This was our first cruise and we really couldn't fault anything. From booking in the Louth branch of Thomson with the wonderful help of Sophie, to arriving back home it all went like clockwork. We had chosen an outside cabin and I have to say I'm very thankful we did. If you can afford it I highly recommend a cabin with a window, or even with a balcony. We did find the air conditioning very drying and my husband felt like he had a cold, whereas if we had a balcony we could have opened the door for fresh air. ALL the staff on the ship were so amazingly friendly and happy, and as the cruise was 'tips included' it wasn't as it they were being falsely friendly for a tip. The wonderful couple who cleaned our cabin were so kind and helpful (so they did get an extra tip!) and nothing was too much bother. The bed was very comfortable which was a bonus as so often you stay somewhere with an uncomfortable bed compared to yours at home. The food was amazing and plentiful. We chose not to eat in the waiter service restaurants as we prefer a more relaxed atmosphere and we aren't into 'dressing up'. Someone said to us the choice of food in the self-service was probably better than waiter service and I can only say it was amazingly good and varied. The entertainment was far better than we'd expected. We hadn't planned to watch anything, but decided to give it a go and I have to say it was high class entertainment. The singers and dancers were very good indeed and the comedian, Buster, was fantastic. If he's on your cruise then you are in for a treat and do go and watch him, I defy anyone to say he wasn't funny! We went on two excursions and both were very good indeed with good tour guides on both. One was in Madeira, which is a pretty island, the other Lanzarote, it was a trip to the north of the island which was so much nicer than the port. I would recommend going on as many as you can afford as you see so much more than shops and cafes. Everything went like clockwork. The ship sailed when it was due to, and any transport was right on time, either excursions or transfers to and from the airport. Although we had a smashing time and we have booked to go to the Fjords in June, I'm not sure we are 'cruising people'. Absolutely nothing Thomson did was wrong, it was us finding the time as sea a little limiting and finding we spent far too much time eating and drinking! We are used to doing a little more on our holidays, but we did manage to adapt and relaxed nicely. Our next cruise we have a cabin, so will avoid the drying air con, and we drive to the port rather than fly, which will be far easier. If you've never cruised but feel you'd like to try it I would highly recommend Thomson as they are laid back on board and there is a very relaxed atmosphere. Go on, give it a go!!! Read Less

1st cruise and I was not disappointed! Arrived at the port at around 10am and got parked up and checked in immediately. We only had a 30 minute wait in the terminal before we were called to embark. We were on the ship within an hour of parking! The ship is huge! I was so glad we got on early so we had a few hours to explore before the staterooms are available at 1pm. We had a Promenade Stateroom. As you enter, the bathroom was on the left and the wardrobe on the right. In the bathroom there was the toilet, shower and sink. There was a huge mirror with lights either side which was great for doing make up. There was a corner cabinet with 3 shelves. There was also ample room around the sink area for toiletries and a shelf under the sink. In the wardrobe was one high rail and 2 lower rails for hanging clothes and there was 5 shelves, one of which had the safe on. The safe was very easy to use. Outside the wardrobe was 4 drawers and 3 more shelves. The bed was huge, the size of 2 singles together and it had a foam topper which was so comfy! Between the bed and the window was a small sitting area with 2 sofas and a dressing table/desk and chair. There was another huge mirror with lights and 2 small shelving areas either side of the mirror. The window looked out onto the Royal Promenade. We were on deck 8 so the window was at an angle looking down. We had chosen 'My Time Dining' which meant we could have dinner in the Romeo & Juliet dining room on deck 3 whenever we liked between 6pm and 9.30pm. You didn't have to reserve a table but we did on the 3 occasions we ate in there, twice reserving a table at the dining room earlier in the day and once by calling the reservations line. We had a table for 2 each time, but the tables are very close together so it was more like a table for 6! The menus are displayed on interactive monitors around the ship so each morning we took photos of the menus to take away and decide if we wanted to eat in the dining room. The food in the dining room was very nice. I had Beef Tenderloin one night and it just melted in my mouth! The service was good with just one little blip that wasn't worth complaining about. There isn't much of a view in the Romeo & Juliet dining room, there are no large windows like in the Macbeth & King Lear dining rooms on decks 4 & 5. The other nights we ate in the Windjammer Cafe, as we did breakfast and lunch. Buffet style food but very tasty and plenty of variety. The entertainment was excellent. We went to several shows both in the Alhambra Theatre and Studio B Ice Rink. I would particularly recommend Grease and the Ice shows. I would also recommend you go to the game show Quest, that was hilarious! Our cruise direct Jamie was great fun and made the cruise very entertaining. The service we received everywhere on the ship was great, most of the crew were exceptionally friendly and in particular, our stateroom attendant Joseph Anthony. He was such a blessing throughout the cruise. I would absolutely go again and am already planning the next one! Read Less

