We choose cruises based on itinerary, so the ship and company are less of a factor for us. That being said, I can tell you that what is wrong with this ship has everything to do with the company and nothing to do with the ship's staff.

The ship is two weeks away from drydock and it really needs it. As much as the crew cleans and maintains, there is a certain point at which it is easy to tell that the ship needs polish that is beyond mere maintenance. The ship looks tired.

Other problems include the food. Orange juice should be a description of the ingredient, not simply the colour of the juice. The beef was often so chewy that you wondered if it was actually gum. The cakes have had the butter/cream cheese replaced with shortening, which is hard and tasteless. The cocoa and chocolate are obviously lacking in richness and flavour, a sign of inferior chocolate and not blooming. The yoghurt on part of the trip was UHT yoghurt... which was watery. And the fruit loaded on the ship in the UAE was definitely of low quality... seeded watermelon that was as tasty as eating the rind. And let's be serious, putting all the best menu items on one menu two days before you leave the ship doesn't make you forget all the nights where you simply didn't know what you should eat. The teriyaki duck tasted of liver. The breakfast menu lacked any flair at all. The people at Lavazza should ask for their name to be taken off the coffee... or at least give them instructions on how to make a proper cup. The only sushi had to be purchased. They ran out of lettuce and had to make Caesar salad with spinach. Apparently no one knows what food items come from where, nor how to spell... unless you really want to eat polo. Read more