We used Princess Air so we embarked in London at Victoria Station. Princess was unsigned but fairly easy to find - the place is a bus station and reminded me of US Greyhound stations. But we got the bus and the ride to Southampton was enjoyable. Embarkation was quick and easy thanks to the special counters for Platinum passengers like us. We were on the ship in a very few minutes.

We had picked B622, our room steward was Oliver, and he was great. We put him to work right away, however, as we wanted robes, and a pad to soften my wife's side of the bed, and a new lampshade for my bedside lamp which was equipped with one which didn't let enough light out to read by. He got it all done quickly and was helpful throughout the cruise. Perhaps the ship didn't sail full, for room stewards usually are too busy to be helpful.

Entertainment: On our first night we shared a table for 6 in the Anytime Dining room and were fortunate enough to sit with two other couples that we liked from the start. We ate with them for the rest of the cruise and it was quite a bit of fun. Normally we enjoy meeting new people at dinner, but we haven't met such compatible people for many cruises. I put this under entertainment because our dinner companions were excited about the pianist, and the juggler, and the ventriloquist. We did not see any of them, and except the Maxtone-Graham lectures entertained ourselves. I can't recommend Maxtone-Graham highly enough. If you are on a cruise where he is speaking, skip lunch if you have to, but listen to his presentations about pre-cruise ocean liners. He is a very engaging speaker and knows his subject well. Read more