With all critiques I shall attempt to shed the positive and negative features of this cruise with the reader.  First let me share that I have only sailed once before with Carnival in 2007 and this trip too was as a single parent with my four boys.  Let me also share that I work in Finance and maintaining a constant vigile on our travel account does tend to sometimes get in the way of me totally relaxing and enjoying a vacation.Arriving at the airport was much like a cattle call.  The greeters at the Fort Lauderdale airport for Royal Caribbean International (RCI) remind you of Wal-Mart greeters or a kindly senior volunteer at the local hospital.  There were eight greeters and apparently only one driver (who we were told was on his break, so we waited 45 minutes for him to return).  Oh well, we're not on the ship yet, so I coll my jets.  The driver arrived and loaded or bags and didn't say a word to the travelers.  We arrived at the port and I searched high and low for VIP check-in as I did book the Royal Suite and had four kids in tow.  VIP check-in amounted to a shorter ropped off line with an incredibly friendly older woman.  After checking in our party the direction was pretty random.  We skipped the photo opportunity as my boys were ready to get on board.  We apparently also must have missed the table were they band the wrists of all children, but for whatever reason this was never an issue for any of my children, so I'm unsure what the banding was for in the first place.  Different colors for different age groups.  I have three high school age boys and one in the 5th grade.Our suite was beautiful, but the roll-away bed for the 5th person in our party was not present in the room.  Nor was the 5th life jacket for the lifeboat drill.  The ship is older and the carpets on deck 8 are visibly worn.  Our room attendant was immediately available and very soft spoken, but full of information.  The concierge lounge was quaint, but half way down the hall from the Royal Suite.  Diego was the concierge and he was very accommodating; however, the lounge was not staffed during the middle part of the day (only a few hours during the morning and again after 5:00pm).My Fair Lady (the dining room) was beautiful and the staff was very nice and attentive (especially to my youngest son), but the portions were very small and we often asked for two servings.  Chops Grill however was worth every penny and the selection was impressive.  I would pay twice the amount $25 service charge per person for a meal (liquor is extra).  We were also able to order the filet mignon off the menu in My Fair Lady on nights the choice selection was limited.Upon returning to our room night#1 we had reveived a bottle of Moet champagne, which was a $70 value aong with a nice rose arrangements on the dining table.  The sofa sleeper had been made, but I found what appeared to be blood spots on the sheets (I work in a hospital) and the room was hot as blazes.  I attempted calling for a room attendant and was on hold for 20 minutes.  Engineening did arrive and addresses the room temperature (keep in mind this is an older ship) and Housekeeping came to resolve the dirty linens issue.  On the flip side there is a free pressing service for formal night, so I sent my tuxedo shirt out to be pressed that evening for the formal dining the night evening. When we returned to the ship the pressed shirts for my children had been returned, but my tuxedo shirt was missing.  After numerous call to the room attendant and Guest Relations and Concierge the shirt appeared about 15 minutes prior seating for the formal dinner.  Dinner was great and I went to the Orpheum to catch a show.  The performers were not quite Broadway, but a step above Six Flags.  Theye were intertaining.  One small perk was VIP seating for the suite holders, but it tends to get a lot of negative reactions from the other travelers and the staff are quick to offer the VIP seats to friends of suite holders.  The Enchantment hosted a new comic (on a scale of 1 - 10, 10 being best - he was a 6).  They offered a PG13 version and a late night show, which I did not catch.  They also featured an elusionist, whom I really enjoyed.  We also had a dnace troupe on board with young girls 9- 23 whom were allowed to perfom one night - for grins.  There are organized activities for each age group for kids and we had the pleasure of watching a little sing-a-long with the youngest group, prior one show.  I must also admit my older boys really enjoyed their age group activities.  Not that the activities were so outrageous, but it gave them a chance to network and make new friends - whom all I believe made a trek to see the Royal Suite.Tipping:  I prepaid tipping for our room attendant, waiter, assistant waiter and lead waiter (whoever that is - I suspect it was the Asst. Matri-de).  The Concierge was tipped latter.  I really enjoyed the lunge singers and the staff was extremely friendly.  Do pay attention to the Compass which tells you all about the activities on-board and there was an announcement board by Guest Relations for meeting times and places for special groups.  Compared to our first cruise I'd rate this cruise a 5 out of 10 and will cruise RCI again, but not on a ship as old as this one.