Our other RCL cruise was on Brilliance of the Seas 4 years ago. We thought it was very good value and looked forward to this cruise picked for the itinerary. The itinerary is a good one but did not make up for what appeared to be serious cost cutting in several areas.

We drove to the port and parked at US1 parking right next to the port and across from the airport entrance. Rates were low and transportation prompt-if slow it is because they are doing both airport and port and take whichever route has the least traffic at the time. Car was fine and ready when we returned. We would park there again.

We arrived around 2 in the afternoon and though there were long check-in lines, embarkation went quickly and there was plenty of time to unpack, explore the ship, and eat if wanted before the muster drill. Our small inside cabin 8033 was indeed small even compared to our small but fine inside on the Brilliance. We asked to have the beds separated on the 3rd day and that makes the floor space better. Tip: If in these small insides, pack less so suitcases do fit under the beds: dining was much less formal than when we last cruised on RCL anyway (even on formal nights). We did not mind the small room but recommend avoiding Deck 8 if possible due to noise at odd hours during the night on the pool deck above. Trivia friends said they heard these noises in the suites too. Read more