We took the September 21, 2014 cruise and overall it was a good experience. Beautiful weather except for one day in Quebec, but we did have some issues.

Our trip started off poorly since embarkation was a disaster. We were given a group number to be called and we waited patiently for it to be called. After calling the first few numbers, there was silence for about 20 minutes. We started to see the lines to board the buses getting longer instead of shorter. When we inquired, we was told that they had abandoned the numbering calling system and it was a "free for all" meaning those passengers just arriving were getting on the lines before us. Because of that issue, we could not find a seat at lunch.

Guest Relations was ignorant about what was happening on board the ship and was clueless in giving you the correct information. For example, we kept inquiring whether there would be a Catholic Mass on board the ship for Sundays because we noticed that there was a Rabbi on board providing services. They insisted that a passenger who was a priest had not come forward to offer mass and they could not ask him to do so. Finally, it was announced on Friday on the Cruise Director show that Mass would be held Saturday evening for Sunday observance. When we spoke to the priest, we found out he offered his services as soon as he boarded the ship and could not understand why that information was not told to the passengers in the beginning. Also, why were the Jewish services posted on the Board outside guest relations desk, but not the Catholic masses. A second example of not knowing what was going on related to the Art Auction in the lounge. Trivia and other activities were scheduled for the lounge, but the Art Auction went over its allotted time and no one knew were the other activities would be held. We bumped into Luigi, the Activities Director, who told us that the activities were being moved to a conference room. Again, Guest relations was no help at all. Read more