Just off 8 days on the Cloud Expedition Caribbean and here are a few personal observations:
* Blacklane was slightly early for a 5 a.m. pick up
* Group transfer to Barbados Hilton at 2 was fine but hotel check-in was a mess. Got room at 430 but some waited until after 6. Not enough chairs.
*. Check out next morning was 11; my assigned bus did not leave until 215. 3 different lines to check paperwork, on board by 4. Muster at 445, zodiac briefing at 530, luggage at 6.
*. Crew worked very hard but ship appeared understaffed. Crew almost running to get everything done. Lines at breakfast/lunch and long waits at dinner because of not enough staff. Forgotten items ie caviar no spoon, butter no bread, premium wine no decanter. Food not as good as on Shadow last year ie mushy prawns at the Grill, cold sauce for sole.
*. Not much pool deck space so loungers were at a premium.
*. Announcements in the suite (not hall) before every excursion and briefing.
*. Expedition meant no evening shows, no formal nights, and shore transfers were via zodiac. Many appeared surprised by this.
*. Now at Fort Lauderdale Conrad Hilton waiting on room, along with everyone else again.
So…would I do Expedition again? Unlikely, not my style.
would I do door to door again? Unlikely. The herding doesn’t work for me. I’m going to change my Dawn cruise for January 23. Hoping it’s the better Ss I know.
Missy in Maryland