Don't do it. You're tempted, but the price is going to seem a lot higher once you get on board and see what you bought.
Embarkation
4 out of 5
The port facilities are pretty nice, as far as ports go.
Ship experiences
Food and Dining
2 out of 5
Breakfast buffet was kind of gross: watery eggs, uncooked sausage, weird-tasting bacon. If you like Denny's Restaurants, you will be disappointed. The main dining room was ok--but again, don't expect great quality or highly attentive service. Bartenders don't really seem experienced and get easily confused. That said, ALL staff are extremely nice and accommodating, they just don't have the training and support they need to to their jobs. You can't recruit someone from a 3rd world country, put a uniform on them and expect Downton Abbey, now can you?
Viking Crown Lounge
5 out of 5
If you are lucky enough to have loyalty status, this place is amazing. Its like an abandoned nightclub on a star destroyer. It's 360 views on the 14th (highest) deck and the service is extremely accommodating. Its completely empty, of course, and horribly dated in it's decor, but you're there for the views of the sea, which are amazing. Expect for the guardrail along the glass, which is RIGHT at eye level, lol.
Onboard Activities
3 out of 5
The usual suspects.
Entertainment
4 out of 5
Fun and cheesy- you're on a cruise, after all.
Children's Programs
We did not participate in these activities.
Service and Staff
5 out of 5
They do what they can with what they have. They are unfailing polite and helpful and cheerful. They really don't know what's going on, but they try. But, there's a reasons for that, and I'll leave that moral decision up to you. If you want to know more, do a google search to find out what they are paid.
The actual RCCL staff (in jackets with stripes and stuff), and just average. They're nice enough and helpful enough.
Ship Quality
2 out of 5
Clean and tattered. Of course the worst carpet patterns (I called it "vomit confetti" and hanging art, but that's par for the course. This is a budget budget level experience.
Cabin / Stateroom
2 out of 5
Our stateroom was EXTREMELY dated, as in: they built the ship in 1992 and haven't touched a thing. There's lots of sloppily patched paint and finishes, some rust and crust in the bathroom, frayed curtains, missing reading lamps, that kind of thing. It was fairly clean, overall, but carpets are stained, things are dented, lights burned out in elevators, that kind of thing. I'd call it: "The Days Inn Time Forgot."
Its tropical and there's a beach, that's great. Our friends went snorkeling and we did the glass-bottomed boat, and both were just what you'd expect. The fake "local" market was a sad attempt, and the buffet lunch was mediocre. My favorite observation was that despite constant "island" music, architecture, and fruity drinks- no Caribbean food to be found, not even some jerk chicken which you can get in Omaha at TGIFridays. Weird.
There are some mildly interesting land activities (old fort, gardens, etc) to see. And, of course, the aquatic activities you'd imagine. There's grinding poverty (locals) and extreme luxury (vacationers), and not much in between. But the people are nice, and the architecture is cool, so drop some of those American dollars and enjoy the beauty.
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