My husband and I chose this cruise based on the marketing and recommendation of an onboard future cruise consultant. Basically we bought the hype and it turn out to be sadly deceptive advertising.

This cruise was supposed to have special guest performers, and filled with prizes and surprises. We paid the premium price with high expectations, which Royal Caribbean failed to fulfill.

The coveted special guest performers were revealed to be one only and it was Hall & Oates. The announcement was made on the internet and youtube. In addition we received a leaflet in our room with the onboard shows itineraries where Hall & Oates were highlighted. Also, the Cruise Compass (brochure) highlighted the two show times. Unfortunately, the night before the scheduled concerts, the decisions was made to change the concert from public to a private concert, only for certain tier levels. Shame on Royal. Being the 50th Birthday Cruise and with 5000 passengers on board we expected a fair amount of prizes. Only 4 cruises were given away. Two of the cruises were 4 day cruises. There was a two day inaugural Odyssey Cruise and the Grand Prize cruiser was a 7 day Caribbean cruise. 5000 passenger and thats the boldest that Royal got. The other prizes were small, minimal and insignificant. Read more