Highlights of our Voyager of the Seas Experience

In 2010 my sister and I had the good fortune to cruise on Royal Caribbean's Mariner of the Seas -top of the line experience.  Since that time we have cruised every year on other cruise lines and always agreed that RC was our best in every way.  We were not disappointed for the most part - Voyager of the Seas was a different model but RC has such a superb ambience throughout.  Here are some of the things we were thrilled with:  Outstanding RC orchestra; excellent headline shows except for a couple which I will address later; great food; friendly and helpful staff and crew; Park West very personable, efficient - thoroughly enjoyed interaction with them.  Enjoyed the Christmas atmosphere and the attention to the children's enjoyment, even though we did not have any children - just nice to see the ship's interest in their wonderful overall experience even opening the ice rink for their enjoyment.  Excellent ice show - went twice - still wanted more!!!

Special kudos to the Captain who kept his ship under control - hardly any rocking to and fro - not one night did the ship rock me to sleep - darn!!! Special mention of the excellent service by our room steward, Inyoman Yoga; servers in dining room, Dinesh and Xuetin and Vinkada; Sean and Seananna O'Conner, Tanya, Brittony, Preston and Li, the art gallery crew; everyone in the buffet and Café Promenade.  We had one great tour guide at The Isle of the Pines, Aina - so personable and very informative.

Now some of the things we did not enjoy.  The hypnotist show - he had a very offensive and rude attitude towards the audience.  The magician who needed better technology so we could see what he was doing when mingling with the audience thus did not enjoy this show.  Felt a little cheated with short stay in Auckland NZ - after travelling so far (US) then having to be on ship so early.

Suggestions:  more 24 hour eating places;  more food coverage especially after returning from excursions; more iced tea coverage throughout the ship, especially the Café Promenade and do not be afraid to put "ice" in the iced tea; would have been nice to hear the announcements in our room.

OVERALL:  it was a relaxed, "have fun" environment!!!!!!

Royal Caribbean is still #1 in our book.