Don't sleep on Blu if in Aqua Class or even considering. First time cruising and already looking for when to go again on the awesome Silhouette!
Embarkation
5 out of 5
As this was our first cruise, I have nothing to compare it to. However, there weren't any hiccups and we got on the boat without issue.
Ship experiences
Food and Dining
5 out of 5
Great selections, great service. The World Class Bar, outside of the theater is absolutely amazing especially if you have the premium package. Every drink is meticulously planned out. In talking with Andrej, the head bartender for that bar, we learned that it takes 3 hours to prep the syrups, juices and garnishes... which after seeing and tasting, I don't doubt one bit. Worth the wait for a fantastic beverage.
Craft Social Bar
5 out of 5
Awesome! If you like to be adventurous, don't shy away from Qsine. The dishes aren't just different to be different. They simply took great dishes and find a way to make them a bit different by putting some sort of spin on them to make them fun. Definitely give it a shot, especially if you can get a deal on it the first day on the ship. Walk around and you might find 30%-40% off of a specialty restaurant that evening.
Blu Restaurant
5 out of 5
Wondering if Aqua Class is worth it? Let's just say that the service from the wait staff, the somilier's assistance and the food are worth of a specialty restaurant on the ship. If you aren't there for the food, from what I understand you'll be just as happy with the MDR. However, my wife and I like to eat well and try new things so this was the way to go. The problem is that now we will expect this every time and likely have to upgrade to Aqua Class.
Martini Bar
4 out of 5
Great drinks, pretty solid service. There was a little bit of variance between the bartenders, but the drinks were still good. Occasionally there was a bit of a wait when there was a show, but rarely more than 5 or so minutes for a drink.
Onboard Activities
4 out of 5
Pools were pretty crowded if you didn't get up early or wait until folks started heading to lunch, as was the fitness center. The spa area was great and the theater was nice. I'm not a person that enjoys a lot of shows, however the comedians were pretty solid and the music acts were nice. Wasn't too wild about the singing/dancing show, however it was only 45 minutes.
Entertainment
4 out of 5
Musicians were good, comedians were solid, Celebrity's casted show was merely ok.
Children's Programs
No children with us
Service and Staff
5 out of 5
A+ all around. It would take too long to name everyone, but all we had interactions with were fantastic. Anthony, our steward was one of the nicest and helpful human beings I've ever interacted with - recreational or professional.
Ship Quality
5 out of 5
Huge ship, and everything was very clean and in order. I never had to mention anything, but with the attentiveness of that staff I guarantee that if I would have, it would have been taken care of quickly.
Cabin / Stateroom
5 out of 5
Cabin was clean, ample shower and storage. To be honest the cabin had more storage than I was expecting. When you looked down from the balcony, you could see the life boats however there was not an obstructed view at all. I loved the location being that we were just back of center and up high enough to be away from most of the hustle and bustle. Would definitely stay in this location again.
Ship tip
If you enjoy good food, Aqua Class is seriously worth consideration. We didn't use the spa as much as we thought and the other small amenities were ok, however Blu was worth it for us. If you are happy with the MDR, probably wouldn't be worth it for you. Blu offers a bit more intimacy and comparing the menus, a bit more "upscale" fare.
No excursion, just walked about town for a bit. Find a place for some good mofongo - look it up. Punto de Vista on the top of a hotel in Old San Juan... worth it for sure, especially if you can get there for happy hour.
Magens Bay, awesome beach. Plenty of places to throw down a towel. Grab an extra excursion towel from your steward and don't waste the money on the chairs. You have to pay a deposit and drag it down to wherever you want to setup. Don't waste the time with that, spend your time in the clear blue water lounging and watching the pelicans.
Little more "touristy" than St Thomas in my estimation, however the water is just as spectacular. Take the water taxi ($7 per person round trip) across the bay and lounge in a chair with an umbrella. You won't be dissappointed.
Only reason not 5 stars is that we had to get off the ship. Checked the bags, no hassle picking them up, just a bit of a wait at the carousel. Pretty seamless.
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