We chose a "cruise and stay" package from TUI/Marella/Thomson as we hadn't visited any of the ports (Gibraltar, Cadiz, Portimao, Lisbon and Porto) apart from Malaga itself, and because we fancied a week on the Costa Del Sol. The destination ports were absolutely brilliant and we couldn't have asked for more in 7 days.

The staff, almost without exception, were attentive, courteous and friendly. The entertainment was in parts good, though rather 'samey' for our liking, not being into musicals or MOR music.

The biggest negative of all was the food on board which overall was appalling. The self-service restaurant ('The Lido') was the usual bear-garden on a cruise ship; the waiter-service ('The Compass') was pretty bog-standard,and somewhat cramped. No compaints about the cooking, but the quality and choice of food was more reminiscent of a M1 service station or a works' canteen than a cruise ship. Read more