The food was unbelievably bad. Even the Italian specialty restaurant was the worst Italian food I have ever had. The buffet was seriously worse than and American chain buffet venue. If you like selections such as sliced carrots with peas, this might just be the place for you. If you want something more inspiring, you are in the wrong place. The pizza restaurant on Deck 5 is excellent and the hamburgers on the pool deck are good, but those were the only bright spots where food is concerned.
Stateroom was large and in very nice condition, but the balcony was in old, poor condition and the balcony furniture should have been replaced a long time ago.
One day the bath water was DARK BROWN. Not a little, but A LOT. The front desk staff told me not to worry about it but that I should run the bathroom water form a couple of minutes before drinking. Yuk.
Nice, large stateroom. Well appointed and well maintained (other than balcony which is old and tired).
Other than the bums, the feces and hypodermic needles on the street, the extra city-mandated fees added to dining checks at overpriced restaurants, SF was ok.
Clean, nice town. Not a lot to see in town other than the usual shopping, just the same as every other port, but still nice to wander around. Stay away from the tram unless you like hiking on the top of the mountain. Locals tell me it is an expensive, 5 minute ride to a location that has little to offer other than overpriced food.
Nice train ride with beautiful scenery and good narrative of the history. Railcars are clean, comfortable and well-maintained. Staff is very friendly.
Butchart Gardens says it all. Some of the most beautiful gardens in the world. Even if you are not a gardening fanatic, you can't help to admire the breathtaking beauty of these meticulously maintained gardens.