This was our first cruise and all in all it exceeded our expectations. We chose a room across the back of the ship which offered a balcony that was three times the size of the regular balcony. This was nice, we had two chase lounge chairs, two regular chairs, and two cocktail tables! However, these rooms are in steo format (look at the photo of the ship) and therefore have no shade and no privacy -- all decks above you look down on you. The room itself was nice, though appointments appeared worn which was below expectations. Our room steward was exceptional - we always had fresh towels, ice, and turndown service with chocolates.
The highlight of this cruise for us was the relaxing and romantic evenings. The food in the dining room was exceptional - you would never know they were cooking for 2,000 people! We enjoyed steaks, duck a l'orange, veal, lamb chops, escargots, lobster -- a real gourmet selection. (On top of the fancy selections, every night they also offer a more basic chicken, pasta, and fish selection.) Our dining room staff was friendly and accommodated a few special requests without even blinking an eye. Nice wine selection with fair pricing. Alternative dining options include the Lido Restaurant which is the largest and most delicious "food court" you have ever seen - there is something for everyone here and the food is still delicious. Room service is also available 24 hours a day, we enjoyed a few breakfasts on our balcony which was nice. One night at the Pinnacle Grill/Odyssey Restaurant ($20 upcharge) is worth the money -- they offer top quality steaks and other items and it makes a very special meal.
Another nice thing we found about this ship is that there is plenty of "room per person" -- there are several bars/lounges to choose from and each offer something different -- classical, jazz, dance music. The shows included two musicals which were excellent; one singer, one comedienne, and two magicians. All were entertaining, though the first floor of the show lounge has several large pillars which obstruct views -- (I found this so strange). On the days at sea there was a nice selection of activities -- wine tastings, cooking demonstrations, bingo, ice sculpture demos, yoga classes. Our favorite place to park was on the deck on the side of the boat - there were plenty of nice teak wood lounge chairs and people were quiet, most often reading and relaxing.