We wanted to try out cruising, and being school teachers, needed a cruise that left or arrived in our home town during school holidays. This 4 night cruise from Auckland to Sydney was perfect. Embarkation was a breeze at the port of Auckland. There was no problem with being dropped off with luggage right by the terminal. We were happy with the cabin, it was exactly as we expected after researching. It was comfortable and clean, with everything we needed. Our steward was amazing at looking after us. That was actually the theme of the cruise - the most incredibly staff are on Princess. Our daughter has coeliac disease, and safe eating is the hardest thing when travelling with her. Not on Princess though - we ate in the formal dining room for pretty much every meal after the first day as the food was incredible, and they were able to cater for my daughter's gluten free needs, as well as her wants. I was blown away by how great the food was. The other options on board were perfectly good (we had breakfast once at the buffet, and tried out the terrace grill for lunch as well once, both good meals), but the anytime dining at Traviata was super special. Bar service was equally great. The staff are so friendly and welcoming. Nothing is too much trouble. There are amazing cocktails on Princess! Our daughter had great fun at the youth club, and she also loved the pools. We became addicted to the trivia sessions, and found that there was always something to do if we wanted to do something. The show Encore was amazing, extraordinary talent. Lots of live music from classical to rock band, at all different times, and loads of opportunities to take part in activities - not bad for a 4 night cruise! The crossing was a wee bit rocky - as it often is when crossing the Tasman, which also meant they couldn't disembark at Bay of Islands, but they really tried to make it happen. We weren't planning on getting off there, so that didn't impact us. We were having too much fun exploring the boat. We would absolutely sail with Princess again, the trip exceeded expectations in so many ways. Read Less

The Sea Princess is now an average ship having aged poorly. There appears to be some outstanding maintenance required to get it back to a reasonable standard. Our cabin seemed to be smaller than previous cruises, along with the bedding feeling like it was also getting old. We predominantly ate in the Horizon Court dining facilities and must say that the food was far below standard with excess oil and/or spices being used, along with being overly repetitive. On some occasions we ate either fruit or bread rather than hot food. When we did eat in the Dining Room, you do notice the dramatic differences, with the quality of the food being equivalent to a good restaurant. The evening entertainment was generally good, with some shows being absolutely fantastic. However, as a contrast, the daytime activities were primarily aimed at the aged passengers and generally boring as hell. Most activities were conducted as time fillers or a mere distraction. Otherwise as you walk through the various areas of the ship all you see is old people sitting in one spot all day. The Front desk staff although friendly enough, lacked sufficient communication skills to fully grasp simple requests or explanations. I certainly was not happy with their customer service skills. The biggest issue or should I say issues, is the fact that other than the light entertainment provided, everything is about getting your money into their coffers. In regards to Ports, well from my perspective, if it is a Hawaii & Tahiti Cruise, then that is where you should spend the majority of your time, with overnight stays in these ports or at least the 2 biggest ports. The other issues is the excessive sea days, with Australia being so far from most locations, these travel days just added to the long days and increased their opportunity to get your money. The excursions are generally worthwhile to go on, other than the costs, which can be prohibitive. Princess Cruises add significant cost on top of these, due to their administration and co-ordination of each excursion. You can, if desirous organise your own on-shore trips, however, in some locations you leave yourself open to be either conned or just over-charged. Overall, you must make up your own mind, but I think, you really should consider whether or not this type of holiday is your thing. We will cruise again, but we enjoy getting on a ship, unpacking once and then just relaxing. Read Less

Although the staff service, especially at the bistro, was excellent, the food after Honolulu became somehow less tasty and with noticeable less variety. Alcohol was stupidly expensive as well as other beverages. The lack of facilities for people with special interests ie Bridge was evident and unforgiven. The disembarkation and embarkation process in Honolulu was as good as for someone who couldn't organise a "root in a brothel". You couldn't have failed any more miserably. The Captain and officer were seen only once other than their "carnavale" (official appearance). However, special mention to Herminio, Dan, Jun, Zsolt, Jeffry, Jugoslav, Nino, Mihailo, Ni Kadek, Veronica, Olena, Angel, Desiree, Lupia and our cabin stewart Loyed. The quality of fruit, especially watermelon, also deteriorated after Honolulu. At one time pears were bruised and scared, rockmelon hard and tasteless "fit for pig" consumption. I don't think I'll choose Princess again not from an Australian port anyway. Read Less

