Strangely, we were upgraded without request or warning from Plaza deck double cabin to Baja deck minisuite. We chose the position and location of our cabin for a reason--lower and center for stability in case of rough seas. We were arbitrarily put on the next to highest deck and in the most forward cabin where we felt every twitch of the wind and intermittent whacks from heavy waves under the bow.

We originally wanted twin beds because each of us have different sleeping styles. The mini suite had a large bed, but with a single mattress. The room was spacious, had a full bathtub (although with repaired cracks)and a pleasant and competent steward. While towels were soft and absorbent, the tissues and toilet paper provided reminded me of something I would expect in a third world country.

The sheets of tissue from either box or roll were thin, hard and non-absorbent--hardly what you expect of a first-class hotel, which the cruise line thinks it is. Lights went on the blink and even though we mentioned it, no action was taken. Water from the tap was either luke-warm or very hot--the cold-water tap, I mean. Read more