I got what I paid for, and I'm grateful, but............

Absolutely marvelous, except for a 30 minute wait outside in the wind. I arrived early, and at the "corrected" time, due to an inspection, I entered the outside queue. It was windy and chilly, but after about 45 minutes I got inside. I had everything ready and organized. For me, it was a matter of MINUTES after I got inside the terminal door.

All my meals were in the My Fair Lady dining room and the 9th floor modified buffet. A mild disappointment, the dining room was noisy, frantic, there was no "entertainment" like I've seen in the past (singing, parade of nations, etc.), but I'll blame that on COVID. No worries. All staff were wearing KN95 masks.

The covered, indoor pool looked nice. I sat there for a while many days. Very disappointed in the activities I would have enjoyed. Television: for me there was an "old" movie channel (Poseidon Adventure) , MSNBC, BBC, FOX, and the ship information channels. There was no "Close-Circuit" television so there were no "re-runs" of game activities. There were no "pool parties" that I know of, for example, drink mixing demo and then having passengers play the game. I don't think there was a weather channel. There were only two movies and one of those was outside; they we at the same time as other plans. I think, but not sure, they were only shown once. The large theater sat empty most of the day. The upper level "night club" didn't open until night; as far as I know it was not used for any other purpose. Trivia, my favorite activity of all, was subdued due to the new activity assistant who spoke 7 languages but barely English; each question took her, with help, an extended time to simply read. Ten questions was about her limit for the 30-40 minutes allotted. The Schooner Bar was the site of most of the Trivia I attended; there was constant thru traffic and, as a linear area, it was not cohesive, I prefer an area more square or rectangle rather than a linear area. People stood in end corners, a large piano and podium/desk/sound system was also in the middle and in the way. There was no theme days. There was no time where states or countries were recognized in a group. No Captain's Table dinners; no Kitchen Tours, no Flower Arranging. No classes at all. None. I am grateful to science that we are allowed to cruise at all, truly, and when another passenger would grumble, I tried to turn the conversation around to be truly grateful for what we pleasantly had. Most of the activities I mention brings together a large group of people. But, we were allowed to go into the theater and not wear a mask and sit next to each other, strangers. Ballroom music was pre-recorded for one night in an area so people could practice dancing. Yes, every afternoon, there was a 30 min dance class in the Atrium floor, including foxtrot, rumba, salsa, line dancing, etc. It was the first week of CDC allowance for Mask Optional. All staff wore masks 100%, even outside.

No orchestra. Stage show was very nice but I think it only played one night out of 7. There was a very good juggler, a good family comedian and then with the late-night adult show. The doo-whop group "The Alley Cats" played twice. Shows seems short. Forty-five minutes were allowed for the entire show. One thing I want to give kudos to: the costumes were tasteful. Kudos to the costumer. I've been on cruise ships before that the female entertainer costumes were almost lewd, tactless, and it made me uncomfortable with my seatmates and children. Musicians? I assume the show was set to a musical tape because there was not an orchestra that I saw.

Solo adult

Always excellent, never acted rushed even when they were. Many staff seemed to be new, but that would be expected after ramping up from a 2 year close. I have learned through the years that cruise spas will take my money fast, sigh, so I can't opine about the spa staff.

Ship is showing it's age, but, just because it's about 25 years old, it's ok. Additionally, the ship was closed for about two years during the Pandemic; I am grateful to be cruising at all. The ship was lengthened in the middle at one point. (Whatever you do, do not choose a stateroom in the ship center that borders on the Atrium....terribly noisy area, I can only assume these people are miserable with noise.) The Atrium is beautiful but is actually a lot of wasted space. A section of ship is only for Diamond and Above Level cruisers (??), I know there were areas that I couldn't enter. The bathrooms throughout the ship were spotless, immaculate. I found my room clean, somewhat lightly worn, but totally fine. I requested a bedsheet to cover the couch and then I felt absolutely fine with stretching out on it to watch TV. No USB plugs --- bring your own electric outlet with converter. Better, if you are more than one person in your cabin, bring a cruise approved (not a surge-protector) multiple outlet strip. There was one electric plug on the desk. The electric plug in the bathroom is inside the top-most cabinet. Common areas were very clean and very well-maintained. 7522 Fridge worked great. I had pre-ordered water delivery....not only was it water, it was Evian water. That was a bargain. The Soda package. Hmmm. There were two (?) machines for self-filling, otherwise any bartender would fill it but only with the basics. For example, I asked the bartender for caffeine free sugar-free drink. Said he didn't even have sugar-free ginger ale. The one soda machine was broken because it didn't have ice, but I could get ice at a water machine six feet away and get soda easily. Layout? I'm no expert, but I kept thinking there was a lot of empty areas. And, by the end of the cruise, I had heard that a Chinese or Japanese restaurant area was no longer open, along with some other things. Perhaps COVID restrictions, perhaps lack of use? One guest asked where could they get sushi? None. The cleaners were about their task all the time. Hand sanitizer stations were multiple.

Starboard forward cabin. I would recommend this cabin. Perfect. Quiet, end of the ship, no through traffic. I would ask for this cabin again. However, for those sensitive, remember it is a Forward cabin so you may have some motion.

I carried my own bags off the ship at my assigned time of 0830. Less than five minutes to get off.