We chose this cruise because we liked the idea of visiting a variety of Islands on our way to and returning from the Hawaiian Islands Leaving from Sydney was also a plus. The entertainers were of high quality and very diverse. Simulcast of 1st show in the Vista Lounge was great. Cruise director and staff were fantastic with great personality Entertainment in Vista in between early and late show was great. Game shows and other entertainment around the ship were great. Food excellent and dining service was varied. The Pub lunch was a different variance. Horizon cafe had a great variety with fresh food in abundance. Local dance groups boarding the ship for cultural display of dancing etc. We were blown away at being able to watch the AFL final series on our TV in our cabin in the middle of the Pacific Ocean. Very impressive We were able to get our pie and chips to make the Grand final perfect Read Less

We chose this trip because it was going to interesting places like Easter island. Little did we know they almost ever get on at Easter Island and since it is a long way from anywhere we had ten sea days in a row. This was very annoying and I would encourage people to think twice before doing this trip. There were some good ports like Rejavik and New York and St. John’s and Charleston but the two ports in Peru were awful since you could not get off at the port as it was considered too dangerous! We had to go to a shopping centre that was about an hours drive from the port in Lima. Why do we stop at dangerous places. It was a disgrace. Our entertainment troupe of singers and dancers were excellent but the other entertainment on board ranged from average to dreadful especially the guy Jon who must have been chosen by an influential person he could not sing to save himself and the atrium was deserted when he was there. The food was good and much to our liking and the cabin staff were excellent and so were the waiters but the front office staff were very rude and not helpful. Read Less

We really enjoy Princess, in particular the level of service experienced onboard is 1st class. Food was excellent, the Staff, as usual were excellent. The Cruise Director, Jody was innovative and met with Guests every sea day for a Coffee/Chat. This is the first time I had experienced something along that line. Her Team also were energetic and involved with the Guests. Our Captain, Tony Ruggero regularly walk around the ship meeting with and talking to any passengers who liked a chat. And he did so with a high degree of interest in what they had to say. The weather on sea days during this voyage was ordinary to say the least, however, the up side was that on each Port day the sun came out and weather was close to,perfect. I can do without Suva as a Port, there are many more inviting islands of Fiji that would be better for a day stopover. Pago Pago is an interesting Port with many worthwhile drives at very reasonable prices. Hawaii and Her Islands speak for themselves as does Tahiti. Swimming with the Sharks and Sting Rays is a must and there are plenty of options available on shore. Land Tours around the Tahitian Islands are interesting and the scenery is to die for. Some of the most beautiful scenes you could ever wish for. Then onto NZ, Auckland is a Capital City and as expected. The Hop on Hop Off Bus is worth the money with many very interesting places visited. Then onto Bay of Islands. Beautiful from the sea/land, even more so from a Helicopter flight. The locals put on a Market with many wonderful and interesting items for sale. (Much better than the normal Markets) found in other places. Now the Ship, Sea Princess is showing her age, however she is still in very clean and presentable shape. Food onboard was very good with a number of changes to previous menus. The Pub Lunch has an expanded menu with a larger variety other than Fish and Chips, which is still very tasty. I would recommend you attend the Cooking Demonstrations which not only highlight a number of dishes, it is also a light hearted comical and entertaining experience. We did Anytime Dining which worked very well with no problems in finding a table. The Buffett was always available with a good selection of various style meals with regular presentation of menus of specific style and taste from various countries. For outside eating, the Pool Grill presented hamburgers, hot dogs, sausage on a roll, salads, chips etc. we never went hungry. We had an Interior Cabin A204 at the front of the ship. A small cabin but it did have the essentials, cupboard/hanging space, plenty of drawers and a workable (if not large) bathroom. In rough weather you could feel the larger waves, not that it caused us any discomfort, we were just rocked to sleep at night. When you run into 7mtr. waves, one must expect a bit of movement, however that just added to our experiences. The onboard entertainment was not up to the usual Princess standard. Some good shows, some not so good. The Production shows were very good, just not as many as we have experienced in the past. All in all, our group of 7 adults enjoyed the cruise and I would do the same itinerary again. We have done this cruise twice in past years. Read Less