First time cruisers and it won't be the last. From the moment we stepped on the ship we were not disappointed. The staff were exceptional. They couldn't do enough for us. Cabin stewardess was great. Food was out of this world. Didn't do the buffet as was a bit of a cattle market. The main restaurants where you were very well looked after and the food was first class were excellent. The speciality restaurants were out of this world. Plenty of entertainment and plenty of seated areas to relax. Didn't do any excursions. We chose do do our own thing. All in all it was a fantastic holiday. Don't be put off by the size of the ship you wouldn't know there was that many people on it. O and if you get the chance have a pamper session at the spa. The girls are so nice and they made us feel really welcome and relaxed. I'm so glad I have finally gone on a cruise and chosen p&o we will definitely do it again. Read Less

We wanted to go on the Britannia as it looked so British and she lived up to all we expected and more, cabin with balcony was great you need this for a 2 week cruise. Stewardess to our cabin was always on hand and such a lovely happy person lovely to see her every day and looked after our cabin with a great deal of attention. waiting staff in the restaurants were very polite at professional with a great sense of humour the very thing us British like, we used the Peninsula Restaurant most night as we got to know waiters Andrew & Flemis who look after us way beyond the call of duty plus a sign presentation of menus covering all the nights of the cruise, well done to you two you made our cruise and not forgetting our wine waiter true to his profession we had some great wines. Read Less

Just returned back from the colourful coast on the majesty. The whole experience right from the flight to the cruise was out of this world. This was my first cruise, and I was a solo traveller, the flight was smooth and just about on time, but that was ok. The check in process was very easy, and ran like clock work. My cabin was on deck 6, mid ship located just by the on board casino, which was an ideal location as it was near the main entertainment venue. in terms on cabin size and layout, it was basic but it was well equipped for the cruise, the bathroom/toilet was a bit small, but I managed. The activities ranged from day to day, Christina and chewy was amazing in the entertainment that they supplied. Sail away party was amazing, I didn't do a lot of the shore excursions, but the ones that I did do was amazing, all the guides that Thomson used had a good understanding of English, and was able to answer any questions that was thrown at them, and the level of information and background about the ports that we visited was really in depth. Dining wise food was amazing there was always some think on the menu that someone could enjoy. If you didn't feel like having a 3 course meal in one of the 2 restaurants, then you could always visit deck 10 where there was a buffet service which ran until 1am. In terms of evening entertainment, I have never seen such fantastic shows, that got the whole family clapping singing and dancing along. it ranged from theatre shows in the jubilee lounge, or maybe a quiz/ trivia show is more your style then visit the royal firework lounge. Overall I would recommend cruising with Thomson a must. I am all ready thinking about my next cruise with Thomson, looking into doing a longer cruise and cruising around the Caribbean Read Less

Our first cruise. My wife has always wanted to go on a cruise, I prefer to keep my feet on terra firm's, boots on and walking especially in Madeira. This holiday offered both, a cruise for my wife and a visit to my favourite place. The cruise was also booked as our silver wedding present to ourselves. From the out set the holiday was a dream, seamless transfers, easy embarking, shown to a good sized, clean cabin. A walk around the ship revealed a host of bars and restaurants, we never got bored with the food and ate in a different place every night, sure it was crowded at times but if you adjust your schedule a little you could always find a seat. We enjoyed all of our stops despite the weather, but the stand out feature of this ship is the crew. I can't fault a single one, I'm a miserable old so and so, but you couldn't help smile with them, their work ethic is superb and they truly don't stop until you do. Special shouts to our stewards Nerico and Made and Helen Kurver (a gracious host at the Captains Table). The crew made our anniversary a special event that my wife and I will never forget. I thank you and recommend the ship to all in the highest possible terms. Read Less

