I booked this last-minute cruise as a way to disconnect and have fun. Overall, it was a successful trip! The cruise staff was pleasant and worked hard to correct any issues brought to their attention. As a solo cruiser, I particularly appreciate the "freestyle cruising" concept because it allows me the flexibility to meet new people if I wish, or to find a quiet spot on the ship to read and relax. The solo cruisers on this trip spanned many age groups, and it seemed everyone found plenty to do!

The ship was nice; you can tell it was dry-docked last year because the common areas aren't showing any extensive wear-and-tear yet. That said, the theater was a bit smaller than I experienced on Escape (it spans two decks on the Escape), so it was a bit more difficult to get reservations or my first choice of seating location. The pool area can become quite crowded on sea days because a significant amount of upper-deck space is dedicated to paid areas (Haven, Vibe sundecks). That said, there's plenty of comfortable, shaded seating along the mid-deck "Waterfront" area for those looking to lounge outside without direct sun.

Overall, the food was good. We especially enjoyed having early dinner in The Manhattan on sea days because the Burn the Floor dancers would put on a brief but incredible show (check the Freestyle Daily, but it was around 6p each night it happened for us). Service was slow when we have a large group (over 2 hours whenever we had more than six people dining together) but the food was usually hot and well-seasoned when we received it. Make sure to try out the Shanghai Noodle Bar -- it's reservation-only but also complimentary, and the food was very good and made to order! Read more