Arrived at Southampton, parked and boarded the ship in very quick time. We have travelled on this ship before and loved it the first time around. The ship is still very impressive, with nice pool area, and public areas, nice bars and theatre, and ice rinc all as I remember them.

However, firstly I would like to make reference to our stateroom, 8121 interior, a bit tired and shabby, pillows lumpy, kettle was not working properly, remote for TV was not working at all, and the hair dryer, which is a must for most travellers, kept overheating and cutting out. First two items changed without fuss, but checking these things out before letting us enter cabin would have been better. No robes or lapel pin in recognition of crown and anchor membership, were in room, had to ask for the robes, did not bother with the pin.

Now we move on to the removal of the crown and anchor booklets, which have been replaced with some type of sea pass recognition, where by you should be offered the discounts automatically when you order something (ie two for one speciality coffes etc or 2 for 1 beers) WE WERE NOT OFFERED ONCE. We had to ask for everything. I did not feel comfortable with this at all. (Penny pinching comes to mind.) Read more