we have been with several other cruise lines, mostly with celebrity, we are going on the Millennium in about 3 weeks from New Zealand to Hawaii, then on to Vancouver, we are on board for 4 weeks and we have booked the Penthouse suite for the duration. the Millennium class penthouse suites are the 3rd biggest out there, but the layout is far better than the garden villa on NCL, this will be out 3rd time in these villas, and our last ever cruise with Celebrity, as we have fallen out with celebrity (see earlier article "our last ever cruise on celebrity") the royal suites on the celebrity ships are very nice, but have not got the location of the penthouse suites(1/2 the back, about 35 Feet deep, and around the corner with a Jacuzzi ). We have also stayed in the diamond princess Grand suite, it is not very big, but it is more luxurious than most other suites, also the balcony is not very deep. P & O suites are just too small; we have booked the penthouse suite on the Queen Victoria in October, so I will do a review on that. The various cruise companies use the same names for a lot of their suites, but they all mean something else, the penthouse suite on celebrity ships are the top suites, however the penthouse suites on Canard are only the 3rd top suite. My only clame to fame on the lottery is that I had the first 3 numbers that were drawn on the very first lottery; I won £10, that is the only win I have EVER had on the lottery

I am going to put my head on the chopping block now. You have obviously got a lot of money. From what I have read most people are envious. Most reviews on this site are for folks who work hard to pay for their cruises. Inside, outside, balconies. Look forward to their one, two, three cruises a year if they are lucky. It is wonderful you can afford what you do. But I have not noticed many who are as well heeled as you putting forward their reviews. They dont seem the need to share the wealth they have with us . I dont know why you have to brag about what you do and what you can afford. Yes, I know there are very wealthy people out there, but some of us struggle to afford even the basics of a cruise. I am sure there are other sites where you can swap experiences with your peers.

I really MUST put you straight. I am sat her in front of my computer in a pair of Matalan track suite bottoms and an old t shirt, I have no airs and graces, and my favourite cloths shop is Matalan. I did not inherit wealth or win it, I worked for it from a very early age, I went to catering college at 16, and worked just about every night and weekend to earn money, I never had a holiday or even a day off (except a few Sundays) until I was 33, then it was an apartment that my in-laws lent us. all this time I was saving and investing, I NEVER had time to go out, or socialise, and at the ripe old age of 48 I was burnt out, I have probably put in more hours from the age of 16 till 48 than most people would put in from 16 till 65. I live in a modest 2 bed bungalow that is just about big enough for the 2 of us, not set in Acers of landscaped gardens but on a small estate in the not very affluent Lancashire town of Accrington. I have never been in debt, if I could not afford it I had to do without, so I have not wasted a penny on interest charges, my first house was a 2 up 2 down terrace that I paid cash for, when I could afford more I then moved and bought that for cash, just how much interest do you think you have paid over the years on mortgages, credit card charges, loans etc. My total i.e. ZERO because I never lived beyond my means. my first cruise was about 10 years ago on the century, an inside cabin, I could afford it, the next was 4 years later on the millennium, an outside cabin, and we progressed from there. Is like you any other person thinks I should NOT share my experiences on this site, and then I will gracefully withdraw. Most of my posts except this one are in the questions section where I try and use my extensive cruising knowledge to help new cruisers. I think the majority of viewers like to hear reviews like this, I would really love to hear how people have enjoyed Necker Island or sandy lane or a trip on a private yacht, as those places are beyond my spending power, but a review would really interest me. So in conclusion, I did work hard to pay for what I spend on my cruises/holidays.

Good for you. I must admit to being intrigued [not envious] of your postings and by 'surfing', found this. I love reading about the top end cruising experiences and as you say, it's up to each of us to spend our dosh in our own way. Ours is spent flying well to far flung unusual destinations. I know Accrington very well and there are some very affluent people living there so don't put the town or yourself down. Please continue posting and don't pay ANY attention to those who grumble about them. Your postings are objective and non patronising[although I do take issue with you on a posting you made the other day which was, in my opinion, incomplete, and please would you answer it for me] unlike one or two I have read which purport to be a review but contain a measure of self satisfaction and those really set my teeth on edge. Carry on and am waiting to hear about the Queen Victoria penthouse.

Thank you for having the decency to answer. We have had a business for 40 years now. Only a small one, I suppose that I am feeling bitter about the people who can afford such luxuries. What I read into your report was Beckhams etc. Do not give a damn about anyone but themselves. Look what we have got. Look what you nobodys have. NOTHING. Compared to us. I still say that the ones who can afford Necker, Sandy lane, private yachts are not the ones who comment on this site. But, you have looked after your money and deserve to be proud of your achievements. But please think about some of us who are not so fortunate, We are doing our utmost to survive this downturn. Regards and no illwill toward you.

Please don't be bitter. I have more than "A" I have less than "B" "C" has more than "A" and "B" together "X" has nothing, barely enough to eat. All are happy in their own way I was once on a tour of Sri Lanka, our guide was a Buddhist, not knowing too much about Buddhism I enquired what the main core of the religion was, I have never forgotten what he told me, and I try and live my life around this simple philosophy. Never strive for too much in life, but never accept too little, be content with what you have, and if you can help someone along the way then do so. A very simple philosophy, and not at all difficult to live to. My intensions were never "look what I have” more "I would like to share my experience with you"

good luck to you,how you spend your money is your buisness.Im glad to read about your beautiful suite etc.just curious that you spent all that extra money on the best suite but not the best ship or cruise.as you say yourself food terrible.excursions been there done it.and if your intentions were not as you say "look what Ihave" why mention you fly buisness class. what I also find hard to understand is why anyone could be jealous. Im sure most people on the same ship enjoyed the cruise as much as you.maybe even enjoyed it more! My first cruise was on QE2 11 yrs.ago,my wife and I our daughter and my mother 2 inside cabins (cheapest on ship) the memories i have of the cruise will stay with me forever. service,food,entertainment and visiting new places with your loved ones is what made it for me. the best suite on board couldnt have made me any happier. although 10 telephones in my room would have made it a far better cruise!