The Good:

Thomas Cook flight from Manchester - initially dreaded but turned out fine, efficient friendly service, decent food, decent leg room, but maybe take your own personal entertainment as the media choices are fairly limited - best part was stepping off the plane and directly onto a bus on the runway and being taken straight to the ship - if only all cruises were like this! - word of warning regarding luggage though - when they say 23kg hold and 5kg hand luggage allowance - they mean it! - to the extent that there was almost a fist-fight at the check in desk (which is not exactly an ideal way to start your holiday) and you'll be charged £18 per additional kg over said limits.

Weather fantastic - intermittent (and much welcomed) cloud and a few sun-showers on a few days but typically 80 degrees every day apart from Xmas day when it poured down in classic grey-cloud-all-day-UK style! Read more