Very very very last minute (booked 2 days ahead) and the only room left was an Aqua Class Balcony room on 11th floor. Great room, location was terrific and near everything (directly above the buffet). As an Aqua Class, one of the benefits I thought was the highest value proved to be of nearly no value to me, and that was access to the Thermal Suite in the Spa. My reasoning was first, the room was in the back of the ship, and to get to the front of the ship, we had to go out on deck, walk all the way to the front and then down a level. When wanting a quick warm up in the thermal suite or a relaxing sit in the steam rooms, all of that was lost as soon as you had to trek back to your room. We have done this on other ships (this is our 25th+ cruise), and you can put on your spa slippers and a robe and buzz down the hall to use the spa. This was so inconvenient that it "harshed my mellow". The thermal suite was not great anyhow. They had a eucalyptus steam room that theoretically could fit 4 people if you like facing two strangers touching knees. The heated loungers were actually more like heated chairs and none of the relaxation you get from laying back and having your legs and feet elevated. They also had a "sahara" room that was also dry heat tiles, but too hot to even sit with a towel underneath you -- skin was burning within seconds. So overall we went once, tried a second time and left within minutes. The Thassolatherapy pool was public and out of the spa area so that was not part of a relaxing experience either.

The real value of Aqua Class was dining in Blu. The restaurant was exclusive to that class, and was personal, quiet, easy to get a two person window seat. I enjoy meeting other people while dining, and although we were mostly at two person tables, they were configured so you could talk to the people next to you easily. The staff was top notch, the food excellent, and all a cut above on sophistication over the other "big box" cruise lines out there.

Canyon Ranch Spa despite the thermal suite was amazing. I had no intention of having spa treatments but ended up with two massages and one conditioner/blow dry treatment that all were amazing. The staff were delightful, well trained and really good. The hot stone massage was the best I have ever had (ask for Nipa...her hands are out of this world). Read more