About me: I am a single, experienced cruiser who has been on all of the mass market major cruise lines in North America over the past 8 years, and have also cruised on Cunard, Oceania, Windstar, Crystal which is my standard of reference for superb service and great intellectual activities, and Fred Olsen Lines in the UK which is my standard of reference for a cruise line never to go on if you eat food. I have a Masters Degree and would be considered a bit "high browed" by many. I live in Florida and work in the internet industry.

I have been on over 25 cruises over the past 8 years (my first cruise was on the QE2, I was the last passenger ship to arrive in New York before September 11, 2001.

I have never sailed Carnival due to its reputation as a cruise line which had tons of screaming and uncontrollable kids and teens, poor food and service, and lots of drunk people who wanted a "funship" experience. I was proven wrong on this cruise. The service, food, and ships cleanliness make it top of the line for mass market cruise lines. The teens and children seemed polite, as were most of the passengers. In fact, almost everyone was polite except for this obnoxious woman at my mostly singles table who did not great my or some other of the table denizens when she arrived for dinner. (It is imperative to at least say good evening if you arrive at a table and other guests are seated). Read more