We stayed in 1044, 1046, 1048, 1050 and 1052 as a large group last Feb. We loved Deck1. We always took the elevator from Deck 1 and did not have a problem. You soon get used to the smaller portholes...it was not that big a deal.
The best thing about Deck 1 is that you are so close to the Atrium with the restaurants, clubs, Guest Service, photo ops, character meet and greets, etc. We found it to be much more convenient than the upper decks.
We also loved the fact that when we were disembarking at the ports all we had to do was walk down the hall....also when returning from port we just walked past the throngs of people waiting for the elevators and were back at our cabin in no time. At all ports you get on/off on Deck1 except for Port Canaveral where you get on/off on Deck 3.
On CC day there is usually a line on the stairs at least 3 or 4 decks long of people waiting to disembark...all you have to do is walk down the hall.
MJ