Started our cruise to the Canaries on a cold February morning arriving at Southampton port at 11 o'clock to be told by Royal Caribbean that we would be unable to board as ship was being deep cleaned due to an outbreak of Norovirus on the previous cruise, found out later that there had been 500 cases plus. We were advised to park car and go into Southampton for lunch and return around 2 o'clock, buses were provided plus $20.00(Lunch supplement)per person for inconvenience. We arrived back at terminal at 2.00 to join queue 4 Hours later we were still waiting in the cold with very little info provided. We finally arrived in our stateroom at approx 6.30. Stateroom very spacious and comfortable, we did not feel like going to dining room so went to Windjammer food was quite good,but found that although was buffet style we were not able to serve ourselves owing to restrictions re Norovirus, were served by staff for everything including drinks which resulted in queues forming, this continued throughout cruise was understandable due to situation and staff did their very best. Not a good start and full restrictions continued throughout cruise with new cases being found daily, had to clean hands before going into any venue. Inconvenient but understandable. Ship as a whole was ok although found not many places for peace and quiet and a shortage of seats at poplar venues. Bar Prices were very expensive and no price list in any bar. Bar waiters were constantly trying to sell drinks often not waiting for you to settle in a seat and then constantly trying to sell to the point of harassment.

Dining Room food (Macbeth) was by no means fine dining, poor choice and presentation. Waiters were polite and helpful.

Ports of call and excursions. Excursions were enjoyable but are not good value for money. Ports of call Mostly visited ports were in the north of the Islands and north Spain not good for decent temperatures this time of year, Madeira was the port we were most looking forward to and was disappointed to find that we had to be on board at 2.00 o'clock sailing at 2.30 just half a day, not good. Read more