We chose the two night POESIA cruise because we had limited time after a meeting in Florida. We thought it would be a wonderful break for all of us.

The ship, from the pictures, looked great, but it turned out to be a really terrible experience, starting with the check-in and boarding. We were herded from one area to another like a flock of sheep. The check in person was pleasant, but most of the people, especially the security people were extremely rude.

When we finally got to the ship, the people at the top of the stairs who actually swiped our cards were unsmiling, unfriendly - no "welcome aboard" - no greetings at all. We were on our own to find our cabins. We did find our way, and were greeted by an unsmiling room steward, again with no welcome. When we asked for ice, it seemed like we were asking for the moon. The cabin was small, but acceptable. Each of us had a "deluxe" balcony cabin. We requested, via telephone, extra pillows, and the reaction at the service desk, was also rudeness. "We do not have down pillows", and then she hung up. We did finally get the lumpiest foam pillows we have ever seen, totally uncomfortable, and the beds are hard as rocks too. Read more