We're experienced cruisers in our forties and travelled with our daughter and partner who had their own cabin. This RCCL ship is a small step up from Carnival but not by much. The entertainment was sub-standard even for a cruise.

The drinks service and provision thereof comical, firstly the Chandon and as a European we 'let it go' that this is called Champagne onboard but when the Rising Tide bar is passing off sparkling perry as house champagne that is just taking it too far. On that subject finding Chandon is a challenge, we experienced there being none available at more than one bar and denials that they even stocked such a thing, when it was on the drinks menu and reluctance to source it when asked if not refusals. As a Diabetic II and by preference I elect to have sugar free mixers although natural sugars are fine for me, on this ship you can get Diet Coke, Diet Red Bull and Water nothing more. Now before you scream "Hey use the Freestyle machines!", well only one on the entire ship worked and frankly why should I have to go get my mixer that's what I give the barstewards (see what I did there?) my tip for. The service itself was mixed, some good, great or entirely useless like the moron in Sabor that tried to pour Diet Coke on top of Coke when we corrected her for the second time. Duh.

Speciality dining was ok and the Izumi restaurant was well worth it, the other two we tried not so great and honestly not even memorable. The Wind-Breaker buffet was God awful unless you are a fan of pizza, hot dogs and burgers as many are but trying to find simple veggies was challenging unless pre-mixed with other dishes. Thankfully I enjoy Indian foods and found good options there just before scurvy kicked in, although a banana was only available in the Spa / Gym and grudgingly spared from the smoothie ingredients pile by surly the short order fook. Read more