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. Both smoking and no-smoking sections are provided.

When the company made its debut, European waiters provided service with practiced European finesse; those waiters are now from Indonesia and the Philippines, who provide friendly service but with less finesse. 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.

A nice addition 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