We loved every minute. Embarkation at SF was efficient. Our Concierge Class stateroom with balcony was great - bigger than we expected for a ship. The bathroom was roomier than I expected, with a clothesline so you could rinse out small items. Towels were changed a few times a day. 8110 was ideally located midship and near to elevators and stairwells and very quiet. A bottle of champagne awaited us. We regularly stay in 5 star hotels but wouldn't expect the same type of service on board a ship. However, we were more than pleasantly surprised. Our stateroom attendant Geston and assistant housekeeper couldn't do enough for us and our room was attended to two or three times per day, including fresh fruit and flowers and canopies before dinner. Yes, some of the furnishings are a little threadbare on this eight year old ship, but the service made up for it. The Starboard side of the ship is non-smoking, though people can smoke on their balconies. Although smoking was allowed on port side(this changes in Oct 08), the air conditioning was great so we weren't aware of smoke throughout the ship.
We found the main dining experience classy and as good as any five star hotel we have visited. We loved having a table assigned to us (we chose a table for two so that we wouldn't be stuck with strangers for the 11 days)and the table etiquette and the dresscodes each night - allowing you to be casual, informal or formal. The waiting staff were always impeccable in their uniforms which added a sense of occasion, making us feel we were on the great liners of days gone by. Our table staff Glem, Vatiswa, wine sommelier Imade, and drinks waiter Komang were absolutely superb every night of the 11. Their professionalism, attention to detail and friendliness never waivered. The five course food was superb each night and beautifully presented and on formal nights, they had beautiful orchestral music playing and on the final gala night, a baked Alaska presentation had all the staff parade flaming desert to great fanfare from the diners. That night there was also a magnificent midnight buffet which had ice and food sculptures on display too.
We tended to have breakfast and lunch at the Ocean cafe where a sumptuous buffet offered every type of food for both meals. Again, the staff there were lovely.
Our concierge class cabin was worth having. It was bright and airy and the airconditioning excellent. The size was good, with ample wardrobe space, even for our four fully packed cases. The bed and room in general was most comfortable. The balcony was a nice size and it was great to get such up close views as we sailed along. Being near to elevators and stairwells, 8110 is ideally located midship.