You would think this is the greatest boat in the world. I've got news for you--sail with Regent or Seabourn instead. The pre-cruise hotel night was outrageously priced. The transfer from the hotel to the Silver Muse was unnecessarily delayed by the bus company. The cruise was egregiously overpriced, not only the cruise fare itself but also the shore excursions. Beware of the add on charges for dinner at two of their restaurants. The food at best is only comparable to our other cruises. The entertainment and lecture theater at the rear of the ship only has one level, no balcony! The Dolce Vita area on Deck 5 is oversized and plain. The gym does not have enough stationary bicycles for morning workouts. There is incredible pressure exerted by the spa staff on the passengers for expensive pain relief treatments. For a new ship, the "deluxe cabin veranda" bathrooms were embarassingly small, with only single sink basins and a small triangular shower stall with no room for a single bather to turn around in. The movie choices in the cabins were exceedingly limited and dull. The butler couldn't even keep the cabin refrigerator stocked with pineapple juice at all times. When I asked him for grape juice, he replied that he wasn't sure that item was available.

Overall, this cruise did not represent value for value received.