Having read many reviews, some positive others scathing, we were informed the day before sailing, there was an outbreak of gastric intestinal illness and the ship was going to have a deep clean, we boarded on the 28th September at Southampton approximately 2 hours latter then our allotted time. On our first visit to the Windjammer restaurant the food wax luke warm, this was pointed out to an officer, but unfortunately for the 14 days of the cruise food was far from hot, manly luke warm or cold. Food in the windjammer, seemed to lack verity and same food day day after day no variation. While on the subject of the windjammer, it was noted that some of the seats were worn and torn, and needed replacing, this you would not have on Celebrity of Princess lines.

The cleanness of the ship was outstanding, all areas being cleaned on a daily basic, we did find that four days into the cruise there were passengers falling ill of gastric intestinal problems, this is why the cleaning had intensified. Every day we were subject to a barrage of information and a song informing all passengers to wash your hands, and to use your knuckles to operate the lift, but it was all for our well being. This said the question has to be asked if food is being served below the required temperature, this could be one contributing factor that so many passengers were falling ill.

The evening entertainment in the lyric theatre was outstanding, all shows top class, the ice show also was fantastic a must be see. The imperial lounge band, Blue Moons music was limited and mainly Beatles, and songs from the sixties, the waiter service in this lounge was laughable, after sitting for over 10 minutes I walked to the main bar area, two waiters were talking to each other, neither bothered to asked if I wanted anything. Eventually I asked for a couple of drinks to be sent to our table, it took a further 15 minutes for the drinks to arrive, the poor waiter service was repeated in Jesters and the pool, areas. taking to other passengers it was agreed, that since the drinks packages had been introduced the waiters did not care, they were not getting a tip. Jesters night club was great the DJ very accommodating, if he did not have the music you wanted and it was on your i player he simply plunged it in. There was a duo also playing in various bars throughout the cruise, how they got this job i don't know, even an officer stated that they could not sing. Both my wife and myself felt that the day time activities seemed to be lacking and were not as good as other cruise lines we have sailed with. Read more