We have been on several cruises including Alaska, Mexico, Panama Canal, Hawaii, and Europe, and this cruise provided the least engaging experience of all.

We were in a balcony stateroom which showed substantial wear. The drawers were dirty with numerous stains in them and bags left there by previous occupants. The TV, an old Sony Trinitron with traditional picture tube, had a worn yellowing white plastic case and off kilter cover for old style av jacks. In the United States, this would have been retired many years ago. The balcony provided a very good view of aft side of the ship (we were in the far back), and also provided a very good view of large patches of rust on the ship perhaps 50 feet away. Turn down service was lacking. Other cruise lines provide flowers or chocolate in the evening, but here, bedding was not even folded. With other cruise lines, with children in the room, towel animals would be plentiful. This cruise provided the fewest with less than one a day.

The evening dining room experience was good with excellent staff, but middling food which was lacking in taste and well below regular cruise average. Soups generally tasted the same whether they were Miso, Mushroom, or other western variety. It appeared that the same broth was used and different variations created simply by adding vegetables. Choices were fewer than usual, and this was the first cruise in memory which did not include a crab or lobster dinner. Portions were "healthy" - probably a good thing, substantially smaller than the usual portions we received on other cruises. The steak consisted of three slices of meat totaling maybe less than 2 ounces. Free drinks offered before the meal included water - No juices, milk, ice tea, hot tea, nor coffee. Coffee and tea were offered prior to dessert though. Staff was excellent and provided lots of attention. This might have been because the dining room appeared half empty (first seating)and were were one of only a few passengers who spoke English. Read more