Slightly better than expected!

For context, we are Princess people and have also cruised with P and O and NCL. Chose this cruise due to itinerary, date and regional flight.

Knew it would not be as special as Princess and so it turned out but was very enjoyable and decent value for money.

The flights, transfers and embarkation/disembarkation arrangements were excellent.

Things that were better: size of cabin and bathroom, drinks prices, included tips.

Things that were worse: bar service was a bit offhand, slow and they did not know how to serve certain drinks; food in the main restaurant was nothing special (we did try Kora La, the Asian restaurant which was very good); felt crowded on the day at sea. The worst comparison however was the "entertainment" - the theatre shows had excellent dancing but terrible singing and the two bands playing in the lounges were just dire and far far too loud. A grand piano sat untouched in Tides while the pianist was stuck in a closed room and the "party band" could be heard above him! The quizzes were badly presented and indeed all the entertainment staff seemed too young and far from interested.

Two really bad things that I will be taking up with the company - I have never been as ripped off as paying £15 for the use of the safe and far more importantly the safety briefing commenced 2 minutes after we boarded while people were still finding their cabins and no effort was made to ensure everyone attended; worth mentioning that the medical questonnaires were dumped in a heap on a table and not counted or presumably checked.

We also greatly missed the central atrium as there was literally nowhere quiet to chat in the evenings.

In summary, a decent week away but not one I would consider suitable for any kind of "big trip"/special occasion.