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We arrived at the terminal in SFO to a small line -up about 2 -pm …line moved fairly quickly
Onboard our cabin was ready so dropped our carry-on, our luggage was there so off we went to see what the ship was like
Everyone was taking photos of the ship; travel agents were touring the cabins & other parts of the ship.
The ship is beautiful as already noted by others on the two previous sailings
Lots of marble, granite, glass & teak everywhere
The casino bar (?) was a little out of place with the purple disco feel.
Cabin
We have one of the cabins on deck 7 with the larger balcony approximately 8 X 12 with 2 chairs and a small table.
Cabins are very similar in size to the R-ships but laid out slightly different.
Bathroom is larger with tub & separate shower with glass door, no friendly curtain to contend with, granite floors, and walls.
Nice vanity lights
Lots of drawers, some in night table, desk & closet
Very nice reading lights bedside
Sofa is much more comfortable and a bit larger than the R-ships
Nice coffee table but might be a bit large for the space
Nice chair at the desk with a back unlike the stools on the R-ships
CONS
The showers seem smaller than the R-ships, kept hitting my elbow on the grab bar, tub is wasted space would be better to use the space there for a larger shower.
Soap kept slipping through the soap dish they need an extra bar on the front of the dish or you need to press the soap into the slats to keep it form falling out
Drawers in the desk are smaller than on the R-ships hard to put a shirt in without folding it to a quarter of the size
One drawer under safe is too high to see what is in there if you are not 6’ tall
Lounge chairs would be nice for these B4 Balcony cabins
One thing that may bother people is that you are overlooked by those above you
Dining room
Very light and airy feeling, higher ceilings make the room less noisy that the small ships
Lovely lighting
CONS
Some tables are very close together making if difficult to get in & out, the wait staff has trouble serving people at these tables.
Some tables are too close the serving stations & the trays with dirty dishes are right near you
Terrace Cafe
Larger serving stations and much better traffic flow
Two nice self serve stations for coffee, tea & juices
CONS
Too may tables close together…hard to get in/out in some areas, some of the forest gets in your way when going to & from your table
Waves Grill
Lots of tables & larger area
Pool area
Lovely pool with steps making it easier to enter the pool
Lots of loungers
CONS
The new day beds are a bit low & some may have trouble getting up
Deck 5 & shops
Seems to be in a world of their own.
Casino
A bit larger with many more machines & black jack tables; another section is on the other side of the bar
Grand Bar
Is like a hallway with chairs. The quartet plays there in the evenings
CONS
Not as conducive to the music as on the small ships but more seating
Again some of the seating is very low
Ceiling is too low and the acoustics suffer
Sanctuary
Very nice loungers there but the wind seems to whip around in there
There is something in the area that is squeaking so not very peaceful
The door there to the inside bangs every time someone enters or exits, maybe one of the automatic doors openers would work better there
If they had taken the glass all the way up and had a few sliding windows it may have cut down on the breeze
Baristas
Very nice place to grab a coffee & cookie
Maybe a bigger space would be better it is a popular area
CONS
They use paper cups without any heat shield so they can be very hot to carry any distance
A choice between paper or china cups would be an improvement
Library
Very nice nooks with lovely chairs but hard to see in the cabinets the lighting in some is not very good
The area is not as nice as the small ships, books are hard to find and seem to be discombobulated
Horizons
Lovely large room
Seating is very low. Not sure who they used as a model for the chairs but I am not tall at 5’ 4” and I had trouble getting up from the chairs
Smoking area is nicely partitioned off & never smelled any smoke unless you were standing in the doorway there
Marina Lounge
Very large room with lots of seating
Chairs are comfortable
CONS
Could be raised a bit more so those in the back can see the stage
Tables & chairs outside Terrace & La Reserve
Nice area, nice chairs but need a back cushions & maybe a bit higher, very low
Red Ginger
Lovely décor, staff very attentive
Toscana
Light & bright, chairs very comfortable
Gym
Lots of nice equipment to use with sports drinks /water available to keep you hydrated
Walking Track
Very nice area but can be very windy when underway
They seem to get the soot from the funnel there & it is then tracked through the ship leaving black marks in the carpeting
Laundry Room DECK 7
Three washers/dryers
Two ironing boards the store nicely up in a cabinet when not in use
CONS
You need to have coins to operate machines, $2. in quarters for each load (prefer the token method)
Soap dispenser on the wall, push the button for the cup to fill then pour into dispenser on machine carefully
No sink to rinse things or get water for the irons if you want steam
Overall impressions
Lovely ship very nice décor, high end furnishings and fixtures
Not sure on the Purple bar
Lots of public space gives you a spacious feeling
Very smooth sailing
Some vibration when in reverse throughout the ship.
Might be too big for some people’s tastes, you do not seem to see the same people very often
Lots of walking from one end to the other so you need to be fit
We prefer the R-ships with the more intimate feeling
Lots of nice things on the ship to keep you busy or not
Something for everyone
Still a work in progress
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