This was my second trip on the Millie after four trips on its younger sister ship the Constellation. Overall, a fine experience, although the ship is starting to show its age -- spots here and there on the carpets, nicks and scratches on the walls, etc., all show that the maintenance on this ship is not up to the Constellation. The food generally seemed a bit tired, esp the vegetables, although we were on a ship with a large bankers' convention and maybe the cooks just got tired by the second sitting. Nevertheless, the sushi, the spa cafe and the cafeteria were always a good and safe bet. Salads have improved somewhat from my last trip, but not much. As always the wine list is outrageously overpriced, with a $9 New Zeeland Nobilo white wine going for over $30, for example. I know you have to make money somewhere, but really this is too much of a mark-up, same with the $9.00 martinis.

Staff was less uptight than the Millie. There is a more relaxed feel to this ship than the Millie. The Cruise Director and his assistant seemed downright pleased with their jobs and not too plastic like the one on the Millennium; they made things seem fresh, even though someone has got to write the Captain a new joke or two. Most of the customer relations desk folks were kind of officious at times. The Greek officers seem unusually grim and surly even for Chandos, but one can usually avoid them, though they do strike me as threatening when one meets them at immigration or at the tenders. But the waiters and stewards had a lightness to their jobs that did not seem coached. I am not sure if it was the convention crowd or what, but the dining room just seemed to be full of fun. One criticism is that there can be less running by the staff between tables.

Music on deck seemed quite dull compared to Millie, but folks got into it anyway. The music in the martini bar was consistently off-key all week, but the jazz guitarist near the stern was a gem and should have had a better venue in which to perform. We went to a couple of so so talks and a great church service. The wine tasting event can be easily skipped. Do spend some time exploring the wonderful art on this ship, art that far surpasses that on the Millennium. Read more