Speaking as someone who is considering trying SS I found this review most interesting. We have travelled a lot with Regent (Gold level) in the past 8 years and my concern is that we might try SS and then wish we were on Regent. From your review I rather think we would...I share your feelings about the nuisance factor of charging for the speciality restaurants and internet access but most of all I think it is the SS smoking policy that worries me. I am so used now to not smelling smoke that I do not want to have to smell it ever again! So until SS changes its policies we will stick with Regent. And, by the way, our last cruise on the Mariner this April was on a full ship, port intensive, and as far as I am concerned the standard of service was terrific! I had no complaints at all.