We have just returned from the Christmas Markets Cruise on Magellan embarking from Tilbury on December 16th. As a regular cruiser with Cunard, Princess and Fred Olson this was a bit of an experiment ! I had persuaded a sea phobic friend to accompany me as a taster, so much rode on the experience. I had read many poor reviews so I was full of trepidation. Well all I can say is I simply do not know what folk have been moaning about - truthfully - I had the largest inside single cabin I have ever had on any ship upon which I have cruised. It was so very spacious, spotlessly clean, a flat screen TV, a bathroom and shower with room to move ( now there's a thing!) and perfectly nice shower and shampoo toiletries.

My friend had the cabin next door (6077 and6091) and she was delightfully surprised. I had regailed her with tales of tiny cabins and showers built for height challenged pixies, so infact I think she assumed I had been exaggerating ! We asked the Maitre'd for a table for two, and he obliged without a grimace or a tut ! The food was xcellent, as good as Holland America with whom I travelled in August with my grand children, and the service was impeccable. There were some overly demanding customers close to our table and they were dealt with with total care and much grace - which I have to say they did not deserve, rude and picky folk must make life very difficult for the altogether excellent and caring waiters.

We watched one show which was perfectly adequate, which may sound rather watered down as a comment, but I have been a professor of voice at a London Conservetoire for most of my professional life, so I am indeed hard to please when it comes to singing ! It was on the whole greatly enjoyed by the audience. Read more