Loved Zumba classes. Great trainer. Buffet was worst I have ever experienced. I ate 90% of meals in the dining room. Eggs Benedict were cooked PERFECTLY ever day. Beef Wellington over cooked. Steak diane an abomination. Ravioli too floury white sauce. Grilled fish and seafood were always the best choice. Terrific creme brûlée. Salads were good. Soups not. GREAT bread.
The main reason I chose this cruise was the itinerary. It was great to have such variety available. Mont St Michel did not disappoint! Was my favorite excursion. Guernsey was delightful. Easy to walk to everything. No problems getting into town from ship without a tour anywhere really. Do buy skip the line tickets if you go on your own to Guiness or Edinburgh castle. Could not believe how long the lines were if we hadn't pre purchased them. We did not go on any ships tours and had no problem finding private ones at 1/2 or less of ship price. In Ireland, I would use Paddywagon for every port! They were excellent. Book Orkney early. It really did run out of tours, cars, taxis very quickly. Renting a car is the best option on this island. But Orkney taxi is 40 pounds per hour for up to 8 people in one taxi. It is just a ride though. No guide. But free guided tour at Brodgar and Skara. Exotic Scotland at Invergordon was excellent. My second favorite tour.
I do recommend this cruise.
Loved the size of the room. The bedding was amazing. Neither one of us ever slept that well. Two huge windows let in lots of light. Large sitting area and desk.
BUT
Not one outlet in bathroom for toothbrush or waterpik. No outlet near bed for charging phone/ iPad. I would choose this room again but bring extension cords.
No need for tour. We went to guiness, pubs in Temple Bar after Christchurch and St Patrick's cathedrals and Dublin Castle. Wish I had had time for Trinity college.
Easy just to walk around but guides were available for only 12 pounds for 2 hour walking tour. Too slow and boring. Good tax free shopping here. Charming little town. Huge lineup to get back on tenders. Bring an umbrella for the wait.
Paddywagon tour was excellent. Went to blarney castle and then Kinsale for $58 each. The castle is not all there is. Check out gardens, stone circles, waterfalls, Blarney woolen mill perhaps.
Our driver from Orkney taxi never spoke. We heard others were more chatty. We saw what we came to see, stones, ancient dwellings and for cheap price. £20 each for 3 hours. Did our own walking tour of bishops palace and st Magnus cathedral. Don't miss the £1.20 store! Lots of good stuff in there.
Loved Edinburgh. So glad we had skip the line tickets for the castle. Too much to see in one day. Did hop on off bus and were pleased with live guide and how often buses came by.