Fly cruise to Rhodes and then sailed back to Southampton on balmoral post refit.
Although old and slow ship is well maintained makeover of buffet is excellent.
Crew continue to be great and there is a nice ambiance on ship.
Food was not up to usual standard with tough steaks and restricted choice – if you discount vegetarian options.
Entertainment was mixed – some really good some less so.
Main gripe was fly cruise element with poorly timed ex uk departure and clunky transfer from airport to port – meant we missed 1 night of 19 night cruise as restaurant closed by time got on ship and buffet was poor given this was going to be first food experience for 2 plane loads of passengers.
Apparently previous port flights even worse with people getting to ship after midnight- to be fair last port flights to Malaga seemed slicker.
Information as regards fly cruise also not accurate as systems seemed to be set up for ex uk departures.
Company still send out brochure for tours which is good but there is restricted info provided now for independent travellers – eg no port maps and shuttles in Istanbul and Lisbon never happened which was a problem for mostly elderly passenger complement.
Some of the 400 passengers who had booked the full 57 night cruise less than amused that subsequently it was sold as segments as constant change in passengers and disruption of people getting on and off was less than ideal – especially for single travellers on big tables.
Finally when booking with company directly promised a table for two in Spey restaurant- given our cabin and fact we were second sitting.
On second night arrived to see two people sitting at our allocated table which was set up for 4! – no spare tables in Avon or Spey but maitre d’ found us a nice quiet table in main restaurant with excellent waiters.
