We chose the "North Cape and Land of the Midnight Sun" cruise, because it sailed from Hull which is convenient for us. However the ship had been filled, for the first night while we sailed to Newcastle where the majority of people boarded, with a One Night offer, basically Dinner,Bed and Breakfast and a one night cruise.We boarded and 1pm. and were offered a very basic buffet lunch. We were surprised to find the drinks prices seemed dearer than we had paid on any other ship we had been on. They WERE. The following evening, the drinks were all cheaper than the first night, especially the House wine we had each evening, which was 3 cheaper! It seems the "one nighters" and passengers from Hull had been totally ripped off! The next day in Newcastle was a farce. We were all but ignored, apart from having to go to reception to replace our cruise cards no less than 3 times that day,all that was laid on was a shuttle bus to a shopping outlet or the railway station. All they were concerned about was getting the "one nighters" off the ship,down a really steep gangway, where wheelchair users had to be carried by staff, and getting the other passengers on board.

The next day, I had to once again renew my cruise card, 5 times in all over the first 3 days.We also had to report a really bad smell in our bathroom and therefore, cabin. They did sort it out after 2 visits, but on looking outside the cabin, the carpet in the corridor was all mouldy and rotten, so obviously there was an ongoing problem.

The food in the Lido was very disappointing. Basic salads, leaves, tomato, cucumber and then some using up the previous days leftover meats etc. One dish of cold meats, one dish of cheese cut into minute portions. The hot dishes were Read more