Prior to this cruise we had done five with P&O and had always recommended the company to anyone who would listen.However, the warning signs of reducing standards have been there for some time, but we now feel they have passed the tipping point.It is still remarkable value: drinks are cheap, shuttle buses are normally free, in comparison to American lines.

First, departure. We were 20 minutes late leaving Southampton due to traffic congestion. Nevertheless, it took from Saturday evening to 7.30pm on the Tuesday just to get to Gibralter, the captain blaming late departure, engine trouble and bad weather for this. But they knew this in advance. Why not call into Vigo or Lisbon on the way instead? And the restaurants were besieged at 6pm when they opened, with 45 minute waits in formal and self-service. Why did no-one foresee that this was inevitable and open earlier? One got the impression that there was no-one with an overview of events.

Dining: Food was generally good in formal restaurants, less so in self-service.Service was patchy. It could take 45 minutes in the evening to complete a meal on a table for two, 2 hours plus if on a larger table. Read more