My wife and I chose this cruise because it had interesting-looking ports of call, it began and ended (for us) in Barcelona and Rome, two cities we wanted to spend a few extra days in, and it seemed reasonably priced. The ship was good, and our cabin (C-deck, inside) quiet and decent, (despite the plumbing problem that took an inexplicably long time for someone to come and fix, and the TV that pooped out one night). We didn't try the two specialty restaurants, but the food at the buffet, at Alfredo's, and in the main dining-room was fair enough (not great), although the main dining-room service was pretty slow the nights we were there. Didn't take the ship's shore excursions, having arranged our own beforehand, so can't comment on them. The crew, for the most part, seemed courteous and well-trained. Activities day and night, so there's enough to keep you busy. However, we had one major complaint: The management obviously thinks people can't tolerate quiet, so almost all the time there was music, or music AND vocals, in the several-deck-high main "piazza," and it was loud, making it hard to find any peace and quiet unless we searched elsewhere. Also piped-in music in the buffet all day. Who needs music with breakfast? And it was REALLY loud around the pool. Music (and vocals) never quite right since on a multi-national cruise it's impossible to satisfy everybody even part of the time. Yes, a little soft background music can be pleasant on occasion, but this was constant and intrusive -- especially for a cruise. We know we may be in the minority on this, but for us it was a big 'never-again.'