There are two types of early morning.
There’s the sort where you're up early because you're going somewhere exciting, and then there’s the sort where your alarm goes off and you briefly consider whether the entire trip could possibly happen without you.
We were going to visit a cruise ship. After an early 3.30 am start and a flight to Barcelona, we finally arrived — and, as if Barcelona itself wasn't enough of a treat, there she was.
Renaissance.
She looked every inch the cruise ship, and I must admit that the excitement was real!
Stepping aboard Renaissance, my first thought was:
“Oh, I could get used to this.” She is stylish without being stuffy and elegant without making you feel as though you're afraid to sit on anything.
There's a lovely, relaxed feeling throughout the ship, and with around 1,100 guests, she never felt massive. Instead, Renaissance feels more intimate.
With just over 600 cabins across ten decks, there's still plenty of choice.
Now, I'm going to be honest I am very interested in one very important thing THE FOOD!
Where do I eat?
Renaissance DID NOT disappoint. We had lunch in the Mondi Caribbean Cuisine – Wow!! No other words but wow.
There's a main restaurant spread over two decks, a more casual buffet-style restaurant and speciality dining options.
Another food outlet on the pool deck was the Le Lido Grill which is included in the price of your cruise. You can also book the captain's table for a 10-course taster menu for £89/pp.
With several bars and lounges, which means there are plenty of opportunities to sit down with a drink and discuss the very important question of what you're going to eat next. I can already see how a sea day could go.
Breakfast. Coffee. A wander around the ship. Lunch. You get the idea!
One of the things I liked about Renaissance is that you can make your cruise as busy or as lazy as you like. If i had brought my swimsuit I would have chosen the lazy option at the pool, obvs with a cocktail or 2!
Now the swimming pools, one has a retractable roof, which is a particularly clever idea when you're cruising somewhere the weather can't quite make up its mind.
We also had the chance to find out more about the cabins. I was very surprised at how big and spacious the cabins felt and looked.
There are several options, from Inside Cabins through to Ocean View and Balcony Cabins, with larger Suites and De-Luxe Suites for those wanting a little more space.
The Balcony Cabins are my go-to.......
Being in Barcelona made the day even more memorable. One minute we were enjoying the buzz of this fantastic city, and the next we were on board Renaissance, imagining what it would be like to sail away. And with that in mind sadly, our visit eventually came to an end.
And that's the problem with ship visits. You spend the day looking around, choosing your favourite areas and imagining yourself on board — and then someone tells you it's time to leave. Rude!
My day aboard Renaissance left me needing more.
After landing back in Luton at 11pm it was time to head back home and plan my next cruise!
If you’d like to find out more about Ambassador and the holidays they offer, speak to Jade at Miles Morgan Travel in Monmouth. Jade will be happy to answer any questions and help you explore the options available. You can contact her on 01600 463 022 or email [email protected].
