We chose this cruise for some winter sunshine and a chance to visit Dubai for the first time. Flew out with Etihad and despite a little bit of a melee for coaches at the airport the trip to the ship was pretty slick. On arrival we had to wait for our cabin to be prepared but it was ready bang on time at 12:30 - so far, so good. The ship is beautiful. Public areas and bars are stylish and different and the atrium is pretty spectacular. We went to our cabin at the stern and were delighted with it - stylish, clean and spacious. Again, so far - so good. After unpacking we set off for something to eat and that's when it all started to go wrong - badly wrong!

Firstly, despite assuring staff we were happy with the drinks package we were on ( allegrissimo and it is good value ) we must have been hassled a dozen times to upgrade!! We had lunch for the first time in the buffet - our first acquaintance with a selection that we would see again every day with little variation. Pasta would be good on an Italian ship surely - no - every variety tasted the same and on one occasion was basically uncooked. Pizzas tasted the same irrespective of toppings and any fish dish included bones in every supposed fillet. The ship was full and lunchtime was pandemonium with seats hard to come by and people pushing and shoving. We learned to go later but it was never an enjoyable experience.

Getting a drink took far too long and there was no point going to the bar as you were merely pointed to a waiter. Read more