Having never been on a cruise before and being assured by everyone that we would become cruise "junkies" and just love the experience we set off with a very positive attitude. We flew to Singapore to spend a couple of nights prior to boarding the ship. Embarkation was to be at 11.00 and so we arrived at the terminal at 10.30 to find the place already full of people. Being concierge class and knowing that entailed priority embarkation (it said so in the blurb!) we assumed we would board quickly. First mistake. We didn't have a number! We couldn't be given a number as there were none left. Some people had been at the terminal from 5am so they were given priority because they'd waited so long. Priority embarkation?

Eventually reached our cabin to be met by an exceptionally helpful and cheery Javier who was to be our "cabin boy" for the duration of the cruise. Top marks for a great job Javier!

For the most part the people we encountered, both staff and fellow passengers were very friendly and very helpful. Dealing with the public is not easy and most of the staff did this with smiles on their faces. Read more