My son and son-in-law took me on the eleven night Eastern Mediterranean Cruise as a belated retirement gift. It was heaven. The ship was superb, the room exquisitely clean, the balcony, in 28 degree sun, with a cool breeze off the Mediterranean, a delight. Breakfast was delivered to the room promptly at the time indicated, because I took the responsibility to fill out the card properly the night before. Those who missed that step can blame only themselves. The meals in the Aqua Class dining room were superb AND healthy. I treated the boys to the Tasting Menu in Murano's and it was beyond words wonderful. The crew and staff, almost without exception, were universally polite, accommodating, respectful yet without obsequious deference. Floren in the Martini Bar should be singled out for his professional service and his very kind warmth in relating to us. Neily in The Spa gave the best manicure and pedicure I have ever had. All the staff, whether your room attendant or not, were universally polite, greeting you in the hallway and wishing you the best. The only exception, sadly, that was my sons' experience, was one Jamaican bar waiter who was, sadly due to his heritage, blatantly anti-gay. Other than that, everyone was superb and highly professional.

As I read other reviews, I am astounded at some of the comments I read, especially regarding the on-shore tours. Do these people actually expect that these ports cities and towns which have existed for thousands of years, will actually be re-organised to meet their silly individual little needs? Beyond comprehension! I am an old man with cardio-pulmonary difficulties. Do I expect them to bulldoze Santorini to meet my needs. No, I adapt and get over it.

As an experienced cruiser, one is accustomed to loud, rude, overbearing and 'entitled' Americans. One avoids them as much as possible. However, on October 14 I stood in line at Passenger Services and witnessed an American woman who was the worst piece of trailer trash I have ever encountered. She yelled, she bullied, she threatened, she told the Customer Service rep that she would report her to Trip Advisor, she would yell at the Captain that night at his table (it was an open dining room - big deal!) over some imagined slight. The Passenger Services rep dealt with these insults in a calm and entirely professional manner which I admired so very much. Read more