Great itinerary. Lots of stops in Ireland. One really gets a feel for the country and island. Northern Ireland was also very interesting. Most of the excursions were satisfactory but tame. We did some trips on our own (such as to Bushmills Irish Whiskey Distillery and Antrim Coast), Limerick, and other places where we wanted to spend more time. But many of the ship excursions were half day and we felt there would not be enough time at the locations to really experience them.

We felt the dining experience was overly formal for our tastes- not including the formal nights which we did not go to. There was only sit down service available in all the dining venues. Staff was very attentive and helpful and the food was good. But no buffet was available. As a result dining took 2-2 1/2 hours each night.

The ship also changed the time of departure in several ports which upset our plans when we were doing activities on our own. No explanation was given for such changes. The cruise director had no interest in coordinating what passengers could do on their own with local services and transportation. For example, in Foynes, Ireland, the last shuttle bus from town to the ship was scheduled to leave before the local bus from Limerick to Foynes would arrive in Foynes even though the ship would still be in port. That information could have easily been ascertained and the shuttle bus coordinated with the local bus times from Limerick to Foynes. When this lack of information was pointed out to him he was disinterested. Read more