Crowded?, on the sea days they tend to be crowded. On the port days, dead empty. Also fewer people in the early morning.
Room to swim? Not for a serious swimmer, I can get from end to end of the pool in three strokes, and I'm not a great swimmer. If you really want exercise, hit the gym. Cool off in the pool.
From the Capers from our cruise on the Miracle, last fall it says:
Swimming pools / whirlpools --
Forward & Midship Pools & Whirlpools: 8:00 am - 8:00 pm.
Aft Pool (Adults ONLY) 8:00 am - 10:00pm
Aft Whirlpool (Adults ONLY open till midnight.)
Of course, you can go to any public area of the ship anytime you want. One of the most wonderful experiences on any ship is walking the open deck at night, and standing at the aft most railing, watching the wake. It's mesmerizing. (BTW your friends are strange. If they didn't want to PAY for the verandah cabin, that I would understand. But just not wanting windows ?!!? Weird.)
Very sturdy, but I have read that there is a weight limit of 250 pounds.
In a word: YES. If you find the shower too small, grab your gear and head over to the spa/fitness center, and use the showers there. Much larger and taller. Enjoy a few minutes in the saunas and steam rooms while you're there. (FREE)
Ah, that's variable. We've had excellent screen quality on some trips and really awfull on others. With no relation to the age of the ship. None of the TVs are very large either.
I'm the wrong person to answer that. Probably the disco. Perhaps some younger poster will help you out.
