I had been looking forward to this cruise for months after a wonderful time with P&O during 2005. I booked in July after confirming that NCL would be able to cater for my gluten free diet.

NCL met my party at London Heathrow for coach transfer to Southampton. The coach was very cramped with very little leg room - so little that I and other passengers had to sit with our legs in the aisle. Once we got to Southampton we found that the previous cruisers had not yet left the ship so we were held on the coach for some time.

Once we were permitted to leave the coach we proceeded to checkin which was reasonably efficient and then on to the waiting room for embarkation. Read more