass by quickly. Our guide Chicas was the best of all 3 excursions. He was memorable. Be prepared to get a little dusty and if you have hip flexor issues I wouldn't do this one. I do not but some were pretty sore afterwards. We got to see Louis the kissing camel see whales as we rode along the uninhabited beach. The food was more than amazing prepared by locals. Tequila and local drinks were served and history and stories of them were told. A corn tortilla making demonstration was also given!!
It went pretty well. Once again I had issues going through customs without the right birth certificate but even having to wait in that room wemt pretty quickly. And they were decently friendly. We walked off with bags so didn't have a color to wait for to get off which was good. I would recommend walking off with bags vs putting them out night before. The line went quickly.
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