Always wanted to visit Hawaii and Tahiti. The ship should be commended on their staff. They are the greatest asset. The food was very good, with heaps of choice. Entertainment was poor and somewhat disorganised. The tours in Suva, Pago Pago and Moorea, were great value and very well organised and presented. One of our Hawaiian tours to the crater and ocean centre was very good and well worth the money, however the other 4 tours in Hawaii were very over priced and disappointing. Our tour at Bora Bora, helmet five was cancelled once we were on board. We enjoyed Bora Bora as we managed to do a tour with a local taxi driver, Dora. She was very knowledgeable and helpful. Moorea is beautiful as well and our tour to the tiki village was fantastic. The Dining experience was good and the service outstanding. The steak house not worth the money - as though good - the normal free dining was as good. Entertainment - such as voice of the sea was very poorly organised. Craft lessons were very poor. No presentations other than ones that tried to sell you something. In saying that - I would do this cruise again, but I’d do many things differently. I cruised with 5 other people who made my trip amazing. Read Less

This was the 2nd time we enjoyed this cruise, last was 2015. Great opportunity to see different things ashore. Pity that it was a bit rough this time but no one can control the weather! Have sailed on Sea Princess many times & wish they would upgrade the televisions to movies on demand. Also be fabulous if she had the 24 hour International Cafe. Legends for the Elite evenings just didn’t work for us , too crowded but lots enjoyed them. Lots of choices entertainment wise & plenty of activities to keep fit & healthy (without gaining weight!) Cruise director & staff ALL exceptional, kept me as busy as I wanted for 5 weeks Read Less

35 nights round trip from Sydney (no flights) on Sea Princess. Met great people, shared a table of eight in second sitting, now lifelong friends. Dining experience is second to none. Good menus, well cooked food and fantastic ambience. Great production shows, especially "Encore" - brilliant. Unfortunately blow in entertainers were second rate and only one female singer in 5 weeks. Movies were plentiful, some, even current. Wines on board very expensive as were the shore tours. Hawaii Islands were exciting, absolute highlights of the cruise. The Big Island (Hawaii) has two ports, Kona & Hilo. Kona is the dry side of the island so book your sightseeing there. Helicopter flights in particular. Ours was cancelled in Hilo due to poor visibility and heavy rain. The three ports in Tahiti are glorious, lush and green with turquoise waters and the people are beautiful. The Princess experience is great - the staff and crew are very well trained to cater for the fussiest passengers and they do it generously with a smile. Would we do it all over again ? ......................Oh yeah ! Read Less

Thought it would be a good way to have a bit of a look at our great country Australia but it was full of geriatrics on walking frames, sticks and in wheelchairs who were rude and whinged all the time. The poor staff were so tolerant - they deserved a medal! Catching a lift was impossible. Going to a show in the theatre wasn't on either, as they got there super early and saved the seats and lord help you if you tried to grab one! After 10pm the ship was empty and silent. The DJ in the disco tried his best but most nights it was just us and 1 or 2 others there. The onboard activities were mostly geared for the oldies too. Bingo, crafts and a bit of line dancing. No pool activities. The ports of call were generally good. Apparently, any cruise longer than 21 days is mostly filled with the elderly. The children's club was closed! The cabin was clean, comfy and quiet. Read Less

The Sea Princess is typically of the older liners companies inflict on Australia. It’s had a refurbishment and is very comfortable except for the lifts. Always overcrowded at meal time and post shows. Filipino staff members are magnificent and do their utmost to ensure we all enjoy ourselves. The Captain was very hands on, daily report at midday and seemingly always roaming the ship. Always ready for a chat he was very charismatic and professional. If you get a chance travel with Captain Christopher Lye. The performers were of a high standard most nights and the crew of singers and dancers were absolutely outstanding, including Harrison and Cassie Chestnut. Best I’ve seen on any cruise. Typically the elderly passengers hogged the aisle seats, usually 2 perched on the end so to get to the center you were obliged to squeeze past these rude, ignorant aisle huggers, wondering why they do this Read Less

After many cruises (30), we decided we wanted to go all around Australia and see that beuatiful country as much as possible. The Sea Princess itinerary was excellent and we had wonderful weather, the choice of the port was well planned. The ship is not new but well maintained and the staff is just exceptional. they aim to please while always smiling. The captain, Christopher Lye made that cruise very interesting , he educates us with every broadcast, I wish he had given a lecture. The cruise director, Lyn Van Vorce, and her staff were on top of everything and very friendly, the entertainers were the best except for the production show who had only 2 average singers except for Encore when a wonderful soprano, Caiss Dillon was added. We are bridge players and the venue to play was not adequate and close to other loud activities: The Sea Princess lacks space ! The theater is small, you have to get there 30 minutes before the show !!! Music in the ship was very mostly good and offered a lot of variety. The food was a disappointment : the buffet was good and always full because the dining room selection were just ok. We had been on the Caribbean Princess 2 years ago, much better. The dinners were bland, the beef was a cheap cut but the desserts and the service were topnotch. The officers should be more visible and should contribute to the enrichment series , I am sure they have a lot to say !!! Read Less

