The cruise was enjoyable. However, it quickly began to seem as though corners were being cut in the quality of the experience. One or two alone would not have been so noticeable, but it seemed these little oversights added up to greatly diminish the experience. For example, having the stateroom made up before afternoon, having the chef's selection of the evening promoted and explained by the waiter, being offered freshly ground pepper on the salads, a daily change of the snacks offered in the small cafes around the ship. Some of these are certainly not crucial to the experience, but when included give a specialness to the experience.
We also were asked upon booking about special occasions. We had one birthday and our 25th wedding anniversary. The birthday came and went unobserved. That prompted us to enquire at guest services about the anniversary. We were told the date was noted on our account. However, once again, it came and went unobserved. We understood there were specialty packages to be purchased for special occasions. However, when the booking agent and then the guest service representative hint that something will be done to mark the occasion, it is disappointing when it is not. The anniversary was the last night of the cruise, so there was no making up for it.