United We Stand
Date: Mon, 17 May 2004 15:50:35 -0400
From: stan.nikiel@ml-group.com (Stan Nikiel)
Subject: Review
Due to some unforseen weather conditions in the north east (Toronto), our flight to Orlando was delayed by 2 1/2 hours. That doesn't seem that bad but when you're running through an airport pulling all your luggage with you and trying to get through customs ahead of the 400 other people then pleading with the air line people at the gate to let you on or you miss your cruise wondering if RCCL knows or cares about an electric storm in Canada, it's quite stressful. All this contributed to my having the dubious distinction of being the LAST passenger to board the ship for the cruise that day. The security cameras weren't even there when we passed through. We had our pictures taken the next day.
Our room was on deck 9 (9278) and found it in no time. As I opened the balcony door, the ship was moving. Talk about just making it.
The cabin, an exterior with a balcony-----was clean and had enough storage space under the bed to hide 4 large suitcases. I had pre-ordered a bottle of champagne with some chocolate dipped strawberries for us both and that was one of the nicest things to see in the room after such a stressful travel day.
The ship is georgeous and functional. The promenade deck (5) is where everyone goes for those tax free bargains as well as food and ice cream or frozen yogurt. I loved sitting there and people watching. So many different types of people on board. The dining room is quite the spectacle and the staff were just wonderful. Our head waiter was comical and just made everything on the menu seem so good as he read from memory the complete contents of the dinner menu each night along with a description of each dish. These guys can sing too. Beside the main dining room, we went to both the Portofino and Chops Grill. First for my wife Lucie's birthday and then 2 days later for our anniversary. Both times the food was excellent. After being in both , we came to a unanimous consensus that the Portofino outdid Chops. Pool area----WOW ---always something going on there---sexy legs---bellyflop contest---ice carving demo---loved it all. Pool bar and Sky bar both great for daytime libations. At night we tried a few other spots--Ellington's was really smooth---Dragon's Layer was wild. There's a different place for all types, piano bar--champagne bar--connoisseur's club--English Pub. We did manage to get separated a bit from our money in the casino, but what fun that was. With only $20 each and better things to spend our money on, my wife and I were kept occupied for over 3 hours on the slot machines. I was up $200 at one point and Lucie about $170, but as it goes---it goes, What a good time for so little investement.I hear the slots are looser on the first 2 nights, so if you intend to go to the casino, that would be the time.For those who like it quieter--take a stroll up on the pool deck at night---some parts can be quite windy but those that are not are great and can be quite romantic.
Good thing they gave us the little newsletter(the Compass) each night
that described the next day's activities. You really need it because there's
just so much going on. I won't get into the ports of call although they were
really quite interesting and all different. I'll write another one on them alone.
There are 2 formal nights on board and you guys should know by now---every woman
loves to dress up for dinner. There are photographers just outside the dining
rooms with all sorts of different backdrops for your special picture as well
as roving snappers who'll come to your table and snap a few of couples and groups.
What a challenge to try and find them in the walls of photos that are on display,
but fun trying to locate yourself in a sea of faces.
We ordered breakfast in the room every morning for between 7:30 and 8 am. A
wonderful feeling to have a good cup of coffee and breakfast on the balcony
looking out onto the sea, then we'd wander the ship a bit and end up in Windjammers
for kind of a second breakfast, more juice or whatever we fancied. The shows
at night were really good-don't miss the ice show it's excellent!!!! In the
Savoy theater the productions were very professional and entertaining, comedians
were funny and singers could surprisingly hold their notes. All in all the entertainement
was above expectations.
Disembarkation was quite orderly, after a nice breakfast in the Windjammer we waited for our color to be called. It took about 2 hours of waiting from 8 am when everyone had to be out of their staterooms to the time our color was called, in the Windjammer and on the promenade deck at the food counter where there are tables and chairs. Once we were called we moved to where our luggage was and through customs and onto a bus all within 10 minutes.
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