Embarkation was smooth with only a handful of people in line for security and key cards. Arrived about 11:30 and were on board by 12:15 without special boarding privileges since we are still 3 star mariners.

Lido food was good for buffet. Salad bar is excellent with Asian, Cobb or other themed options or DIY combo option with seared Ahi everyday. Carvery selection was nice varying between Leg of lamb, whole suckling pig, pork belly, prime rib and Tri-tip. Always a nice selection of cooked vegetables and premade salads. Can’t comment on the pizza or bread since I generally don’t eat those on a cruise. On the 3 port days there were 4 different types of ceviche with an array of minced onions jalapeño cilantro garlic to add in and make it exactly to your individual liking.

The Retreat Cabana was worth every penny of the $399/ whole week. We had originally booked an interior room to save money and were offered an upgrade 4 days prior to sailing for $89pp to an aft balcony and gladly took that deal. We love the complete solitude (and absence of screaming children or people jockeying for a certain chair or lounge chair) of the cabana with an open expansive view and breeze, as well as service staff to bring us cocktails and even lunch if we wished. This is the second time we have booked one and will continue to do so since the price of a cabana is always significantly less than booking a veranda room and I enjoy the space so much more. The only issue is that the last sea day of each cruise we were not able to use it for part of the day due to high winds but that comes with the territory. We felt safe leaving our iPads and other personal items in the cabana while going to lunch since they were not even completely booked as well as there were no random people walking through the retreat area. We booked the aft facing open air cabana but will probably book a starboard or port facing one with the full glass window for our upcoming Pacific Coastal cruise. Read more