We found the Astor to be a 3+ star ship at a 2 star price on our three-day trip to nowhere. The service is exceptional, better than Cunard. Staff were friendly and efficient. The biggest table setting in the Waldorf dining room is six but when we wanted a table for eight two tables for four were slotted together. The other exceptional feature is the cleanliness. The ship and cabins are well maintained and spotless.
Embarkation and Disembarkation were particularly quick and efficient. This may have had something to do with the fact that there were no foreign ports involved. We appreciated the express disembarkation where you could just take your own bags, hand over your keys and with a swipe of your card proceed to the gangplank.
The food is good, without being great. We preferred lunch to dinner and liked the fact that the serves were not too big. Drink prices were reasonable, mainly $30 to $40 for a bottle of wine, cocktails and mixers around $9 and beer from $6.50 to $8.50. One downside was that tap beer, especially from the bar overlooking the pool, was not cold enough.