We've travelled several times before on Fran and have always loved the ship, but we're less enamoured this time.
First, the good. The crew are amazing. They work so hard and are so professional. Many do more than one job and work really long hours, but they are unfailingly cheerful and friendly, welcoming you back like a long lost friend. There were major problems in their cruise (documented elsewhere and not the topic of this review), but the expedition team did their best to give everyone the best experience given the conditions and lack of time/resources to organise landings.
Next, the bad. The food. In the past we have rated the food highly. No longer. there was often little choice. Some was frankly inedible, such as the vegetarian set meal one evening . I had the fish alternative- cold and barely cooked. There was too much obvious recycling of food: the 'steam-roasted' ( even I know the difference in cooking!) vegetables a classic example. Steamed one night, heated up by being roasted the next then cold for salad the next. Decent fresh ingredients were just spoilt by being badly cooked. Apart from the bread and pastries - delicious as ever.
One of the better cabins, without paying for a suite. Good size with plenty of storage space. Comfortable bed. Small but well equipped bathroom. Shower ( no bath). Bathrobes and slippers provided. Tea/coffee/kettle provided at this level but not in all cabins. Decor looking a bit dated. Kept spotless by cabin assistants.