as per normal the embarkation left a bit to be desired {mind you aucklands queens wharf really is a disgrace].first impressions were good the makeover that the ship had in singapore before this inaugural xmas cruise looked ok.the inside cabin on deck L midships was quite spacious [looked like new carpet and duvets on the beds,but the furniture was old and the bathroom had seen better days,if you looked up the rust was there to see].the public areas were very pleasant although a word of warning about going to the shows in the marque theatre,get there early to secure a seat you can see from,as most of the seating downstairs is on the same level [so you cant see over the person in front].make sure you get a seat above a step,upstairs you find it hard to see through the large brass rail.

the reason we have cancelled the two future cruises is due to the vibrations felt when laying in bed [i assume they come from the engines,even though we were on deck 10,which is about where we have booked on other cruises,without any problems].it was so bad at times one felt quite sick [and i'm a good sailor,had no troubles on the dawn princess when going through a force 9 gale] and this caused a lack of sleep,which of course detracted from the holiday.

on the plus side we thought the entertainers were very good and the trapeze artists were excellent,although they could have had the volume a bit lower in the marque theatre. Read more