Overall it was great! Any 7 days on a cruise ship are going to be good as long as you make it. There may have been a few hiccups, but it's all what you make of it. Can't wait for our next cruise!
Embarkation
4 out of 5
Nothing to do with Royal but to start right off the port authority agent that we had going through the bag check and metal detectors was RUDE! Yelling at my wife to not put her small items in a dish but shove them in her carry-on. Then I was so flustered forgot to take off my belt and watch, he proceeded to mock my smart watch by calling it a "dollar store watch". After this we proceeded up to check-in and had absolutely no other issues.
Ship experiences
Food and Dining
5 out of 5
First thing was snacks at Park Cafe while wondering the ship, good nothing special. "First night done right" we tried to use at Chops Grille but had to pay up charge, no big deal and totally worth it. Steak cooked perfect and wonderful service. Sabor was the only other specialty dining we did and totally worth it, excellent food! Main dining every other night with "My Time" dining and no issues or long waits. Wait staff were very fun and always above and beyond when our group would as for more bread, soda, second entrees, etc. We had lunch at Solarium Bistro several days and was very good, even with my picky preferences I enjoyed the healthy food options. We ate at Windjammer a few times, food was good, service first day for lunch was off, but they were busy and we were close to muster time. Breakfast once and great for an all-you-can eat breakfast buffet. Sorrentos Pizza was done at least once a day and was never disappointed, long lines at times but was good if you could get a overflowing plate and only have to go once. Cafe Promenade twice for snack food, not really a fulfilling meal type place. Few drinks for my wife and I during this cruise unfortunately, so can't write too much on that.
There NEEDS to be more soda fountains around the ship. We did the basic soda package and always had to stand in line at the 3 soda stations around the ships. UNTIL friends found one in the teen arcade which never had a line.
Sabor
5 out of 5
WOW! is right! This was so delicious and by the only photo I took of food the entire trip, we obviously enjoyed it. We went at first open and sat right down and ordered. Don't know if I'd pay dinner time prices but worth the extra $13 pp.
Sorrento's Pizza
4 out of 5
In my opinion it was good pizza (not gourmet or gotta have it) but was better than Hungry Howie's by a long shot. Only real issue was that at times the line was over 10 minute wait. Disorganized as the bartender stood staring at everyone instead of offering drinks or socializing with the line. I ate here at least once a day for a snack and pizza menu changed daily so something new to try everyday.
Onboard Activities
4 out of 5
Did rock climbing wall before, but never at sea. What a blast! Didn't get a chance to do waveriders or ice skating though :(. Friends spent many hours in the casino and we joined until money ran dry lol (which wasn't long). The adults only section in the Solarium was a great place for us since we could spend it without kids any where around and enjoy quiet.
Rock Climbing Wall
5 out of 5
What an experience! I can not wait for next time to do again. Have to work out my fingers though lol. Make sure to bring closed toe shoes or expect to make a trip back to your room.
Entertainment
4 out of 5
We saw "Love and Marriage" which was side-splitting laughter the whole time. "Frozen in Time" ice skating show was mediocre, I didn't follow well. "Quest" was another fun-filled laughing all the way adults only interactive game show, a must see at least once. The Aqua Theater Show (name escapes me) was cancelled almost every day due to a sick safety cast member, which I understand, but no backup? We got to see it on day 7 at 4:00pm instead of at night like we had hoped to on night 2. We skipped our reservation for CATS when we found out it is a 3 HOUR show.
Children's Programs
Didn't bring kids on this trip.
Service and Staff
5 out of 5
Everyone we spoke to or had wait on us was friendly and always willing to help with anything we needed.
Ship Quality
4 out of 5
Ship was looking good, we noticed minor details out of place but only because we are OCD, nothing that needs to be written down.
Cabin / Stateroom
5 out of 5
For the two of us was more than enough. Always kept clean for us which was a plus since kept the misses happy lol. The balcony for me was super enjoyable, my wife on the other hand kept curtains closed since giving her motion-sickness.
Ship tip
So much to do, don't plan on doing it all even in seven days. Go, have fun, and enjoy what you can.
We were self-guided by a friend who has been here a number of times before. Went to Grey Cliff and happened to see Steve Harvey enjoying a cigar. Looked around shops and stopped at Pirate bar (forget name).
Was going great until it went sideways. We visited "Mr. Sancho's" all inclusive resort for the day. Great value for all you can eat and drink for $55 pp. The beef tacos were great, everything else food wise was OK. Going great until my wife inexplicably passed out (we thought too much drinking). But after all the after-thought we figured her drink must have been tampered with. Too many unknowns to say for sure but quickly put an end to the fun for the day.
We did a Royal Caribbean shore excursion to Kohunlich which was breath taking. I think any Amazonian site would be great to visit to learn about the way they lived and culture. Ricardo our guide was funny and full of information and always willing to answer questions to the best of his ability.
We did self-disembark which we didn't think would be so popular, boy were we wrong. Didn't take too much longer than friends who got breakfast and waited to get off. So next time we'll do that. Another couple were up at 4am and waiting on the crew and one of the first off the ship and were home by the time we were getting to our car, so another option if you want.
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