I selected this ship on the basis that I did not want to spend my holiday with scores of screaming children. I was anticipating a classic style cruise with fine dining and quality entertainment. Having travelled on Odyssey of the Seas and Virgin Valiant Lady in August and September 2022 I was not expecting a mask mandate and, like my fellow travellers, I was looking forward to putting Covid behind me. Alas, this was not the case.

Firstly, the architecture and design of The Westerdam is not classic, it is dated. Despite the much lauded dry dock improvements, the ship's decor is far from luxe. It is simply old fashioned. It is, however, well maintained. The average age of fellow passengers has been greatly understated. At 62 years old I felt like a relative youngster.

The first sign that things were not well was during embarkation. Suddenly we were being told to put masks on. This was not what I signed up for and out of line with Royal Caribbean and Virgin. I was happy to provide proof of vaccination and a negative R.A.T. test but mask wearing was not what I paid for. Instead of being surrounded by happy, smiling faces the Good Ship Lollypop was akin to a hospital ship. It was a mood killer, depersonalising the experience and isolating us from each other. Read more