Toad
March 1st, 2005, 03:51 PM
Embarkation at FLL went smoothly as always. We reported to the Neptune Lounge and were directed immediately to our room. Must say that after that we found the consierge to be totally useless, very pleasant, but useless. Tried to use her for table reassignments to no avail, booking transpertation in various ports to no avail, etc. Not really sure what the whole point is, except for MORE foood always being available and not necessarily needed.
Aruba was fine, but because we arrived the day after carnaval most of the shops were closed and ttherefore we should have booked an excursion. Curacao, one of my favorites, was cloudy, but fun. We always enjoy walking around, taking pictures etc. Panama Canal was rainy, but fun. We did the train trip across the Panama and found it informative and interesting and fine for my eighty year old parents. Costa Rica was pouring but fun, we did the canal tour there and saw sloths, monkeies, crocodiles and birds.
Now for a few negatives . The food quality seems to have gone down. With the exceptions of a few very fine meals I would have to say were not overly impressed. The wait staff worked very hard, but seemed to be overloaded with tables and rushed most of the time. The staff did tell us that the four dining times does relieve some of the conjestion in the kitchen, but my husband and I found the dining rooms more noisy as the 8:30 group trouped into the lower diningroom while we were eatting above. We had a table for two along the rail. Breakfast and lunch in the main diningroom seemed rushed and the staff seemed indifferent.
I will try and write more later, but if any of yu have questions, please feel free to ask and I will try and answer.
Aruba was fine, but because we arrived the day after carnaval most of the shops were closed and ttherefore we should have booked an excursion. Curacao, one of my favorites, was cloudy, but fun. We always enjoy walking around, taking pictures etc. Panama Canal was rainy, but fun. We did the train trip across the Panama and found it informative and interesting and fine for my eighty year old parents. Costa Rica was pouring but fun, we did the canal tour there and saw sloths, monkeies, crocodiles and birds.
Now for a few negatives . The food quality seems to have gone down. With the exceptions of a few very fine meals I would have to say were not overly impressed. The wait staff worked very hard, but seemed to be overloaded with tables and rushed most of the time. The staff did tell us that the four dining times does relieve some of the conjestion in the kitchen, but my husband and I found the dining rooms more noisy as the 8:30 group trouped into the lower diningroom while we were eatting above. We had a table for two along the rail. Breakfast and lunch in the main diningroom seemed rushed and the staff seemed indifferent.
I will try and write more later, but if any of yu have questions, please feel free to ask and I will try and answer.