We have just returned from our sixth cruise. First time on Pacific Aria. Last time on Pacific Aria. What a boring ship this is. The food is well below par in any of the restaurants. The main restaurant on deck 7 is hard to get to. Once there, and after being told it was, any time dining, we found we could not get in at that time and there would be a 30 minute wait. We were given a buzzer and told to go sit in a nearby bar until we were buzzed. After 40 minutes and 2 hungry children in tow, we went back and asked if there was seating. Yes there was, so why didn't they buzz us? Never mind, we entered the eatery where we were seated at rustic wooden tables with no table cloths. The table was dirty, there were no wine glasses or bread rolls. The menu was for both food and wine. Not really much choice in the food, but the wine list was OK. We had to ask for the children's menu, which was shoved in my hand and even though there were 2 children (aged 9 and 11), we only got one menu. We had a three course meal in under 15 minutes and our wine glasses were big enough to be used as a goldfish bowl. The waiters were very sullen and we never had the same waiter twice in the 8 days we were there. So, no wonder they were sullen, how do you build up a rapport with someone in 15 minutes? I am guessing, they were missing the tips they got on other cruise ships. I would be sullen too. Don't even bother going to the Pantry, what a waste of space that is. Same old stuff doled out day after day, and having to queue at different stations to get the food you want to eat. I really think The Pantry is a bad idea. Please, Please, P & O, do not put this on any of your other ships. I couldn't find anyone on board who had a good thing to say about The Pantry. Not only is the food bad, but the seating is all sectioned off and I found it very claustrophobic.

Embarkation was speedy, same with Disembarkation. Full marks there.

The cabins are quite spacious. Full marks there. Read more