I got back last night from my 3 night cruise.  I've only been on 2 cruises prior to this one many moons ago (1988 on Carnival Festivale and 1989 on RCL's Sovereign of the Seas) so it was nice to finally get back on another!

I was on the Upper deck but we were in a porthole room in the front of the ship, which I wouldn't recommend I was up at the crack of dawn when the ship left the bahama's heard the engine's etc, wasn't fun ughhhhhh  and my husband who never hears anything was up also, i would have preferred an inside cabin over that one!

All in all we enjoyed the cruise, yes it's an older ship, I probably would have been disappointed if I were on a newer one and then went on this.  It's great for a quick getaway, almost anything beats being at work!!!    The water was fairly rough on the last night, I didn't get sick but my husband wasn't feeling the greatest.  Next cruise going to make him get the patch!!

 The staff was really wonderful, cruise director was very nice, our waiter and the rest of the wait staff were very nice, friendly.  My husband requested a table for 2 which they were able to accomodate us with which was great.  The food to me was so so which isn't a bad thing I could afford not to eat too much!!!  Do have that melting cake which everyone speaks about it's sooo good!!!  Drinks were great also, Pina Colada, Mango Daquiri, Rasberry Daquiri and frozen mudslide was soooo good.  I made a very nice donation to the casino UGHH!!!!!  They said there were 800 children on this cruise but it wasn't bad, kids were pretty well behaved. 

Loved the Bahamas, 1st time there, we had a room at the Altantis in the beach tower which we spilt total was $300, but was great got to bring clothes for the entire day and night there, used a few of their pools, beach was gorgeousssss!  Was lucky in their casino also!  We didn't eat on ship on formal night, ate at Carmine's in Atlantis which was excellent.

 If anyone needs any questions answered about anything feel free to ask, I was constantly in here reading before I went!! 

did you happen to notice what time the shops close in Nassau? I was hoping to beach it during the day and do a little shopping at night. 

 Is there a beach close by the dock??? 

I think the shops close early around 6 pm, I made the mistake of not going to look before going to Atlantis.  The Atlantis was less then a 10 minute ride away around $10 so i'm assuming other beaches are the same distance!!

 I can't wait to go!  Just a few months to go!

did the boat on time? It says it arrives at noon but I am hoping it gets there earlier as we only have that one day in Nassau

We didn't get off the ship until a little after 12, they announce when you can get off but we actually went down and they were letting people off before the announcement they probably dont want a free for all down there but go down!!!

my other concern is lounge chair availability.  I told my boys they need to get up at the crack of dawn and go get us chairs by the pool! 

I read also about having a hard time to find chairs but we had no problem getting seats, we took sun before getting off the ship in Bahamas and the following day at sea and we didn't get down there early!!

 The shops closed around 6pm

Thanks for offering answers to questions...I am checking constantly, as you said. We leave 9/21 and 3 kids. How did you get to Atlantis? I've heard about the land taxi VS the water taxi. Also, what was the cost and what did you think of Atlantis. Was there a lot to do for one day? I'm sorry, I'm full of questions...What did you do in Freeport? We were planning on taking a taxi to Port Lucaya for the beach, lunch and shopping. Any suggestions? Thanks so much!!! Kim

We took a cab to atlantis was $10, no more then a 10 minutes ride.  We had a room there for the day so basically spent the entire day and night there, I didn't get to see anything outside of the hotel.  I would love to go back and spend 3 or 4 nights there when their rates aren't too hight.  We didn't get off the ship until around noon, so we took sun in the morning by the pool and it wasn't too crazy busy then, easy to get seats.  You only have 1 month to go that's exciting, I wish it were last week at this time!!! 

 I am using Arts Shuttle Service out of Orlando, charging 100.00 both ways for 2 people, i thought that was a good price.  We used before and they were fine.

We rented a car from Dollar both ways only because our flight got in so early and the flight on the way home was late afternoon.  One way was $37 and the other was $57 but we got to go Publix and pick up water, etc. to bring on ship I would definetly rent a car again over shuttle

Thanks for the review - glad that you enjoyed your get-a-way!