One positive aspect - there's a brilliant, deeply artistic chap who does wonderful fruit sculptures - the buffet area has new ones on display virtually every day. He gave a demo, captivating to watch.

Just a line about the excursion ticket fiasco - at one stage I got really angry as I was just being messed about. The staff seemed to find that really funny. This just about sums up their attitude.

There was no tv on Friday, and when I asked why I was told the receiver was too weak to pick up a signal from there.

My box of tissues in my cabin was empty, and the cabin stewardess didn't replace it, so I phoned to ask for another one. There was no answer. And this wasn't the only occasion nobody was there - another passenger phoned someone who should have answered but didn't.

Boat drill: nobody checked that we knew how to fasten our life jackets, as they do on other ships, many remained unfastened.

I was billed for 5 excursions, whereas I only took 4. I was told to go to the disco at a certain time, they'd sort it out. I did. They said it would be corrected, as I was billed for the Capri trip twice. You've guessed it - it wasn't, and my final bill showed 5 excursions. I phoned. ''go to the disco at 6.30 am''. There was such a long queue, I went back at 7.30 Still a long queue. I said my piece, they said someone else in my cabin had gone with me. I said I'm alone. He asked a question I didn't understand, and I said ''before you ask questions, why don't you check your computer''. Eventually I was taken down to the reception and a new bill was printed - after waiting several more minutes, as I don't think they know how to work the computer. Judging from the long lines of people queueing, most people had mistakes on their bills. Keep all your vouchers and check them against your bill.

A new shower cap was put in my cabin virtually every day, along with a new sewing kit. I ended up with 5 shower caps and 5 sewing kits. I bet the next occupant of my cabin will end up with 10 of each......

By Saturday there was 1 orange, all alone and forlorn, in my ''fruit bowl'' (by then a plate) as they'd probably run out and were rounding up all the cabin ones.

The midnight feast on the penultimate evening - the one with all the arty stuff (not nearly as good as other ships), was 20 mins late opening for us to take pics, and 1/2 hr late starting.

Cabins have ordinary hangers, not those I described weeks ago. At least, my cabin did, and I assume that was standard.

Our cards weren't swiped as we disembarked, and I wondered if anybody had stowed away on previous cruises. I doubt they'd get away with it for long, but I couldn't help wondering........

As I got off the ship, I heaved a sigh of relief that it was all over. Dave, your name was called out as we were waiting for the final passengers, maybe they still don't know you weren't on the cruise. I'd obviously been rather premature to sigh, as our coach stall twice as we left the cruise terminal. Apparently the fan was broken, the air cooling system didn't work and we roasted till the driver's open window provided a little air. The windscreen wipers didn't work, which wasn't exactly brilliant as it rained quite heavily once we'd left the mountains. Also, one chap said the speedo didn't work - apparently that relies on the fan too, though I don't know anything at all about such matters so don't take my word for it.

The driver kept getting calls on his mobile, which wasn't exactly reassuring as sometimes he spoke for what seemed like ages. He also drove slower than the driver that had taken us to Genoa, and I was desperate for the loo by the time we got to Malpensa - he had to open the coach door manually, as the automatic thingy didn't work either.

There's no smoking inside Malpensa terminal, you have to go outside. I was so fed up with everything going wrong that I wanted to check in asap, I was sure SOMEBODY in the departure lounge would have the sense to allow smoking, e.g. if there was a MacDonalds. But there was truly NO SMOKING, so I went through security again to go outside and have a couple of ciggies, and then checked in again. Boy oh boy, was I glad to get home.......

OK, folks, list over - and I need a LONG break - after which I'll catch up on my e-mails etc and then the main forum..... Oh, and your questions, NATURALLY.......

Fay

Hi Fay,

sorry that your cruise didn't meet your expectations, especially after waiting all that time for it. It is important though, to put it into perspective, that this is your opinion and a series of events that unfortunately befell you and may not reflect what could happen to other prospective Melodians - indeed, reports from previous cruisers indicates that they enjoyed it. You were obviously unfortunate on this occasion, which is very sad. Apart from Capri, did anything commend itself to you? I'd hate to think that you have been left with such negative memories.

Elaine xx

Thanks to Scarlett and Thomas for the info on Pompeii. I actually went there 2 years ago - an excursion from the Celebrity Millennium - and I wanted to go back to do more. We were taken to a factory beforehand (what a waste of time). I find that when excursions are taken from the ship you end up being herded around showrooms and factories (enamel, perfumes, alabaster etc etc) for at least an hour so the guide can get a backhander from the owners. I want to go back there independently and spend more time wandering around the ruins.

Thomas, the idea of taking a train there appeals to me. How far is Pompeii from the station? I might do some research on the internet. I did do Rome independently from Civitavecchia - they wanted a fortune just for the coach trip there and back. I must have saved about 50 Euros by going on the train.

