I spent my early years in the Royal Navy and so there was a touch of nostalgia about this Mediterranean cruise. Like being back in the wardroom but with no work to do!To begin with we were suddenly upgraded to an outside cabin about two weeks before boarding. This was in effect worth £800 each for my wife and I ,and it put us in a positive mood. The whole organization of the flights and trip was awesome.the title of our cruise was A Mediterranean Palette and it took us around Italy France Spain and Morocco to all those places where artists loved to work. We ended up in Lisbon. at each stage there were coach trips organized with the price included in the package. however, if you wanted to just wander around each port or hinterland on your own you could. Our speakers were very experienced and knowledgeable and we liked the democratic way in which the speakers, crew and passenger were all mingled in an informal way and much chatting went on each day.The food quality and choice was almost too much and the service from the Filipino stewards was sometimes overwhelming!the public room, cinema and library were intimate and peaceful havens.all in all this was a five star experience. It claimed to have a country house atmosphere and this describes it admirably. We will be going again..