If you are looking for relaxation, this is the ship for you. I forgot to mention the Library and card room. Just awesome! Clean ship, great Captain (Kate), friendly staff, great evening shows! It's got it all!
Embarkation
3 out of 5
Once we got through security we stood in line for almost an hour. The Aqua class did not have enough staff to check us in, only two individuals - one who seemed new - over three at the other check-in areas
Ship experiences
Food and Dining
5 out of 5
Food, drink and service in Blu was exceptional. Both at breakfast and dinner. Everything was perfect. Greeted and seated almost immediately, two of us with great seats by the windows. The hostess (short, blond wish I remembered her name) did a great job of handling the rush and very good with people. Our Assistant waiter Dwayne (St. Lucia) was the highlight of our day. Friendly, funny :) efficient, helpful, always willing to please and go out of his way to make our day. I wanted avocado with my breakfast and it wasn't on the menu. He brought some to me every morning! Our waiter was also a highlight of the day (Selario (?) from Bali)! Also friendly, efficient and very knowledgeable. Exceptional knowledge of the menu - EVERY TIME - with great recommendations. I have a few food allergies - he remembered and helped me know the best thing to order! Love these two!
The Spa Café
5 out of 5
Smaller bites, healthy alternative to eating at the Oceanview for breakfast or lunch. Close to my room so easy to pick up a cup of coffee and hot tea in the morning. Good smooties too!
Cafe al Bacio and Gelateria
5 out of 5
Fast and friendly even when slammed with people. Great coffee every time!!
Blu Restaurant
5 out of 5
Blu is probably one of the best restaurant's in it's class. I give it five stars for staff, design, service and the food was exceptional. My compliments to the Chef(s)!!
Onboard Activities
5 out of 5
Pools were good but way too crowded for my taste most days. Had to lay out on the lawn on the upper deck. Fitness center is perfect! loved the treadmills and weight machines! The locker room is exceptional. Spa is great too, but a bit pricey.
Entertainment
4 out of 5
Loved the evening entertainment, especially the individuals/groups brought on ship for specific shows. I give this a five star rating. The ship's singer/dance troop is talented, love them! However, the shows and costumes seem outdated and need to be refreshed. Pretty sure they had the same costumes on my Equinox cruise last year. Kyle Tacie is great, he's a keeper. The other groups are sub-par and lack energy. Oft times off-key
Persian Garden
4 out of 5
The Persian Garden is great - relaxing chairs with a sea view. Love the showers, wet spa and dry sauna. The only down side was that it was always busy. Not enough spa lounges to go around.
Service and Staff
5 out of 5
Again, waiters mentioned above in Blu were exceptional. Also our Sommilier Alex was wonderful! All the staff at Blue are top notch. The bar tenders at the Mast Bar and Casino bar are the best. Efficient, quick and friendly. The head bar tender at the Casino is exceptional! Our room steward (1578) was great too! The Spa staff was exceptional and skillful - two facials and two massages. My facial was done by a lady from South Africa - loved her, professional, skillful and relaxing. I had the best full body massage, followed up with a tension releasing massage the next day. Wow, again just the best - maybe Nina?
Ship Quality
5 out of 5
Common areas were well-maintained and clean! The wash rooms for the most past were stocked and clean. I saw ship's leadership checking the wash rooms often. If the wash room wasn't up to expectations they would making it right. The layout and design of the ship is good!
Cabin / Stateroom
5 out of 5
For a cruise ship in Aqua class everything was good. I appreciated that the TV was hung on the wall and did not take up counter space. For two people the balcony is a good size and I appreciate the foot stool. Bathroom is a very nice size!
Ship tip
This ship seems to cater to an older crowed. At times, even at my age (58) I would like activities with more energy / physical activities besides dancing. That said, it was relaxing and enjoyable.
USVI seems like it is still recovering from the last storm. However, it still seems run down in the city. We did not go on an excursion because the booked one was cancelled and the one the cruise line re-booked us for was for about the same price but was shorter with less activities offered.
The beach at Antigua was amazing but it was a public beach and we were bothered by women hocking their stuff the whole time we were there! I understand tourism is how they make their living but to approach us over and over again is not exceptable, especially on an excursion booked through the cruise line.
It was pouring down rain much of the time but excellent the same. They have top knotch security and the excursion we took was amazing. Great crew and knowledgeable. Snorkeled with the turtles in the rain! Hope to return to Barbados to explore more of the island and learn the culture!
My favorite port, just a beautiful place. The excursion to the beach was great (almost)! This was a private beach yet the people bothered us ALL THE TIME! They just didn't take no for an answer unless you finally got rude. The excursion staff indicated to tell them and they would take care of it but couldn't find them when I needed them. The beach was amazing... white sand and water sports if you wanted. The water sports people were nice, friendly and not pushy. Hope to return to St. Lucia also.
It was pouring down rain most of the time at St. Maarten. We have coffee in a little place near the beach. Very good food. Did a bit of shopping - having a Hard Rock cafe was a bonus for me as I'm a big Hard Rock fan! We took the water taxi over - I give them **** - but walked back because of the rain storm.
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