Joined the cruise at Dubai on 24rd December.. The embarkation went smoothly, but seemend a bit of a drawn out experience.. We were on board by 11.30, but then had to queue up to ave our photos taken on board for our cruise card, then told cruise card would be in cabin, when actually it was given out in one of the lounges. Then we had to link our credit card to the cruise card at a separate terminal ... Why could this not all be done when checking in at the port... Cabin was nice, first time we have had a balcony.. First day and evening we just explored the ship, seemed rather nice, but not much Christmas decoration or spirit...loads of lounges to lounge about in the evening in.. Ate at buffet, and early night. Second day (Christmas Day), we were out from morning to late night, so missed all the festivities, and the gala dinner. Ate at buffet again..

The third day we were meant to be at Sir Ban yas island, but we could not dock due to thick fog, so day at sea, spent day on decks, when we could find a place, and chilling out.

Ate at sports bar that evening, as it was reasonably quiet in there, but was no barman there for first 45 mins, poor waiting lady rushed off her feet, meal took 40 mins to arrive, by that time place was full peple in watching match, felt uncomfortable eating in there. Music on board in the bars was a little laid back, quite a bit classically themed, and repetitive. Read more