One of our best 12 cruises. My only slight disappointment was that we only had two formal evenings out of 13. My husband had rented a tuxedo but he need not have bothered. Many guests were in shirt sleeves. Dress code was not really enforced. Most people probably would find this a plus. Now the we know, we won't take formal clothes next time. Other cruise lines were stricter about dress.
Embarkation
5 out of 5
Fast and smooth. We could check in from 10:30 am.
Ship experiences
Food and Dining
5 out of 5
Main dining room couldn't be faulted. Also the ocean view cafe. We did not use the specialty restaurants as the food was superb elsewhere.
Did not enjoy lunch in the main dining room. Tables were too close together, we had to wait a long time for our food, and the menu was limited. We tried it twice.
Onboard Activities
3 out of 5
Used the fitness centre and took some of the free classes there. Was surprised there was no bridge on board.
Entertainment
5 out of 5
First rate. Good variety. Very entertaining. Wonderful singers, hypnotist and comedian.
Service and Staff
5 out of 5
Impeccable service in the main dining room. Room steward was very attentive. Good service in the Oceanview cafe.
Ship Quality
5 out of 5
Lots of lounges and open areas. Everything was clean.
Cabin / Stateroom
5 out of 5
The most spacious cabin we have ever had on any cruise line. Would definitely get this cabin again. It was also extremely quiet.
Ship tip
Make sure you take a sweater! My only complaint was that the air conditioning was too fierce. Everyone was chilled.
Stayed overnight in Civitavecchia. It is a bit of a drag to get there - approx an hour from Rome. Not worth a visit.
Rome, of course, is a living museum. We stayed there for 5 days and barely scratched the surface.
Second visit. Weather was poor and it was Sunday. Most of the shops were closed. Did not go up the rock again. Enjoyed seeing the apes on the last trip. It's a one-of.
The old city was very picturesque. Lovely harbour, pedestrian walkway and a little train that takes you around. Fresh fruits, flowers and fish on sale. Tons of restaurants, old church and city walls.
We love the formal nights, and renting the tuxedo through cruiselineformalwear.com is so convenient. I get my husband two shirts and the shoes, and that's two nights he doesn't have to pack for!
I'm liking the evening chic as far as not having to get quite so dressed up, the down side though, is that many don't up their dinner clothes for it, they just wear what they would any other evening. Preparing for these nights to go the way of the midnight buffet.
Love formal nights. We’re booked for this ship next year and can’t wait. Can’t understand if people have an issue with formal attire, why don’t they sail with a cruise line that’s far more relaxed? Mind you, it’s not always looking like a tramp, sometimes they smell like one too. Once a couple got into our lift and it smelt like they hadn’t washed for a week! You’d think the hot water in the cabin was extra lol. I always take my tux, when else do we get the chance to dress that formally?
I sailed in September on the Eclipse, there were 4 chic nights on a 11 night cruise. The majority of people did dress up. Evening suits, kilts and ladies in long dresses. Not much chance of formal wear at home so I love it!
I have to agree with you. I don't normally get to dress formally for dinner, so have looked forward to the formal nights on the ship. For those who don't care to participate, eat somewhere else that night. I'm hoping they start to enforce the dress code. My wife and I booked the steakhouse for our anniversary, when another couple showed up with him dressed in shorts and sandles. She was dressed quite nice, not sure what his problem was. Anyway they did ask him to leave. Here's the thing, the steakhouse in very formal, it's billed as such, it's spelled out as far as the dress code is concerned, so not following to rules is just asking for problems. If I wanted to have our anniversary dinner next to that I would have eaten on the Lido deck. I'm glad they enforced the dress code that night.
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