Cruise Line: Cunard Cruises
Cruise Ship: Queen Mary 2
Sailed: May, 2008
Destination: Transatlantic - Round trip to NY
Age: 65+
Previous cruises: 10+
Reviewed By: Cravitz, Bournemouth

We left from Southampton and for 6 days we had a wonderful time aboard the QM2. We decided to book an interior room with atrium view as in May the Atlantic was unlikely to be very warm and how right we were. The room was comfortable although a little more space would have been nice and a second chair would have been even better. The food, service and entertainment were really excellent as one would expect. We made new friends. We then spent 5 nights in NY and had the great pleasure of sailing back to Southampton. It would have been nice if we could have left most of our luggage on board but this was not permitted. However it was not difficult to make the trip from the dock to the city centre. The QM2 docks in Brooklyn as the port where most of the other cruise ships go is much nearer the centre and that is because the new dock is not yet large enough or deep enough for the hull of the QM. As they explained it is not a cruise ship but a VOYAGE and the hull is built in a different way. Most of the modern ships for cruising are flat bottomed but the QM is not.
I would highly recommend the round trip version which is twice a year if you do not like flying and like to sail a lot.

Ratings
Quality of Food 5/5
Entertainment 4/5
Shore Excursions 4/5
Staff 5/5
Children's Facilities N/A
Onboard Activities 4/5
Cabins 3/5
Overall Rating 5/5

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Cruise Line: Celebrity Cruises
Cruise Ship: Constellation
Sailed: February, 2008
Destination: Caribbean anniversary cruise
Age: 46-55
Previous cruises: 1-2
Reviewed By: Gilchrist, Glasgow

Overall, the cruise was very enjoyable. The standard of accommodation was excellent and the service from the staff all over the ship was first class. Indeed, as my luggage never actually left the UK, the staff were exceptionally helpful in lending me a dinner suit for the formal nights as well as giving me t-shirts, toiletries and free dry cleaning for the clothes that I had bought in Ft. Lauderdale before boarding the ship. The food was very good and plentiful with the service in the main restaurant exceptional. The staff in the restaurant were very friendly and always went out of their way to try and converse in English as best they could. The activities on board were wide and varied and there were some very interesting talks about the areas that the ship visited, which were Grand Cayman, Aruba, the Panama Canal and Cancun. The evening entertainment was always of a high standard and very professional in terms of lighting and sound quality. We took a couple of organised trips and came to appreciate why it was best to go with a ship organised tour as our trip on the Panama Canal got delayed due to it being very busy on the canal. This meant that we were not going to return to the ship until about 2 hours after its expected departure time, but because it was arranged by the cruise company, there was regular contact made to the ship and it waited until our party had arrived back. I am sure that some of the other cruisers may not have appreciated this delay, but we were certainly very grateful. The other ports of call were easy to get around in terms of size and all were docked so there wasn’t any time wasted on waiting for tenders. The other cruisers were predominately American with a sprinkling of other Europeans and we find a cruise the perfect environment to meet and converse with people from other parts of the world. Overall, we couldn’t fault the ship, staff, food or entertainment and would thoroughly recommend celebrity cruises and if you are celebrating a special occasion, we would suggest a concierge class cabin is well worth the extra money for a more spacious room and superb service.

Other comments:
The main restaurant was very good; other fast food areas were good for a snack. Restaurant staff were great. Panama Canal trip was fascinating. Good range of onboard activities to suit all ages. Cabin great size and a balcony is a must.

Ratings
Quality of Food 5/5
Entertainment 2/5
Shore Excursions 1/5
Staff 4/5
Children's Facilities N/A
Onboard Activities 3/5
Cabins 2/5
Overall Rating 5/5

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Cruise Line: Princess Cruises
Cruise Ship: Sea Princess
Sailed: December, 2008
Destination: Caribbean
Age: 46-55
Previous cruises: 3-5
Reviewed By: Edwards, Morecambe

