Overall Score

BERLITZ'S RATING
	Possible	Achieved
Ship	500	382
Accommodation	200	164
Food	400	295
Service	400	300
Entertainment	0	0
Cruise	500	377

How this score is created

There is one rather chic and elegant dining room (The Restaurant), with ocean views from large, picture windows, a lovely wood ceiling and wood paneling on the walls. California-style nouvelle cuisine is served, with dishes that are attractively presented. Additionally, “signature” dishes, created by master chefs Joachim Splichal and Jeanne Jones, are offered daily. Open seating means you dine when you want and with whomever you wish to.

When the company first started, European waiters provided service with practiced European finesse. However, those waiters have been replaced by Indonesians and Filipinos, whose communication skills at times can prove inadequate, although their service is pleasant enough. The selection of breads, cheeses, and fruits could be better. There is a big push to sell wines, although the prices are extremely high, as they are for most alcoholic drinks (even bottled water is the highest in the industry, at $7 per liter bottle).

There is often casual dinner on the open deck under the stars, with grilled seafood and steaks. At the bars, hot and cold hors d’oeuvres appear at cocktail times.

Fancy something romantic? One nicety introduced in 2006 is a “Cuisine de l''Amour” romantic dinner for two (at no extra charge) served to you in your cabin, complete with candle. The menu, with seductive sounding selections, offers a choice of appetizer, a set soup, choice of salad, and two entrée options, and a set dessert to finish (ideal for that quiet romantic dinner you''ve always wanted).

Berlitz Guide © Apa Publishing 2008