This was a relaxing 18 day holiday and the only reason we selected it was the two day Easter Island option. This and the ship far exceed our expectations. If you are looking for a fun cruise experience lots of joint activities, sail away parties and more "general fun around the pool and ship bars" then this cruise-line may not be for you. However, if you want to relax, unwind, not worry if there is a sunbed spare on deck, enjoy some lovely food, then you are in for a treat. We will be back on Marina soon:)
Embarkation
5 out of 5
This was the simplest embarkation we have experienced. No queuing, simply filled out a disclaimer and on we went, simple.
Ship experiences
Food and Dining
5 out of 5
The ship has 4 speciality restaurants that offer 4 different dining experiences and each was excellent. On this cruise line these are included in the cost, not extra. These are can be pre booked online before you arrive on the ship. When on-board if there is one you wanted to go to again, then you can apply at the concierge desk and they will try to get you a table for that day, we did and were lucky each time. The "Grand Dining Room" was very impressive and the food was good too. There is also an informal dining option at the Terrace Cafe (with outside seating weather permitting) and Waves Grill. Here again the food was of good quality, plentiful and the service was excellent throughout. We upgraded to the unlimited drinks package, with 11 sea days it was a sound investment as we both like a drink a two throughout the day. We did not want the worry of the bill at the end this can soon mount up at an average drink price of 10USD including compulsory gratuity.
Onboard Activities
3 out of 5
The pool area is the main attraction and the big plus on this cruise line, plenty of sun beds no need to get up at the crack of dawn. There is a gym, spa, crazy golf small tennis court none got very busy and you could go whenever you wanted to.
Entertainment
3 out of 5
This is limited and the quality was ok just!! It is fair to say that the average age on this cruise was older (70 average in my opinion) than we have experienced on other cruises. The entertainment reflected this more elderly clientele. No sail away parties, no disco's, no late night dancing, no pool games. After 10PM in the evening most bars were very quiet and some dead as a dodo! The daytime lectures that took place in the morning and afternoon were excellent and well attended. There was a show most evenings that offered a mix of acts and were ok.
Children's Programs
No children with us.
Service and Staff
5 out of 5
All well trained and professional. This is the adjective I would use to describe the overall experience from before we boarded to when we left, very professional.
Ship Quality
5 out of 5
By far the best ship we have been on, by a country mile!
Cabin / Stateroom
4 out of 5
We had an inside cabin 9023. I'm a bad sailor and wanted to be as close to the centre of the ship as possible and this certainly helped on the first two sea days that were a challenge for me. The cabin is adequate, however, the shower cubicle is minuscule. Drop the soap onto the floor at your peril, trying getting to get it back should be televised as a sport! Again the standards of cleanliness were superb.
Ship tip
Sit back and enjoy the ride, let time slip by sipping cool cocktail, you've earned it!
We stayed for two days (an overnight on the Island). We had to sign a disclaimer as we did not tender back to the ship overnight :0) We hired car and did all the sights ourselves. With the benefit of the guide book and ship lectures we were well prepared and saw it all, plus manged to hike to the highest point (2,600ft) and back, that was well worth the effort. The ship excursions were very very expensive. We did the lot including car hotel and meals for the price of two excursions on the ship. Easter Island is very very expensive and the quality of food and accommodation is poor. However, you are not going to be impressed with the customer experience, or the expensive poor quality beer, you are going for the archaeology and that is world class.
Tahiti is nothing like you imagine. Its dirty and scruffy, we hired a car and went round both islands nothing of note. The blow hole and water falls are the highlight but don't get too excited as you will be disappointed.
We were told that we would be off the ship by 08:45 and we were to the minute! As you walk out of the customs area you are very much on your own and that takes a little time to re position yourself after having been in a cosseted environment for the last 18 days. You soon readjust to the hustle and bustle of life, worst luck:(
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