The main conclusion drawn from this cruise is that a large proportion of British cruisers seem to expect a 5* experience for 3* prices. The cruise certainly did have issues, and there were causes for concern, but in general the good outweighed the bad. My wife and I are agreed that we would have marked it 3½ out of 5 overall. I suppose you get what you look for!!
Embarkation.
On the evening before departure, I had been keeping an eye on the Magellan's whereabouts and had ascertained that she had not left Antwerp until well after the designated time. I was therefore not surprised the following morning to see that a text had been sent to my mobile 'phone, requesting that we delay our arrival at reception by 4 hours. This was followed up that morning by a phone call.