Overall Score

BERLITZ'S RATING
	Possible	Achieved
Ship	500	431
Accommodation	200	158
Food	400	253
Service	400	298
Entertainment	100	81
Cruise	400	309

How this score is created

“Reflections” is the name of the ship’s principal dining room. It spans two decks; the upper deck level has floor-to-ceiling windows, while the lower deck level has picture windows. It is a lovely, but inevitably noisy dining hall – reminiscent of those aboard the trans­atlantic liners in their heyday (however, eight huge, thick pillars obstruct the sightlines – the dining room would be much nicer without them).

Reflections seats 1,104 hungry persons, and its decor features a cascading water theme. There are tables for two, four, six, eight or 10 in two seatings. Two small private dining rooms (Illusions with 94 seats and Mirage with 30 seats) are located off the main dining room. No smoking is permitted in the dining venues.

The cuisine is typical of mass banquet catering that offers standard fare comparable to that found in American family-style restaurants ashore. The menu descriptions make the food sound better than it is (the ship uses many mixes and pre-prepared items). However, a decent selection of light meals is provided, and a vegetarian menu is available. The selection of breads, rolls, fruit and cheese is quite poor, however, and could do with improvement. Caviar (once a standard menu item) now incurs a hefty extra charge. Menus typically include a “Welcome Aboard” ­Dinner, French Dinner, Italian Dinner, International Dinner, Captain’s Gala Dinner.

One thing this company does once each cruise is to put on a “Galley Buffet” whereby passengers go through a section of the galley picking up food for a midnight buffet. There is an adequate wine list, moderately priced.

Alternative Restaurants. There are two: Portofino, with 112 seats, featuring Italian cuisine (choices include: antipasti, soup, salad, pasta, main dish, dessert, cheese and coffee); and Chops Grill Steakhouse, with 95 seats and an open “show” kitchen, serving premium meats in the form of veal chops and steaks (New York Striploin Steak, Filet Mignon, and Prime Rib of Beef).

Both alternative dining spots have food that is of a much higher quality than in the main dining room, with extremely good presentation and experienced service. The menus do not change throughout the cruise. There is an additional charge of $20 per person (this includes gratuities to staff), and reservations are required for both dining spots, which are typically open 6pm–11pm. Be prepared to eat a lot of food (do justice to the cover charge). The dress code in the alternative dining spots is smart casual.

Casual Eateries: Also, casual meals (for breakfast, lunch and dinner) can be taken in the self-serve, buffet-style Windjammer Cafe, which can be accessed directly from the pool deck. It has islands dedicated to specific foods, and indoors and outdoors seating. Additionally, there is the Seaview Cafe, open for lunch and dinner. Choose from the self-serve buffet, or from the menu for casual, fast-food seafood items including fish sandwiches, popcorn shrimp, fish ’n’ chips, as well as non-seafood items such as hamburgers and hot dogs. The decor, naturally, is marine- and ocean related.

Berlitz Guide © Apa Publications 2008

Berlitz Guide © Apa Publishing 2008