Costa Smeralda

Could be better: The meal schedule is very strict, which is understandable with so many passengers. But on the first evening, or before it, we weren't given enough information about how dinner works. We got a very early 6 o'clock slot, which we missed, and having to argue with the head waiter was very unpleasant. We didn't take part in any organised excursions, mostly because most of them seemed too long for older people who walk more slowly. A "free" bus that at least takes those who can't walk much to the port entrance would have been handy.

Could be better: The opening hours of the bars/restaurants generate constant crowds, I lost the will to live at breakfast / the buffet-style meals. The lifts are terribly annoying, you have to wait a lot. We couldn't make use of the drinks package at all, 15 minutes of queuing to get hold of anything, and on top of that they don't communicate what's included in, say, the MyDrinks Soft. Crowds all the time, pushing and shoving… It's hard to find your way around the ship, there should be more signs (e.g. toilets), we still managed to get lost even on the last day, but the German-speaking guest relations host told us that for years they hadn't been able to properly remember where everything is.. despite all this we loved it, but sadly you can clearly feel they are chasing profit.

Could be better: There are very few pools and they are very small. They are constantly full (mostly with families with small children). The adults-only pool is small and crowded too. Even if you can get in, you can only stand in one spot in the water… Bathing properly, or swimming even a few metres, is impossible. I think this is worth pointing out to passengers!

Could be better: Getting into town in Ibiza was disorganised. There were no taxis; we had to wait an hour for one.