Boarding the ship was very easy - no problem locating my cabin and then going to Windjammer for a quick lunch prior to life boat drill. The drill was quite long, and standing on deck in a crowd when temperatures are in the high 80's isn't that great.

I chose early dining, and was pleasantly surprised to be seated with four couples at a table for ten in the Romeo & Juliet dining room. Having escargot on the nightly menu is my favorite reason for sailing with RCI - including their Celebrity and Azamara lines. Servings were quite sufficient for my appetite, though I have seen many reviews complaining of small servings. I did ask that my salmon be cooked a bit less, and was told they must do it well done. Too dry for my taste. Several folks said the beef seemed tough. I stayed with seafood and found it o.k. if not terrific.

The drink packages were not to my liking, and a wine only package was not offered. I did purchase my dinner wine by the bottle and found it really out of line considering retail price on shore. I don't mind their charging double, but four times the cost and plus 18% seems pushy. Menus had a special note that lobster and steak was available - for a price! Even an offer on the dessert menu for specialty coffee had a tiny note that it would be charged at current bar prices plus the dreaded 18%. Read more