The sight of the Diamond Princess docked at Circular Quay could not fail to impress. What a delight Sydney must be to passengers from around the world. Even for locals like my husband and me, it's pretty darn good. We were pleased a speedy check-in allowed us to go ashore and act as tourists for a couple of hours.

First impressions of the ship were positive - new, clean, spacious and beautiful. Our inside cabin was big enough and well laid out. Our bags were waiting when we arrived, as we had dropped them off early. The cabin steward introduced himself and we settled in for a restful journey.

Overall, we were not disappointed. With "Anytime Dining", mealtimes were stress-free, with no waiting for a table and usually opting to share. Memorable conversations were enjoyed over lunch or dinner. We experienced a substantial sampling of the wait staff and, with only one exception, they gave excellent service. The quality and variety of food was good. Read more