Last week saw the launch of the newest ship from British independent cruise line, Cruise and Maritime Voyages - the proud new flagship Magellan.

Magellan is an adult-only ship, able to carry around 1250 passengers. Her features include: nine passenger decks, two main restaurants a show lounge and seven bars and lounges. She also boasts all the usual facilities you would expect on a traditional cruise ship including: a swimming pool, library, internet café, casino, mall and spa and wellness centre.

But enough of the facilities… What is she like?

Magellan is not a new ship - in fact she is 30 years old!

But you would not know this, as Magellan boasts a lot of the charm and details that have been lost on some of the modern ships.

The wide corridors and stairways and expansive decks with wood type decking exude a real feeling of spaciousness. The layout of the ship, the décor and well-appointed lounges give a sense of the familiar and a feeling of being ‘home from home’. This is complemented by the wonderful staff on board, who really do create a feel of intimacy and personal attention often lost on the new ‘mega’ resort style ships built today.

The Waldorf and Kensington restaurants were beautifully appointed and the cuisine was excellent. The pate just melted in your mouth, the Caesar salad was wonderful, and the surf and turf was cooked perfectly. As for the lobster tail, I have never seen one that big, but it was so delicious that my husband ate two! The next morning, breakfast was served in Raffles Bistro with a full range of continental and English breakfast choices.

The bar and lounge areas offer a range of atmospheres to suit your mood. We opted for Sinatra’s lounge bar, with background music, for a few drinks before going to the nightclub to dance the night away (or until midnight at least).

The entertainment was good, although my only issue with the show lounge was poles and balconies. These obstructed the view, so guests will need to think about where to sit to obtain clear viewing.

We stayed in an inside stateroom that was very spacious and the beds were very comfortable. My only issue here was that there were no tea and coffee making facilities. Considering this ship is aimed at the mature British market, this would have been a sensible addition to the rooms.

In summary, the Magellan is a wonderful, mid-sized ship that combines expansive, comfortable surroundings and friendly service with stylish entertainment and delicious cuisine. She is perfectly suited to the mature British cruise market and goes to prove that bigger is not always better. There is definitely a place in today’s market for new, mid-sized traditional ships.