We chose this cruise because we had been to, and fallen in love with the Norwegian Fjords with Costa but Costa were only offering North Cape with a flight so we elected for Princes from Southampton and were not disappointed.
The staff from the captain down to the deck painter and flag raiser were all friendly and welcoming ( I love to be up on deck early with my camera) and they still greeted one with a cheerful Good Morning - how are you sir and seemed to mean it. The cabin although described ass bigger than previous balconies on Costa appeared when we first checked in to be smaller. The hanging area between the main cabin and washroom facility however turned into a great dressing area.
A revelation for us and the highlight of the cruise was the opportunity for any time dining which we elected each time to "share a table" and met so many brilliant helpful erudite people that I could have stayed all evening talking except the need after a few hours of going to the theatre shows of which the on board cast provided a great experience. The food was excellent and with the attentive but not obtrusive staff added to the experience. One thing I learnt and is worth having in mind if a show is an essential part of the cruise is that many of the larger shows stay on the same ship for up to 7 years or the next wet or dry dock so any early return would be greeted by the same show!!
R254 Riviera which is deck 14 balcony cabin forward great quiet location, cabin did not seem as large as described but in use the layout of the hanging wardrobe area provided a great dressing room. The balcony is good it does overlook balconies on two lower tiers of cabins this is no problem for R254 which is not itself overlooked.