All of human life was there... British human life anyway. From snobs who liked to pretend they were slumming it and introduced themselves by asking what you do for a living and where do you live, to ordinary hard-working families taking a well-earned annual holiday, to some real "rough" types. If you like frying in the sun on a lounger then you won't be alone. All inclusive drinks packages seemed the order of the day and I think staff were surprised when we were not on this plan. Branded or slightly more expensive drinks or bottles of wine were charged at extra to the all inclusive rate. I am glad we paid as we went along for drinks as you would have to be a serious drinker who doesn't mind what they imbibe to get value for money. Cocktails were incredibly weak, so curious, I asked a barman to show me how they are made - a "pre-mix" is used when making them up and little alcohol is actually involved. Every bottle of wine we tried was nasty.

The ship is tired and has seen better days, facilities are basic compared to other cruise ships. Our cabin was the smallest we have had on a ship and with two very small single beds. It was adequate.The food is mostly tepid and lacked quality and variety both in the restaurants and the buffets. The buffet being a bit of a free-for-all, with highly uncomfortable chairs. We ate mainly in the "Seven Seas" restaurant, where some inventive dishes were presented on the menu, including the incredible pork loin stuffed with Babybel...We did not partake. The entertainments team work very hard and the theatre is full to overflowing most nights. We had a great night letting our hair down at one of the late-night pool parties. The ship is kept very clean and the ship's staff and crew throughout are its salvation. We have never, on any other cruise, had such a hard-working and eternally pleasant and together team. If Thomson ever lose the goodwill of their staff they will be done for, I'm sure.

Two of the ports - Tripani and Crotone are in our opinion, not worth a look at and are clearly used as cheap births for the ship. Excursions are over priced and do not offer value for money. Read more