Booked the cruise in September 06, three months before flight schedules came out in January 07 - despite asking for World Traveller Plus seating on BA direct flights, were given Cathay Pacific via Hong Kong (as were quite a number of early booking passengers we talked to). Would this have something to do with it being cheaper to fly indirect?

The Sapphire Princess is a very large and beautiful ship but in our opinion, it is being mismanaged through incompetent staff, not to mention the cost cutting exercises - Captain's Champagne party where the captain did not attend, not was champagne served; instead we were given a very cheap sparkling wine. We didn't dare ask for red or white wine having sampled that once before (couldn't even drink that!).

We booked for quite a number of shore excursions (mainly because they told us there wasn't going to be any taxis at the container ports where we were due to dock). They were overpriced; badly organized and were without exception late in taking off - however they always returned on time! Read more