We (a party of 14 odd middleagers) booked our 3 nt cruise to Portuguese Island 6 months previously to take advantage of what they call the Prima Special which means you get a 30% discount on the total price - well worth it if you can afford to do it this way. 2 weeks before we were due to leave we were advised that we could purchase a further 4 nights for only R850 each (R550 of this was port tax). Needless to say most of us went for this option. What a pleasure!

Embarkation on Friday 28th Jan, we were advised by friends to get there as early as possible as the queues are horrific. Glad we did so as we were in the 1st 150 of 2100. Suitcases were handed over with no fuss or searching. We managed to find seating for all if us in N shed and waited for our numbers to be called. You can buy cool drinks/water there - it gets hot & stuffy. Through security check point with hand luggage being scanned like airports. Photo taken and then passport control and we were on board! Took about 2 hours

As soon as you get on board make sure one of your party goes to the Accounts on Deck 5 where you board. This is where you are issued with your card for the whole cruise. You won't be able to buy a bottle of water without it - it also doubles as your room card. The queue gets very long especially on weekend cruises Read more