Jetline Cruises booked our 'group' in en-block (even though we didn't know any of the other passengers prior to travelling) and we were not booked to sit with our partners/friends etc. which was very unsettling to say the least.  We had to try and alter seating arrangements on the plane to Beijing.

The hotel in Beijing was really nice.  Clean and comfortable with excellent staff.  The breakfast was plentiful and of good quality.  The couriers were excellent and the places we went were nice to see although the visit to the Ming Tombs was really a waste of time as there wasn't much to see.

We boarded the Royal Caribbean cruise ship on 14 August 2010.  There was an awful lot of queuing and forms to fill in before we could go on board.  The ship was well maintained and clean and the staff always friendly and polite.  The food was really good and 'waiting on staff' excellent. Our cabin was well looked after by the stewad but I regret not having a window as it can be a little claustrophobic.

I didn't feel that we were given enough information on going on shore e.g. where to catch buses; places to see if you weren't on organised trips; money changing; rate of exchange etc.  There were no meetings to go through details of trips or 'going it alone' excursions that we have had previously on other cruises.

The entertainment on board was poor.  We spent most of our evening in the piano bar making our own entertainment.  The shows were half over by the time we had had our evening meal (late sitting) although we could have gone to the self service restaurant we decided that part of the overall experience of going on a cruise ship is to enjoy the dining experience.  Other passengers also agreed that they were disappointed with the entertainment.

All in all it was a journey of a lifetime to see the Great Wall of China and this was well worth the money and long flight.  Beijing was an experience not to have missed and so were Japan and Korea.  We met some wonderful people and partly because of this we had a really good holiday and will always remember it.

Helen Flaherty