By way of background, we are a 50ish professional couple from California & each been on 6 previous cruises. Traveling with no kids. Fiance has been on RCL Voyager class for W. Carib cruise. I've never been on RCL previously, but have liked Celebrity. Okay, we booked this cruise thru an internet agency as a post tax season getaway. Long way to travel from Ca, but cruise price & airfare were right. Too early in season for Alaska & not enough vacation time or $$$ for Europe.

Flew on Sat morn via American Airlines from SF via Miami & arrived in San Juan Sat around 6 pm. Prenight hotel was Marriott Stellaris booked at $155 via Priceline. Absolutely gorgeous hotel. Just remodeled, flat screen tv, view room, beautiful pool, Tuscany restaurant in hotel was good. Left hotel Sun morning around 11:15 via cab to Pan Am pier for AOS. We got there too early at 11:30. About 150 people in line outside on a hot & humid day with no seating. Luckily the line started moving about 10 minutes after we got there. Had Set Sail passes printed at home & were on board ship by 11:50.

First order of business was get up to Portofino & book dinners for Tues & Wed nights. We had a leisurely lunch in Windjammer on 11 deck and were in room around 1:45. Midship balcony on deck 7, portside. Excellent room. Brand new comfortable bedding, nice balcony, plenty of room. Found cabin attendant, Thomas & were able to ask for and receive bathrobes and 1 feather pillow for our use during the week. Thomas was always pleasant, courteous and extremely efficient. Entertained us throughout the week with his incredible towel animals. He deserved and received his above recommended gratuity. Then toured the ship. It is beautiful. Went to the dining room and discovered we were at a table for 10 in the 3rd floor Vivaldi room 4 ft. from the captain's table. The dining room is gorgeous & includes 3 levels. The staircase is unbelievable. Our tablemates included couples from NJ, Baltimore, NM, and Maine. Meals. We were main seating for dinner 6:30 on Sun & 6 pm thereafter. The food in the main dining room was better then I expected. Not up to Celebrity standards but always good. The prime rib was excellent, the duck and pork chop stood out, the onion quiche was very good, the mushrooms in puff pastry was good and the grand marnier souffle was excellent. The service could have been better. The waiter would get things, but it could take awhile. I did not enjoy having to catch the asst. waiter's attention in order to get water, coffee or bread. We also had breakfast in the main dining room 3 or 4 days. Really enjoyed it. They put tables together and we had really fun tablemates at breakfast. Simple things, but the juice and cheese danish were excellent in the dining room. We also had breakfast in Windjammer on 11 a few times. The omelette station is recommended if you want your food hot or eggs to order. Sometimes we would order coffee & juice via room service for early morn & enjoy it on the balcony before Windjammer or dining room for breakfast. Lunch was always at Windjammer and was inconsistent. Some of the food was good & some wasn't. Good pizza was always available. Before I forget, Cafe Promenade on 5 deck always had great pastries and pizza available. We had dinner at Portofino, the alternative restaurant on Tues & Wed nights. the setting, service and food were outstanding. Loved the saltimbocca & fillet and desert sampler including white chocolate creme brulee & tirimisu were great. The mushroom pasta was also super. One other thought on food, tried writing our own breakfast order on room service for breakfast in St. Thomas & got a call from room service saying NO, they were busy & only doing cold food or omelettes. Read more