We wanted to try a larger ship before sailing on the Britannia. We have done Thomson cruises before, but always on small ships. We picked up a last minute bargain. We booked a Junior suite, which satisfied a couple of curiosities for us. We had never had a balcony before, or a cabin on a higher deck. Having a cabin on a higher deck made no difference whatsoever, apart from perhaps feeling the ship's movement a bit more. Having a balcony was lovely though. I will say that Cruise Critics Expert Review is wrong on one point. It states that 'All suites enjoy a number of perks, including access to the Executive Lounge on Deck 8, which has concierge facilities; which is coffee making machine'. All suites do NOT enjoy these perks. Only a very small number of Executive. Royal etc actually do enjoy them. Only gold card holders are entitled to use the Suite Concierge services.

Meals, especially breakfast, taken at the Islands, self service restaurant during busy periods, were mayhem. Not an experience for the faint hearted or short tempered! Tables were in extremely short supply. Often the only available space was outside, which is fine if you have gloriously sunny weather. Not ideal in winter though. There was an alternative restaurant, which has waiter service, but that closed on the stroke of 9am.

This cruise was much less formal. There was no formal night, just a 'dress to impress' and meet the Captain night. It seemed a bit strange seeing some people dressed in formal wear, and others in beachwear. Still, whatever floats your boat! Read more