Having already experienced Cunard, Celebrity, and P & O, we were doubtful that Princess could reach their high standards. But we were wrong - this Princess cruise overall was the best so far. Great ship, excellent service, wonderful entertainment programme. Food sometimes a bit off - tough steak. The Princess alcohol policy really needs review - I had small bottles of cider confiscated, and returned to me when arriving in Sydney so insufficient time to drink it all! Inconsistency of attitude when boarding with wine is poor, resulting in almost nobody drinking wine in the restaurant throughout the cruise. Many passengers resorted to concealing gin in non-original bottles - good job it is colourless - but I could not do that with dark rum, and in any case I don't see why I should have to. This Princess policy is obviously to protect their bar sales, but is totally unreasonable when their "guests" have paid thousands of dollars for a cruise! Apart from this aspect, the cruise was wonderful, and we particularly liked the mid-day reports from the excellent Captain Christopher Lye. For this ex-merchant mariner, his explanations and detail were much appreciated. I found I disliked their coffee, have gone off wine, the price of spirits on board was unreasonable,and resorted mainly to drinking water! Better than dying of thirst while at sea, I suppose. The entertainment programme, especially the shows, trivia, enrichment lectures, good library (but books too orientated to the USA guests), all contributed. Lectures by Kay Taylor, Paul Kearney, and Peter McSweeney (spelling?) were great, although Kay's diction could do with rather more variation to avoid sending her audience to sleep! Must mention our excellent cabin steward Ricardo - so pleasant and helpful - and our Traviata stewards Michael and Axela. I don't know whether they enjoy their work as much as it seems, but they have obviously been very well trained. Finally, I should mention the amazing efficiency of the disembarkation procedure - essential at a time when guests are naturally anxious to make their flight times. Well done, Princess! Read Less

We have wanted to see these ports all our lives but haven't had the chance to go ,loved the opportunity especially being able to leave and return to Sydney as my husband doesn't like to fly for long periods. Always love the dinning room for evening meals the service is always excellent . We would do this one again . The ship is excellent only thing to improve would be somewhere for the bowls etc to be played not a lot of room in the atrium when they are playing. Our cabin was excellent the beds are beautiful I slept every night I don't sleep as well at home. Loved the shows was a bit disappointed no ventriloquists or variety performances mostly singers. The encore performance was one of the best I have ever seen everyone put in 100per cent effort and a great show resulted in a standing ovation for the performers Read Less

I chose this cruise as a short break as for people that are time poor these are really good cruises to jump on. The ship itself was nice and I found it to be a younger demographical for age pax is it was repositioning. I found the food in both the dining room and the buffet to be really nice and even though I didnt get to see a show on board there was lots of other things to do. I really enjoyed my time in the Sanctuary and Budly on board made sure that we were well looked after. I think the Sanctuary is well worth the money especially for short cruises if you want to get away from the mainstream of passengers and relax.Our cabin was a more than adequate for the short cruise however I would probably like a mini suite if I could afford it for a longer duration. Read Less

My daughters and a friend of mine decided that a two day short cruise would be fun, but we were more than 4 hours late leaving the port of Brisbane , so no movies on deck least we disturb the people living near the port, but no one bothered to tell us until a fellow passenger told us a half hour after it should have started. Very annoying. When we went to the 9.30 movie on deck the speakers were so bad we couldn’t hear anything so gave up and went inside. The movies under the stars was going to be a high light for us. Then the next morning we got up ready for the advertised sales and shop openings, after looking around at everything and deciding on what we wanted to buy, we were told that passengers on the short trip could not buy anything that was not a necessity and then only up to $50. But there were people walking around with things that were obviously bought in the shops. No crew members could tell us why we were not allowed to buy anything, so I am still unaware what the reason was. If I had wanted to have someone tell me I couldn’t have something then I would have bought my husband along !! The cruise was not at all what I expected and I would not recommend a short cruise to anyone if this is what happens, all in all, I was very disappointed. Read Less

