Nice ship. Large with lots to do, but not a "party ship" -- which can be a good thing for relaxation.
Ship experiences
Food and Dining
3 out of 5
"Sit down" restaurants are good with better food quality than the buffet. The 12th deck buffet is not laid out well; difficult to navigate around crowds. Found humor with people who would literally walk straight into you. (And I'm 6'2" tall.) Buffet food is just ok.
Entertainment
3 out of 5
Good and diverse entertainment, though the nightlife was limited. The 13th deck disco never openned. Not sure why. Again, not a "party ship".
Children's Programs
5 out of 5
Though we don't have children, I heard great things and the kids' pool area looked fantastic. I wanted to use the slides (but refrained)! :-) Loved when kids paraded around the ship dressed as pirates and sang sea shanties!
Service and Staff
3 out of 5
Staff is mostly friendly, though I wonder if they're a bit short-hand? During the 11 days a couple of staff seemed to be a bit stressed, but that was the exception. The staff, as a whole, were friendly and helpful. Our cabin steward (Melcher) was the best!! Sang to us each morning.
Ship Quality
5 out of 5
Nice decor. Tasteful, not flashy. (No bright neons.)
Cabin / Stateroom
5 out of 5
Had a balcony and would highly recommend this for all. Nice sized room and bathroom is best I've experienced.
Ship engine problems caused a delay in our arrival, followed by a horrible hour in the ship stairway waiting to board required buses at the port. (Take the forward stairway, we learned afterwards.) With limited time, Barbados information center was wonderful, correctly recommending a two to three hour taxi tour of the island. And what a beautiful island with warm, charming citizens. Taxi stopped at all the right places, including a hillside bar with food and inexpensive rum drinks. Wonderful tour and experience. I could move to Barbados in a heartbeat!
Ship engine problems caused a delay in our arrival, followed by a horrible hour in the ship stairway waiting to board required buses at the port. (Take the forward stairway, we learned afterwards.) With limited time, Barbados information center was wonderful, correctly recommending a two to three hour taxi tour of the island. And what a beautiful island with warm, charming citizens. Taxi stopped at all the right places, including a hillside bar with food and inexpensive rum drinks. Wonderful tour and experience. I could move to Barbados in a heartbeat!
Shops at port were more diverse and less expensive than St. Thomas, though one has to say, "No thanks!" to hundreds of locals wanting to give you a taxi tour of the island. Jolly Harbor beach was recommended to us and quite nice. Much less crowded than St. Thomas' Magen's Bay, very relaxing, local artisans selling crafts and a nice beach bar with food. Short taxi ride from the ship and town.
Walked from ship to Botanical Garden. Excellent, compact garden which can be seen within an hour. Had time to take another taxi tour around the island, stopping at the most beautiful beach seen during our island hopping, the Cane Garden Bay beach. Only had enough time to dip toes. Will have to return! Could live here too! ;-)
Shopping, shopping, shopping. Walked into town and never left, just hanging around and having a nice time. Mets lots of friendly citizens, who were relaxed and not pressuring one to buy. Best prices and best variety for gifts. Next time will travel to other parts of the island and the French side.
A lot of traffic around the port (and time spent in traffic). Lots of taxis/vans, which is a plus. Magens Bay Beach was picturesque, though little room to move with hundreds of sun bathers packed in (four cruise ships were in port). Shopping mall at port had interesting shops, including a drug store for forgotten items.
Shops at port were more diverse and less expensive than St. Thomas, though one has to say, "No thanks!" to hundreds of locals wanting to give you a taxi tour of the island. Jolly Harbor beach was recommended to us and quite nice. Much less crowded than St. Thomas' Magen's Bay, very relaxing, local artisans selling crafts and a nice beach bar with food. Short taxi ride from the ship and town.
Walked from ship to Botanical Garden. Excellent, compact garden which can be seen within an hour. Had time to take another taxi tour around the island, stopping at the most beautiful beach seen during our island hopping, the Cane Garden Bay beach. Only had enough time to dip toes. Will have to return! Could live here too! ;-)
A lot of traffic around the port (and time spent in traffic). Lots of taxis/vans, which is a plus. Magens Bay Beach was picturesque, though little room to move with hundreds of sun bathers packed in (four cruise ships were in port). Shopping mall at port had interesting shops, including a drug store for forgotten items.
Shopping, shopping, shopping. Walked into town and never left, just hanging around and having a nice time. Mets lots of friendly citizens, who were relaxed and not pressuring one to buy. Best prices and best variety for gifts. Next time will travel to other parts of the island and the French side.
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