Embarkation: Easy, and we would recommend that you get to the cruise terminal in Long Beach later rather than earlier. We arrived at 2pm and were on the ship by 3:15. Plenty of check in desks to accommodate passengers. Be aware, however, that the parking garage does fill up and if you do arrive around 2pm you may have to try to find a covered place, or park on the roof.

Cabin: We had a unique cabin, 2462, which has TWO windows instead of one (ocean view) and the bed faced toward the windows. It has a LONG narrow hallway leading from the door into the room. We really liked this room. We did read that the azipods (thrusters?) are below this cabin (and also below 2465 on the other side) and that we would experience intense shaking when docking and leaving port. It was true, but it was not much of a problem, and we would book this cabin again if we were ever to decide to sail on this ship again. Nice bathroom and surprisingly good shower. We rarely saw our room attendant and sometimes drinking glasses were not replaced, or ice was delivered at odd times. Bed was VERY comfortable!

Food. The main dining room (both the Black Pearl for dinner and the Gold Pearl for breakfast and lunch) were unpredictable and mostly bad; italian dishes were salt-heavy and hardly edible, and other meals were tasteless. The only reliable food for me was the oatmeal in the morning or french toast. We soon learned that the better food was in the buffet on the Lido deck, believe it or not. We especially enjoyed the Rottiserie restaurant in the Lido. We have never been on a ship, till now, that had poorer food in the dining room than the buffet. The saving grace was the two nights we were in the Pinnacle Steakhouse and those meals were superb!!! They have a different chef, different vendors for food, and the quality was excellent. Highly recommend that you book the Pinnacle!!! Otherwise this was the worst food of any cruise we have sailed. Read more