Customer Ship Reviews
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Princess Cruises - Island Princess
Exotic Panama - February 2008
Having previously only cruised with Celebrity, we were absolutely delighted with our first Princess Cruise and all it had to offer. Everything about the cruise was first class. The ship itself, the amenities, entertainment and ports of call were superb and as for the food, what can I say? Dinner was like dining in a 5 star restaurant every night of the week! Nothing was too much trouble for the staff, no matter how trivial. All in all, a hugely successful journey, so much so that we have already booked up for this time next year to New Zealand and Australia!
We had a Balcony Cabin which was reasonably spacious with good 'open plan' wardrobe and adequate bathroom.
Overall:
Dining: 5/5 (Very Good)
Cabin: 5/5 (Very Good)
Ship: 5/5 (Very Good)
Entertainment: 5/5 (Very Good)
Patricia Jackson, County Down
Princess Cruises - Diamond Princess
Hawaiian Heydays - November 2007
Although our cabin was a bit noisy - the ship is FABULOUS! Crew very attentive and food fantastic. We are now due to join the Costa Allegra on May 9th to the Far East, then in Feb 2009 are booked on the Sea Princess to the Caribbean. Would appreciate any info on these vessels. I'd advise you to stay clear of cabin P331, however, as we had to endure an intermittent droning noise throughout the cruise
Overall:
Dining: 5/5 (Very Good)
Cabin: 3/5 (Average)
Ship: 5/5 (Very Good)
Entertainment: 5/5 (Very Good)
Sally Routledge, Northumberland
CUNARD LINE - QUEEN VICTORIA
THE MAIDEN VOYAGE - DECEMBER 2007
We sailed on the Queen Victoria's Maiden Voyage to the Xmas Markets in Scandinavia. A spectacular Firework display marked our depature from Southampton, further Firework displays were held in Copenhagen and Hamburg. The destinations on this cruise were less important than the fact that each passenger was experiencing a unique event i.e. the first fee paying on this ship. The ship itself is truly elegant in my opinion much better than either the QM2 or the much loved QE2. The theatre is best I have seen on a ship and certainly much better than most land based theatres as well. The main dining room for Britainina class passengers (the majority of people sailing on the ship) was large but relatively cosy.
The food is good but certainly not gourmet, portions are geared to European clients, some Americans may not be filled! The food in the self-service resturant was again good but not grounding breaking, I always had breakfast here. For lunch I often went to the Golden Lion Pub for the very good traditional British Pub food. We had an inside cabin which was adequate in size, very comfortable beds, but hardly any drawer space but sufficient wardrode space for a fortnight vacation unless you don't travel light. The public room were very elegant, afternoon tea in the Queen's room is a Cunard's best feature. With no megadrome over the swimming pool , little time could be spent on deck in Northern Waters in the winter time but as the ship usually follows the sun it won't be a problem for most passegers.
The Queen Victoria is destined to become a classic and a firm favourite amongst those passenger who enjoy very good service and don't mind a formal atomsphere.
Overall:
Dining: 4 out of 5 (Good)
Cabin: 4 out of 5 (Good)
Ship: 5 out of 5 (Very Good)
Entertainment: 5 out of 5 (Very Good)
Alan Leake
Tyne & Wear
OCEANIA CRUISES - REGATTA
MARCH 2006
March 2006 was cold and the prospect of flying out to Madeira to join the Oceania Cruises’ ship Regatta for the final leg of its journey from the Caribbean to Barcelona sounded just like the tonic I needed.
I had seen the brochure which showed the ship to be luxurious with beautifully appointed cabins, and I was delighted to find that the ship was everything I had hoped for – and more.
The trip got even better when I sampled the food – it was fabulous! All the restaurants on board offered top notch cuisine coupled with high quality but unobtrusive service. The Polo Grill was my favourite – I can recommend the surf and turf (grilled filet mignon accompanied by a lobster tail). Rarely has dining been so pleasurable.
The dress code on the ship is Country Club casual so no tuxedos or ball gowns were to be seen. The other passengers were mainly American and seemed to appreciate the lack of formality on the ship. The atmosphere was easy going with passengers relaxing in the elegant surroundings. The only downside was having to get off at the end of the cruise!
Mr T. Wolstenholme
ROYAL CARIBBEAN INTERNATIONAL – LEGEND OF THE SEAS
MAY 2006
Legend of the seas was described by the Captain as ‘the Beautiful Legend of the Seas’ – and he was right !
