Marina to Mediterranean

The Marina is a ship for those who appreciate the better things in life; fine food, flawless, attentive service, and great accommodation are the cornerstones that define a cruise aboard this beautiful ship.

The interiors are simply spectacular, with much use of marble, lacquered panelling, and stunning artworks. At the heart of the ship is a central, twin staircase that looks like something straight out of a Hollywood movie set.

On Marina, even the casual Waves Grill serves up burgers made from Kobe beef, not to mention outstanding milk shakes and ice cream. The 'causal', aft facing Terrace Café offers surf and turf on the menu each evening. All items here are cooked to order in front of you.

In addition to the magnificent Grand Dining Room, there is a quartet of fabulous restaurants that must be booked in advance- albeit at no extra charge. All are sublime, but kudos especially to the Polo Grill and the amazing Red Ginger, which serves up wonderfully ambitious Asian food with great style and panache.

A smart casual dress code pervades the Marina; ideal for those who do not want to dress up at night. Cabins are large, comfortable and complete with wonderful beds and fantastic toiletries. Those in A4 Concierge Level and above have fully furnished verandahs, and free welcome champagne on arrival.

Entertainment is not a strong point on Marina; there needs to be more live music on the main entertainment deck. This is especially true for the otherwise flawless Martini Lounge. A quiet ship, Marina is largely deserted after midnight. The drinks prices on board are expensive, too.

But it's the service that really defines the Marina. It truly is superb across all departments. The Marina is suffused by a palpable feeling of care and courtesy for the passengers from first to last.

'Gourmet Dining' is a phrase often over used on cruise ships, but Marina really does offer just such a level of excellence. Combined with a huge amount of personal space per passenger and the sheer, jaw dropping beauty of her interiors, it makes for a first rate cruise experience.