Andy & I are both suffering from withdrawal & PCD. It was a bitter blow to discover we were not able to take the ship's staff home with us - not Allan, our perpetually smiling steward, or our favorite wait staff. So with no one to wait on us hand & foot & anticipate our every need we're a little grumpy. I can't say that we met anyone in a bad mood or acted discourteously, staff or guests. Even though we were warned, we discovered we were unprepared for the actual physical size of the ship. As a new member and avid reader of Cruise Critic, I was very excited in anticipation of actually meeting some of the folks whose posts and reviews I have so enjoyed. My first big mistake was in not printing out the locations for the sail-away party and meet and greet. I bought the mardi gras beads and wore them around for two days before giving up. Even so I believe it was one of the best vacations we have ever had.

The food was to die for and it was literally all over the place. We fell into a routine of breakfast at the Horizon Buffet where i pigged out on the fresh fruits and Omelette's. Andy never forgoing his morning workout just had juice. They also offered corned beef hash, kippered herring and smoked salmon. Lunch was a new place everyday.I especially enjoyed the International Cafe with choices of different cold salads, croissants and of course the famous cookies, cakes, ice cream and sorbets. The coffee bar right next to it made it perfect. I must say that the coffee and tea served in the dining room and buffet was pretty much undrinkable. Dinner was usually in the dining room. We had anytime dining and never had to wait more than five minutes for a table. We met a lot of lovely people and enjoyed the excellent food along with the ambiance. Oh, I must not forget afternoon tea where cucumber sandwiches were served along with the cookies and scones. I had tasted scones before and always wondered what all the fuss was about. Now I know. They were served piping hot and were crumbly on the outside and melt in your mouth tender on the inside. There were several trivia contests each day some of which found us teaming with a Missouri couple and their two lovely daughters. We went to a wine tasting and no sommelier ever has to worry about losing a job to either of us. The evening entertainment was fair, to good part of the time. A little disappointing overall. The excursions offered something unique in each one which I will talk about later. We spent the week in a floating palace, eating like kings and being waited on hand and foot. What's not to like?