We booked this cruise for our 35th anniversary, because it left and arrived back into Brisbane. The cruise was meant to be 14 days, but due to the weather it was reduced to 11 days. It could have been reduced to 12 days, but I think it was easier for the company to completely cull the South Island, rather than have to go to the South for 1 day. The ship came into dock earlier, and the staff got the night off. Normally the turnarounds are on the same day. We were told check in would be early on our departure day, so we chose to stay close overnight beforehand. We could have gotten a lift in, but the early start was too early for our friends. So our early check-in was a total debacle ... apparently a computer malfunction, so the ship didn't end up leaving until 4.30pm. We had checked out of our accommodation for our early departure, so had to find somewhere to have breakfast (along with the other 1800+ passengers), then morning tea, and so on, just waiting around for boarding. Great start we were thinking! About the ship: The cabins were small but comfortable. We had an ocean view with a balcony. The room attendant was delightful. The bed was soft but comfortable, as were the pillows. The dining options were OK. The meal portions in the main dining room were a good size, not too large, and there was variety. The quality wasn't amazing, but it was fine, in most venues. We went to one or two shows, and they were enjoyable. We also went dancing on one night, and the band was very good. The gym was great, and thank god for the gym, it was our savior! However, there is a real push to sell the expensive Elemis detox program. This program is available online for a fraction of the cost, and there was no science behind the program that we were shown. If we could all take 2 herbal pills each day, and have them clean out our systems and eliminate everything that makes our bodies work inefficiently, I think it would be a miracle cure! In the end the science says that a good healthy diet, with exercise, and eating nutritious whole foods is the answer to good health ... makes sense to me! The demographics for this style of cruising, didn't really fit with us. We felt like we were in the middle of a shipboard conference for the aged and/or overweight. This may sound harsh, as there were some young people, and healthy looking fit people as well, but they were definitely in the minority. We had never been on a large ship cruising, and we wanted to see if it was something for us into the future. We have been to the Antarctica on a small ship and had a great time, but based on this experience, large ship cruising is definitely not our thing. Being active, I think active/adventure type cruising would be more suitable for us. On a final note, we also found that, although it sounds like you have a reasonable amount of time on shore days, the time disappears very quickly, and you don't get to achieve as much as you would like. We hired cars in 3 of the 4 stops, so we could be independent, and whilst we did get out and about, there is time lost getting to the pick up point, doing the paperwork, dropping the car back, getting back to the ship etc, and we calculated that if we had flown to NZ and hired a car for 2 weeks, travelled around NZ independently, staying in nice B&B's, eating great food, and getting in some active pursuits, the cost would have been around the same, we would have been in control of our itinerary ... and we would have had a 14 (not 11) day adventure! Read Less

We had heard from many friends how good Princess cruises were so we booked one. The first three days to New Zealand were cancelled because of Cyclone OMA. Staff were caring and efficient . Our cabin boy BILLY could not have more polite or committed to his work. Our cabin was kept in a pristine state morning and afternoon. Food was of a very high standard with many different choices daily. There was no time to get bored with such an interesting array of dishes and different cuisines. Nightly entertainment and shows were varied and extremely well performed. Shore tours were well organised and enjoyable. Our cruise director Lyn was a wonderful ambassador for Princess oozing personality and professionalism. The daily programme was jam packed with interesting and fun things to do. The assistant cruise directors were multi talented and loads of fun as well. We cant wait to book our next cruise on the Sea Princess. Lynda and Fred from BRISBANE Read Less

We had a three day delay and security technical difficulties on boarding with our NZ cruise from Brisbane but Princess Cruises did everything to make it up to us with refunds and discounts. We were so happy with the "crew" everyone was so helpful and friendly. It was hugs all round when we sadly disembarked, just like leaving family. It was as if the "powers that be" said sorry for the delay and here is the best weather you could ever hope for, Seriously it was like cruising on a lake. The cabin was nice and the bed, doona and pillows were so soft, like sleeping on a cloud. I loved the food especially the buffet restaurant and pizza. With three sea days I thought I might be bored and took books, magazines (never read one) and crochet to do but I had SO much I wanted to do and sometimes three things at the same time so it was difficult to choose. I absolutely would go again - we did the same cruise 5 years ago and still I would love to go again. Read Less

