I researched for our first cruise this August, and with the help of the book ” Cruise Ships and Cruising 2005” had narrowed it down to Celebrity or Royal Caribbean, within our budget. Celebrity seemed to have the edge for better food, quieter, and more pools for our teenage boys. However, the timing and departure airports didn’t work out, and we chose the RC 7 night cruise departing Barcelona.

Our misgivings about RC were unfounded – the food and service were excellent, and our boys made friends with a crowd and hung out with them all the time. It was very hot for doing sightseeing, and for next time we’re looking at the caribbean, with excursions doing snorkelling etc rather than so much sightseeing.