This was the worst vacation experience we ever had. It was our first cruise, so we didn't know what to expect, but seasoned cruisers on board confirmed the problems with this ship on this particular vayage. Our first shock: extra money demanded at the dock, or we couldn't board. They claimed our travel agent booked us fraudulently under a resident promotion we weren't entitled to. We were livid, but had no choice but to pony up an extra $240. We felt like we had been raped.

The second zinger: no stop at RC's "private island" Labadee, which although billed as being in "Hispaniola" is actually in Haiti! Although we could understand why it would be dangerous to stop in during an armed rebellion, RC had ample time to make other plans for us. However, their refrain during this whole trip was "Sorry, it's not OUR fault!" Ditto when high winds prevented another port call at Grand Cayman. Ditto when the "Dance Under the Stars" couldn't be held outside because of bad weather. Did they reschedule it for another night? No, that would have been thoughtful and require some extra effort. So, they just moved it inside. No stars on this trip.

A final affront: the food was terrible. Not just so-so, practically inedible. Cold soup and entrees. Poor quality meats. Lifeless desserts. The same chicken with different gloppy sauce on it day after day at lunch. Our waiter was nice, but the rest of the staff seemed dispirited and grumpy. Like I said, our feelings were not just ours. Everywhere we went we met other passengers, some who had even cruised on this line before, who were bitterly unhappy. In the elevators, at the pool, everywhere you went you heard people complaining. This was the cruise from hell.