First, a bit about us. We are from Topeka, Kansas. This was our ninth cruise, the fifth consecutive on Royal Caribbean. The earlier recent ones were to the Baltic in 2011 on the Jewel; the Mediterranean and then Panama both on the Brilliance; and on the Oasis in 2010.

This cruise seemed to us a bit off to start. Perhaps that is because our first stop, the day after departure, is a short hop. We go from departure to our first port the next day, and it is close. So close, in fact, that one of our table mates considered renting a car in Portland, driving home to get the formal wear they forgot, and then returning to the ship. They could have done so, or so they said, well within the time in port. But, they did not try.

Embarkation. Read more