I'll start out by saying that we had a great holiday, don't regret taking the cruise for a moment and would happily do it again. Just a short note for any other shift workers out there, be sure to double check everything if you are finishing a long shift in the morning and flying half way around the world that afternoon! We managed to turn up at the airport minus passports and tickets (left in another bag) and then left our camera on the first aircraft (never to be seen again). A $215 taxi trip and a new camera bought on board set things right but next time we'll do it without the benefit of sleep deprivation before hand.

Now to the cruise. Embarkation was a doddle. Bags were dropped off, ten minutes spent in a queue and before you could say "haul in the anchors" we were on board and heading straight to the lido deck for a bite to eat as it was still to early to go to the cabin and there's no point heading off on a great adventure on an empty stomach.

Our cabin, or stateroom if you prefer, was perfectly adequate. Being an inside cabin it of course looked and felt small but as all we were after was somewhere to sleep, get changed and have showers it was all that we expected, clean, tidy and functional and well cared for by our steward. Our only complaint was that we must have been somewhere around or below part of the galley as in the few hours before dawn there was a racket from above which was most likely caused by the preparations for breakfast. Otherwise silence ruled and sleeping was very restful. Perhaps one other point of note was that the 'artwork' in the cabin was done in psychedelic colors and would no doubt frighten people of nervous disposition and small children. Read more