Chose this cruise based on ports of call. Prices for lots of things increased from just last year: bottled water delivered to cabin; cost for room service; prices for alcoholic beverages and sundry items (DayQuil cough suppresant) was outright gouging. Price charged by RCI for transport from airport to Southampton port was too high: $101/pp one way. Production shows ranged from merely adequate to outstanding. All of Captain's commentary was translated to SPANISH. Why? The cruise departed Southampton, probably 85% of the guests were from the British Isles. How many English residents speak only Spanish? How many Spanish-speaking guests were aboard, who spoke no English at all? Two days in St. Petersburg was great; Helsinki was a disappointment. Only thing there is the Sibelius Park and the Rock Church. Maybe should have had a port of call in Sweden instead. Just need a couple more nights to achieve next C&A status. But probably will consider cruising with another cruise line in the future.
Cabin steward was excellent. Room was always neat and clean.
Instead of paying RCI's price for an Oslo shore experience, we opted for the choo-choo train hop-on-hop-off ride. It was adeqaute enough. Hours spent in Oslo were few, so we wouldn't have had much time to see too much anyway.
Not much to see in Helsinki; just the Sibelius Park (that took 3 minutes), and the Rock Church (another 5 minutes).
There was a 25 minute walk from the bus location to the center of Bruges, where we met to return to the bus. The walk entailed rough stones and gravel. Several guests were disabled, using canes. RCI's description of this tour should have been clearer about the walking distance and condition of the walkways.