I will present the review from embarkment, the ship, restaurants, excursions and misc items. First let me start off by saying it was nice to rekindle and or repair past relationships (John and Cynthia; Karen, Catherine & Chris; Elisa (Erby) & Slavik and of course to meet new relationships. EMBARKMENT: Compared to 2005 trip on the Jewel this trip was much easier and faster. However, the ability to get on the ship was later than the year prior. The cruisers with a disability and suites were let on around 12:10PM followed by Latitudes people. Upon arriving at our stateroom deck 10 the room was not complete. A dirty dish on the counter, towels on the floor and the carpet was not vacuumed. However, we met our cabin Steward and he allowed us to put our carryon on the bed. We were able to lock our valuables in the safe. This is really not a complaint, but more for information. THE SHIP: The ship for the most part was very clean and very pleasing to the eye. However, there were a few area needing sprucing up. But it may have been a timing issue. The bar stools at the Maltings Beer and Whisky Bar needs replacing they are extremely uncomfortable. I was very please with the viewing area of the Bridge. It was Very Educational. Thanks AVERY for your 26 years of Navy Training. You explained a lot to me. I will add more about the ship as I progress. RESTAURANTS: The only main restaurant I attended was the Tsar's. We had two dinners and one lunch. Dinner the first night with a party of four was fine. The waiter was good and the service was acceptable. However, the food selection was just okay. Had lunch was totally unacceptable? The menu was just awful. I settled for a Portabella burger and received a hamburger that was petrified. The waitress never came back on a timely basis to see how things were. When she did return, when everyone else was just about finished she asked was there something wrong and I told her you brought the wrong meal. She then asked if I wanted something else, well since everyone else was just about finished I said no. My wife also stated her meal was luke warm and not good at all. Now the best for last. The last day of the cruise I called my concierge to find out if I would have a problem with a table for eight with out a reservation (being a main dining room I didn't think they would accept a reservation) well to my surprise the concierge was very happy to make the reservation. This was the best part of this meal. Arrived timely at 6:30PM. Had a rectangular table for eight. I would have preferred a round table as they are made for talking and seeing all at the table, but not a big deal. Members brought two bottles of wine to share. The menu selection was not very good. Orders were taken after some time. Dishes left on the table in between course for quite some time. The follow up by the waitress and busboy (person) was just awful. The main entry I had (lamb) was cold actually the sauce over the lamb had jellied. Potatoes were ice-cold. My wife's fish was just okay (taste), but was luke warm. The service became so bad one table member had enough and started to confront those with the responsibility. I must admit the higher up she went the ruder the person became. All in all our satisfaction was not met. They just did not understand what our young voice was trying to say. Our young voice was saying what can you do for the group rather than settle on reducing her wine tab (only $15.00 an up grade). They just didn't seem to care. There seemed to be more assistants and maitre d than waiter and busboy (person). My wife and I are convinced the specialty restaurants are the places to eat. I'm so glad we only ate at the main dining rooms 3 times.

GARDEN CAFE We found the Garden Cafe to be very good for breakfast and lunch especially the days at sea. One night we we're not very hungry and caught the Garden for a little snack I think it was around 8:00PM, wasn't bad.

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