We travelled to Montego Bay to join the Sea Princess for our 2-week cruise which included Christmas and the New Year. The flight was delayed and with over 9 hours flying time things were starting bad. The flight was with Thomas Cook and despite some other reviews there was plenty of legroom and the food was okay – as far as airline food goes.
The delay and long flight was forgotten completely when we got on the ship – it was wonderful. We had cruised on the Sea Princess earlier this year and it was just as good as before. We were on the fixed time traditional dining and the food was absolutely wonderful and the service we received from our waiters was excellent. Some people did comment that they didn’t like the food – I’d like to know what they usually eat as we couldn’t fault it. There was an excellent choice and they were happy to make any alterations you wished to the meals to suit individual taste. The ship was almost full of British people with very few non-Brits and if there were any children, they were well behaved and caused no problems. We had an inside cabin last time and this time we took an outside balcony cabin, which was great. The free room service was wonderful and we ordered a continental breakfast every morning and had it on our balcony in the early morning sun. The cabin wasn’t much bigger than the inside cabin we had last time, but as we don’t stay in the cabin much, it was more than adequate. If there were any negatives to the cabin, it was the steward, who did just enough to keep the room tidy, but it was close to us having to complain. I don’t know if it was down to laziness or if he had too many cabins to look after, but other people didn’t have similar problems. We’re not massive into the onboard entertainment, and the shows we saw were variable. The Three Degrees and the Beatles tribute band were fantastic, but one night there was a ventriloquist on and whilst he was okay at first he went on for well over an hour, which was far too long. The impressionist was absolutely awful – he started with a Tom Jones impression – I had always thought the Tom Jones was Welsh, I must be wrong or he’s picked up a Cornish accent on his travels!! As we have never been to the Caribbean before we were keen to explore the different island/ cruises/ summer/ holidays/ islands and started with the ship’s excursions. They were very good but a bit expensive and after a few we just got off the ship and negotiated with the local taxi drivers and got roughly the same tour but for a fraction of the price. The taxi tours were between $20 and $30 and there were no difficulties at all – the drivers were excellent and there was very little hassle. The only place where they were a bit pushy and seemed intent on taking you where they wanted was in Samana. We decided against a tour and had a walk, but not for long as the place was awful – very dirty and we were continuously harassed by beggars and peddlers.
The rest of the islands were excellent with the exception of Isla Margarita which was also very dirty. The port area here was the best thing with a nice little market and bar and a lovely beach.
I’ll definitely be going to the Caribbean again and would have no hesitation in sailing with Princess Cruises again.

Other comments:
We opted for the traditional fixed dining in the Traviata dining room - the food and service were excellent. The buffet dining at lunch and breakfast was also wonderful. The Three degrees and the Beatles tribute band were excellent. The ventriloquist went on too long and the impressionist was awful.
The trip to the Pitons in a local taxi in St Lucia was great - 4 in a taxi for $30 dollars each. Our assistant waiter Eduardo was excellent - always happy and friendly. We didn't take part in any onboard activities - lying in the sun was as active as we got. The cabin was adequate but the steward was not the best.

Ratings
Quality of Food 5/5
Entertainment 3/5
Shore Excursions 3/5
Staff 5/5
Children's Facilities N/A
Onboard Activities N/A
Cabins 2/5
Overall Rating 5/5

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Cruise Line: Royal Caribbean Cruises
Cruise Ship: Independence of the Seas
Sailed: June, 2008
Destination: Mediterranean
Age: 65+
Previous cruises: 10+
Review By: Lau, Chiswick, London


We just came back from a cruise on the Independence of the Seas and found it enjoyable. The first comment we would make was the surprise we got when we arrived at the dock. Though hundreds of people joining the ship, we discovered the embarkation was extremely organized and orderly. There was no prolonged waiting and the staff were most efficient and happy. Entertainment was of high standard. We especially enjoyed the ice show which performed by the former ice skate champions. We also like the idea of a concierge lounge for Diamond members where we could enjoy our pre-dinner drinks and peaceful continental breakfast. Ricardo, the Manager of the lounge, provided us with exceptional service. WELL DONE, RCI.

Ratings
Quality of Food 4/5
Entertainment 4/5
Shore Excursions 3/5
Staff 4/5
Children's Facilities 3/5
Onboard Activities 3/5
Cabins 4/5
Overall Rating 4/5

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Cruise Line: Royal Caribbean Cruises
Cruise Ship: Brilliance of the Seas
Sailed: July, 2008
Destination: Mediterranean
Age: 46-55
Previous cruises: 1-2
Reviewed By: Clark, Bleasby, Nottinghamshire


This was our 2nd cruise and again we choose to go with Royal Caribbean as we liked the various onboard activities that are available for families to use together. We had 2 inside cabins, that were always kept clean and tidy. The house keeping staff were always friendly and went out of their way to do little extras for our children's cabin. The food was on the whole good, we never had a meal that was poor. The Windjammer had a good selection each day and the staff cleared the tables quickly and were always offering to get us drinks. In the evening we always went to the main restaurant. The meals on the menu we found repeated themselves often during the holiday and there was always the same 3 dishes on the menu every day, so this restricted what you had to choose from. We did our own thing when the ship was in port apart from Turkey were we took a RC tour. This was our 1st tour by RC and it was very good - but expensive! The evening entertainment always started so that later dinners were able to get to the start of the show - this was not our experience last year on one of there other ships, so that was a great improvement. There were 2 pool tables & table tennis tables which we all enjoyed playing on, but if there had been more that would have been even better, as you often had to wait your turn. The pool tables self levelled themselves automatically, so whatever the condition of the waves the table top was always level - brill! We had to miss out one port due to poor weather, but instead they took us to our next port which meant we had an evening and the next day there in dock. They changed the entertainment that should have been on offer that night, as many people took advantage of going off ship for a walk around the town in the evening. What could have been a big disappointment, was made smaller due to the way the ship made the longer stay at the next port special for us. It was a big ship, but it never felt over crowded and all in all we had a great holiday and would go back on that ship again.

