EMBARKING - We made our way down to Southampton on 14th June and arrived at Southampton port around midday. Our paperwork was checked at the gates and in we went. We were pointed over to an unloading area where a chap helped get our cases from the boot of the car and took them away. Job done. We parked the car nearby (parking is really easy and you can see the ship from every parking space!) and made our 5 minute walk to the ship.

Checking in was a breeze, no endless queues like at the airports. A pleasant lady checked us in which took a total of 5 minutes and then off we went to get on the ship. Our cabin (an outside cabin on deck 4 - more about this later)was ready so we decided to put our hand luggage in there, grab the cameras and go exploring! BEST BITS: No queues, no flying, open luggage allowance, sitting with a cocktail within half an hour of parking the car!

THE SHIP - This ship is huge and although there are a fair few people on board, it never seems busy and you can always get a seat in one of the many bars or restaurants are on the sun deck. The ship is very glitzy, neon lights, plants, art work, marble floors, lush carpets and is very clean and tidy. The staff are friendly and always smiling, no sloppy service on this ship! You can tell its an American cruise line - they just know how to do it don't they. Great food, great shows, great service - it makes other cruise lines look like Butlins! Read more