This was our second cruise following an Ocean Village trip round the Western Med a couple of years ago. We hadn't been too sure about cruising after that but decided that this would be the best way to visit a number of places we had always wanted to see, so signed up at only 6 weeks notice. As a result we had few choices of cabin, but in the end were quite happy with our budget, bottom deck, inside choice. I had read several bad reviews about the Spirit, including reports of a constant vibration, which worried me because I had found it hard to sleep on Ocean Village due to engine vibration, but on Spirit, although I felt it, I had no problems sleeping at all.

We tended to avoid most daytime activities, preferring to find a quiet spot and read. That proved tricky on the day at sea but we did eventually find some free benches beside the sports courts. On all other days we found loungers away from the pool/bar areas with no difficulty. There were a few activities that I intended attending - a tour backstage of the theatre and a flambE demonstration - but as it happened I always forgot and missed them! We did see the ice carving demo and it was impressive although all over in less than 5 minutes!

We had the choice of self-service buffet in the Lido or free-seating waiter service in Compass Rose. We found the food in Compass Rose was significantly better than the Lido - which reminded me of a motorway service station standard. However the waiter service was slower so we often took breakfast or lunch in the Lido and kept the waiter service for the main meal. We also ate in Sirocco's one night (our anniversary) for which we paid a £16.50/head supplement. This was not good value because the food was only slightly better (my Scallops were well overcooked, and the smallest I've ever eaten!) and the seating was so close together (our "table for two" was less than a foot from those on either side) that we felt we might as well have been at a table for 6 in the Compass Rose! This was one area where Ocean Village was better with James Martin's Bistro genuinely reflecting a "fine dining" experience) Read more