After reading reviews before we left I was unsure what to expect as some were very negative about the food, entertainment and the overall experience. We travelled as a family in January 2017 and found the following:
The ship was exceptionally clean.
Yes sometimes some food could have been warmer but overall the food was delicious, the right temperature and well presented.
The staff are all polite but not friendly. They do not, on the whole engage in conversation with you and do not take the time to get to know you. The cabin attendant did his job but nothing more. We were just the next passengers in that cabin in a long line. Same with the waiter at out table each night.
Sorry to say it but the shows each night which only went for 30 minutes were boring except for the acrobatics night and the last night. Every other night I left within 15 minutes. The dancers were all talented and had pride in their performance however the choreography was ordinary and boring.
Loved Malta but Marseille, Genoa and Palermo were ordinary, particularly Palermo which had an incredible amount of dog faeces in the streets, particularly if you left the main streets. Palermo was a huge disappointment.
Teen club was poor. Nothing really organised, just a room that some sat in and talked. Not easy to make friends.
Yoga was ordinary. Gym spacious but bikes do not have the cards in them for the programs to run.
Our family of four was crammed into a cabin meant for 2. The lounge was made into a bed for 2 teenagers and one had to climb over the other to get out of bed. There was insufficient room for our bags as the cupboard was only for 2 and the pullout bed took up space do you could barely move in the room.
Cabin was clean and light.
Caught the tour bus into Marseille at €15 return only to drive past the bus stop at the port that had a free shuttle bus into town and return.
Tours were not well priced.
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We did a lot of walking at each city which was good after a lot of eating and drinking onboard.
Some nice shops and scenery however the streets off the main all stunk badly of fog urine and there was a lot of dog faeces.
Had recently spent time in Rome prior to the cruise.
A huge disappointment. Dirty and smelly. Lots of harassment by hawkers and tour operators for 10 minutes while walking.
Loved it. Clean, friendly, great vibe.