We had great expectations about this ship due to comments from someone who had recently returned. The ship itself is beautiful, the fixtures and furnishings the best we've seen, excellent staff. The food however although of very high quality ingredients was a little bland in some cases. There was not much evidence of the use of fresh herbs or many spices. Soups often only warm, even at Jacques where the bouillabaisse even though made table side, the broth was only warm and it was strongly flavoured lobster base ( not the softer tomato base) and somewhat overwhelmed the delicate fish.. Desserts always fabulous. Red ginger was our favourite, the amuse bouche of edamame was very tasty, the calamari, the best ever.

The biggest disappointment were the three shore excursions we took, they were expensive and not worth the money. We did much better when we did our own thing.

Our concierge suite was very nice and we made use of the concierge lounge. It was often freezing cold in the Polo Grill (bridge) and Riviera Lounge (trivia) in the afternoons, but all other public rooms were fine. We loved the 'Martini Bar for our pre dinner drink listening to a very good pianist and the Grand Lobby after dinner to listen to the string quartet. Read more