This cruise was the 4th Thompson cruise that my husband and I have been on so were looking forward to seeing this ship and what she had to offer. On first views we were pleased with a much more straight forward embarkation with little stress and found our cabin quite easily. Cases were a couple of hours before getting to the cabins but no major problems. We had booked a cabin on deck 7 with a balcony. The cabin was a nice size although the bathroom was tiny with a shower that was very tight and a shower curtain that kept getting in the way whenever we took showers. However the shower was easy to use and was powerful. There were always clean towels, changed twice a day. The bed was reasonably comfy and the air con worked well. Our balcony was not huge but we used it lots and there was enough room for 2 chairs and a table. There was a kettle etc and the milk, coffee etc always topped up.

Food and drink....Food was good but at dinner there was only 3 courses available in the restaurant rather than the 5 we had eaten on previous ships. This cruise I needed to be able to tweak the menu slightly. On the first night I asked for a different potato. Not difficult as my preferred choice was available but with a different meat so should have been easy. No. The waiter wrote it down but in the end I got 2 lots. Later in the week I asked for a sugar free ice cream with my crepe. I ended up with the original plus 2 scoops of sugar free served in a separate dish. It was often easier not to ask and to just accept what was available. I would have liked sugar free jam/marmalade at breakfast but this was not available. However there was always a sugar free dessert available at lunch and at dinner both in "Islands" and the main restaurant. Gluten free options were also available. The ship struggled to provide fresh brown/wholemeal bread at breakfast. There was fresh brown bread at breakfast but only on 2 or 3 mornings. There was brown and white toast freely available but it was thinly sliced and cardboard like. There was always lots of fruit and cooked breakfast items available, plus pastries, cheese and meats so lots to choose from. Tea, coffee and fruit juices available from a machine.

This cruise offered "all inclusive". A welcome treat however you had to pay extra for coffee from the "Coffee Stop" and although most drinks were "free" this depended on where you were and also what was available. The "Islands" restaurant even at night used plastic glasses which were scratched and not particularly nice to drink out of. Other places/bars used proper glasses. Our favourite place to have a pre dinner drink was Deck 11. Good views and a quiet place to contemplate. The best bit on Deck 11 was "Surf and Turf". This small restaurant was brilliant. There is an additional cost and you must book within hours of cruise arrival but it was well worth it. The service was outstanding and the food was presented beautifully and was cooked perfectly. Read more