Unfortunately we hadn't read any reviews on the ship until after it was booked and paid for, and though we panicked on reading them, we still decided to go with an open mind.

On December 23rd we eagerly boarded our much awaited holiday. As we have never done a Christmas or New Year cruise we couldn't wait.

On walking onto the ship we immediately met the foul stench of cigarette and cigar smoke wafting down through the inner upper decks. Though I am a smoker myself, it didn't stop the feeling of nausea that also came upon me and the rest of my party...To think we had to subject children to this was unbelievable. Though smelly we did find the ship to be quite clean...Our cabin was quite respectable in size, and our cabin steward absolutely wonderful....Air conditioning was always hit and miss, door on wardrobe continually falling off, toilets constantly backing up, and a horrible skinny shower head that only let water out sometimes, and I wont get started about the shower curtain...But the towels were lovely, clean and fluffy... Read more