This was a newer offering and the ports and stops included places we had not been to before. The entire crew worked to make the voyage wonderful! I do not recall the hotel manager’s name, but he made every gathering fun and funny. What a great sense of humor. The program director Kalin was always on the ball and foot great care of us during our time with him. Chef Galin (and Kalin) is from Bulgaria. We have visited there and had a wonderful discussion on the second morning, about his country, our visit, and our Neice who is also from Bulgaria. During that conversation at breakfast time, my wife and I told him how much we loved the Shapska Salad in his country. In fact, we eat is at home regularly and include Bulgarian feta cheese!

After the morning excursion, we sat down to lunch and were reviewing the menu, when two traditional Bulgarian Shapska Salads were brought out to us. That is what I call going above and beyond!!!

Although the ship was only about half full, I was impressed when the staff began calling us by our individual names, as early as the first evening!!! Darwin, who was part of the crew, remembered everyone’s name and which drink they preferred! Several times, I no sooner sat down, than a coke was placed in front of me. Read more