This cruise was selected as an affordable, relaxing getaway from the dreary Pacific Northwest winter weather (which actually hasn't been as bad as usual this year!) We flew to LAX the evening before, and requested a Lyft ride from our hotel to the port at about 10:30am, arriving at the pier at about 11:15. Check in went very quickly, but we had to wait longer than expected to board due to late return of the ship. We were in boarding group 8, and were able to drop off our carry-ons in the cabin and go to the Da Vinci dining room for a relaxing and delicious lunch.

We found the ship to be clean and in generally good repair. One frustration to us, as avid outdoor walkers, was that the Promenade deck was partially blocked several different days for maintenance tasks, both in port, which I would expect, and at sea the last day (really not okay!) We were always able to find deck loungers when we wanted them, as well as quiet indoor spaces to relax during the day. The gym has a good variety of equipment, including a Bosu ball (my favorite workout activity at sea).

For the most part, we found the food to be good to excellent quality for what you can reasonably expect on a ship this size and at this price. There was a great selection in the Horizon Court buffet for lunch and dinner, and the menu varied from day to day. I could not even sample everything that appealed to me. We especially loved the expansive salad bar. We had most dinners in the MDR, and I think one or two breakfasts. There were a couple of nights when ATD was very poorly managed, with people lining up to the IC for 20+ minutes rather than being checked in and given pagers. Then suddenly, they began seating all of us. Service in the MDR was extremely slow one night when we were at a table of 6, other nights it moved along at a reasonable pace. Sometimes we shared, other times we requested a 2 top. Read more