The rest of the day was spent exploring the ship until it was time to check out the rooms. We ordered 2 adjoining staterooms but unfortunately did not manage to get them with balconies (again, due to late booking - they were all booked when we took the plunge). On the other hand, I felt better knowing that on V's first cruise, there's absolutely nowhere he could fall out from.
By 6:00 pm we have already received all of our luggages
and was therefore ready to explore more freely (there are 11 floors to explore according to the elevators). 11 floors of stern, aft and mid-ship! From research - mostly from the Cruise Critic site and it's forums - holds a wealth of information to would be cruisers - I found out that there are 2 dining schedules (if you prefer the a la carte setting rather than the buffet), the early and late dinner seatings. I chose the late dinner seating at 8:00 pm over the 6:00 pm seating (this has to be done upon booking, otherwise you will be assigned randomly to whatever time is still available), this way we won't have to rush back from ports of call, shower and change in a hurry to be on time for dinner (we obviously preferred a la carte for dinner), besides the other buffets serve food almost the whole day, so we didn't feel like we missed out on anything. I think those with small children preferred early seating and some even just opted the whole week for the buffet even if you automatically get dining seats assigned upon booking. It's really up to you whether you want to use it or not but at least you have the option.
day 1 of dinner, we met our waiter and assistant waiter 
(Marius and Iwayan, respectively from Blugaria and Indonesia) who were assigned to us for the whole duration of the cruise (that includes our room steward (Francisco, from somewhere in Africa...you kind of get to know them). Personalized service, I guess.
We also have opted to use the Silver dining room (there's also the Gold dining room for staterooms within mid-ship to the stern while the Silver dining room is for staterooms within the other half of the mid-ship towards the aft) for breakfast over the buffet (we're not very good queuers specially in the morning) and there met our waiter, Roderick and waitress, Catherine who happen to be Filipinos - half of the crew is from Asia. They were so much fun (really nice to start the day with) that we decided to take breakfast everyday in the dining room and hope that we get the tables they serve. Breakfast in the dining room is on a first-come first-serve basis, so there were no guarantees, but thanks to Rodante (also a Filipino crew), the assistant Maitre'd for the Silver dining room, we managed to secure tables in their area every morning thereafter.
After dinner we proceeded to the Venetian Palace to watch a live show ala broadway (they have this everynight with different themes) fronted by a stand-up comedy act and after to the Promenade (5th floor mid-ship, if I remember correctly) where the Gloves bar, Piano Man bar, Sushi bar (only serving Sushi from 5-8 pm), Casino (Czar's Palace), Promenade bar, Video Arcade, Hot & Cool Disco (adults only and checks your ID) and Karaoke bar are. Soooo many things to do and places to explore on the ship alone. On other floors were also the Cabinet (a jazz bar), Victoria Lounge (where a live-band plays oldies - 60s and 70s music - also a Filipino band), the Spa (I think they're open until 10 pm) and of course, there's always the Lido deck on the 9th where Emile's (buffet), the fish and chips and sandwich area and 24-hour Pizza counter (can also be ordered from room service at absolutely anytime), if you still care for some more food (uggghh, too much food!!!) are and on 5th, the duty-free shops.
Having finally settled and lulled by the waves, we went to an amazingly comfortable bed at 2 in the morning to be ready for our first port of call for the following day, Half-moon Cay, 
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