Embarkation from Miami was in the tent but not too awful, having read other reviews I was expecting chaos and was not disappointed. The shore staff were very professional. My luggage was in my cabin within 2 hours and the cabin stewards both checked in with me within minutes of my arrival. The cabin was much more spacious than I was expecting and the items I had preordered were in my cabin. The ship was large and I enjoyed exploring over the sea days that followed. I signed up for the spa for the full trip and the internet cafe. I did not go to any of the specialty restaurants other than Tangos while I was on the ship and was really pleased with Azura and Blue Lagoon (especially for breakfast). Service was leisurely in the Tzar's but that was to be expected for sit down, formal dining. If you went hungry on the Jewel it was your own fault. The sail was smooth even though we did have some days of gale winds and 8-12 foot waves. The entertainment, except for Cirque Bijou, was to be expected: not great but OK for the most part. The lecturer was entertaining if not too terribly knowledgeable about the ports and geologic evolution of the Atlantic and Mediterranean. I missed a movie theater. The crafts were fun and the library could use updating especially with travel books on the ports. Those yellow chairs are the most uncomfortable I have ever parked my bottom.

The spa is wonderful and I was there every day. The treatments were expensive compared to shore side but I took advantage of the specials and was pleased. Shore excursions were a mixed bag. Pompeii was great and worth the money. Knossos was not, due to the guide and incomplete itinerary, but the shore excursion desk staff were professional and prompt in providing a discount to compensate. I went on my own with the hop on/hop off buses and local transportation in Madeira, Rome and Athens and was happy there, also. I signed up for the post cruise hotel and flight out of Athens and was happy with British Airways and the Metropolitan hotel and the shore side staff in Athens. I would do it again in a heartbeat.