This cruise to the Med was our sixth cruise, and the first with Royal Caribbean International. It was also the first time we had sailed from Southampton. I highly recommend checking in online if you get chance, we were parked, checked and in our cabin in less that 20 minutes – no standing in long lines for us
The food was as you would expect, PERFECT. We ate in the Windjammer Restaurant a couple of times. This was self service and there was more than enough choice for both myself and wife (who is vegetarian)
Our balcony cabin was clean, well furbished and surprisingly large for an American ship. The crew took part in a nation’s flag parade on the final night. This involved the crew parading round the Centrum carrying their nation’s flags whist all the passengers sang the national anthems for all the passengers on board.
We can’t wait for our Navigator of the Seas cruise next year, which we booked on board.
Mr and Mrs Guy
MSC Cruises – MSC Musica
October 2006
MSC Musica is a beautiful ship, tastefully decorated throughout with lovely colours, shining brass and glittering chandeliers. There is something for everyone, children’s play area, beauty spa, fitness centre, golf , tennis and swimming pools on deck and a cyber café for those wanting to stay in touch whilst on holiday.
The food was good, plenty of choice with either buffet or waiter service for breakfast and lunch, there is a Japanese sushi bar and an Italian ice cream bar up on deck which was very popular.
In the evening the show in the art deco themed theatre was always very colourful and there was live music in the atrium and lounges to listen or dance to.
Miss Corran
Regent Seven Seas - Seven Seas Voyager
November 2006
I joined this beautiful ship in Rome for its transatlantic cruise to Miami. The staff were proud to tell me that Regent had just been voted the best small ship cruise company by the readers of Conde Naste – it is not difficult to see why.
At 46000 tons the all-balcony ship carries a maximum of 700 passengers, which means there was a leisurely feel evident from embarkation onwards. My standard suite had a full size bathroom, a huge walk-in wardrobe, wonderfully comfortable beds and a good sitting area.
A sense of space was obvious in al the public areas of the ship which were busy but never crowded, and the excellent staff were ready at a gesture to offer service. The ship offers all the expected facilities with the added bonus of an unhurried pace – there is room for all.
Food was a delight with four restaurants offering superb food. He main restaurant “The Compass Rose”, serves all meals with no fixed sittings – simply turn up to be seated as you wish. A smaller restaurant, “La Veranda”, also serves meals in the evening with an Italian theme.
Two restaurants required dinner reservations, but at no extra charge. The “Latitudes” restaurant served Asian Fusion food from an open kitchen, so we could see all the action and our Balinese waitress was a charmer. The Cordon Bleu accredited “Signatures” restaurant is one of only two afloat, and the other is also on a Regent ship! Dining was an amazing experience with beautiful, imaginatively prepared food served with panache and a sense of showmanship.
The dress code was American-style county club casual which suited me and obviously many others, hence the accolades.
Dr G.Hall
Voyager of the Seas – Royal Caribbean International
December 2006
The moment I arrived at the Port of Miami and saw the Voyager of the Seas towering above me, I knew I was in for a holiday to remember. This initial impression was confirmed when I arrived in my stateroom on board (which was well equipped and spotlessly clean) and had my first chance to explore the ship.
Despite the ship's formidable size, I had no difficulty in finding my way around - the stunning Royal Promenade on deck five runs right through the middle of the ship, and almost everywhere on the ship is easily reachable from there. The Promenade is lined with shops and bars, and starts at the Coral Theatre towards the front of the ship, and then ends at the main dining room (which spans three decks) towards the aft. The customer services desk is also found here, and there are a number of lifts at both ends, ready to take you up to the sun and sports decks or down to the lower decks to disembark when in port.
The dining on board - what can I say? The food was marvellous, with every night in the Carmen dining room being a real occasion. The other dining options on board were just as good, whether it was a buffet breakfast or a casual lunch at the Windjammer Cafe, a sandwich, cake or slice of pizza at Cafe Promenade, or the real highlight - an evening meal at Portofino's - the speciality Italian restaurant on board. I would recommend visiting Portofino's to anyone travelling on the Voyager of the Seas - the food was elegantly presented and delicious (all five courses!) and the service was well worth the $20 cover charge. I left this experience until the last night of my cruise - if I had visited earlier however I would have tried to book again!
I was delighted by my holiday on the Voyager of the Seas - nothing was too much trouble for the staff on board, there was always something new to see and do and the entertainments were top notch. I will definitely be recommending Royal Caribbean to all my friends.
Mr M. Parkinson
The views expressed above are those of the individuals stated, not those of Cumbria Cruises or its employees