#1: Never ever book a cruise during spring break, especially a cruise of less than or equal to 7 days. It’s Spring Break and there are more than 1,000 children on this ship. They are everywhere, every pool, every hot tub. Every place you go in this ship and there they are. There is no escape. The only adults-only place on the ship is the Vibe Beach Club which sells out usually way before the cruise begins. We didn’t know about that or we’d have taken it.
#2: Never book a cruise out of Galveston, Texas. Every single passenger with very few exceptions, is from Texas. As such they have the same Texas attitudes you find at home. Things like love Trump, love guns, love Jesus (the one my pastor tells me to love), and so on. Nothing like being on a ship with 4,000 passengers living in their own alternate reality.
#3: Never a book cruise that only goes to Western Caribbean destinations like Cozumel, Roatan Honduras, Harvest Caye, or Riviera Maya. These spots, which were all stops on this trip, are cruise ship owned and/or controlled, and are full of stupid authentic tchotchkes, most of which are made in China. There’s absolutely no reason to get off the ship at any of these ports. You already have enough tee shirts.
#4: Just because a restaurant is “premium” and has a cover charge, doesn’t mean it’s going to be good. Our first night on ship we went to Onda by Scarpetta, a Scott Conant restaurant. It was dreadful, in all regards. The food was awful, the noise level huge, and the service rushed. While the experience the next night at Cagney’s steakhouse was a little better, the quality of the food just sucked. I don’t believe they’re using prime beef and whatever they’re using they’re overcooking at.
Next, we went to Le Bistro. Finally, a premium restaurant that did not disappoint. Food was delicious, service was excellent and the atmosphere was lovely. It was also not very crowded which was a surprise. I guess kids don’t go for escargot. Finally, we went to was Palomar, billed as a Mediterranean style restaurant. It was outstanding. The food was great. The service was great. The wine was really good. Really good. The sommelier came by and helped us choose a good bottle. It’s the one restaurant we considered going back to again. However, that was not necessary because, as guests of the Haven, we have access to the Haven restaurant for breakfast, lunch and dinner and everything there is excellent.