Value for Money

So many negative comments about this ship which I thought unfair. When you book you know it's an old ship and that it's rated 3 star. We've just returned and had a great time. Because of the seriousness of the virus it was obvious to us that extra measures were being taken to keep passengers safe. This was enforced at Tilbury with a thermal camera being used to screen passengers before they embarked. In spite of this additional screening and extra paperwork, embarkation was very well organised with the minimum of delay.

The ship is kept scrupulously clean. Handrails constantly being wiped and cabins cleaned to a high standard. Hand gel has always been in use on cruises but obviously now to a greater degree when entering and leaving restaurants. Some passengers didn't seem to realise the importance of this!

This was our third cruise with CMV and just as enjoyable as the previous two on Columbus. The food was excellent, always hot - don't know how they manage to do this with so many meals served - and well presented. The entertainment was good and they all work so hard; particularly the Cruise Director who also took part in the shows. The band were great and the guitarist and singer in the Captain's Club were so talented.

All the shore excursions were very well organised and were well worth the money. We particularly enjoyed Shetland and the Faro Islands.

We did have some very rough sea days and nights and at times it was difficult to walk around the ship but the Captain and his crew made every effort to keep passengers safe; waiters even assisting the less mobile and making sure they didn't fall.

Because of the crisis with the virus we sailed back to Tilbury a day earlier than planned which undoubtedly increased the crew's workload as this was unexpected. We were pleased to get back safely.

We were on the final cruise on Magellan prior to all cruises being suspended. All the crew were fantastic and it was service with a smile in spite of their unknown future; when will they be able to return to their own country and will they have a job in the future!!

We met lots of great people on this cruise who enjoyed it as much as we did. Maybe write your own review and give others something positive to read rather than all the negative comments from the moaners!!