Booking a New Year's cruise the last minute from AMEX email may have been an exciting decision but the lack of research may have been a mistake. A balcony cabin at a very tempting price with an unbelievable bonus of $950 in free drinks, in seven days seem like a gift. Not so. The drinks had to be priced under $10 from the menu. No top shelf allowed.

The cruise line advertises "freestyle" dining. In other words, show up after 6 PM and wait in line till they find a table for you. Most other cruise lines guarantee a table at the early sitting 630 or 834 the late sitting. All to coincide with the open seating at the big stage shows. Other venues coordinate as well. Freestyle is really wait in a reservations line for nearly everything. Specialty restaurants, those with far better dining choices, you still must wait in line for a reservation, then wait in line at the specialty venue till your table is ready. All this with days in advance and the food is not necessarily better, just different but an additional charge up to $60 a couple.

It's not anytime dining, it's 'any line' dining. The same for events, lineup, 20 to 40 deep to seat and this is anywhere from 2 to 7 days in advance. The convenient video display screens around the ship are always red. Fully booked. Read more