First time traveling to New Zealand and first time on Princess line. Unexpected problem at the start and cruise cut short by 3 days due to cyclone.. can't help the weather. Just myself and best friend on this trip. Embarkation went smoothly as did disembarkation when we returned. Entertainment was fantastic something for everyone.Especially one group in particular- Mosaic was their name..great band.All staff were amazing very friendly knowledgeable approachable. Food was amazing we had anytime dining. Service terrific staff amazing food fantastic Lots of areas to have quiet time or be active.. enjoyed very relaxing massage inn the spa.. staff running activities were easy going friendly Cabin was very clean and tidy. Looked after each day by amazing staff.. had arranged day tours before arriving. Organisation of these was well done.. buses were then when required. Left on time. Ticked off a couple of things inn my bucket list . visited Tauranga and went to Hobbiton and while in Aukland violated Sky Tower.. amazingly stunning views Read Less

We were supposed to cruise on the 24th February, but a cyclone off the Brisbane coast stopped that. We managed to get out of port on the 27th instead. Great communication from Princess but alas we missed the South Island of NZ as a result. But NZ put on its very best weather for us. It was like Queensland, beautiful one day, perfect the next. I loved the new beds they’ve been on about. Very comfy. 2 fabulous comedians on board keeping us entertained and in stitches. The show band was also very entertaining. I’m doing this cruise again soon, this time hopefully I’ll get to see the South Island. The food was brilliant, I asked for anytime dining and being alone, I met new people every night. The menu was varied and food was plentiful, Lobster Tails, Atlantic Salmon, Beef Wellington, Lamb, New York Steak. And then the entrees and desserts. I think I overindulged a bit. Read Less

Unfortunately the ship lets down the rest of the cruise experience. The ship underwent a refurbishment less than 2 years ago - but you wouldn't know it. The ship in general looks conservative and dated and we were disappointed that it didn't look like it had just been refurbished (maybe it's the use of brown timber?). In fact, it looked in need of a freshening up and a bit of pizazz. The single level show room with only two access points and lots of stairs, was a big problem. The large number of frail elderly people struggled with all the stairs, and this led to considerable delays for everyone getting in and out of the showroom - the 2-level showrooms on other cruise ships had been so much easier, safer and faster to access and to exit from. The food and the rest of the onboard experience was good, though one of the guest entertainers could have been a bit better (especially when he did his second show in 3 nights). If the ship had looked exciting and modern, it would have added a lot more to the experience. Read Less

Traveled on Sea Princess on a world cruise 2years ago and it was excellent. Recently traveled to Papua New Guinea again on the Sea Princess and felt completely at home again. We like the smaller ships as they are more personal in all services offered. The Conflict Islands on this cruise was excellent and we were lucky to have 2 days there. The cabin staff and restaurants were 5 star. Boarding and leaving the ship was very well organised and stress free. We are hoping to do Circle the Pacific Cruise in 12 months. The Princess Entertainiers was so good and every show was so professional and high quality. The Princess web site was excellent with information for on board activities and managing day to day spending. Internet was easy to access and use. Special mention also goes to the Cruise Entertainiment Manager who was so much fun and a great entertainer in his own right. Well done Mat and will never forget his saying. What are we going have- A GOOD TIME! Read Less

Excellent cruise. The service and entertainment were above average. The shows and games shows were exceptionally well done. Plenty of things to do on board. . The ship was not too small but not too big. Captain, cruise director and crew were the best. Had a lovely time. .Due to a hurricane we got a couple of extra days on board. The captain and cruise director kept us informed about what was happening and made the stay very relaxing. Our cabin was smaller than expected but the bed was beautiful. We went on this cruise to relax and enjoy the ship. It provided that and more. Plenty of different areas to sit and relax. Love the movie under the stars. Food was good and plenty of variety. We have traveled Holland America mostly before but I think I will be considering Princess from now on. Read Less

We chose this cruise as it departed from Brisbane and we had mutual friends already going. Our first impressions were of poor service. Especially in the bars. Servers weren’t just ignoring us they were downright rude. Drinks were really expensive. $8.75 for a small beer. There was also a 15 drinks a day maximum on the drinks package which was not advertised. All of the entertainment on this cruise other than the movies under the stars (which is great) targets the over 60’s. There is hardly anyone in the bars of a night and the nightclub doesn’t kick of until 10pm and is also dead. The shows and musical entertainment are also for the over 60’s. For positives the ship is immaculately clean and the food at all venues is exceptional. Also the kids club is fabulous! Possibly a good choice if you are over 60. Otherwise give it a miss. Read Less