FIrst, it has to be said this ship is spectacular. The atmosphere created by the entertainment staff at the parades, shows (including a first-class but under-appreciated full-scale production of Andrew Lloyd Webber's Cats) isn't to be experienced anywhere else, except maybe if you were to attend an opening ceremony at the Olympics. The speciality restaurants have some of the best food I've ever tasted, the photographers are producing real art, and the programme of events is unrivalled by the other cruise lines I've experienced. I was worried it would be far too big but it's very well laid out and you find your routine and preferred places very easily and quickly.

However, the service is generally appalling. If you go to the speciality restaurants, you'll experience service that would make Cunard sweat in its attentiveness and friendliness. The rest of the ship you can guarantee are fed up of having to serve passengers.

I have to single out a woman serving in the Park Café (who conveniently was obsucring her name badge), who yelled at me about the proper way to queue. The thing is, it's not obvious where you should be queuing, and the people around me were reading the menu and not waiting to be served and soon cleared when they heard her tirade. She refused to acknowledge she had shouted at all and pressed me for my order. Also at the cake counter in Park Cafe was a man who muttered "for crying out loud" when I went to ask to be served while he was trying to leave his station. Read more