The invisible captain

The cruise got off to a rather rocky start as we sat in the embarkation lounge for 3 hours before being able to board. I have never had to wait this long and no reason was ever given by RCCL. This is unacceptable.

The ship is clean and well kept but definitely needs updating. The decor is dull, mostly out of date wood paneling. The Windjammer feels very confining with low ceilings and a generally dark atmosphere. Cabin TV's are likewise old with poor picture and sound quality. Only one news channel is available (CNN) and isn't available for the entire TA cruise.

Food quality leaves much to be desired - bland, tasteless, particularly lunch in the Windjammer. Hamburgers appear to have been fried to extinction yesterday and displayed in bowl of burger grease. I saw very few takers.

Overall service is excellent in the dining areas and in the cabins. Lots of trivia games and other activities. The bridge game hosted by Armand was excellent and well attended. Astronomy lectures by Fred were another high point. I loved the entertainment; I had seen at least 4 shows before and enjoyed them again. Every evening saw dance bands in the Centrum.

This was the first time I have seen lifeguards aboard a ship. Not much for them to do as the weather was cool and very windy for the entire trip. And RCCL does its best to discourage people from enjoying the pool area with a constant barrage of loud music from dawn til dusk. I think the execs in Miami could hear it from mid Atlantic. Perhaps the cruise director is paid according to the number of decibels produced.

Disembarkation in Barcelona was good; security has increased with passport checks while at sea and upon docking in Barcelona.

All in all an OK cruise with a nice complement of passengers and crew. So where was the captain???