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Travelscope Tours

MV Van Gogh

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Reviewed by: Mark Easton
# previous cruises: 3
Date of Trip: July 28, 2003
Itinerary: Mediterranean

This is an excellent cruise - I've been on others such as the Oriana and the Edinborough Castle but this beats them both. Because this is a fairly small vessel, you get to know the same faces better and there is a more friendly and relaxed atmosphere than on a larger ship. It has everything you need on there and the crew and staff made up from 18 different nationalities are very friendly and helpful.

The ship had numerous outdoor deck areas, the main one being the pool area where there is a bar serving drinks all day, a buffet area which is open for breakfast and lunch and a sauna and shower area. Inside, there is a casino, a cinema which shows up to date films, a gym, a disco/nightclub, a library, a kids room for toddlers to 7 year olds, a teenage hangout, the nautilus bar, the sky bar and the piano lounge. All of these facilities were modern and fully satisfying.

The food and service were absolutely brilliant. In the morning from abut 7 - 10.30 am, breakfast was served in the restaurant and by the pool. This was the same for lunch except this was served from 12 - 2pm. Here you had a selection of hot and cold food. There were 2 sittings for tea - the first one being from 6.30 to 8.30pm and the second being from 8.45 onwards. The waiters were excellent and really friendly, always having a smile on their faces and they sing to you and give you a cake if it is your birthday or anniversary. The food at tea is lovely and well presented.

I was pleasantly surprised with the size and standards of the cabins. They were cleaned every day by the very good cabin cleaners. The bathroom area ranges from fairly small to large depending on which class cabin you are in but there is definitely enough space in the bathroom/shower for a full size person. Overall the cabins are very pleasant but sometimes the noises of the ship sailing can be heard quite loudly.

The entertainment was also unmistakable. There was a show on every night in the theatre. The shows were mainly done by the elite dancers and singers who were of a very high standard, supported by the very talented Van Gough orchestra from Romania. The special guest cabaret acts weren't brilliant but they were entertaining enough. There is a number of staff who run a kids programme and a teenagers programme throughout the week which is brilliant and well organised and keeps the youth on board entertained. Every night there is a pianist who performs in the captains bar.

We stopped off at Gibraltar, Morocco, Malaga, Cadiz and Opporto. The itinerary every day suited everyone's needs of all ages. There was organised excursions at every port of call and the activities on board were excellent

Only people from the British Isles were on when I went, of all ages. Most of the teenagers and kids group together and all make friends. Everyone is really friendly to each other and there is a really good atmosphere on board. Brilliant cruise!