We chose this cruise because it worked out best for our group of 10. Embarkation went well and we were drinking beer within 90 minutes of getting to the port. The best part of our cruise were the ports and the company of our group. The food on the ship for breakfast and lunch was fine. You had the typical buffet lines plus other options such as Guy Fiery Hamburgers (ecellent!) a pizza place (good but slow) and a couple of others that we did not try. The evening meals are where we experienced our disappointments. The staff worked hard but there was always something amiss each night with just about every meal. Many times we did not have enough glassware or utensils (Minor) but at each meal someone's meal would be wrong or cold (Major). An example on the last night my wife asked for extra mashed potatoes and instead received a bake potato. I ordered up from the steak house a strip steak that was cooked correctly (medium rare) but was very difficult to cut and chew. Another couple ordered the surf and turf. Both received cold baked potatoes and vegetables and one could not get the lobster tail meat out. Both were sent back. I will point out some positives that included the appetizers and deserts. They were excellent. It was the opinion of the group that the dining room seemed understaffed. It is the first time I can say that the food was disappointing on a cruise.

Entertainment in the main showroom was just okay. The shows were high energy but the singers were not at their best. Either the music was just wrong for them or they were just not capable of pulling off the music and the dancing. The horn group that played in the lobby were awesome. Those guys could play! I guess I should mention that 6 members of the group are band directors/music teachers. We can be a tough audience.

I will say that as group we throughly enjoyed hanging out together or going our separate ways. We all enjoyed the ports and are planning another cruise next year, but it won't be on this ship