Royal Reality

     Ok here are some basics: this was my first Royal cruise and second cruise of my short cruising career.  my other cruise was on a Disney boat - so that is my only base of comparison. I'm 46, married and brought my 2 kids and mother in law.

     The good:  The ship was amazing, huge and as spectacular as you could envision. It was hard to believe that there were 6,000 passengers on board, because the different venues for dining, entertainment and leisure were very nicely appointed, with there being plenty of room to move around.  The food overall was high quality.  The breakfasts and lunches at the Solarium and Windjammer were solid.  We did Hibachi one night and the quality of food and entertainment was on par or better than any land-based hibachi experience.  Johnny Rockets was also yummy.  My kids loved the milkshakes - and having a sip of one, i could understand why!

There are only a few things i would point out that could use improvement:  1- as a cruising newbie, I really wasn't clear about where we could dine for dinners and lunches outside of the Windjammer.  I needed more clarity - Like - "Dining Venues included in your fare" and the hours and descriptions of the experience.  It wasn't until the last day of the cruise that we went to the main dining room-and it was a much nicer place to eat.  I guess I could've asked someone but it seemed like they almost don't want you to know - so you'll go to their troughs elsewhere. Of course I certainly knew where I could go for a "specialty dining" experience.  There was no mystery there.      Also, we purchased the drink package - but found that champagne and fru-fru-drinks with umbrellas they were passing around were additional charges - and it seemed like I had to go out of my way to get drinks and wait for them.  I don't think I  drank my money's worth of the alcohol - so i'm not sure I would do that again.  If you drink steady all day and night, then definitely get the package.  If you're a drink with dinner type, then reevaluate your plan. 

My kids had the soda package and again, i would say that the number of coke machines around the place was inadequate.  The ice was often empty and there were always lines.  It seems to me for the amount spent on ensuring my kids can have their high-fructose corn syrup whenever they want, the actual supply exceeded the demand.  There were no signs, menus or info about where these machines were.  So again, i'd say more machines need to be installed or they shouldn't charge what they did.

The spa was lovely - and the staff was very friendly, professional and knowledgeable.  I had a mani/pedi with Taneesha - and my toes are still looking fabulous -  best pedicure ever.  I had massages and scrubs with Kathy and JoBeth - and those were also amazing.  The prices were fair.  My only complaint, and this is as much my fault as theirs, is that really push their spa products on you. It was like, "madam, your skin is so dry and you have Cellulite...you need this scrub and this cream and I will get them for you and ok its $300 and i will charge to room ok sign here"    So im on a massage table with just a sheet and slightly vulnerable and my $155 massage turned into a $500+ day. They were pushy with the products.  But again, I could've said no.

Shore excursions were so-so.  St Thomas Catamaran snorkel tour was great - the staff was great.  The transfers between the ship and the excusion venues was not so nice. The bus/tram drivers were very crabby and bickering among themselves.  They herd everyone like cattle and treat the passengers like they are annoyed at being there.  I loved our snorkel tour.  I just didn't like getthing there and back.  One grouchy driver tried to herd my family onto the wrong bus and when i asked if it was going to the Oasis, he screamed, "everyone is going to the same place!" and was very rude.  We were on the wrong bus - and if he'd listened instead of shouted at us we could've avoided that unpleasantness altogether.

And finally, the entertainment was top notch.  Everything we saw or participated in was fabulous.  We saw the frozen in time, flight, and aqua shows. Each show was better than the next.  The talent of the performers was astounding.

Overall i would recommend this cruise.  Aside from some minor tweaks, I would definitely recommend this for active families and people of all ages.