Manage expectations. But go and enjoy! Worth going
Embarkation
5 out of 5
One of the smoothest I've ever experienced. Went several hours before printed time on my ticket and was on the ship within 30 minutes of getting to port.
Ship experiences
Food and Dining
3 out of 5
I'm noticing a decline cruise industry wide in the "free" restaurants. I think that's an attempt to push us into the pay ones. That being said there were some bright spots. Drinks were never an issue. Drinks were good and ever flowing since we had the highest version of drink package. Just be aware that none of the packages include the Specialty chocolate/Coffee shop. However, you can get decent specialty coffees at many of the bars. Food was hit or miss. The Asian fusion ($$) was really really good. The Butcher Cut ($$) steak was exceptionally good but the side dishes were mediocre at best and the appetizers weren't much better. However, the steak alone was worth it. The regular dining (Seashore) was hit and miss. Some stuff was really really good (Last night as coming into Miami was especially memorable). The Fisherman's wharf was probably the best thing I ate the entire cruise. I generally would get a couple of appetizers or combine a couple of entrees. But I'm noticing short cuts being taken. Many sauces and gravies were definitely NOT homemade.
Onboard Activities
3 out of 5
We actually only did a couple of - there weren't very many or there was a LOT of repetition. Crafts every day. Trivia several times a day. Only a couple of movies (I think 3??) We did the Abba movie. Dialogue can't really be heard but the music/live footage of concerts was main reason we went. Water slides are great and the lines were never that long.
Entertainment
5 out of 5
We saw the entertainment every night except the night we went to the Abba movie. The entertainment is usually around 30 minutes and is exceptionally well done (if not a bit weird at times). HAHA! But great choreography, costumes, and set design. The Michael Jackson show on the last night was one of the best I've seen. You must make reservations but they are free. Don't count on seats being available if you don't make reservations.
Service and Staff
5 out of 5
I have NO complaints about the service. The bar staff were all friendly and knowledgeable. Ajeesh in the Aurea bar was the BEST!!!! The wait staff in the Seashore were all attentive - we generally had the same wait staff every night even though we were on My-time dining. I do think they do "my-time" dining better than other ships so it does become a bit more personal than just seating you anywhere, willy, nilly.
Bartender in the Seaside bar. (From the Philippines - married to a receptionist on the ship) - can't remember his name (YIKES!!!) was also superb. We went to him every morning for coffee and baileys. :)
Ship Quality
4 out of 5
The public bathrooms start developing a smell toward the end of the cruise. But the cruise was beautiful. It was also the first ship that I remember where you really could walk from one end of the floor to the other (Except 16) without having to go up or down. Often the ships had their restaurants in the middle and you had to remember that go from Aft to Forward. You didn't have to remember this on the Seaside.
My BIGGEST complaint and it's huge. There is NO promenade, no walking/running track that makes a loop around the ship.
Cabin / Stateroom
4 out of 5
I had no issues with the cabin. Yes, the bed is a bit close to the closet but we had plenty of storage and room for stuff. The bathroom is typical small cruise bathroom.
Ship tip
Manage expectations. Much of what made cruising great a few years ago is starting to slide a bit. But overall this was a good ship and good cruise and we have no regrets. I also highly recommend the Aurea experience. Well worth the extra money. Then we upgraded our drink package so we never had to worry about "what" we could and could not have.
Get away from the main strip. Find a great local, hole-in-the-wall place and eat there. Walk or Uber. You get there too late to visit El Morro. El Jibarito (comes up on any map app) was well worth walking to for a meal. Then we slowly strolled back down through old town by the gate etc.
I went ashore to go for a run. Nice running trail next to Yacht club that does out 2.2 miles. My husband had coffee and waited at Bad Ass Coffee for me. Then we went to one souvenir store and back on the boat for lunch and a nap. Then we went on a snorkeling excursion with Castaway Girl. It was good. The snorkeling is just not as good as Hawaii or even western Caribbean but it was fine. Their rum punch was not good. They need a new recipe.
Straight to excursion. Another snorkeling one. Snorkeling a bit better than St Thomas but still not phenomenal. Then we went to a beach area. Yes, you have to swim from catamaran to get to the beach. So what. Beach was a great addition. Their rum punch was really good. Ham and cheese sandwich took edge off hunger until we could get back to boat. HA!
We walked to British Colonial Hilton and used a "resort for a day" pass. We wanted pool and beach and just umbrella time. Their pass include $40 per person food and drink but you do have to pay for tip and taxes. Still worth going to. Food was decent (even if just typical beach bar food). The mojitoes were good. Quick walk from port. Nassau is having a ton of issues with crime especially theft against tourists so we didn't want to wander far. We stopped at a brewery on the way back and had their craft beers. Their stout and porter were really good.
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