Great cruise, great ship, great company

I recently flew from Manchester to Tenerife to join the Braemar for the cruise to Cape Verde, The Gambia and Senegal. Overall the experience was excellent. My only real adverse comment is that we arrived at the ship in the late evening and by the time the life-boat drill had been carried out and we set sail we were invited to the dining room for a meal at around 11.30 pm, rather too late for many people. The saving grace there is that we did not have to leave home to catch the plane at some unearthly hour in the early morning, the Manchester departure being 1500 in the afternoon. One can’t have it both ways, I suppose!
The cruise itself was first rate. The ship was vey clean and comfortable and the crew very welcoming, couldn’t do enough for one. I enjoyed all of the entertainment and there was plenty to do during the day, almost too much, I found that sometimes I couldn’t fit everything in that I wanted. Or do nothing if that’s what you want, the lounges being very comfortable although they do tend to fill up rather quickly.
I thought the food was pretty good too.
Cape Verde was very interesting but the country has a way to go yet to bring it’s tourism standards up, but that is probably part of it’s charm and attraction. The Gambia is an established tourist destination and I enjoyed seeing it’s progress over the last 30 or so years since my last visit. Senegal also is well organised for visitors.
Before ending I just pay tribute to Bolsover for their excellent service at booking and aftercare. I first experienced this about 16 years ago and it has not changed.