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Festival Cruises

MS Bolero

Your Rating:
Reviewed by:Betty C.
# previous cruises:1
Date of Trip: February 5, 2000
Itinerary: Caribbean - Southern

When planning our first cruise, we looked for a smaller size ship. The Bolero fit the bill. It was heading to islands we had enjoyed on previous vacations. The stays in port were long enough to take in planned excursions .

There were many areas where you could gather to meet friends for a quiet conversation or to enjoy the entertainment of the hour. The pool was smaller than I had imagined (going by the picture in the tour book). It was a good way to cool off the day we were at sea or after a shore excursion. The casino was casual and offered gambling lessons. I learned to play Blackjack and had fun using my dollar chips. The Lounges were large in size but were very smokey. The dance floor was designed by the same person who designed the showers(see later).

Food was always available. Breakfast was buffet with ample fruit, cereals, bacon, eggs, sausages etc. If you preferred a sit down breakfast or lunch the dining room was available. Dinner was sit down served in the main dining room only. Service was very attentive and quick. There was a midnight buffet served with a different theme for each evening. Staff were anxious to please. They seemed to take great pride in looking after the guests.

I anticipated the cabin to be smaller than a hotel room -and believe me they were. We were in a Category 2 cabin. Ample closet space but you couldn't entertain friends and serve cocktails unless you stood out in the hall. The shower was tiny, if you dropped your soap, forget it. Before you finished showering, you ended up wearing the shower curtain. If you wished to listen to music in your cabin it was only during selected hours.

The entertainers were very personable and worked very hard. There was good variety of shows. Of course, it was interesting that many were from Ontario.

One disappointing feature was that the captain did not appear to be enjoying the Captain's Dinner (which passengers had to dress up for). There was a reception, called the Captain's handshake. That was the only time we saw him or heard him all week.

The Bolero Cruise went from Santo Domingo to Barbados, St. Lucia, Dominica, Siint Maarten, and Virgin Gorda. We did not take any of the cruise shore excursions although a wide variety were offered. It was easy for us to hire a taxi and follow our own itinerary. There was no problem with getting back in time for the ship's departure.

Our cruise was during the March Break(when prices are higher than at other times). The ship was booked to capacity; however, it did not seem too crowded. There were people of all ages. Children were well looked after and entertained. The teenagers enjoyed meeting others and had their own excursions.