Overall we had a great week and so glad we booked a balcony on the Port side. If you have any doubts do it as there are loads of kids on board and this gives you a chance for some peace and quiet. We like kids but they are allowed to run riot in the Windjammer cafe and pool area. We were also very disappointed with the adult pool section on board, it was too small and felt crammed in like sardines. Dress code nights were disappointing as this was not adhered to in the dining rooms, they let people in with shorts and T shirts! Also they pander to large parties and in the main the 3 of us were put on tables near the clearing stations. Service was either overbearing so that you could not enjoy your food without being interrupted and asked questions or simply non existent if sat between two large parties.

Breakfast is best served in your cabin (always on time) or Promenade Cafe if you want to get away from the food scramble in Windjammer. However be prepared for average food everywhere, Windjammer is like being at School Dinners. Main dining room food never really comes up to expectations from description on menu but overall OK.

The ports of call were fantastic especially waking up in the bay of Villefranche. However do your homework before leaving...and don't believe everything that RC tell you. In Marseille they advised there could be a problem with taxis due to number of cruise ships in...so we bought tickets for the scenic boat shuttle. There were loads of taxis and the boat shuttles were late leaving from the dock area and Marseille which meant we lost a lot of time just waiting in line. In Villefranche be prepared for a long line for train tickets - at least 30 to 45 mins in height of summer. Pompeii - chap on the coach was brilliant and gave us some great info even though we had only booked transportation. Be prepared for long wait for entry tickets cutting out 30 mins of our 2.30 visiting time. Read more