Thanks Meeeeyyyy for all the do's and dont's. It certainly helps to have inside information before we embark. I'm fascinated by what was served up for breakfast on the Alitalia flight. Was it even edible?

Elaine M - I definitely DID enjoy most of the cruise, there were lots of very nice Brits on board, many of whom weren't with the DE but also had probs.

Jennie L - the food on Alitalia was awful going, not so bad returning - I wouldn't fly with them again either. I asked for a window seat not over the wing, both times I got ones that WERE over the wing - maybe they were saving the best seats for Italians and I was ''only'' a foreigner.

Myles - thanks for PM - I couldn't agree more. It was only a tenner, as you say, but on the other hand you wouldn't buy something at an M&S sale and find a fault, only to be told ''you only paid half price, what did you expect?''

The flight back wasn't full, by the way, so some Brits could have got on and not waited for hours at Malpensa for early evening flights. But I wouldn't risk asking for an earlier flight (as I was offered -and I accepted -by another airline when I checked in early for another cruise) as R*** might just say you have to pay extra.

I forgot to mention the food on board - I thought I'd leave it till the end in the hope it would improve, but it somehow didn't get onto my list after all. It was very poor. Some of it was quite good, some mediocre and the rest dreadful. Look out for dishes that have obviously been recycled, yesterday's leftovers warmed up and hashed into another item.

I'm only staying on the forum for around 2 weeks, I need to put this all behind me and move on. So do hurry with your questions and comments. But I doubt I'll manage to post again today, too much to catch up with. Haven't even started to catch up with the forum yet (except for comments after my earlier list).......

Fay

Meeeeyyyy sorry to say this , but I think you have went right over the top and spoiled the holiday of a lifetime for future cruisers , who have'nt been as fortunate as you to have sampled the wonderful voyages that money can buy.
Personally I would have the Melody before any of your fancy cruise liners.

All future cruisers should read Busters report and get the true picture

Meeeeyyyy - I guess you should be thankful you weren't on EasyCruise.Com, it was anchored next to us in St. Tropez (see photos that I have finally managed to download!)

Personally I had a fantastic time - probably because there were so many fun people in our group. In hindsight, though, there is very little that I can complain about on our cruise, apart from the fact that it wasn't a little longer maybe.

Scarlet.

p.s. Many thanks to Peter A & Magsy for helping me get to grips with the photos!

Can anyone tell me if there is a hairdryer in the cabins on Melody. Which deck were you on Fay? Do they provide shampoo?

Even the QE2 has problems with toilets in New York - the water in the harbour is black so the water in the toilet is black!

I presume if one is late back and the dining room is closed there is a self-service buffet somewhere. It would do me good to go without! I need to lose 2 stone in weight.

Maureen H

Meeeeyyyy

It seems you must have spent your whole holiday looking for things to complain about what a pity you had to go into such detail. I'm glad that I hav'nt cruised before so I w'ont be spending my whole week comparing. However thanks for the tip I will keep my reciepts to check my bill.

Chris

hi scarlet,
glad you had such a fantastic cruise, now theses photos ..where are they, how do i get to see them!!!!!!!!
kate

Have just read the tirade posted by Fay!!!!!!!!!
Wow!!! was she on the same ship that us " lovely people" cruised on the week before? for the huge sum of £10........

Myles and Buster and Trooncryer...I wholeheartedly agree with your comments.

Personally, I treated all the service staff with respect and expressed my thanks whenever they gave assistance to which they responded admirably.

Bearing in mind the long, long hour they work for very low wages, I was surprised how cheerful and willing they were...........

Isn't that right Myles?

MEH - yes there are hairdryers in each bathroom. They also provide sachets of shampoo and shower gel, soap is changed whenever you use it!

Kate12 - to find photos click on photo galleries at top of this page then "upload" section - about 3rd down. Says this item changed on 24/5/05. (Don't know why the photos haven't gone into the cruise section???) Not too many historical sites (apart from Myles) just us HT lot having an absolute ball!!!!

Scarlet.

p.s. Our waiter at dinner, called Luca, was fantastic. No complaints whatsoever, yet do you know when his next day off is? September - when their contracts expire!

Scarlet.

hi fay
just a couple of questions, as you were on early dinner did they sit you with other DE's or Brits and does everyone sit at the same table each night.
Tipping, do you feel obliged to tip throughout the week or just at the end.
thanks
kate

Hi Scarlet
Thanks for pics, you all look very relaxed and friendly. Were there only 5 or did I miss some.

Fay
Sorry you found the need to complain to resolve all these niggles, I'm sure sometimes these things seem worse when you have to deal with them on your own, as they cause a worry, but I'm sure they would'nt have let you go hungry if it was their fault you were late. Attitudes in the service industry vary a great deal country to country, and of course the language barrier doesnt help, even when you think they've understood your request, often they havent. I'm sure there were some good points even if it was only the destinations.
Which ships have you cruised on before?

Hi Scarlet thanks for the other photo the ship looks very nice, not overcrowded.