Since we live in PA, we took a limo to New York and started the cruise off in style. We had a mini-suite with balcony and was very impressed with the room. It was bright, airy and large. Our steward was excellent and could not do enough for us as was true of all the staff on board. We read other reviews before we sailed and some made us a little apprehensive about taking a cruise. Those people with complaints must be very hard to please as we found everything to our liking on this ship.
We are not big foodie people so we ate at off times and used mainly the Horizon Buffet and the International Cafe. When we were in port, we tried some of the local restaurants especially those serving good New England chowder. We never once sat with other people, there was always a table and, of course, since the weather was so mild, we choose sometimes to eat out near the pool area.
We also did not do the "shows" so we do not know how crowded they were. We liked to sit at the International Cafe at night and listen to whatever entertainment they had to offer. They had a piano player, Dixieland band, a singing group from one of the shows, etc. This area again was never crowded as reported by other reviews on previous trips.
Our cabin was a great surprise. Plenty of room, large bed very comfortable,two TVs (showed NFL football, my husband was ecstatic). Our balcony was a plus that we loved and our steward kept everything neat and clean and was always attentive. Room was quiet except on two nights with rough seas, we could hear the stabilizers running but not annoying.