This was my first cruise, I went with my sister and my 80 year old mother for her birthday. Debarkation was extremely easy, we were scheduled to board mid afternoon, but when we arrived there was someone to take our luggage so we could stroll around the quay. The ship looked enourmous. Process was quick and in no time we were on board. Cabin already had our luggage and there was plenty of room to put our clothes away and stow our luggage. Lovely verandah. Had my first cocktail as the ship left port. Always worried about the first day at sea that I would be bored, the day went so fast. We found the shops which with every purchase there was a ticket to put in a jar and each night a ticket was drawn for a great prize. We ended up going every night and the Store Manager made it extremely entertaining, I also enjoyed the bargains available, something different each night.

Waiting staff in the Empire Dining room were wonderful, they had a wonderful singing waiter with an awesome voice, and the waiters themselves were very entertaining, and even remembered you. One drink waiter knew my favourite cocktail. One morning we were on lido desk and Mum thought she would like pancakes, this was well after breakfast. I went to the Lido Restaurant and asked if there were any pancakes left. I was asked to wait and he apparently went down to the kitchen and made up a new batch just for Mum, that is service.

As to my Mum, she is 80 years and has a walker and the staff were extremely courteous and helpful with her. First port of Call the Bay of Isalnds we had to go onshore on Tenders, two crew members helped mum downstairs and onto the tender, it was choppy but they timed it beautifully to get her on board then another crew member followed with her walker. At all ports it was the same very helpful and courteous and always willing the help Mum. This really enabled her to enjoy her holiday as I think see thought she would be stuck on the ship. Read more