We arrived just before noon to a very crowded port. Check-in was quick though and the boarding of suites began at 12:20, and general # calling at 12:30. Note that cabins were not ready till 2:30.

There are various new spaces on the ship since its refub in November: the Spinnaker Lounge has been largely redecorated, the Bliss is much more conducive to group activities and more sedate in decor, bowling alleys are gone, and atrium area is very pleasant. Nice mix of colors, though they seem to be headed to warmer neutrals over the pretty gemstone colors, which I thought was ship-appropriate over the neutrals. The photo area is re-done and more similar to Breakaway-style now with photos in binders and on a computer. La Cucina was redone inside too, and now there is a tile floor so I wonder if the mini suites under there can hear noise. The perfume/makeup shop that was in the atrium is now a jewelry/watch counter, and the perfume and makeup is in the shop on the port side forward that was formerly only for liquor and souvenirs. Those souvenirs are now across the walk on the starboard side in that shop. I did find a cool t-shirt that says "Cruising is my Happy Place." The gym has been re-done too and has great equipment. The pretty and colorful tiles that were on the Garden Café wall were replaced by a blah wallpaper-likeness. Various other changes in the Garden Café seating areas, and the Great Outdoors has new furniture.

Things not re-done: mattresses are still being replaced. Ours were concave. We did see new mattresses being hauled into cabins during the week, so I guess they’re slowly being replaced. Bathrooms: no noticeable changes and the sinks are cracked (have been this way for years) and our shower head was separating from the hose and spent a lot of time spraying the wall. We did have nice new carpeting in our cabin, however, some cabins still had the old carpeting. Bow cam tv channel kept pixelating after a few minutes. Read more