The quality was very good in bother the windjammer and the main restaurant. We also went to the snack cafe which was good too.
The best entertainment came from the entertainers that were booked to come onto the ship. We had shadow shows, musical impersonators which were excellent. The onboard singing and dance group were not to our taste and after 1 show we never went back to any of these.
The RC tour we did was excellent the rest of the tours were organised by ourselves using public transport which is a much more cost effective way of doing it. The staff were all very friendly.
The pool, table tennis and mini golf were used daily by our family. We also went to lots of the activities that they put on - the quality of them varied but we always had fun and a laugh.
The cabin was big enough for 2 people, we had an inside cabin and didn't miss the lack of window, but did appreciate the cheaper price.

Ratings
Quality of Food 4/5
Entertainment 3/5
Shore Excursions 4/5
Staff 4/5
Children's Facilities N/A
Onboard Activities 4/5
Cabins 4/5
Overall Rating 4/5

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Cruise Line: Crystal Cruises
Cruise Ship: Serenity
Sailed: August, 2006
Destination: Europe 11 Days/Nights
Previous cruises: 2+
Reviewed By: Joyce Chen

It's more expensive than some lines, but guests receive a level of service that makes Crystal the Rolls Royce of cruise lines. Live like royalty while seeing the world!

Pros: Service with a smile, fabulous gourmet food, organization
Cons: None

I have sailed on both the Symphony and Serenity during the past two years. Both were wonderful experiences. Crystal has deservedly received much recognition for being a top-notch, luxury cruise line. Guests tend to be 50 and over and have accumulated wealth and education, but they are not snobby. Most are genuinely fun, interesting people. A smattering of younger people, some with children, can be found onboard. Conversations with one 'twenty something' who has travelled on Crystal many times with his parents convinced me that he loves Crystal and wouldn't think of sailing with another line. He enjoyed the weight room, the great food, shore excursions, and conversing with guests.

The Serenity is a bit larger than the Symphony so the staterooms and verandas are a bit larger. Both ships have a lot of space per guest, and this efficient ship line makes sure guests rarely wait for elevators, to get on and off ship, or for anything, as a matter of fact.

The food is one drawing card for guests. Think of eating all the lobster, shrimp, and fine steak you want. It isn't just for one evening meal. If there's anything a guest wants, all he has to do is ask, and generally it will be presented. Guests are invited to request special dishes. We had friends who wanted chocolate soufflés for their last evening, and they asked the night before. Lovely Dover sole was presented to friends who requested it, and the head waiter deboned it and served it with butter sauce to them and then to our table. My question about crepes suzette resulted in a fabulous dessert within minutes. Ingredients are highest quality, and tiny details are not overlooked.

In addition to the dining room, there are free speciality restaurants and several other eating venues aboard. Trident Grill makes the best burgers I've ever tasted. Tastes on Serenity makes Wolfgang Puck's Chinoise Salad. Don't miss Silk Road, the Nobu-directed Asian restaurant. It is fabulous. Then there's 24 hour room service with hot entrees if you wish.

Entertainment is fabulous, and there is something for every taste. We never missed a performance by the Crystal Singers and Dancers. Wow, what talent. The casino attracts a crowd while others prefer to gather in the bridge lounge or to study a foreign language. Formal nights shouldn't scare anyone away. Yes, there were some designer dresses, but most ladies find a way to wear a long black skirt with a sparkly top. We saw a mix of tuxedos and dark suits on men.

Shore excursions are typically lovely. Many include extras like a glass of champagne while in the canal boat in Copenhagen or a stop at the Grand Hotel in Oslo for coffee and creme pastry.

The crew is extraordinarily cheerful and helpful and efficient. This is one well-run ship!

Ratings
Entertainment 5/5
Itinerary/Ports 5/5
Staff 5/5
Dining 5/5
Activities 5/5
Cabins 5/5
Value 5/5
Overall rating 5/5

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Cruise Ship: Voyager of the Seas
Date: December 2007
Destination: Caribbean

My wife and I spend every Xmas and New Year abroad. generally in the Caribbean...last Xmas was spent on the Voyager of the Seas...A great choice...this is a tremendous ship...a hell of a size...15 decks high...filled with everything from an Ice Rink...with fantastic professional shows...to skating lessons...I passed on them...there is rock climbing... a nine hole golf putting course...a Casino...Theatre...Library... Gym...Spa ...and so much more...the Dining Room is magnificent...three tiers... and I found the service forst class...and so many other places to eat...the food was excellent any place you cared to dine at...

The staff we found were great...from our own personal dining waiters...and our room stewards...to all other members of the crew we came in contact with...

The Itinerary was for me the only downside...Labadee RCCLs own island was great...but the time allowed in the other ports is very short...and leaves you with a feeling that you may have missed something...But for me at least the ship is the star performer...so I did not feel to bad.... Over all the cruise was terrific...staff...food...the entertainment...everything...oh... you may find there are a few lines to join at various times...but what the heck...we were not going anywhere...anyway...

Mr Barton, Liverpool