Berlitz - Ships

This small ship is for so-called “social-conscience” cruising

The Ship. There may not be marble bathroom fittings or other expensive niceties, but new company Fathom, a division of Carnival Corporation, provides cruises and programs that are geared specifically to immersive social interaction, and Cuban/Latin culture aboard Adonia. Shore excursions are eight hours long and mandatory for all passengers.

Adonia - the last in a series of eight almost identical ships originally built for the defunct Renaissance Cruises in 2001, is small but well-proportioned, and has the feel of an informal country hotel. The ship has an all-white hull and superstructure shows but no walk-around promenade deck (although you can stroll on open decks on the port and starboard sides). The ship’s lido deck has reasonable sunbathing space. There are no wooden decks outdoors; they are covered by a sand-colored rubberized material.

The interior decor, designed by Scotsman John McNeece, is quite elegant, a throwback to the heavy hardwood style of the ocean liners of the 1920s and ’30s. It includes detailed ceiling cornices, real and faux wrought-iron staircase railings, wood- and leather-paneled walls, and trompe l’oeil ceilings.

The public rooms are spread over three decks. The reception hall has a staircase with intricate, real wrought-iron railings (a copy of the staircase aboard SS Titanic), but these are cleverly painted on plexiglas panels on the stairways on other decks.

Anderson’s, the real social hub of the ship, is a rather delightful, wood-paneled lounge with a fireplace, a long bar with bar stools, and the feel of a traditional country club.

The Library is a delightful, restful room, designed in the Regency style. It has a fireplace, a high, indented trompe l’oeil ceiling, many books, plus comfortable wingback chairs with footstools, and sofas to fall asleep on.

A Crow’s Nest Lounge sits high, with great views through floor-to-ceiling windows, and comfortable seating. A long bar faces forward, which gives the bartenders the best view. There is a small central bandstand and wooden dance floor forward of the bar.

Although children over eight are allowed on board, there are almost no facilities for them. The ship is staffed and operated by P&O Cruises.

Accommodation. There are six basic cabin size categories, but in many price categories (14 for double occupancy and six for solo occupancy). Some cabins have interconnecting doors, and 18 cabins on Deck 6 have lifeboat-obstructed views. All grades have tea/coffee-making facilities. There are two interior accommodation passageways.

The Standard outside-view and interior cabins are compact units, and tight for two. They have twin or queen-size beds, with good under-bed storage, personal safe, a vanity desk with large mirror, and reasonable closet and drawer storage in rich, dark woods.

Cabins with private balconies have partial, and not full, balcony partitions, with sliding glass doors. Just 14 cabins on Deck 6 have lifeboat-obstructed views. The tiled-floor, plain wall bathrooms are compact, and include a shower stall with a removable hand-held shower unit, wall-mounted hairdryer, cotton towels, toiletries storage shelves, and retractable clothesline.

Six Owner’s Suites and four Master Suites provide abundant space and are worth the extra cost. They are located in the forward and aft positions. Particularly nice are those that overlook the stern, on Decks 6, 7, and 8. They have more extensive balconies that really are private and cannot be overlooked by anyone from above. There is an entrance foyer, living room, bedroom (the bed faces the sea), audio unit, bathroom with Jacuzzi tub, and small guest bathroom.

Dining. There are three restaurants, plus a casual self-serve buffet-style venue and an outdoor grill: the Pacific Restaurant, in the aft section, has 338 seats and a raised central section, large ocean-view windows on three sides, and several prime tables overlook the stern. Dining is at assigned tables, in two seatings. The noise level can be high, the result of a single-deck-height ceiling and noisy waiter stations. Adjacent to the restaurant entrance (it actually forms part of it) there’s a Club Bar - a cozy, open lounge and bar, with a fireplace. The cuisine is inspired by Cuba.

An L-shaped Ocean Grill has ocean-view windows along one side, and aft. The food items are about authentic and modern Cuban and Dominican food. There is a cover charge, and reservations are needed.

Sorrento is for Italian cuisine. There is a cover charge, and reservations are needed.

The Conservatory, with both indoor and outdoor seating, is a casual self-serve eatery (with an emphasis on South American cuisine).

There is also a Poolside Grill to provide casual fast food and grilled food items.

Entertainment. The Curzon Lounge is the venue for all main entertainment events, and occasional social functions. It is a single-level room, with a large bar set at the back - the bartender probably has the best views of the stage and acts. The entertainment consists mainly of cabaret and small group shows.

There’s also a Crow’s Nest Lounge, which sits atop the ship at the front. It has good forward views, includes a dance floor and live music, and has lots of seating alcoves to the port and starboard sides of the room. However, from most of these seats you don’t have a view of the live band or dance floor. The merengue and salsa are taught in dance classes.

Spa/Fitness. The Oasis Spa has a gymnasium with some muscle-toning equipment, a large hot tub, steam rooms for men and women (there are no saunas), several treatment rooms, and a beauty salon. A spa concession provides beauty and wellness treatments and exercise classes - some of which may cost extra. Out on deck, there are a small swimming pool, two hot tubs, a jogging track, a golf practice net, and shuffleboard courts.