We had a great time! But we caution against the Key. It was expensive and unnecessary. If you sign in early to get an early boarding slot, you don't need easy access on and off; if you don't use the rock-climbing wall or wave rider, you don't need easy access to that (besides the private times were not always convenient); if you're not using tenders on your cruise, you don't need easy access to those; and getting off didn't require a special line, so you don't need access to those. The embarkation-day lunch was not worth the $1,469.58 that the Key cost for the six of us.
Embarkation
5 out of 5
It was good, quick. We had the Key.
Ship experiences
Food and Dining
5 out of 5
No complaints
Onboard Activities
3 out of 5
We didn't use them much. Mostly just trying to find shady spots by the pools. The three-star rating is because it was very, very hard to find such spots without reserving chairs. There's not enough shade, especially for people who have had experience with skin cancer such as myself. And no matter what your efforts, people reserve chairs for all day.
Entertainment
4 out of 5
Mostly good. The aqua theater was decent, but it was mostly modern dance (though very well done, I hasten to add). We have seen it before with what we remember being many more tricks/stunts---more Cirque du Soleil type stuff. The comedians were excellent. Would love to have more comedy shows, though. I think the Carnival Cruises we've been on switched comedians out half-way through. Either that or that came with two separate sets. The tap show was filled with very talented dancers, but I miss shows on the main stage with plots.
Service and Staff
5 out of 5
Service was excellent, never had any bad experiences. I will single out especially Daniella, our MDR waitress, who was excellent; also her partner Komang; Wandi, our Stateroom Attendant (11662); Singh, our waiter at Chop House; and Facundo, who took two of us on the All Access tour.
Ship Quality
4 out of 5
Our only real complaint is that we would have been happier if there were adult areas separated out from the children's areas, especially around the pools. While we loved our experience on the Wonder of the Seas, our kids have reached their 20s since our last family cruise (Oasis of the Seas) a couple of years ago. Perhaps we might just be moving out of the phase where we want ships aimed at families. Giving the adults an option for our own separate areas away from children might keep us from looking for other cruise lines.
Cabin / Stateroom
3 out of 5
Loved access to a balcony and, as noted above, Wandi, our Stateroom Attendant did a great job. But the rooms keep getting smaller and smaller. I'm not heavy-set, but I could barely get between the foot of the bed and the wall. Also (and this is a weird one, I know), magnetic hooks do not stick to the walls. The magnets would be attracted to the steel walls, as they should be, but the wall covering (paper?) is slippery so a magnetic hook would not stay up. As soon as something was put on the hook, it would slide right down the wall. A hanging toiletries bag, for example, which I bought especially for this trip so that I would not take up too much counter-space in the bathroom. The hook slid down the moment you hung the small bag. Again, I know that's an odd observation, but with smaller rooms, hooks would be helpful. Perhaps you all could put some permanent hooks up in places other than knee-height at the foot of the bed, which, as noted, is already too tight. Finally, both closets on the sides of the beds should have shelves. We did not need one full closet dedicated to hanging clothes. We needed shelf space, not hanging clothes space. Perhaps some collapsible shelves would do.
Ship tip
Get up early on sea-days and reserve a chair at the pool. I know it's against the rules---and we didn't do it---but I'm convinved it's the only way to get a chair next to your spouse, esepcially if you are looking for shade because you've had to deal with skin cancer.
We enjoyed this. However, we were lucky to be the only ship there. I imagine it would be crazy full if the Oasis or Symphony (or other such) had been there.
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