We`ve previously done small ships. Our last cruise was a Clipper ship with a very small number of passengers, so this was a new experience for us. Loved it. Great value for money. We chose it for the itinerary which was amazing. We were up early and went to bed late every day.....we didn`t want to miss a thing. OK the embarkation at Singapore was slow but the queue kept moving and once on board our cases were waiting and we were unpacked and in the bar by 5pm Loved our room, loads of storage and huge comfortable bed. Efficient shower and facilities. Balcony was big enough for 2, although we didn`t use it much, but view from picture window was fantastic. Market place buffet food was good but locations of items was muddled. Not always easy to find what you wanted. Waiter service dining room food was very good, with varied choices, both for breakfast and in the evening. We had free dining as we were happy to eat after 8pm. The Italian restaurant was very good, and we had lunch here several times. Coffee, cake, sandwiches and pies were always available from the excellent Atrium Bistro. Always got a seat in the theatre. Artists were varied and entertaining with some production shows. Talks didn`t tempt us but we found the Destination Presentations by Hutch really helpful and interesting. Dance area in the centre of the Atrium was small but people seemed to manage. Very, very impressed with excellent level of service throughout the ship in every department. It really seemed a happy ship. We bought the full drinks package and probably broke even. It was just so nice and relaxed to try new drinks, and great fun trying the extensive range of cocktails during our days at sea. It was a nuisance looking for sun beds without a towel or a book on them. Some remained like this for hours. Needs to be policed more. Love, love loved the cinema under the stars with pop corn and as the evening cooled we were given blankets. As we traveled north and the weather was colder there were other options to watch films including the TV in our room. Photographers took your photo at every opportunity(though we dodged most of these)and it was easy to view at them on their computer screen. We booked the studio and had a private sitting. Thrilled with just one perfect photo of the two of us. Appreciated our homework(all the visa and immigration paperwork on the bed most evenings) Some ports we did our own thing, but in Sth Korea and Japan we booked the full day tour with English guide. These tours were brilliant. Please note :-Some ports are a long way from the desirable destination. Varied reports on which was cheapest/ easiest....... either booking your own taxi or paying for the ship transfer. We disembarked early in Shanghai and booked our own taxi but beware you need to write down your destination in Chinese! The ship does not have currency exchange and the currency exchange at the port always had a massive queue. No time if you are booked on a tour. Bring the local currency with you. China does NOT accept Visa and we wasted 2 hours of our precious time looking for an ATM that would accept our card.

Favorite thing:-level of service, lovely people we met and the surprise birthday card and balloons.

Favorite destination - surprisingly Sth Korea Read more