My friend Shirley Slater, who co-authored with husband Harry Basch this most thorough of all cruise guides, told me I would like the ship, and she was right as usual. I found her to be a very gracious and spacious classic liner, but certainly not stunning. There's no glass and glitter and strobe lights. That's what people used to mainstream cruising notice because they are used to the ship as a destination. Certainly the ship has all the essentials.
Cabins are comfortable and well-appointed.
Meals, to my taste, are quite good, prepared by Chaine de Rotisseurs chefs, and served with efficiency. This is something like a Holiday Inn with an uncharacteristically good restaurant. A professional dive team leads scuba and snorkel excursions at every island stop. This is not a fancy wardrobe ship, partly because of its destinations. On formal night I could count the tuxedos on both hands, and some men dined without jacket or tie.