Cruising the Med has still got to be the ultimate luxury sightseeing experience. And no-one knows cruising like Royal Caribbean. Ros Walsh take in the delights on board Voyager of the Seas.

Planning and anticipation are two of the key ingredients for any holiday – but things can go wrong all the same.

Such was the case with our cruise holiday to the Mediterranean last summer, the last real “family affair” before our son went off to university.

My husband was unwell, and on medical grounds was advised not to travel outside the UK. But having promised our son and his friend many months before, the show had to go on – and so it did.

Fortunately, and at almost the last minute, I persuaded a good friend to come along for moral support – knowing that the boys would not want to hang around with me on our floating hotel for the week.

Having cruised as a family many times before, both myself and son Jack had a good idea of what to expect, but our friends were both first-timers.

And they were both well impressed with Royal Caribbean International’s Voyager of the Seas, which carries more than 3,000 guests.

We flew direct from Birmingham to Barcelona with bmibaby, where we jumped into a taxi for the short journey to the port – and couldn’t help but notice that our ship was the biggest one in dock.

Fortunately we had signed up for the online check-in, which saved us from having to join a very long queue. All we had to do was register our credit cards and have a photo ID done – and then it was straight on board.

Our two “friends” were starstruck as we made our way across the atrium, taking in the glitzy splendour and glass lifts, before entering our “state room” with its own fully furnished private balcony.

Even with four adults sharing, there was plenty of wardrobe space to take all our attire for every expected occasion.

Studying our “Cruise Compass” we agreed to meet the boys for drinks at the Pig & Whistle on the main promenade deck, before watching the Island Frenzy carnival parade, and then to dinner.

We chose the second sitting in the Carmen dining room – which started at 9.30pm -and suited us down to the ground. Here, in a three-tier restaurant complete with crystal chandeliers, diners can enjoy a five-course dinner – or six – if like Jack and his friend Leon, they can’t decide which main course to have, so have two each.

With dinner over we headed for The Schooner Bar, relaxing with a drink and discussing our plan of action for the coming days.

First stop next day was Villefranche, where the two “young men” stayed on board to chill around the pool, while my friend and I went ashore for a look around.

Villefranche is the gateway to the French Riviera, and there are excursions to Monte Carlo, Cannes and Nice available for those wanting to explore further afield. If, like us, you are happy with good beaches and quaint cobbled streets, then you’ll enjoy Villefranche.

After a day at sea we docked at Livorno in Italy, where excursions can be booked to Pisa or Florence. We decided to be adventurous and do it ourselves. Information guides are supplied at every port of call, and after studying the one for Florence we decided to let the train take the strain – a 90 minute journey.

We spent a couple of hours in the city, taking in the Cathedral of Santa Maria Del Fiore – a magnificent sight which I would not have missed for the world.

The advantage of doing your own thing means you can decide how long to spend sightseeing – and it’s much cheaper, too. But remember to be back on board in plenty of time -the ship doesn’t wait.

Day four was Civitavecchia, the gateway for Rome. Again the four of us decided to take the train, a journey of just an hour. At the station we jumped on one of the many tour buses, taking in all the sights including the Vatican, the Colosseum and Trevi Fountain, to name but a few.

Day five saw us in Naples, for Sorrento and Capri. Exhausted by the day out in Rome, the boys stayed on the ship while my friend and I hopped off to do some window shopping.

That night we decided to sample the ship’s Portofino Italian restaurant for dinner. A cover charge of 20 US dollars applies, but the food was excellent, the service truly first class and the wine list a joy.

On the subject of wine, we took advantage of the pre-board option package, costing just under £200 for 12 bottles of your choice.

It is also worth remembering that this is an American ship, with a legal drinking age of 21. Because it was in European waters my son was able to buy alcohol by me signing a waiver form but unfortunately, his friend wasn’t travelling with a parent or guardian, so he couldn’t imbibe. Not that it seemed to bother him.

Day six saw us at Palermo, but we all decided to stay on board, with the lads trying out the rock climbing wall and the sports court, as well as the many whirlpools on deck.

I had thought there would be an “us and them” divide between us adults and two 18-year-olds when it came to evening entertainment, but we met up with them for pre-dinner drinks in a different bar every night, even taking in the champagne bar on the formal evenings. And together we took in a show at the theatre, or danced the night away in the nightclub.

All too soon it was our last evening at sea, and I asked Julie and Leon if they had enjoyed their maiden voyage. Leon said it was “awesome”, while Julie vowed to take her “other half” next time.

Travel Facts:

• A seven-night Mediterranean fly/cruise on board Royal Caribbean International’s Voyager of the Seas costs from £939 per person (based on two in an inside cabin).
• It includes flights, transfers and seven-night cruise departing Barcelona (Spain), calling at Nice (Villefranche, France), Florence/Pisa (Livorno, Italy), Rome (Civitavecchia, Italy), Naples/Capri (Italy) and Sicily (Palermo, Sicily) and back to Barcelona; meals, entertainment, relevant cruise taxes and fees.
• Call 0845 165 8330 or visit www.royalcaribbean.co.uk