The Black Watch is a small ship with around 800 passengers but this is so much better than the super cruisers with thousands of people on board. Our first experience of this vessel was from Dubai to Southampton a few years previously so I was looking forward to renewing my acquaintance with her.
We drove to Dover, a distance of 110 miles and all motorway (M20). Porters were on hand to take our single piece of luggage and then we located our pre booked parking space on the quayside after which we strolled back to the Check In area. This area is bright and welcoming but if you want a sandwich or cuppa from the cafeteria you pay over the odds for it. Forget about the joining instructions in your pre cruise booklet as on check in you are given a number so it's a first come first serve basis for boarding. Gold Members go first however.
Once onboard the cabin was easily located on deck 4 forward. As our booking was 'cabin detailed on arrival' we had no say in where our cabin was located and I would have preferred one more midships. However the seas were not going to be rough so cabin location was not an issue on this occasion. The cabin was spacious enough, two portholes, one permanent bed and a sofa bed in L shape configuration.
Cabin 4023 posistioned forward starboard side. Opposite duty free store and Junior Officer's Office so slight occasional noise from there. Cabin plenty big enough for two persons with a generous amount of storage space with lockable draw for items of value. If forward gangway is used cabin is only a few steps away. Not noisy.