Food on board is a major plus and what you would expect from a floating hotel. Breakfast and lunch can either be taken in one of ships main restaurants or in open air around outdoor swimming pool .On board our 3 star ship, dress code alternated between, formal with dinner jackets and cocktail dresses to informal and casual, although no dress code is compulsory. (If you do not possess a dinner suit, these can be hired on board most ships, although a suit and tie will suffice in most cases.) The food is varied from vegetarian dishes to roast sirloin of beef, from sticky toffee pudding to passion fruit salad. The problem is, not knowing when to stop. If at end of day you are still hungry, you can always participate in midnight buffet, before you wake up and it starts all over again. There was also a range of good wines to suit all tastes, and all drinks are very reasonably priced. (The house red was of a high standard and very good value.)

Life on board is so relaxed and you can either join in all activity or sit back and watch world go by. Information came via a daily bulletin with a full timetable of events, weather forecasts and special offers in many shops on board.

The captain and officers are regularly seen throughout ship and this commences early in cruise with The Captain’s welcome cocktail party. This generally happens on first formal night where you are introduced to captain, and have pleasure of having your photo taken with him. This ceremony happens again all too soon at captains farewell party. (If you are lucky you may be invited to dine with captain one evening.)

Our cruise holiday had gone all too soon when we pulled back in to Southampton. The previous 14 days had been perfect antidote to dull grey weather of Good Old England. Some of passengers on our 14 day adventure became friends who to this day remain in touch. It is certainly a most wonderful way to relax and it transformed my life completely.

I entered cruise business shortly afterwards and since my first cruise with Fred.Olsen, I have had pleasure of cruising with P & O, Princess, Royal Caribbean, Festival, Star Clippers, Holland America, Carnival, Norwegian Cruise Lines and Orient Lines. In addition I have visited ships from Thomson, Island Cruise Line, Cunard, Discovery Cruises and Costa Cruises.

Our team at 1st Cruise Holidays have a wealth of knowledge and like myself will help where possible to ensure that cruise you choose is right for you and will I am sure, like many others become a frequent cruiser.

Since enjoying his first cruise, John Gibb now works in the Cruise industry, helping new cruisers have enjoyable experiences.

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•Are there any extra inclusions such as breakfast, and, if so, is it a cooked or continental breakfast?

•Do you understand what room type and bedding configuration you will be getting?

•Is your reservation guaranteed? Will it be held for late arrival?

•What is change, cancellation and refund policy if you need to change or cancel your booking?

•Did credit card number you gave to internet booking service merely guarantee your room, or did they charge a deposit (or even full stay) at time you made your booking to credit card?

•You may contact hotel directly 24 hours after you’ve made your online booking, to confirm that booking has appeared in their local computer system. You may also check with them to see if booking is same as you have made in terms of room type, room rate, dates, etc.

•If you have any special needs or requirements or expectations, you should double check with hotel directly that these special service requests have been received by them and are understood and will be provided.

•Most importantly, if you prepaid any amounts to internet website, confirm that you won't be billed again by hotel directly. Remember that most internet websites are completely independent of hotels they service, and could be located anywhere in world; once they get your money; there is no guarantee that they will pass it on to hotel in time for your stay.

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