Embarkation went very smoothly from 101 berth in Southampton, the cabin was ready when we boarded which was great, so we could leave our things there, explore the ship and have a bite to eat. The cabin was quite spacious and very clean, comfy bed and a reasonable amount of wardrobe space. The one negative was the size of the bathroom, see cabin review. We were booked in for first sitting in the Thistle restaurant which was light and airy on a table for eight. Lovely company for the cruise and fairly good service though the standard of the food was very variable. Had to send back food that was either overcooked or dried up. The standard of presentation was also lacking at times. We usually cruise with Celebrity whose food and presentation is a whole lot better. They could produce nice meals, both formal nights the food was excellent as was the buffet lunch on the last sea day, which made the 'off' days all the more unexplainable.
The entertainment was, on the whole, good. The Braemar troupe were excellent and the shows they put on in the Neptune Lounge were very enjoyable, a couple of the guest entertainers were not to our taste so we avoided them as well as the singer, guitarist in the pub area who made every song sound the same and just sang in a monotone drone, so depressing.
Service was excellent on the whole especially in the Coral Club and the Observatory. We had occasion to report a non flushing loo, that was fixed within the hour, very impressed.
The cabin was of a fair size with a good sized private balcony, very quiet and free from any vibration noise. It was kept spotlessly clean by our lovely cabin steward.The big let down was the size of the bathroom totally unfit for purpose. I don't want to sit on the loo, wash my hands and have my feet in the shower but believe me you could as the room was so small. I am not sure how any guests who were larger than us would have got on, pretty badly I would think.
Loved Cadiz., just walking around the old town, the market, tapas, what's not like?
Love, love, love, Lisbon, one of our favourite destinations, no arranged tours here but loved the tram ride and lunch at a local restaurant,would recommend Alchiado a short walk from Black Horse Square