This is my third time for this cruise and I have noticed a slow decline. My hope was that the new owners might upgrade it to the NCL level but I suppose this may take some time. The upper level "buffet" has a very sparse selection and the hot foods are warm at best. There is no dinner buffet and unless you want pizza it is the the grill by the pool that does serve the best burgers. The staff needs additional customer service training as well as they would rather direct than offer to help. We did the on your time dining in the Admirality Dining room and service was mediocre at best and the Prime Rib was more fat than beef.

The island has suffered some hurricane damage so the beach resort excursions are not available but they don't tell you until you go to purchase at the customer service desk. It shows up on their web site but you are unable to click for purchase. There are no alternate beach resort excursions though they have aTaino Beach one with beach only (no pool, lazy river etc.). Although there would be plenty of time to include the ferry back to Lacaya for shopping or dining they do not. You could get the ferry on your own and then your own taxi to the port the cruise line should have this as part of the excursion as they did with the previous Taino Resort package. Staff at the beach did their best to navigate this for us but it was a little complicated. The restaurant at the beach is "ok" as is the service. Instead of bringing our order out all together they brought each item individually and the excuse was they had to make the batter for the conch fritters and onion rings. Huh? It's obviously a new excursion and could use some attention.

No real sail away activity leaving either Palm Beach or Freeport. Although it made for a quiet deck 10 Aft there just wasn't the usual enthusiasm. The gift shop also ran out of cigarette cartons to sell which is bizarre but said they had not replenished between cruises or in Freeport. Read more