Trying but not really child friendly

This cruise was chosen as a family celebration for a 60th birthday. Our party consisted of 8, and had 3 children.

Firstly whilst some renovations and refurbishments have been done the ship is still very outdated, and the lay out and location of certain facilities does not lend itself to being very child or family friendly.

The main lifts are in the middle of the ship, and there are additional ones at either end. However to get to the designated children’s swimming pool there is not a direct lift, and you then have to walk through a restaurant to access it.

It is not a brilliant idea to have the kids pool in an area where adults are drinking alcohol, and the lack of toilets on the same level as the pool is also poorly thought out. You either have to walk back through the restaurant or climb external stairs to the deck above, whilst navigating a further adult only bar.

The food in the self service restaurant was mediocre at best with a very limited choice. The food and service in the a la cartel restaurant we couldn’t fault.

Excursions were very expensive. Bottled water was chargeable, despite every other cruise company docking in the same ports as us offering water for free.

The cabin was fairly spacious and the majority of the staff were very helpful.

The evening entertainment was amateur but it was clear that the cast were trying their best.

There were several good points about our holiday but unfortunately the small things soon mount up and tipped the balance for us.