We were traveling with 3 mid to late eighty-year-olds, so we booked a S4 2 family bedroom villa for the 3 parents, thinking that we would like the butler/concierge to help with them, and the more affordable entry-level Haven S7 forward-facing haven suite for the 2 of us. No children with us. It turns out that the only recommended way to travel on this ship is at the Haven level, because the Haven restaurant had the best food by far on the ship, and the service overall was outstanding!

Embarkation in NY was fast, easy, organized. We left our home on Long Island about 9:30 in the morning, dropped off the luggage and a case of water by 10:30. Check-in seemed well organized for all levels. The Haven has its own lounge for prioirty check-in, but be warned, it is freezing. At noon, they began escorting guests to the ship, where the rooms were not yet ready, but you were welcome to have lunch. The Haven lunch poolside menu is more limited than in the restaurant, but was still decent, with burgers, swordfish sandwich, onion rings, fries, salads. Cabins were lovely! The s4 2 bedroom suite had a lovely master suite with a window over the tub. The shower had the options of overhead rainfall, body sprays, or handheld (as did the shower in S7) and there was a double sink. The second bedroom is meant for a child with a fold-down couch, which can be made more comfortable with extra cushioning. Its adequate for 1 adult, with its own small bathroom with a shower. The shared living room was very nice with a coffee/tea machine, but the balcony is small, with room for 2 chairs and a small table. Flat screen TV's in every room. Free portable phone for Haven guests to call other rooms/phones in the Haven, very handy to have. They should offer that in every cabin, imo. The forward facing S7 cabin was lovely as well, plenty of closet space, great bathroom, very nice living room with a small table. Again a very small balcony. The right side of the ship is the side to view the Statue of Liberty as you leave NY.Entertainment:

We had reservations the first night to the Burn the Floor dance show. It was fabulous, 6 international dance couples, all styles of dance. We all enjoyed it so much we went back to see it again later in the week, and ate in the main dining room one night when the troupe was performing. Read more