This was our 24th cruise. Each one is different, but there are many similarities. The locations we visited in South Africa are so different from what we encountered elsewhere in the world. We were in a more primitive environment overall. The ship personnel took care of us well, the ship took us where we were going reliably, and the atmosphere on board was pleasant and made us feel safe. One special note: I play the piano and hoped to find a piano I could play on to retain my skills. I found one in the Drawing Room and had a chance to play a few Christmas tunes out there. I liked that, and the very few passengers who joined me in that room seemed to enjoy the music.
Embarkation
5 out of 5
The embarkation process was fast and efficient. No problem there.
Ship experiences
Food and Dining
5 out of 5
We had excellent meals in the dining room, and they were even better in the specialty restaurants. The more casual restaurant (oddly called Windows) offered a great variety of food. The desserts were good, but the rest was so-so. Worst were the cereals, in the morning, as there was not much variety and they didn't look or taste like the US brands we're used to.
Onboard Activities
4 out of 5
The best activities may have been the lectures offered on the areas we were about to visit, as they were enlightening. The swimming pool on this ship is minuscule and we didn't use it, as the weather was fairly cool.
Entertainment
4 out of 5
The ship's staff performed on most of the shows, and they were great. Not too much variety, though.
Children's Programs
There were no children around. This was a cruise for adults.
Service and Staff
5 out of 5
We had a suite and were attended to by both a butler and a room attendant. The butler was particularly attentive to our needs and very helpful. Other ship personnel performed quite well.
Ship Quality
5 out of 5
Our ship capacity was 704 passengers, so the layout was fairly simple but adequate. The common areas were clean and well-maintained.
Cabin / Stateroom
4 out of 5
This turned out to be a suite with a main bathroom and an auxiliary small bathroom. We found it to be spacious and clean. Situated at a front corner of the ship, it offered great panoramic views. We had a bed that would make creaking noises when the sea was rough. We had a great shower but it had one flaw: no grab bars to grab when the sea was rocking the ship, increasing our chances of falling. That's a safety hazard that needs to be addressed. A terrible oversight, considering the age of most guests.
Ship tip
Don't expect too much from the internet service on board. The satellite service in some locations at sea can be unavailable. Don't count on being able to upload photos, for instance.
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