We were limited to date of cruise departure because of school and not able to have our two teens (one in college) miss school dates. We did a fair bit of research before going but found it was truly alot of you don't know what you don't know and quite honestly the website for the cruise line does not provide significant information on what the additional costs are. I really did not want to end up feeling nickeled and dimed. Although labeled as most expenses included there are many places to drop a significant amount of money on the ship. There were repeated daily attempts to have us spend money in many ways. They are very creative.

One of the most important things for my daughter and I was the ability for the ship to accommodate our celiac diet. For those who are celiac it is a medical requirement for a gluten free diet and cross contamination will result in illness. We did complete forms once we booked, was assured we would meet with the head chef upon boarding. In our room was a letter, indicating we just needed to speak to guest services. Guest services just told us to talk to the head person at any restaurant. Bording in the afternoon we went up to the buffet (not great for celiacs) and the head person said we needed to speak to the head chef and contact guest services. Some fruit it was for lunch. When speaking to guest services, they directed us to the restaurant that was closed. We found a person there who gave us a phone number to call, they were the wrong number and unhappy, gave us another who then begrudgingly ordered dinner for that night. After all this at dinner we met one of two waiters who became our best allies, excellent knowledge of gluten free, we needed to order the night before for all meals. Not easy but by the 5th day we sorted that out. Food decent and not sick once.

We ate most nights in the Manhatten room or the Taste with one night in the noodle bar (meh). The Manhatten and Taste were great, awesome breakfast in Taste, Stephan the wine steward in the Taste. Read more