Very fun. Ship is in great shape for an older ship and all excursions and activities were fun. Longer itinerary meant we had more sea days so it was confusing to know which nights were formal (The RC app conflicted with cruise compass on that). Got off the ship in every port and even if you’ve seen them before, they need our business so consider shopping local at each stop if you can. Right now there are barely any kids on board so if you like cruising with grownups now is the time.
Embarkation
4 out of 5
Very efficient considering how much paperwork they had to process.
Important for all adults: make sure your records show completed required shots outside the timeline RC is requiring, as well as get testing inside the required timeline, or you will not be allowed to board. We saw it happen 😦 Read your emails and pre cruise instructions carefully. Also, take care when answering pre-embarkation health screen questions as you cannot change them once submitted.
If you need to, CVS testing locations near IAH are pretty open and they do let you schedule rapid antigen testing online, you can take the test the day before the cruise and get results writhing a few hours. (This is not guaranteed for PCR testing.)
Ship experiences
Food and Dining
4 out of 5
The main dining was overall great, only not 5 stars because personally our dinner service was hit or miss but they are returning to cruising and may not have the kinks worked out yet. Other servers were spectacular when we went for brunch in the main dining.
The food had some definite highlights like the lemon tart, the pumpkin soup, the corn cake, and the dessert soufflé- many of the vegetarian entrees were really good.
WJ was fine, especially the international food - I enjoyed having the option for Indian food and sautéed veggies for breakfast. Lots of healthy choices in WJ.
Very clean and very nice.
Onboard Activities
5 out of 5
Loved the FlowRider and the Rock Wall and the walk/jogging track. Mini golf course area is great for lounging and enjoying the breeze. Lots of ways to stay active on board and be in the fresh air.
The pools were clean and not at all crowded. Plenty of room for all. Lots of board and card games to check out in the library.
Entertainment
5 out of 5
Grease was great - the Schooner Bar featured some of the cast of Grease doing a singalong which was so fun. Greg the piano man who was often on floor 6 was definitely a fun impromptu party every night for those who love to sing. Karaoke in star Lounge was fun but only lasted an hour. Freeze Frame was cute. Mind of a Tenor was good if you like Soul and Yacht Rock.
One note: the 70s and 80s “dance parties” were just like jazzercise classes it was so odd and cringey. I wish they would have just let us dance to the music instead of getting people to line up and imitate the dancers on stage like weird exercise classes - why??? Ugh. RC just let us dance!
Service and Staff
3 out of 5
Wish our personal staff had been as efficient as they were friendly. I can’t speak for the whole ship but we had to beg ice shampoo conditioner and towel animals from our room steward and never got the perks we should have for the level we are. In main dining we had to ask over and over for things and food came out at odd times. I just feel bad they can’t get off the boat yet, and they were very polite and friendly. Must be tough to be a sever on board right now. Just keep in mind they might not be as 5 star right now as you’re used to from RC.
Bar service was great throughout the ship. WJ service was also great.
Ship Quality
5 out of 5
Sanitizing stations everywhere and staff was cleaning everything all the time.
Ship tip
Book the trip! Ports are on their way back up and need our business, there are lots of friendly people, cruises aren’t full right now so it’s nice - and have patience with the staff, this is new and they are trying.
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