EMBARKATION. I flew down to Bermuda for a few days and flew to JFK the morning of embarkation. the flight was delayed an hour which worried me a bit especially after the taxi from the hotel did not turn up. I got a bus from JFK to Grand Central Stn then hopped on a taxi to the pier. Did not find the driver very friendly having I had to drag the case into the boot myself and he never spoke. On arrival at the pier my case was taken from me which was great. I went inside to find I had to sit on a seat until the line moved a bit, people kept going to the front thinking they would be first in line but they were asked to sit down. After about 20 mins we were finally let in to join the line. I understand the express line did not happen at all which is not good! There were several different queues, online bookings, different countries apart from U.S and Canada. As I am a U.K citizen I was unsure which queue to join. I stayed where i was and was given the cruise card and the photograph of me going onboard.

HOTEL INFO. I flew from London to New York the week before on Kuwait Airline who were ok apart from the fact I could not get a window seat as requested and there was no alcohol served onboard, which was not an issue as I was on tablets for my teeth and could not drink any anyway. I stayed 3 nights in New York at a recommended hotel, The Broadway Inn, off Times Square. I did not think it was worth the price $167 a night as the room was small, no lifts and had to carry the luggage down 3 floors without assistance. The room backed onto a backstreet. I stayed in a guest house in Bermuda called the Granaway in Warwick County, a lovely place to stay. STATEROOM. I shared my cabin with another male I met on the internet. He suggested a balcony cabin. We had 4136 but 2 weeks before we went we were offered an upgrade for $299 each. Miles, my cabinmate took it at once without even asking me first! 6111 was starboard midship. It was a lovely big cabin a superior verandah cabin. A bathroom with a shower, a full bath with jets, 2 sinks and a toilet. 2 single beds, a leather sofa, and a balcony much larger than the usual. with 2 chairs and a table, 2 cushioned chairs with a pouffe. I was a bit surprised there were no sun loungers out there. It was 529 sq feet I think. I did not have accesses to the Neptune Lounge but had a large flat screen tv, a DVD player too.

DINING. I had main sitting which is actually late sitting at 8pm on deck 3, the Vista dining room at the aft end of the ship. Table 45 a long table for 8 by the window. The first night Miles was with 4 others 2 of which wanted 1st sitting. Unfortunately Miles found friends from another table that had a free space so he went there the rest of the cruise. I had 7 others on my table which were not the greatest I have had but they were ok. The food was really great. There was also the Pinnacle Grill which was $20 cover charge, which was worth doing it at least once. The choice of meats were good and the creme brulee was the 2nd best I have ever had here. 2nd to a French restaurant in the Gastown area of Vancouver. There was also the buffet in the Lido which was nice for a change. Read more