Well, after booking at Thomas Cook last year, I then came home and read the reviews and wondered what I had done! After sailing on Ventura, Celebrity and Princess, I did not have high hopes about the Opera! However, we have just got back after a great time!! Remember folks, you know when you book how old the ship is, the size of the ship and rooms and what facilities it has...so don't complain it hasn't got the choice of bigger ships, you know that when you book. Anyway....

Embarkation at Southampton - free car parking. Arrived about 12pm, dropped bags off first, then hubby dropped me and the kids (7&11yrs) at the door while he drove to park car. Not far away and was dropped off by shuttle bus 10min later. After a quick check in (15mins), we were on the ship..easy peasy!

Ship - small compared to Ventura, more Aurora sized. All public areas clean and well presented. Bit old fashioned if used to new ship, but nothing to complain about. Read more