We're not the type of family to vacation together. It was a surprise and treat that my 82 year old father offered to take myself, my two sisters, and my mom on a cruise. I am 38, sisters are 48 and 54, mom is 78. This cruise was probably the last time we will vacation together due to some health reasons. My father learned about this cruise from a local travel agent. She printed up flyers about this brand new boat and it being a European line looking to expand into the US. The flyer talked about this being an "Italian Feast" themed cruise, with cooking demonstrations, opera singers, and gourmet Italian meals. Since the line was just expanding into the US, they were offering 'great' discounts off of retail prices. My parents booked a room for themselves, one room for my two sisters, and a separate room for me. The logic was that even though we're sisters, it doesn't mean it's a good idea to cram three women into a double room, having one of us sleeping on a pull-down bunk for 7 nights. As usual, we were charged an absolutely RIDICULOUS single occupancy 'supplement', or should I say 'penalty'. They were completely unwilling to negotiate on this, even though my family had bought two other rooms. If the quality of the cruise had been what it should have been, the 'supplement' wouldn't have irked me so much. A good segue...

I'm going to get right down to it. I'm dumbfounded by any good reviews of this cruise. Dumbfounded. Now, I've only been on one other one, Royal Caribbean Brilliance of the Seas 10 night from Barcelona. Night and day, apples and oranges. Regardless of your socio-economic, demographic, or geographic background, it doesn't matter. This cruise was not good. It was the perfect reminder that you get what you pay for. Period.

First day lunch: I was reminded of my college cafeteria at a state school in Illinois. Basic salad bar, cold fries, overcooked fatty meats, drab pasta. Nothing but water and iced tea included. Read more