The what's not to love part stared even before we got to our embarkation check in station, but more on that later.

We always travel to foreign ports (we're from the U.S.)several days early and this was no exception. Arrived in Dover 3 days before our cruise and stayed at the Ramada Dover because of decent reviews and their web site suggested it was only a 15 - 20 minute walk to town center. The hotel was nice but it's more like a 15 minute cab ride to town center. Oh well. We did the Dover museum,including the bronze age boat and the Painted Roman house - all very interesting.

On embarkation day we left the hotel at 11:00 am and began the checkin process at 11:15. That's when the "love" started. Before reaching the VIP (suites) checkin desk, Carlos (our concierge from 2 previous cruises) rushed up, hugged and kissed my wife and hugged and welcome me back aboard. During the checkin Harry and Amit (butlers) welcomed us back aboard (we cruised a transatlantic on the Jewel in April)as did 3 or 4 other crew members. A lady sitting next to my wife said "do your cruise a lot or do you own the ship?" And my wife said "no, we just make friends". Read more