We boarded in Southampton without any problem,enroute to Amsterdam.The ship docked at Ijmuiden and we took the MSC "Amsterdam on your own" tour,effectively a shuttle bus into Amsterdam.The following day we arrived at Le Havre,and were given free transport into the city centre.Pleasant place to walk around and maybe give their tram system a go.
We had requested 2rd dining on the ship and on a table for 6 or 8 people,however we found ourselves eating on our own.We had been talking to other passengers and I requested to be moved to their table which was duly organised.We mostly ate breakfasts and dinner in the restaurant and lunches in the buffet.We found the food very good but would have liked a choice of a tea or coffee after our dinner.
Next port of call was Bilbao,so we again took the ship's shuttle ( 12 euros} into the centre.Lovely walk along the river past the Guggenheim and into the old town.
Inside stateroom was ok but overhead bunk beds on each side wall reduced our room to move.