Despite reservation of our cabin and confirmation of the trip in the previous June, three days before we were due to travel we were advised, without any explanation, that we had been allocated a cabin at the other end of the ship. We later discovered that many of the other passengers found themselves in a similar position. On board the general condition of the ship was poor. Our cabin required refurbishment. Restaurant service was substandard and the food was on par with a school meal. On Christmas day evening following a 45 minute wait to enter the dinning area we then waited a further 75 minuets to be served with our meal. On board entertainment was found to be extremely amateur, most of the entertainers lacked any experience, most had recently left stage school. Singing groups throughout the ship a various location appeared to be foreign and were difficult to understand.

The each way flight from Gatwick however could not be faulted. The crew were attentive, polite and considerate.

Fortunately TUI had no control on the weather which was excellent.