We're avid cruisers who travel by ship as often as we can; this was our first RCCL experience and we knew we were choosing an older, smaller ship (and did so on purpose, at least for the smaller aspect of it). I was overall neither disappointed nor impressed with the cruise line -- somethings I didn't like at all and other things I liked quite a bit. And while I could complain, I don't see any purpose. The seas were calm, the cabin comfortable, most meals palatable and some quite good; fellow cruisers were pleasant and kind and we all had an enjoyable adventure being together. I think, though, if you've a favorite cruise line then it might be best to stay with it unless, of course, the itinerary or price has you choosing otherwise.
Embarkation
5 out of 5
We arrived at the pier a bit later than expected and faced absolutely no lines! We were on the ship and in our staterooms in no time.
Ship experiences
Food and Dining
3 out of 5
Actually, the food could have been quite a bit better. Menus were static and left over from the last cruise; each night there were items not available. It's not a big deal, that, but they could have printed a new (single sheet) of paper. But mostly the food was uninspired. Drinks were expensive with Spanish VAT added and an 18% gratuity included. Think hosting 5 for pre-dinner cocktails at $15+ each drink. It. Adds. Up.
Onboard Activities
2 out of 5
Very little to do from my view point on the days at sea; the ship seemed busy, though, with happy enough people and we found it easy to relax and read (or drink, despite the costs of the bar). There was basically no enrichment program and little before arrival information about the port.
Entertainment
3 out of 5
Service and Staff
4 out of 5
Our dinner staff (Estrella and Joaquim) were absolutely excellent and made the cruise a great holiday with beautiful table service. The same could (and should) be said for our cabin steward who was never seen and who left the room tidy and nice in quick order each day. Shawn. His name was Shawn. Delightful. Where the ship seemed to fail was in bar service as there were no waiters in the Solarium and few to be found around the main pool. While it's no trouble to walk up to the bar, often it seemed like you might be putting the staff out by ordering. At like the menus in the MDR, most were out dated and often the answer was "I'm sorry, that item is no longer available." One on-board new friend tried to order a specialty drink at Schooners Bar and was told that they've not carried that for 9-years (the drinks list was that old). Also, sadly, nothing is served with the alcohol -- no chips, or peanuts, or cheddar crackers, or popcorn, nothing. If you wanted a snack to not get too drunk, you had to go to the food court yourself.
Ship Quality
3 out of 5
Everything was clean and most things in good working order; the ship is old and you can see that. The odd part, for me, was the overall loudness of the common areas, the walk-through nature of the main bar (an active hallway diving the port and starboard sides of Schooners), and very few if any found spaces where a group could grab a drink and have conversation (the music was piped in and very loud).
Cabin / Stateroom
3 out of 5
Ship tip
I wouldn't expect much besides endless and joyful vistas of the sea. Still, well, we chose the itinerary rather than the ship. Sometimes that's how it goes.
A bus ride took us to Kamari's black stone beach for a quite repast in the hot sun; we found a dive site and hired a dive guide for a one-tank boat dive which was lovely and well worth the time and money.
The best port from my opinion with perhaps the best organized ship-purchased shore excursion lasting more than 7.5 hours and getting us back to the ship only minutes before the all-aboard. That it was a ship purchased excursion belayed my fears and the cities -- Valletta and Mdina -- are well worth the visit.
I’m thinking of doing this exact cruise this year, mainly for the itinerary. Will the ship be a let down or not? I’ve cruised on Carnival Ecstasy, Legend, & P & O Pacific Sky & Explorer previously.
*Cruiseline.com is not a booking agent or travel agency,
and does not charge any service fees to users of our site. Our partners
(travel agencies and cruise lines) provide prices, which we list for our
users' convenience. Cruiseline.com does not guarantee any specific rates or
prices. While prices are updated daily, please check with the booking site
for the exact amount. Cruiseline.com is not responsible for content on
external web sites.
Contact us
Submitting...
Need help from a personal vacation planner?
Loading...
Find the perfect cruise with weekly tips and cruise deals for as little as $30/night!
Sign up for weekly cruise deals
Join other subscribers and get the best
cruise deals of the week in your inbox every Thursday.
