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First time cruisers by
Rob S. from Alexandria, VA Sailing date: Mar 2012Pros: Ports of call; friendliness and professionalism of the entire service staff Cons: Quality of food This was a great experience for us as first-time cruisers. We were amazed mainly at the attentiveness and genuine friendliness of the serving staff. The ports of call were excellent and even though the food preparation could use some improvement, the wait staff made the entire dining experience a complete pleasure. Ship Quality
Dining/FoodSome improvement could be made in the food prep quality and they should consider finding a way to add another specialty dining option Stateroom Quality
Ship Staff QualityWow, I can't do justice in words to just how genuine and professional the entire staff was. Entertainment & Activities
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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   A Great Cruise by
Diane B from Sayreville, NJ Sailing date: Feb 2012Pros: The Ports of Call & The Service Cons: The Casino and the 1 Bar designated for smokers needs better ventilation, the smoke flows into the Prominade area. The Ship size is good, the service was wonderful. I thought they could give a better variety in the main dining room. The ship looks like it needs a little face lift, some maintenance items seem to be neglected. Ship Quality
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Great fun in a great atmosphere! by
Sara L. from Boston, MA Sailing date: Oct 2011Pros: So much to do on board, crew is so nice and accommodating Cons: Excursion package in Madeira The crew was just amazing. You can tell they're passionate about their job and really want to meet new people.
Ship QualityAlso, the ship was so clean and well maintained. Again, you could tell the crew really wanted to show off their grand ship. Dining/FoodThe food is SO good. I've been on two other cruises with different cruise lines and they were not nearly as good as this one. Every dish in the dining room I had was tasty and aesthetically appealing. The buffet was so-so. It was good for a snack but not the most amazing. Stateroom QualityThe decor is ready to be updated but is in good condition. Ship Staff QualityThe staff went above and beyond to ensure our trip was the best. I enjoyed seeing the same smiling faces everyday and participating in the activities. Entertainment & ActivitiesThe entertainment was pretty good. Since this leaves out of Spain, there's a lot of Spanish influence in the acts. The music and dancing and shows are geared towards that. You can find other types of music but it's not in the most apparent areas. 
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Lanzarote, Canary IslandsIf you like wine, there's an amazing wine tour. We spent the whole day on the tour and had an amazing time. You see a lot of the island and experience some of the rarest wines in the world.
Don't Miss: You have to get a ride to the town, it's like a 5 mile walk. Funchal, MadeiraWe went on an excursion that took us to a few lookout points and then dropped us back in the city for a wine tasting. We found out later that we could have done the wine tasting on our own by just walking into it since it was centrally located. We probably saw more of Funchal than we would have otherwise but you can also rent a car for a few hours and get the exact same experience.
Don't Miss: the Mercado Las Palmas, Gran Canaria, Canary IslandsBring your swimsuits. The beach is the most popular place to go and it's gorgeous. Also, spend some time siting by the port at a little cafe. There's also a free Christopher Columbus museum that's set in a cute little area.
Don't Miss: The beach is gorgeous! Tenerife, Canary IslandsYou can see some history over near the opera house and enjoy the Palmatorum.
2 out of 3 people found this review helpful.
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Quite a trip by
Tom M. from Chicago Sailing date: Feb 2010Pros: Customer service on the ship Cons: Hairpin turns on mountain roads The ship is very well laid out. Its the biggest one we've been on, and it felt the least crowded. It was not possible to participate in every availble activity. Ship QualityYou can tell the ship has been around a while, but it is very well maintained. We experienced none of the plumbing and elevator issues mentioned in other reviews we've seen. Dining/FoodThis is the bigget area of concern. Portofino, the specialty restaurant was great. However, anything cooked on the breakfast buffet was mediocre, at best. The same stuff was also served in the main dining room. Dinners were better but not great. Stateroom QualityWe had a junior suite and it was far better than other balcony rooms we've had before. You get all the amenities you would get in a good hotel room, and the balcony was terrific: three chairs (one a recliner) and a table. The room was full of closets and drawers. Our four large suitcases didn't use more than half the space. It had a walk-in closet with shelves. Ship Staff QualityThe stateroom attendant , waiter and head waiter were fantastic. Others on board were also very helpful. RCL must have a terrific training and recruitment program. Entertainment & ActivitiesMercedes, the cruise director was fun. They had an act, the Scintas, who were headliners in Las Vegas when we visited in the past. Their show was great,but the best thing was their friendliness. We saw them several times on the ship. A highlight of the cruise, for us, was when they joined the singer at the piano bar to sing several songs, and banter (and drink) with the folks in the bar. 9 out of 9 people found this review helpful.
