Beware if you are tempted by the stay awhile program, it is an absolute ripoff and a great example of mis selling , the description is misleading, you have use of the pool decks as listed but are surrounded by closed signage and chains everywhere, no pool was open at all. The spa sauna was switched off as was the steam room, the towel station is closed. The whole atmosphere was hostile and uncomfortable not relaxing at all, It spoilt a previously enjoyable cruise which was a great pity, as although crowded at times, the service and quality are fairly good value.

My advice to anyone who needs to stay awhile in Southampton would be to use the various dayroom options which lots of the hotels offer for about 1/3 of the price of the Royal Caribbean deal and often include taxi transfers and full use of there facilities and baggage storage.

The cruise itself was pretty much as you would expect for a Royal Caribbean large ship, the facilities are good especially if you are traveling with children, the main issue for us was the my time dining which involves queuing and just as you get near the front you are told to come back in an hour! One hour later, guess what- another queue, is frankly ridiculous, they cannot cope with such numbers for my time, you have to make a reservation which defeats the purpose somewhat. Once we made reservations and got to dine the waiting staff were excellent and the food acceptable for mass catering