As first timers on a cruise after reading some of the reviews on here we were worried about going but I really do not understand why people complain. The ship itself was lovely( but I do appreciate we have nothing to compare it too as this was our first time), we had an outside plus cabin on deck 4 and we were very surprised at the amount of space we did have. The beds are comfortable and there is a lot of storage. We had no issues with the bathroom, everything worked as it should. The food on board was brilliant. We ate in the seven seas restaurant twice but preferred the self service in the piazza San Marco buffet restaurant. The food was always hot and of very good quality. All of the Thompson crew on board are fabulous, the reviews that have said that they are all miserable, well I think must have been on a different ship. Everyone greeted you with a chirpy good morning/afternoon and were always happy to help/ answer questions when required. The bar staff in all areas were brilliant, as soon as you were nearing the bottom of the glass you would be asked if you would like another. The Thomson entertainment team were fabulous putting on excellent shows. The ship was a bit rocky on a couple of occasions causing a few sea sickness issues but you do get used to it. The only thing that would have made our holiday better would have been for the weather to have been better but that's one of those things. It was a bit brisk sat outside some of the time. We visited some lovely ports especially Funchal in Maderia but we did feel that Thomson do overcharge on their excursions, £22 for a transfer to the beach seemed very expensive to us, we made our own way around. Overall we had a lovely time and will definitely cruise with Thomson again, don't be put off by the negative reviews on here. Read Less

Read a few bad reviews prior to my first ever experience of cruising.What a load of rubbish,If you are a snob,or pompous like formal nights every night then this is not the ship for you.If you like being looked after by really friendly hard working staff who go that extra mile to ensure you enjoy every minute of your cruise then read on. Let's start with the entertainment team,they put on 1st class shows most nights,also make sure your days on board are fun packed,spend hours rehearsing,and still take the time to mix at the end of a long day. Restaurant staff,if you are eating in the buffet restaurant or either of the fine dining restaurants then nothing is to much trouble and they make make every effort to get to to know everyone by name and ensure you food is served hot. The bar staff,you don't really see much of the people behind the bar,this is because the staff waiting on are super efficient,they get to know your drinks always serve you with a smile,and even though they have to clean and polish everything after you have gone to bed still great you with a lovely smile next morning. Cabin stewards,greet you with a smile every morning,ensure your cabin is spotless every day.Turn you bed down every evening,put a big smile on your face with the animals made with the towels,and I had no issue leaving money lying around and felt I could totally trust them and that is a lovely feeling. In conclusion I am sorry that the majesty is leaving the Thomson fleet but if you get chance to sail on the old girl before she leaves go for it you will love it. Read Less

This cruise was a total let down! thank god most of the staff were great or l would have got off and flown home. The ship needs major works done to it as its so tired and in places is a mess, cabins are compact to say the least and I have slept on better camp beds than what we had, the toilet three times flooded the bathroom and as for the draws in the units l spent a couple of hours fixing them to be able to open them. Having to pay for water was a joke and drinks charges were different all over the place and we had the drinks package so to be charged for a mixer in one place but not another was mind blowing. Great to be charged before we went to eat in the posh restaurant was funny as we booked it twice and to be fair we sent food back twice. Breakfast was ok but sloppy if you managed to get a seat and talking of seats the ship has the most uncomfortable seats all over the place so sat in the window bay bench seat most of the time. By no means am I stuck up but some of the things people were doing without staff stopping them was a joke so sadly I have to say I will not be booking again as planed to take my family. Read Less

Having read previous reviews, like others I was apprehensive about our holiday, however I worried needlessly. We had a great time. Transfer from the airport was approx 50 mins, embarkation was seamless, took about 20 mins to get to our cabin and our luggage arrived shortly after, delivered by our very attentive and helpful cabin steward. The cabins are small, but there is adequate storage space and the beds are very comfortable. The cabin stewards to a sterling job, making up your cabin in the morning and turning down your bed at night. We were always keen to see what creation he had made with the towels! The 'Cruise News' is delivered at night and details information about the port and what's on the following day. The food was lovely, we chose to eat mainly in the Seven Seas or Four Seasons restaurants. It is waiter service in these for lunch and dinner. Breakfast was buffet style and there was a good choice and standard of food. We had booked the all inclusive drinks package prior to going and I would recommend doing this as it is much more expensive to buy on the ship. The entertainment was superb and the whole team were so talented. The shows were of a West End standard. We also spent time listening to Ben Moss in the Rendezvous Bar, he has an amazing voice. All the staff are very friendly and are a credit to Thomson. We met loads of lovely people, had a cracking holiday and would definitely cruise with Thomson again. Read Less