This was our first cruise and we chose to do it after many flight delays and too much airport stress in previous years. That aspect of the holiday was so easy. We parked, some very friendly people took our luggage out of our car and we saw it again on the ship. All we had to do was walk to the ship with our hand luggage and check in - a very simple procedure. It was even easier on the way off as our luggage was picked up the night before, and we collected it from a large hangar space when we disembarked.
The ship itself was magnificent on first sight - with circular staircases and sculptures. It was also huge and there are some excellent facilities. It was rather surreal watching a football match on an enormous screen, while sunbathing on the top deck with a Pina Colada and a buffet lunch from the restaurant. Great fun! Also pretty surreal playing mini-golf on the top deck in the middle of the night in 30 mph wind. The flow-rider is excellent and the staff do their best to help everyone stay on.
The kids club that my 14 yr old attended was also very good as it allowed the kids to do their own thing while giving them a safe place and activities that they could do if they so pleased. There was a separate pool area for over 16s which was great when you needed to escape from unsupervised children who were mucking about in the main pools and hot tubs. It's worth pointing out that these kids were playing in the large hot tubs because the pools were ridiculously cold. There was a well-equipped gym, spa, poorly equipped library and loads of shops.
Cabin was clean, looked after well but the housekeeper. But a but dated and Travelodge-ish. Needs renovating.
Very easy check in apart from the queues.
Walked to a local beach - great fun.
Took a shuttle to Le Havre. Shops not too good though it was good to get proper French crepes.