Setting off from Southampton on 5th Jan we were a bit apprehensive about being away for so long and lots of sea days....but now we are back all those worries were unnecessary and we really have had the trip of a lifetime. Every port of call was a new adventure. Some places are not tourist hot spots so we got to see the real countries not some made up place just for visitors to buy things. Magnificent islands, scenery, animals and local people. Some basic things such as simple coaches not "tourist coaches with A/C and reclining chairs" and local people who were proud to show you their country and all its fascinations, and not just where to shop and eat McDonalds! So, all of these unusual things made the whole experience far more interesting. ( if you want pampered tourist places stick to Europe or the Caribbean)

The ship is quite small and wasn't full so there was plenty of space to sit, lots of sunbathing areas, in fact plenty of space everywhere on the ship. Kept immaculately clean by the wonderful crew who we cannot praise enough. It was easy to see why Fred Olsen has so many returners. On the whole the food was good, but obviously 77 days is difficult to vary the menu completely, however there was always something you fancied and the chefs and waiters were always happy to mix and match to our tastes, so we could have chips instead of mash or this veg instead of that, and as many desserts as we could eat!

Drinks prices very fair and the bar staff got to know your preferences very quickly. Read more