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A Nice Cruise by
Mr. & Mrs. S from Northern VA Sailing date: Oct 2009Pros: The Activities Available Cons: Lack of Free Beverage Stations It was overall a good cruise. The ship was clean and most of the staff was very friendly. Just wish there had been beverage stations available on the pool deck. Prior cruises had them, and it was sorely missed on this ship. Ship QualityIt was annoying that you had to go up one flight of stairs, through the casino, and back down a flight of stairs to get to the main shows from dinner. Dining/FoodWe didn't try any of the specialty restaurants that were not included. There was only one evening that we didn't like the main entree selection during dinner. Stateroom QualityThe chairs on our balcony were dirty. Ship Staff Quality
Entertainment & ActivitiesA great variety of things to do around the ship. There was only one main show that we didn't like. We liked that the main shows were fun and not super cheesy. 11 out of 12 people found this review helpful.
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A Great Cruise by
Kevin K from San Pedro, California Sailing date: Sep 2009Pros: The service Cons: It went to quick We had crusied on this ship before and it is great. The common areas are well kept. The stateroom was clean but the couch was a bit tired. Ship QualitySome of the hall carpets need to be cleaned or replaced. Stateroom Quality
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Entertainment & ActivitiesThis was the same standard things you always see on crusies. 5 out of 6 people found this review helpful.
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Loved our experience! by
Rebecca H. from Los Angeles, CA Sailing date: Nov 2008Pros: The ship had everything you could want on it. Cons: Waiting in lines for everything. The ship is huge and just amazing. The inside promenade was fun to just look at. The Islands were incredibly beautiful, but very humid and hot. Our room was a typical ship cabin, not huge but very comfortable. We started in Puerto Rico. We went to Old San Juan and to the two forts. They were just amazing. We went snorkeling in Aruba, which was ok. We took a buggie ride excursion in Curacao which was really a fun and exciting experience. The Men running it were great. We also took an excursion in St. Thomas, to the top of the island, which offered amazing views and history of the island. Over all we had a wonderful experience. We would definitely take this trip again. Ship Quality
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Children's ProgramsWhile we didn't have our children on the ship with us, we did pay attention to what they offered for kids, in case we decided to take ours with us someday. The whole back of the ship was dedicated to kids of all ages, 3 year old to teenagers, and there were plenty of all ages on the ship. Each morning they had a parent and infant class for any babies on the boat. Each age group had a dedicated area just for them. There were two water slides into smaller pools located at the back of the boat and child sized tables and chairs. The staff seemed very capable and dedicated. In fact as we were leaving the ship on the last day I heard one little four year old tell her mother she didn't want to leave. 9 out of 15 people found this review helpful.
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Royal Caribbean vs Omar by
Annette R. from Atlanta, Ga Sailing date: Oct 2008Pros: Staff was helpful and friendly, effective effecient Cons: Menu in main dining room needed more variety Good ship. I enjoyed the ice skating and rock climbing. The staff was helpful and friendly. The "rush" you off the ship at journey's end was minimal. Ship Quality
Dining/FoodDinner menu could have used more variety Stateroom QualityThe night light fixtures next to the bed did not have shades and my child cut her finger on the fixture. The bathroom shower fixtures were starting to peel and the soap dish was loose on the wall Ship Staff Quality
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Bridgetown, Barbados
Castries, St. LuciaWeather prevented us from participating in tours. I'd like to return and truly see the island
Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas, U.S.V.I.Don't Miss: Scuba Diving 9 out of 12 people found this review helpful.
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Great cruise with lots to do! by
Krista P from St George, UT Sailing date: Oct 2008Pros: Lots of activities and friendly staff! Cons: No drink machines in public areas make it hard to find water when you want it! Nice ship with lots of things to do. Staff was friendly and attentive. The only thing I didn't like was that I am a big water drinker and it was hard to find a drink when you wanted it unless you were in a restaurant. Also, in Aruba, DO NOT DIVE WITH RED SAIL SPORTS which is the company currently providing service for the ship. They are an accident waiting to happen. We had a group of 11 that went along with a few others from the ship, and almost ALL of us had equipment problems, and BIG problems, not just little ones! Ship QualityNice, clean and well layed out. Dining/FoodNot as good as Celebrity, but better than others we've been on. Stateroom QualityNice, clean, large staterooms. Ship Staff QualityFriendly and attentive. Entertainment & ActivitiesShows weren't that great, but lots to do and game shows are really fun!
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Oranjestad, ArubaThe only thing we did in Aruba was diving, so that's all we saw, and the diving was great other than the majorly DANGEROUS equipment problems we had with RED SAIL SPORTS who is currently the company the ship uses for shore excursions. BEWARE.
