We are set to sail on our first cruise on May 2004! Very excited, but also very confused/ concerned ! Should we try to book our own excursions ? We are staying on the Empress Deck toward the Aft... are their any noise issues we should know about ? We are under the playroom, which we were told would be quiet after 10 pmish ? Are there any pool toys onboard ?

AND OUR MOST IMPORTANT QUESTION (for now) WHAT IS THE BAGGAGE POLICY ? IM NOT THRILLED ABOUT LEAVING OUR LUGGAGE WITH THE PORTERS... I KNOW ITS RARE, BUT I HAVE HEARD OF LUGGAGE GOING ON THE WRONG SHIP ! CAN WE KEEP IT WITH US ? Looking forward to hearing from you experienced cruisers ! Thanks for your time !

OK... me again... can anyone offer any information for this cruise ?
1. Is the Empress deck noisy ?
2. Is there major motion concerns toward the rear ?
3. What excursions do you recommend ? (we have a mixed group of 4 people - teenager, a 37 yo, a 40 yo and a 59 yo...
3. Has anyone done the submarine ride ? Is it claustrophobic ?
4. Is the dolphin swim good if you are NOT a excellent swimmer ?

Thank you for your time, I hope someone can help me !

I DO BELIEVE YOU CAN CARRY ON YOUR LUGGUGE WITHOUT A PROBLEM YOU WILL STILL HAVE TO GO THROUGH X RAY AND THEY WILL SEARCH YOUR BAGGAGE IF YOU CARRY ON, AS FAR AS NOISE YOU SHOULD BE FINE THE KIDS ARE NOT IN THE PLAYROOM ALL THE TIME THEY ARE OUT IN PLANNED ACTIVITIES

GOING TO COZUMEL THE TAXI STAND HAS A BOARD WITH ALL THE EXCURAIONS AVAILABLE AT REASONABLE PRICES, SOMETIMES LESS THEN THE SHIP, CAYMEN ISLANDS HAS STING-RAY WE DID NOT GO BUT FRIENDS WENT SAID IT WAS PRETTY GREAT WE TOOK A TOUR AROUND THE ISLAND ON SMALL VAN COST WAS 10.00 EACH IT WAS ABOUT 2 HOURS NOT MUCH TO DO IN CAYMEN UNLESS YOU BUY JEWLRY, HAVE FUN FRAN