We were in a rarified world on this cruise because two weeks before departure to Venice, we were offered an upgrade from an owner's suite to the Royal Suite for an additional cost per person that we didn't consider exorbitant. How could one resist? My description of the Royal Suite can only be superlative. Imagine 1,200 sq. ft., including balcony, with a white baby grand piano!

There were, however, quirky things. For example, our cabin attendant, while very friendly when we chanced upon him in the hallway, didn't stop by once to see if we needed/wanted anything. When we required more ice, we had to track him down. The bathroom in the Royal Suite is actually two rooms, one of which has a two person shower and Jacuzzi tub. There are three sinks in total. Yet, there were only amenities like shampoo, etc., for one person. When I asked the cabin attendant for additional, he scooped up a bunch from his cart and handed them to me. I'm certainly not a fussy type, but I thought that he could have just deposited them in the suite...as in "service." The living room drapes were missing hooks so they didn't close properly, but the suite supervisor had them repaired promptly. My traveling companion resolved the player piano situation (missed keys at lower volume settings) himself, after the tech staff tried and couldn't figure it out. The suite had one toilet flushing issue which was quickly resolved. These are minor things and hardly worth mention, except they indicate a lack of attention to detail -- something RCI needs to focus upon.

The room service staff was exceptional. They provided first class service for breakfast on the balcony each morning, a dinner party and a cocktail party. We were impressed with the attractiveness of the public areas, the overall cleanliness, and found the informational touch screen panels for navigating the ship quite useful. We can't comment about on board activities or entertainment because with the exception of the aerialists, we didn't do/see a thing. We looked at the offerings and they had no appeal. As a previous reviewer said, there wasn't anything for thinking people. Why not offer some first-run movies, stimulating lectures or practical seminars, such as using computer software programs? Cunard does. Read more