Don't Miss: Diving was great, just DON'T GO WITH RED SAIL SPORTS. Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas, U.S.V.I.Don't miss yacht racing with ON DECK racing. It was so much fun! Also Wiicked restarant was great!
Don't Miss: Yacht racing with ON DECK Philipsburg, St. MaartenBeautiful island wtih lots to do. Orient beach is beautiful. We would like to come back and spend some time here!
CuracaoWhat a great place! We went to Cas Aabo beach. A truly great place to go! About 40 minute taxi ride but worth every minute.
Don't Miss: Cas Aabo beach! 10 out of 12 people found this review helpful.
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Relaxing trip by
A Traveler from London Ontario Sailing date: Sep 2008Pros: We enjoyed the room that overlooked the promenade. Cons: We did not manage to get a reservation at the specially restuarant! We have returned from a September sailing of the Adventure of the Seas out of San Juan Puerto Rico and had a lovely time. The embarkment was one of the quickest and smoothes we have encountered. This was my fourth cruise and the second with Royal Caribbean. All of the help were friendly and helpful. We had difficulty with the internet and my wireless in the cabin which the kind gentleman in at the service desk handled exceptionally well. There were not argument - just a friendly help attitude and a quick resolution of the problem. I also had difficult the last night of the cruise printing my airport boarding pass for the trip home and again with no hesitation and a pleasant attitude, he quickly corrected the situation and with his helpful suggestions, I was able to complete the task with no additional charge to my card.
The exercise equipment was in excellent shape and we took advantage of them quite a number of times walking and running as we viewed the ocean around us. I would have liked a little help on one of the machines but we were unable to find someone that was free to help. One time we saw one attendant but he was busy doing a consultation and we could not find anyone else around.
The shows were entertaining in the theatre but what we especially liked was the Ice Show. This is something everyone should see. It is free but you need to get a ticket beforehand. We also enjoyed the music throughout the ship. We would often just wander and sit and listen to the sounds around us. I also enjoyed it from my window seat in the cabin.
The excursions in the south Caribbean were excellent! We particularly liked the yacht racing in St. Martin. But be warned that you need to bring money with you especially $30.00 for the picture they take of you sailing. The colours in the photo and the clarity of the picture are unbelievable.
The disembarkment was an easy task the let us sit in the promenade were we relaxed to a quartet playing and some fresh coffee. Once our section was called, the line moved quickly and the multitude of taxes was handed as efficiently as humanly possible. They do this well!
All in all we had a great time and would recommend it to others. Ship QualityWe were pleased with the ease of moving around the ship and at no time were we in line ups except for the last night at the photo gallery - but here to with so many people, they handled the crowd well and we were processed quickly.
This ship seemed to have something in every little nock and cranny. It was clean and well kept. As can be imagined in a ship this size, they are constantly maintaining it and except for the replacement of some tiles in the promenade during the day. It was done quietly and unobtrusively. Dining/FoodWe were at the early sitting in the dining room and found the food to be just ok. Very nicely presented but had a look of having sat around for a while before it was delivered to our table. This was not due to our waiter as he was quick to take our order and quick to deliver it at the table. The flavour was just ok and for a five star ship, it was disappointing. I was expecting a five star dinner and a step up from the 4 star ship we were on last February. But it was more of a step down in quality. The Windjammer food was good to very good and we enjoyed the service along with the fresh omelettes in the morning. I like the way they handled the line up , with numbers being given out when you ordered and then you were free to gather the rest of your breakfast and get a seat at which time your omelette was ready for you to pick up. Good planning! We did go to the Johnny Rocks for a hamburger and enjoyed the taste of the food and the willingness of the server to go out of his way to Stateroom QualityI thoroughly enjoyed our room which was on the sixth level and looked out onto the promenade. As my husband rested, I enjoyed people watching! The room steward was excellent. It seemed that he always was in when we were away and the room was clean and a relaxing place to be. This is one ship that I did spend some time in the cabin and enjoyed it. Ship Staff QualityStaff was friendly and often greeted us no matter where we were on the ship. Entertainment & ActivitiesWe enjoyed the wide variety of activities that were available.
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St. John's, AntiguaWe just visitied the shopping area.
Castries, St. LuciaDon't Miss: We took advantage of the scuba diving and would highly recommend the dive location and St. Lucia Scuba. Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas, U.S.V.I.We did the sailing to Turtle Island with the power snokeling and had a great time with the Dancing Dophin. The crew was great and the free drinks at the end were plentiful and enjoyed by all.
Philipsburg, St. MaartenDon't Miss: The America's Cup Yacht race was throughtly enjoyed. 2 out of 5 people found this review helpful.
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