Well over 95% of the passengers that sail on this ship are British. (as we are). Thomsons organisation is down to a fine art. Flights depart the Uk from several UK airports every Friday and passengers are ferried by Coach to the ship (50 minutes) which is docked in Santa Cruz. Arrival at Tenerife is hectic with several planes arriving at around the same time, but the organisation is superb. You are directed to a coach and the luggage put on board and then you're off. Arriving at Santa Cruz you are quickly off the coach, into the makeshift terminal (Tent) and checked in, in a matter of 5 minutes. If you don't already know your cabin number, you will at this stage, when you are given your cruise cards. You then walk over to the ship, identify and label your luggage and straight onto the ship. Our luggage arrived 2 minutes after we did! Most passengers start their cruise in Tenerife, but there is an option to commence the day before, by flying to Grand Canary. This arrangement seems to be a little disjointed, as you really join on most peoples last day, and the cruise isn't really geared up for new people at this stage, and there are lots of announcements on the Friday for the departing guests which makes it rather uncomfortable for people trying to enjoy and get acquainted with the ship. We had Suite 118 (Chatsworth Suite) on Deck 7 slightly forward of midships. Theses suites were apparently designed by Linda Barker. The room is a good size with a proper King size bed (not two twins), fridge, safe and TV. Separated with a curtain was a sofa bed and two extremely comfortable chairs. The room was well decorated and in excellent condition. The bathroom had a bath tub with overhead shower. WE had two windows, with a good view, but with a lifeboat outside but above sight level. Our complaints about the cabin would be that 1) there was not enough lighting and 2) no power outlets by the make up areas. other than that, the room was excellent - the stewardess was efficient - twice a day - very pleasant and good at making towel animals. There was no disturbing ship noises, but most noise came from the door area, with noisy guests coming back to their rooms at night. We weren't disturbed from noise from adjoining cabins. The Dining Room staff onboard this ship were truly excellent. All nationalities and spoke english very well. Obviously very used to British people and their ways. They were uniformly efficient and polite. For breakfast and lunch there is the usual option of Buffet or waiter service in the restaurant. For Dinner the same. They work a 'dine when you please' system (similar to PC on Princess). You simply turn up at the restaurant (6.30 - 9.30) and you are seated. In general they prefer to fill up the restaurant systematically - but if you really want a certain table configuration or waiter, if they are available then its no problem. The food is quite acceptable -generally good banqueting style meals. By Princess standards you would have to say the food was inadequate, no steaks for example. Sweeta and desserts were generally poor.There is however, a special restaurant - Siroccos - you must book and the supplement is £18.75 pp - we didn't- we thought the price differential was too high. The bar prices were excellent. Bottle of White Wine from £8.75 and bottle of sparking wine £10. No service charges are added to Bar drinks. All soft drinks are served in cans. When booking this cruise, you do have the option to go all inclusive. For £99 this includes all special coffees, beers, soft drinks, spirits, and wine by the glass. There is a supplement for some more specialized spirits and bottled beers. You can buy the package on board but it is £130. All people in the same cabin, have to but the package. This package was an extremely good buy for us. On the one formal night you receive an invitation to 1st (7pm) or 2nd sitting (9pm) - You can change. All guests have their picture with the Captain before receiving a welcome drink in the show lounge. You then proceed to dinner. On this voyage, the ship must have been 95% full. Probably only a dozen or so children, and I would guess 25% under 40, 50% 40 - 60 years and the remainder older. We had a very smoothsailing and felt no ship movement. The Atlantic was very cooperative and we had sun every day with temps around the low 70's. On the sea days you soon became aware of the rather cramped outside facilities. Sun beds were at a premium and several people took out chairs from the lounges and buffets to sit on.They do provide towels outside (one pp) but don't like you to take them ashore for use in ports. There are very few announcements. They do arrange a Bridge visit - sign up in advance. This is a 30 minute tour - and take any pictures you want. The photographers were also good - several opportunities for special photos, £4.95 for the normal photo and £11.95 for the specials. All tips are included in the voyage price. and in general there was no touting for anything extra. As per normal you always get those members of staff who look after YOU and I think everybody rewarded those people individually. Oddly the main show lounge on this ex Holland American ship, is in the middle of the ship, making it awkward to walk from one end to the other without going through this lounge. Shire excursions are similarly well arranged and fairly priced. We did the Cable Car and toboggan in Madeira, and the Souks and Fantasia in Agadir in Morocco. In Lanzarote and Grand Canary we did our own thing. Disembarkation is also well arranged. Bags have to be outside your room by 3am in the morning. You should vacate your room by 9am. You are called off by flight number during the morning to check in for your flight home, in the tent on the quay. You are then given your seat assignments for the return flight. You can then do as you will for the remainder of the day - go ashore, come back and have lunch. There are also some courtesy cabins available for a shower until 4pm. Then when you are called for your return flight, you simply board the coach and on arrival at the airport walk directly through to departures. Very simple and easy.

For the price you pay this is extremely good value. This is not the grand experience of a mega ship or the food of the classier American ships. It is tight for deck space, but you will be hard pressed to find a more friendlier and helpful staff.