WIFI marginal. Drink package a rip off, especially when you have to wait and wait and wait to get a drink.
Embarkation
5 out of 5
Kind of chaotic due to large number of people checking in plus all the luggage but still went smoothly. We got there on the early side and were glad we did. We enjoyed a few extra hours getting settled in. We got in our room immediately. Luggage came later so take something you can wear until luggage arrives.
Ship experiences
Food and Dining
3 out of 5
Main dining room was very nice. Good food and friendly staff. The Windjammer buffet was very good. I always had to take a bit of everything it looked so good. (gained 8 lbs on the cruise....) Good staff there, too. The drink package is very expensive. The cost looks like $57 per person per day in the brochure they show you, but they don't show you clearly that there is ALSO an 18% added tip. So for the two of us it was about $650 just for beverages for 5 days. Yikes. If you leave the ship for excursions you aren't using the free drinks available on the ship. You can pay the exorbitant prices one drink at a time, I think, and come out ahead. We didn't take any alcohol on board with us. We saw several people bringing bottled water on. Good idea. It was also very aggravating having to wait to get a drink when the bars were busy. The worst wait was 25 minutes to get two drinks. Often we didn't have to wait at all. It seemed like the bars were very undermanned on occasion. The thing that seemed silly to me was that they have to log in every drink order you make in the computer/register when you get drinks. They spend as much, if not more, time doing that part than making drinks! The bartenders were waiting two or three deep at the register instead of serving drinks. All-inclusive resorts have it all over the cruises in this area. Just give me a drink!
Onboard Activities
4 out of 5
Always something going on if you wanted to get involved. Plenty of room to do what you want as well.
Entertainment
5 out of 5
We were very impressed with the ice skating show and the evening performances by the singers and dancers. The orchestra was top-notch!
Children's Programs
Did not take kids.
Service and Staff
4 out of 5
It would be 5 stars, except for the occasional slow service at the bars. It was a matter of manning and required computer use I think, not lack of service on bartenders part.
Ship Quality
4 out of 5
Smoke from the smoking areas drifts into non-smoking areas. Ship was very clean! Rooms were very clean!
Cabin / Stateroom
4 out of 5
Very clean! We could feel a grinding/vibration/shudder most of the time in our cabin. WIFI was almost unusable in the cabin. We had to go towards the middle of the ship to get a strong signal. Slow at best!
Ship tip
We went out on our own instead of taking excursions. There is still hurricane (Irma) damage in St. Thomas and St. Martin but beaches still beautiful.
Took the water taxi to and from the beach. Easy. Plenty of deals for a chair and umbrella at the beach. We got two chairs, an umbrella and 5-6 beers for $20. (Feb. '18)
It seemed very unorganized. There wasn't enough room for people trying to leave early to catch flights. We were told customs was the hold up for not being able to get off the ship. Only one person was around to help/give information. She seemed overwhelmed by the number of people there. They have a light breakfast with coffee out in the waiting area. Maybe the later departures went smoother.
Helps to do your research. A little looking would’ve told you about the auto 18% on top of drink package price. And def not worth the package if you have a busy itinerary with excursions.
The drink package for me is great. I was on adventure in September and never had to wait for a drink. 5 a day, you break even. Remember it includes sodas, bottled water, specialty coffees and fresh squeezed juice also.
Thanks for your comment. My husband and I've been debating getting the drink package. The cruise we will be going on it would cost $358.45 for the cheers program. We really gave thought it is a crazy amount. I think we will be just fine with buying 1 bottle of Bacardi and bringing the allowed 2 bottles of wine. That would cost us about $115 and on the day of port we will drink on the island. We will be saving $243.45!
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