My wife and I have just returned home to NZ after a wonderful 28 day cruise around the Med. Thoroughly enjoyed the ship and crew, from the Commodore down to the guys and girls in the laundry. We've been aboard this ship previously, last time was August / September 2014 and there were a number of crew who remembered us.....by name. It really annoys me when a fellow critic complains that there are no towel animals. The cabin stewards have enough to do without pandering to these trivial items. Buy the book on towel origami and make them yourself!

But...and there normally is a but if there's no 5 star review. The food was okay but we've had better on previous Princess cruises, although the International Cafe and Vines and I re always consistently good as is the service. The menu is on a weekly cycle so after a month we've seen it 4 times! One particular area that does annoy us is the dining room. It states a reasonable dress code, you do not have to wear a jacket and tie but smart casual is required. I believe shorts and a t shirt does not comply! Go to the Horizon Court, P&O Australia or Carnival, not the main dining room of any cruise line!! Certain standards should be kept and it doesn't cost much (in money or time) to wear shoes, a nice shirt and trousers.

The entertainment is quite frankly, pathetic. The movies kept repeating as does the shows and entertainment during the day. There must be better quest performers out there. The Princess Orchestra and most of the Princess regular bands and singers are pretty good. The guest performers, on the whole, are not.