A relaxing 3 night birthday cruise with friends

We chose this cruise because it was short and served as a ‘taster’ for first time cruising experience.

I felt the welcome and wait staff was excellent, as was the overall organisation of the boarding, activities and disembarkment.

To my taste, some of the food especially the dishes containing meat products, in The Watermark restaurant, as well as The Pantry counter style foods (both inclusive in the price) was way too salty. Asides from that, there was good variety if you’re not too picky or have food intolerances. Otherwise, could prove limiting.

The basic cabins were adequate, however toilets became smelly. Bunks mattresses on the uncomfortable side. Suites are more comfy and suitably spacious, as would be expected.

We loved the Oasis Deck which was an adults only retreat with bar and 2 spas but on the downside, the water was uncomfortably warm, and lacking adequate shade from the hot sun. Even a cool outdoor shower would have been better.

The pool (and spa) deck was spacious but again, lacked shelter from the sun for the number of sun lounges and could definitely have benefited from an AO pool/s. The only smallish pool was always used by children and I felt, was rather uninviting. It would have been lovely to go for a swim or even refresh in cool water but other than in the shower, that wasn’t to happen. There was an outside shower on the pool deck.

The shows, musical entertainment, bands and bars and activities were varied to suit a range of tastes and generally of quality. Something for everyone!