After plenty of research in to various cruise lines and ships, my boyfriend and I booked our first cruise aboard the Celebrity Equinox, leaving Barcelona on a Western Mediterranean cruise on the 4th July. Our choice was dictated first by the ports of call, then by the service/food/amenities on board the ship. We were not disappointed!

Being in our mid-twenties, we were a bit worried that there would be an age gap between us and the majority of the passengers onboard but there was actually a huge range of ages - id say the majority were perhaps 45-60? We met people from all nationalities, though it was mostly americans, canadians, brits and australians. there were not too many children, as it was out of the UK school holiday time, but they did make their presence known in the pool! Perhaps this was one of our very few gripes - that the pool and it's rules were not observed, often resulting in kids dive bombing and soaking everyone around them - although this was only a tiny thing, and there is an adults pool in the solarium if you want to escape the noise/splashing! Zumba took place by the pool twice each day but I just couldn't bear to jiggle about in full view of the top deck in my bikini (especially after all those extra calories on board...)

We met so many people who were on their 4th, 5th or even 26th cruise - when experienced cruisers choose the same boat, you feel confident that you've made the right choice! As first timers, we didnt really know what to expect - so I guess I should start with what impressed us the most - the food!! Apparently the average cruiser puts on 10 pounds in a week - we certainly pushed that theory to its limits, with all the fantastic food on board - my boyfriend put on 4 kilos and that was with going to the gym every day! (I'm still yet to weigh in!) honestly, there was something for everyone - even the buffet in the ocean view cafe is probably one of the best buffets you'll ever experience. If you wanted, you could have a three course meal picked from a menu and served to you for breakfast, lunch and dinner - but there really wasn't a limit. Once, my boyfriend ordered the lamb and was presented with the beef - when he let the waiter know, he was incredibly apologetic, and returned with a rack of lamb in a matter of moments. If you wanted steak with lobster tail on the side, it was yours - if you wanted three starters, three mains and three desserts, you could have it! We tried the three speciality restaurants too - Tuscan grille was our favourite, and we would suggest picking this on a night when you are due to sail out from a beautiful port - we dined there upon leaving kotor, Montenegro, and it was beautiful. Look out for "brunch" in the silhouette restaurant, in place of breakfast, in your "celebrity today" leaflet - so many people that we met missed this, and it was incredible! Ice sculptures, chocolate fountains... I won't spoil it all for you, it needs to be seen to be believed. Read more