We are veterans of over 104 cruise days. Have sailed on Norwegian, Holland America, Royal Caribbean and Princess. We like the smaller Holland America ships with less congestion than this larger vessel. The ports of calls on this 14 day trip were both very good and quite lacking. San Juan, Puerto Rico and St. Thomas Virgin Islands were our favorites. Grand Turk and Costa Maya are not great unless you like laying on beaches or wish to take a ship tour involving dives, etc.. Grand Cayman is small and the seven mile beach has been gobbled up by hotels. The beaches are still there and available, but hard to see or get to. There is a large shopping area ashore, but simply expensive and too much of a tourist trap. The butterfly garden is gone.
We are 'seasoned citizens' and look more to ship talent and interests than laying on a beach. The camera and computer lectures were tip top. Talent the first seven days was excellent with the Island Magic rising to the top. Comedian was good, not special. Ship talent crew was good. The second week the talent was poor; by far the worst we have ever had on a cruise. A group called the Recycled Percussion was top rated and not good at all, just noise of the worst kind. A lady filled one slot another evening, but was more a lounge singer than a featured guest. The Blues group was OK is you like it, but they are not at all our taste. Two girls put on piano and violin concerts in a small bar each night. They should have been give a larger venue, as folks could not find seats. The male members of the ship's singing staff were the best talent of this second seven days.
I consider the talent director on this ship needs to have a refresher course. There were no port talks beyond the TV blurbs. A good question-answer live port talk would be neat. The gem sales were a bit overboard. One time listening to a jewel sales pitch is too much, especially when they insist they are working for you...not! There were culinary and mixology courses. Very good except for a lady who had to be there putting in her two -cents worth every time the main person was nearing a good point. So annoying! Towel folding and kitchen tour was good, but how much of that can be done? We are asked to rate such things as talent, ports and so forth from 1-5. That is difficult, as we had two 7 day tours; both had their good times, both fell far short of excellent.
This stateroom was large with a beautiful large window. However, it was blocked with a lifeboat at least 95%. It is not possible to see any sort of real view. The cabin was clean and well-maintained. The cabin steward and his companion have 32 cabins to service and did a splendid job.Bed was adequate and larger than on other ships we have taken.. TV had necessary channels with a flat screen. Was difficult to change channels unless you were directly in front of the screen. Room was quite cool unless the heat was turned toward the top level.