Flew into Miami a day early and stayed at the Loews in South Beach - nice hotel with great access to the beach. Embarcation the next day was painless with the ship looking very impressive indeed!

First stop were the slides and pools - DS had a wonderful time and then we headed for our aft cabin. Wandered through the buffet at Garden Cafe and it looked excellent - tremendous selection, a huge steamship roast being carved and lots of salads and attractive side dishes. When we got to our cabin it REEKED of smoke. Spoke with the room steward and he said he would take care of it. (Loved the balcony, and as it was on the side of the ship the balcony appeared to be a little larger than our neighbor who had cabins on either side - also enjoyed the use of the aft stairway).

Dinner at Cagney's that night was a huge disappointment - steaks were just OK, but my wife ordered crab legs and they were terrible. I ordered the apple crisp dessert and it was cold in the center. Returned to cabin - smoke smell still strong. Visited reception desk the next morning and they sent up an ozonator machine which we let run all day. Smoke magnitude had receded but still present. DS went to the kids club and loved it - he would go as often as possible throughout the cruise. Had breakfast in the Garden Cafe and although crowded found a table fairly easily and no complaints whatsoever about the food what with eggs made to order and a host of other offerings. Shanghai for dinner that night - not really moved one way or the other. The setting was nice but food unremarkable. Read more