Cruise July 11th. On Columbus. Around the British Isles.

We chose this cruise because our first ever cruise on this ship when it was P&O Arcadia. 17 years ago, which we enjoyed very much. The ship is still a good size with plenty room. There have been some changes, new floorings and paintwork, some of the public rooms have changed and sadly the lovely cinema has gone. The theatre had had chairs squeezed in, some of them higher than the seating behind thus restricting the view. The cabins are a good size but rather dull with much brown wood and carpets ours was not very clean on arrival. No toiletries, just a dispenser of shampoo in the shower, no soap but I was given two small bars after I made a request for some. I had to search for the steward who didn’t make any effort to introduce herself.

No kettle in the cabin, so it was a walk and rides in the lift to deck 12 aft. to the tea and coffee dispensing machines. This proved very difficult at times with people carrying hot drinks back to their cabins in the lifts, often juggling a mug with a walking frame or stick. I think in line with most ships and hotels a kettle in the room is a must for safety reasons. I spent 3 days up and down from the buffet to the cabin with food hot drinks etc. for my husband who was unable to walk, following a painful fall on the second day at sea. Read more