We arrived at Santiago on the 3rd of January for a 2 day stay before our cruise. If I can give one piece of advice about our travel arrangements it is try NOT TO TRAVEL BY T.A.M., THEY WERE DREADFUL, THE FOOD WAS AWFUL, THE STAFF HOPELESS, THE ARRANGEMENTS AT SAO PAOLO CHAOTIC AND COMPLETELY UNPROFESSIONAL. ALTOGETHER A DREADFUL EXPERIENCE, AND IF I CAN POSSIBLY ARRANGE IT. I WILL NEVER TRAVEL WITH THEM AGAIN. If you are staying in Santiago at all before your embarkation, take the warnings to heart about wearing jewellery and valuables I was mugged for a little gold chain I was wearing, this was a present and has much sentimental value, but I didn't think I would be a target. Fortunately he didn't manage to snatch it but it was broken when he tried to tear it off my neck, a very unpleasant experience indeed. The ship was delayed by bad weather, so we had to wait at the hotel which was comfortable and had lunch there and were picked up about 4 p.m. The embarkation was fairly speedy as we had been streamed so didn't have too long to wait in line before receiving our documentation and being bussed to the ship, also having experienced the chaos that was Royal Carribean in the past, it was simplicity itself and getting to the cabin was smooth and easy. The only bad thing about it was, when the bus arrived at the dock at Valparaiso, we had to manhandle our own cases to the loading bay as the bus was not allowed to park nearer and there were no porters or trolleys available, not funny for anyone elderly or like me with an injured back!

The ship was fine, clean and comfortable. Our Cabins were fine, I liked that the shower and lavatory were on the outside wall next to the door with a storage/wardrobe area in front, this made the 'bedroom/living' area seperate, which I liked.

The service staff were polite and helpful at all times. I liked the decor in the public ares as well as in the dining rooms and buffet areas and the bars, an effort had been made to make the decor in each of the bars a little different. The food and food presentation was universally excellent and the service good, (however if ever tempted to try the 'Irish Lamb stew' - don't it comes as a sort of soup - very strange indeed). The food in the Horizon court which was the breakfast area and casual dining area was also good, although the breakfast buffet was not as extensive as other ships I've been on. The only problem with the Horizon court was finding a table, as often people would linger after breakfast reading books and talking etc. despite people roaming around looking for tables, and no members of staff encouraging people to move on. The Pizza and fast food bars were good. BUT THE WORST THING OF ALL WAS THE COFFEE WHICH WAS DREADFUL, I presume in an effort to get you to buy the specialty coffees, which were extra. Read more