You can pick your friends but not your fellow cruisers and their was some miserable people on board her this time, thank goodness for freedom dining as if I had to sit with some of these people for the whole cruise I would have swam back to Southampton, I would also say that at least 30% of the people on board did not join in the "Formal Nights" but of course that is their choice as for us it is a big part of the whole cruise experience and at the formal nights we did meet some lovely people who had cruised before.. The Captain on this cruise was a very boring character and I could not wait for his lunchtime speeches to end as all he dribbled on about was Knots & litres of fuel per hour (it was like being back at school) he needs to take a lesson off Captain Robert Canby who is captivating and has a good sense of humour, with him you saw him a few times a day walking round the ship talking to fellow cruisers but with this guy you saw him when he gave his welcome speech at the welcome drinks party and never again after that.. The entertainment team were also lacking personality and wow factor and seemed to huddle in clusters amongst themselves chatting instead of interacting with fellow cruisers but like they say "You are only as good as your leader", what a travesty that Elaine the last Cruise Director has moved on to pastures new as she was a great asset to this ship as was her team..

We travelled to and from Southampton with Eavesway travel which is always a nice start to your holiday and the check in process was a speedy affair with our cases being placed outside our cabin within thirty minutes, our steward Victor was amazing and provided us with a spotlessly clean cabin, extra coat hangers and feather pillows (which would ensure a good nights sleep).. Because we booked only three weeks before travelling we were given an inside cabin on the starboard side of "D" deck, we could not have wished for more as it was spacious with abundant amounts of storage and the biggest shower cubical we have ever had and I would not hesitate to stay there again.. It was just above the Yacht & Compass Bar and the Footlights Theatre but it was so quiet you would never have known this, my partner uses a walking stick but everything was on our doorstep : Café Jardin, Atrium, Lifts, Launderette - perfect..

It was lovely to discover that Protocol & Power Supply were on board as they have performed on Oceana when we have sailed in the past so we knew we were going to enjoy some of the entertainment, we didn't bother with many of the Headliner shows as we found them pretty hit and miss but the coloured singer one night was outstanding as were the four guy singers who performed.. Read more