It was afternoon tea in the elegant Queen’s Room that proved my undoing. As white-gloved waiters poured me my cup of piping hot tea and tempted me with scones and cream, I knew I had found my spiritual home. I was in heaven. And 12 days later I was six pounds heavier.

ACCOMMODATION

My cabin was on Deck 2, nicely placed for the theatre, the Britannia restaurant and the all-important Queen’s Room. It was also handy for the library and just one deck above the Purser’s Desk, meaning that on port days it was a short walk to the gangway. On the other hand, on warm sunny days (and we had many) the cabin was some distance from the outside decks on 9 and 10, particularly if you avoid lifts and climb the stairs as I do in a bid to fight the flab. (And look what good it did me!) The room itself was bright and clean with lots of wardrobe space and a generous helping of drawers. It also had Noe, a friendly and efficient steward who did a wonderful job and was on hand to respond to special requests. Champagne flutes to share a bottle with friends? They were in my fridge within the hour. Read more