We embarked in Sydney and found the process easy and quick. It was a sparkling Sydney day, and it was a public holiday (Easter Monday) so it seemed everybody on and off Sun Princess was in holiday mood. There was a minimum of waiting in line and the staff were helpful and ultra pleasant. We must have received 20 "Welcome Aboard" and "Enjoy your cruise with us" by the time we reached our state room. We had been up-graded from a Balcony to a Mini-suite! Nobody could tell us why, but it was a great way to start our cruise.

Our bags were lost on embarkation and there was an anxious wait leading up to departure and beyond, when the bags failed to turn up. The staff were helpful however and the bags had lost their i.d. tags in handling. They were waiting for us at Customer Services on Deck 5. No problems.

The seas were flat all the way. The food was beyond our expectations. In the Regency Dining Room the staff were first rate and the company on our table of 8 were a diverse bunch and we enjoyed their company. We conversed with anybody and everybody on board and found our fellow cruisers always pleasant and helpful. The range and quality of food in Horizons, the Pizzeria and the Poolside food outlets (ice-cream and hamburgers, or sundaes and hot dogs) was all fabulous, and except for a few small gripes, we were very happy. Will I mention the small gripes? OK - American honey tastes like golden syrup, the espresso coffee was variable quality depending who made it and where you got it - small things really. We didn't make use of most activities, but I noticed that every day could be filled with activities if you wanted it that way. We were more content to laze by the pools, walk the uninterrupted boardwalk of Deck 7, read and laze about in our luxurious room. We did go to a show one night and the singers and dancers were energetic and pretty good. The casino was a good diversion on a couple of occasions and coincidentally, the machines were good to us. The outdoor movies were great and we enjoyed alternating between pool, spa and lounger in the balmy tropical air. Mid-night snacks, high teas, long lunches, ice cold beer, prompt and affordable room service were on tap. What a life! Read more