FIRST IMPRESSIONS The benefit of sailing from Southampton is there is no limit to the amount of clothes and shoes you can pack The downside of sailing from Southampton is that you tend to pack too much! Laded with 3 cases and 2 carry on's we arrived at the dock at 10.50. They made an announcement that the check in system was down just as they were checking us in - and we were on board by 11.30.

Anything that has already been said about this can and must be said again - she is simply the most beautiful, stylish, stunning ship afloat today. The layout is clever, no spaces feel crowded and the number of eating, drinking or just sitting with a book venues are plentiful. The art was eclectic, weird and wonderful. The sinks in the public bathrooms were beautiful! The use of diverse and unusual fabrics and materials throughout the ship also contributed to the luxurious feel. The cushions, curtains, chairs and carpets were all lovely (OK perhaps not the yucky brown carpet on the stairs!) -the chairs in the solarium were just to die for and I am sure many wanted to have the swinging hammock in their back garden too.

We had booked this cruise in March 09 so had 18 months to prepare and plan! There were over 100 on our roll call who had been 'chatting' for most of this time. Not all of us were issued invites for the official CC party on board (including us) so we never got to meet all of them sadly. Read more