Overall it was a nice trip - at twice the price. However, until cruise ships start offering single rates or single supplements, I done cruising. Paid for two. Ate for one. Used one bed. Got days credit for one.
My choice. Knew going in.
Embarkation
5 out of 5
Chose to get there @10:30 am, one of the earliest times. Took maybe 20 minutes to get checked in and into the waiting area. Bad news was that we didn't start boarding until 12:15pm. However, by that time, there were hundreds standing in line. At least my wait was with headphones, tunes and a seat not lugging carry-on thru a line standing, moving slowly in line.
Ship experiences
Food and Dining
4 out of 5
Pleased with the variety. Each night offered something different to try. Had specialty nights, e.g., asian, oriental, country, seafood, etc., in the buffet line. Did not eat at specialty restaurants as I am a single, paid double, so they got all the money they were gonna get from me in this area.
Warning: their "Chicago Style Hot Dogs" weren't even close to the original.
Drinks are expensive. A 12 oz can of coke was almost $5.00 with tip/service charges included. A mixed drinks averaged about $8.50 plus service charges added up to over $10.00. A bottle of beer was $5.50.
So, unless you are heavy into drinking, the beverage package makes no sense.
Also, the fruit drinks at the buffet were REALLY diluted. Barely tasted the flavored drinks.
Onboard Activities
4 out of 5
Good variety of active and passive stuff to participate in. Prime entertainment very good and enjoyable. Pools were salt water and really salty. I think I spotted turkeys brining in them overnight (not really).
This was basically a senior cruise so not much in the way of strenuous activities. But enough to keep one busy.
Entertainment
5 out of 5
Pretty good. Each nights main entertainment was enjoyable. Comedian, juggler, house group, magician were good.
Service and Staff
5 out of 5
All staff were friendly, courteous and sociable. I have a tendency to want to get to know the people who "serve" me. And, in doing so, I hope that I can make their day move by more quickly. While I certainly appreciate someone switching out my dirty towels, making my bed, cleaning my bathroom each day, I know that they find it nice that someone will call them by name and have a brief conversation with them - as time permits, of course. My room attendant (Meylon) was just a super young person.
Ship Quality
5 out of 5
Constantly cleaning.
Cabin / Stateroom
5 out of 5
Room was comfortable for one person. A little tight for two, I guess. Biggest concern were US based electrical outlets. I found two in living area and one in bathroom. There were also a couple 1 inch square with two posts (European possibly?) in the room. Bring a converter and you'll have plenty. And always bring surge protectors!!!
Ship tip
Laundry service for our trip offered a large bag of dirty clothes, washed, folded, and delivered for $19.95 twice. No self-served washers and dryers. Well worth not having to lug around two weeks of clothes.
Two pieces - Internet service is expensive. Seventy five cents a minutes depending on the package. Use prudently. Or wait until you get to a port, walk to the nearest restaurant or bar and hook up to their wifi and make sure you use strong WAP2 and a Private Internet Network for security.
OK, three pieces - In room TV was horrible. Didn't work very well. No news, sports, etc. I know, I know, I'm not there to watch TV. I could have done that at home. But two weeks without news, stocks/business (as volatile as the market has been lately) and sports, including the Olympic results, was a bit frustrating.
Purpose of trip! Interesting. But I thought showing the recent PBS (?) documentary how the building of the canal would have given it a more meaningful trip. The canals history is filled with a lot of tragedy, loss of life, corruption, failures, etc., before successfully being completed. Showing that on closed circuit TV or the day before in the Spinnaker Lounge or Theater would have been nice - and educational as well.
After my color was called took maybe 20 minutes to get through Customs & Immigration because I was a US citizen. International travelers had to wait much, much longer.
You're not allowed to bring surge protectors on cruise ships. They are not grounded and the surge protector can actually start a fire. Just thought you should know. Other than that, thanks for the great review!! I'm sailing on the Star in 45 days, can't wait!!
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