First time cruisers and read a lot on here about falling standards, poor service, poor food, poor entertainment....we must have been on a different ship. My only gripe was the embarkation process at Barbados where we had to queue for over 90 minutes in horrendous heat and feeling very dishevelled were then met on the gangway by photographers who thought they could capture us in a good light after the experience! That apart the service and food in all the restaurants and bars was first class, the entertainment was of high quality with the exception of one very average tribute act.

We had a case of Norovirus on board which to be blunt was not unexpected given the lack of care by a number of passengers who at the start of the cruise ignored the hand gels, there was a notable change in attitude once the virus was prevalent and staff were somewhat more forceful in enforcing the procedures, because of this the service in the self-service restaurants was significantly slower...understandably.

We also became fed up with the "cruise moaners" of whom there were a few, who moaned about everything from the fact that they shouldn't have to dress for formal nights, to one particular individual who complained that there was no climbing wall on board!!! - I would respectfully suggest that maybe these people should research prior to booking to see whether the cruise facilities/dress codes fit with their requirements. However on a positive note most of the people we met on board were very sociable and friendly and there was generally a lovely atmosphere on board.. Read more