I sailed on the Poesia with my husband, children, and seven other family members back in December and had a FANTASTIC time (see prior post, very detailed). In January, I had the opportunity to join my Dad on the Poesia again. Dad has serious medical issues and I was there as his medical surrogate; he wanted to spend time with my younger brother and his family. It was bittersweet without my own family, but I want to comment on some specifics.
First, three weeks and some 9,000+ passengers had graced the ship since I last sailed --- and yet incredibly, the staff remembered my face when I got back on the ship. I even met Captain Romano in the elevator at embarkation. I reached out to shake his hand and said he probably did not remember me. He said yes, he did, and held his hand out to mark the heights of each of my five children (ages 3-18, including a 6'2" son) --- ending with his hand well above his head. We got the same recognition by the wait staff in the restaurant. It was extraordinary recall. Unbelievable!
Second, I dined at Kaito Sushi Bar in December and found it absolutely superb --- I wholeheartedly recommend that to everyone. In January, my Dad, brother and sister-in-law all ate with me at L'Obelisco for dinner one night. Three of us ordered the filet mignon and one ordered the king prawns. The filet was the absolute BEST steak we have ever eaten --- and I've eaten at a number of 5-star steak restaurants in my lifetime. This was superior to them all. It was 3-4 inches thick and cooked perfectly. The icing was that it only cost $16.50 for the steak/potato/spinach dinner! I only wish that my husband and I had taken that opportunity when we sailed together in December. With the children's program option, we could have enjoyed an intimate, private, candle-lit dinner alone for less than $50.00 including appetizer, dessert and childcare. I *highly* recommend that couples jump at this! It would have cost us much more back home to hire a babysitter and pay for dinner and gratuities ... and the food would not have been as delicious!