Algren1

Yeah it was great on the We Fancy night but on the other nights it really suffered from a pretentious DJ more concerned with blindly playing a set rather than observing the crowd. I know on the Friday of my cruise people wanted to visit Ibiza but they could have made an effort and offered some kind of alternative to the hip Ibiza by offering a cheese night. And if not on the Friday then have gone all in and full force on the Saturday night to really send it all off with a massive bang!

I did make an IG reel if anyone wants to see some visual context to my adventure https://www.instagram.com/reel/CuNEu31uC6z/?igshid=YmM0MjE2YWMzOA==

We got pretty OCD about it and booked the restaurants as and when the reservations came available a few weeks before the cruise. Then as it got closer we started to cross reference when particular shows or courses were on so that when we got on board, we could check the cabin, sign onto the WiFi and then mass book the events that we wanted. We put it together in an itinerary that showed a breakdown of the days and our sheet of what we needed to book as soon as we were on board. The actual booking through the app before the trip and then onboard was very easy and intuitive. Simple to use and it then kept an agenda of what you had booked. I've attached to give you context or something to laugh at! BUT The ship was very relaxed and you could wing most of the reservations with ease so don't feel that you have to put yourself in a spin about trying to hit everything. All the shows are repeated at different and staggered times during the week, so if you can't co-ordinate one night, you'll manage another time. So a little planning will help give you a little more structure but if the ship is only half full like our one was, you should be fine. Sorry for rambling, hope that helps.

You probably already know this but just so you don't get a nasty surprise, it's $59 for a three hour slot on a sea day and $39 for a three hour slot on a shore day in the Spa. Totally worth it for $39 in my mind.

Thank you for your kind words and I'm so jealous of you guys. I literally did not want to get off as had such a great time onboard. I mean being on the 14th might offer an advantage in being able to take the stairs one flight up to the action but for me the overhang (which you can see if you just look at the outside and count up) was something that I felt would make me feel 'hemmed in'.

That's so cool and I'm glad that it was of some use. We stayed in Barcelona two days before the cruise and that was cool. You must visit the inside of the Sagrada Familia. There is a lot of talk about it but there is a beauty and special tranquility inside that is quite lovely. Marseille - There was nothing that appealed so we didn't visit. Cannes - Went there with the idea of just strolling along the boulevard but chatted to an American couple on the tender who invited us to tag along with them to Monaco. So walked to the train station and caught the train to Monaco (Journey time about 60 mins) and then wandered up the hill to the Casino (which you can go inside after 2pm and if you pay 18 Euros - this gives you admission and 10 Euros to spend on gambling or a drink at the bar) Majorca - Nothing that appealed so while the ship emptied hit up the Spa for the afternoon (it's cheaper when it's a shore day) Ibiza - Went ashore for a separately booked buggy tour but it wasn't very good. Wasn't really interested in the clubs there. Don't get me wrong I like the nightlife but preferred the boat if I'm honest. So I guess Cannes/Monaco would be my favourite port. Hope that helped.

My pleasure. I hope you have a fabulous time and remember to look up at the stars from your balcony.

Perfect. In my opinion.

That's great news. More than happy to help. What floor did you go for?

When we booked they initially put us on the 14th floor. For me, one of the attractions of the cruise was that whole feeling small when looking out of the balcony at night and seeing the enormity of the world - the sea and the stars etc. To that end those rooms on the 14th floor have a far greater overhang of the 15th floor above and I had a fear that when wanting to experience that 'enormous emptiness' that it would feel compromised by the superstructure above. With that in mind I contacted them a few weeks before the cruise and asked them to move me further down and worked out that the 11th floor would be sufficiently clear of the overhang. It was and it was totally the right decision. I never heard any noise above, below or to the side in my room but maybe to be on the safe side I would ask to be moved down a couple of floors.

Thank you for your kind words and your agreement on the club. It was a little frustrating with the DJ. You can make your own entertainment if the club is emptier but you need decent tunes to make that a reality. It felt a bit like the karaoke in that if you choose a popular song other people can sing along and it's a bigger more shared experience. But those who went up and did an obscure song, kind of kill the mood a little. It wasn't completely flat on the last night but I think I was just surprised that more people weren't wanting to go out with a bang rather than being all sensible about packing and getting an early night!

Yes that is a fair point. But that would lead to my point that if the DJ was more responsive to those actually in the club on those nights you might be able to keep the party going. But I'd be cool with a 'dead' night if the others made up for it. But seriously though these are just minor points in what was a fabulous holiday.

I can see why they might do it but for us being new to the boat we were more interested in enjoying the ambience and atmosphere of the Valiant Lady. And as I said it just makes the ship feel a little bit dead.

Yes I did know this just like the Casino but it does make the ship feel awfully hollow.

Thanks for that intel. I also posted it on TripAdvisor and it seemed to break the Valiant Lady review page as myself or my friend can now see any reviews on there. I'm glad you like that idea for the Oldies night. I mean it doesn't have to be Glen Miller but some 70's and 80's might be cool.