I read way too many reviews ahead of time & feared a bit of disappointment. Well, we had an absolutely GREAT cruise which exceeded our expectations.

We had our first ever Aft Balcony on Deck 8 and it was amazing. Yes, it got a bit warm in our stateroom, but I was prepared with a 6" portable fan. Yes, you felt a wee bit of movement at times during the night but it was never an issue. There was a pattern of vibrations and then nothing at all, and this occurred a couple times during the nighttime hours. The extended deck was awesome, but be forewarned that although deck plans indicate reclining chair, standard chair, and lounge, there was NO LOUNGE on our balcony. We were informed that they were removed due to safety concerns. Now this is why I booked the aft cabin - to lounge in the morning, afternoon, or evening. I requested & received a lounge and assured them that I would not trip over it, as was the new concern. We had our twin beds converted. There was a sofa and an oval cocktail table. There was also a small stool by the vanity area. Cabin had a safe and a refrigerator (which really does not chill items). This room could easily accommodate 3 passengers. Bathroom was standard. Closet & drawer space was ample.

We ate breakfast in the dining room or enjoyed Sea Day Brunch at the dining room. We never had breakfast on the Lido deck. Sea Day Brunch is not to be missed. My husband & another in our party loved the steak & eggs, and the corned beef hash & cheese grits were a hit. I loved the huevos rancheros and the smothered pork chop! For lunch, we tried most services available; deli sandwich, Tandoor, pasta restaurant, Seaside BBQ, grill station, Mongolian Wok. We were never disappointed. We had pizza just one late night after a show. Dinners were all in the Crimson Restaurant, Your Time Dining, and we enjoyed every single night. Something was always available in the dining room, for even the pickiest of pallets. We're not big dessert eaters, but I did enjoy both crème brulee desserts which they offered. My husband usually had sherbet. He did not enjoy the dining room cheese cake. We did not partake in the Chocolate Buffet, but our friends did, and their opinion was that desserts were tasteless. I had just one strawberry soft-serve ice cream cone all week, but I did stop by a put a squirt of vanilla into my cocktail once, too! Yummmm. Read more