We opted for this cruise as our second ever, having once taken an Alaska cruise on a slightly down-market line and wanting a higher level of food, drink and service. We found our balcony cabin roomy, comfortable and well designed despite being in the smallest category. The bed was extremely comfortable and the blackout curtains very effective. Cabin service was superb. Shore excursions were reasonably priced; I spent two days scuba diving and was unable to beat the cruise line's prices on my own. Dive operators were very good (Cozumel) to excellent (Grand Cayman) with excellent attention to safety all around. My fellow divers ranged from quite skillful to complete thrashers. There was no waste of time travelling to the dive piers as both were within a minute of two of the ship's pier. The dolphin experience trips on Jamaica were a bit disappointing as our contact with the magnificent creatures was heavily scripted and mostly constituted opportunities for the operator to sell photos. The beach day in Haiti (Labadee) was exquisite.

We chose the "select" dining option meaning we could eat dinner at any time. We were always able to get a table for four when we wanted it. Food ranged from good to excellent and service was consistently excellent with the exception of beverage. The sommelliers ranged from excellent and attentive to ignorant and indifferent. The choices of wines by the glass were strangely limited and of mediocre overall quality, but were certainly poured freely for us once we were identified as having the premium beverage package. Oddly, the choice of strong spirits was excellent with very high-end Scotch selections for example available on the same beverage package. One exception was vermouth. I drink Manhattans and Negronis, and the vermouth available at all of the bars was the cheapest worst plonk sold. Crazy, given that fine single-malts and top-shelf gins were on offer, and the specialty restaurants offered the best vermouths around.

The fitness classes were surprisingly good. We both own and patronize multiple fitness studios on land, so our standards are high, and the Canyon Ranch-branded spa\fitness facility did not disappoint. Yoga in the morning, boot camp in the afternoon with excellent leaders, not afraid to safely push us hard.