We returned to Southampton on the QM2 from New York, after a stay of 5 days, having made the crossing to NY from Southampton with the NCL cruise ship The Epic.

(It should have been called the Epic Disaster, for it was nothing but a floating casino!)

What a wonderful experience the QM2 was- such an intelligent selection of entertainments and learning opportunities. I followed the RADA acting workshop, which was extremely well presented and a valuable insight into the difficulties (and fun) of learning to act.

My husband developed his bridge skills and learned a lot about computer techniques, too.

We both enjoyed the planetarium and the political lectures and felt that we were being treated as adults and were receiving intellectual stimulation far beyond any that we've ever experienced on board any of the other cruises that we've taken in the past.

But we're not brainboxes and also enjoyed the musical presentations and individual performers- altogether a wonderful hliday- the best we've evr had, in fact!