A reminder we were a party of 6Me,DW, DS-19,DD-17-DD-7DM-80. Sunday 19th-Arrived at 11 at airport, as we were a party of 6 we had to get 2 taxis and forgot the advice to have the name of the port handy. Taxi driver didn't speak much English but eventually we worked out where we needed to go. At quay by 11.30, she looked very big closeup-biggest ship we've been on so far. Very small queues had done online check-in but slight delay caused by filling in swine flu declaration and my son's alcohol waiver having to be photocopied. Obligatory boarding photo followed. We then went to the Windjammer for lunch and most of us tried the famous honey stung chicken, I thought it was ok but my son and youngest daughter loved it. I preferred the roast beef. Generally,I thought the Windjammer food was good, only on a couple of occasions was the food lukewarm and generally the quality was good. We all preferred the Island Grill though. It doesn't get as packed in there and the staff are much more attentive. Then went swimming pool was busy but probably least busy we saw it all week. Water was cold and my daughter didn't like the sea water - a common complaint that I've read! Some of party were peckish so went to Cafe Promenade, Royal Promenade as a whole is very impressive the first time you see it. Food at Cafe Promenade was ok, cookies, pizza and cakes good, sandwiches just ok I thought. Went to staterooms we were in inside cabins on eight deck. Liked separate seating area which made it seem bigger than other similar cabins on other ships. Drawer and wardrobe space just about ok for 7 nights would struggle for longer I would say. Met Clifton our cabin steward who I mentioned before he was brilliant all week efficient friendly and made us laugh! Beds comfortable bottom bunks had mattress topper but top bunk didn't and you sure noticed the difference! Went to La Boheme restaurant, had requested a table for 6 but were on one for 10 but in window. Our table companions were Scandinavian but they only came 3 nights out of the seven, the parents spoke English but the children didn't so we didn't have much interaction with them to be honest other than pleasantries. Really enjoyed the Pork Medallions and the Pavlova. Took Rachel to register for Adventure Ocean. Asked about My Family Time Dining but was told not available. Didn't realize it wasn't fleetwide yet. That was a big disappointment as Rachel did get bored during evening meals. She enjoyed going to AO though but mainly went at night as we were off the ship all the other days bar one. 20th at sea. Time to explore the ship. The Voyager has impressive facilities, but in my opinion is just a little too big. The pool deck on the sea day was just a mass of humanity, this was the only time I felt there were too many people on board. I've been on 28 cruises and have seen plenty of packed pool decks but this was the most packed. The surface near the pools is made of stuff made to look like decking and it gets unbelievably hot, have sandals or crocs or similar at the ready! I was glad there was only 1 sea day!!Formal night-nice meal particularly the grand marnier soufflE. Found it strange having the cocktail party after the meal and not the same atmosphere not having it in a room but made up for it in welcome back party the next night. 21st.Naples.We decided to go to Ischia as we'd been to Capri before and Pompeii.Went on Hydrofoil which took 45 minutes. Ischia is a stunningly beautiful island which not enough people visit.You could easily be in the Caribbean. We went to a thermal spa Negombo which was about a 15 minute taxi ride form the Port. The baths are beautiful all different temperatures some heated by thermal spring plus some large swimming pools and access to a beach. The biggest challenge were 2 walk through pools that came about waist high one that was about as hot as anyone could stand followed by a freezing one. We also had a lovely Italian lunch at the restaurant there followed by a fresh fruit bowl with the freshest tasting fruit I can remember-peaches,grapes,3 different types of melon, pineapple, cherries. A truly memorable day, which wasn't over. Had lovely asian soup bit only disappointing main course all week cod which was dry. I've read a lot about the restaurant meals but in my opinion virtually all of them were good restaurant quality. My only gripes were that the sauces were nice but there wasn't enough of them you ran out before the meal did(!)and the vegetable portions were tiny with each main meal. We ordered extra every night but almost every night they were the same -carrots and Broccoli(done very nicely though) The night was topped off by the soul group Sweet Sensation who were simply brilliant and got the whole of the downstairs audience on their feet-not an easy task! Wednesday. Civitavecchia. Having been to Rome before we decided to have a quiet day,we went into the town briefly but took the opportunity to enjoy the ship whilst it was less crowded,including having a go at the climbing wall which was fun.Went to see Ice show which was excellent especially the guest skater who rolled in a wheel on the ice, spellbinding. Thursday-Livorno. Had pre-booked Giovanni from Sunflower Tours who met us at dockside. He is very friendly ,very flexible and very knowledgeable about the region, can't recommend him highly enough. He gave us a tour of Pisa and then we went to a waterpark in Cecina to keep the kids happy in the afternoon. It's a great waterpark with lots of different waterslides and a wave pool.Also has a nice cafe but the toilets are very basic. Nice meal back on board Italian night had Minestrone which was very good Chicken marsala also nice but not enough sauce. We were warned it would be a bit rough coming out of Livorno and it was DD took to her bed but was fine next morning. Had late night snack at cafe Promenade good people watching opportunities on the Royal Promenade. Friday Villefranche. Decided to have a lie in and just go to nearby beach .Many people seem to go to Nice or Monte Carlo but Villefranche itself is beautiful. Lovely meal tonight Mushroom Filo pastry was excellent BBQ Thai chicken nice but not enough sauce!!Dessert sampler and Valentin our waiter arranged for me not to get the dark chocolate option but to get 2 of another. Valentin the waiter and the assistant Oscar were both very good. Went to Diamond plus party not very busy at all but drink flowing. Saturday Marseilles. First time we had to use ship shuttle but there were taxis waiting ,someone had pre-booked a large taxi for 6 but they wouldn't let me book one said I had to take 2 taxis, I would pre-book if I went to Marseilles again 12 dollars per person for a 10 minute journey is a rip-off especially when you are a big party. Went to Palais Longchamps beautiful building and waterfall, travelled back on tram to city centre. Went for Ice skate kids loved it still seems unusual on a ship and we were at sea! Last meal in restaurant onion soup good turkey ok and another dessert sampler. Sunday had to get off, we were told we would have to hand in seapass cards for reasons of security but we were given them back which is a nice momento I think. Niggles-drinks I know it's been covered but they are way too expensive, many bars were empty and not hard to see why. My favourite tipple is Strongbow cider which wasn't cheap at $5.25 but most places on the ship gave me a 250 ml bottle and some a 440 ml can (only once) yet the price was the same. That can't be right??I drank Coors instead as it annoyed me. Photos also too dear I'm sure $19.95 for 1 picture is too much for most I'm sure they would sell more if they lowered the prices or had better bundle offers.

Overall, we had a great time. I would say IMHO that the food was better than many have billed the restaurant was restaurant quality in my view. Most of the staff were very friendly and polite and Clifton was a star. To keep a family as diverse in ages and tastes happy is a testimony in itself.