Great ports, way too much on going maintenance

We chose this cruise as it was a one way trip from Beijing to Australia and it worked well with a land tour of China we had booked.

The service was good and overall the meals were great. The ports of call were interesting with stops in Osaka, Keelung (Taiwan), Hong Kong, Vietnam - Nha Trang and Ho Chi Minh City, Bali ( Benoa), Darwin, Brisbane (where we disembarked), then on to Sydney and Melbourne.

However, as there were quite a few sea days and we wished to enjoy the outdoor and promenade areas, we felt that the amount of on-going maintenance on the ship was excessive. The sauna was never operational, both Deck 15 spas were closed for maintenance for half the cruise. There was always maintenance on the promenade deck which meant negotiating trip hazards during our walks, avoiding drips during overhead cleaning or painting, not being able to sit on the benches as they had been relaquered.

There was a smoking area on the promenade deck which had to be negotiated when walking and this was constantly in use by both passengers and staff and was most UNSATISFACTORY. Carpets were replaced in foyer and stair areas and mirrors were replaced in bathrooms (on our deck at least).

We have not rated the ship excursions as we did not participate in these, instead choosing to do ports on our own or with private excursions.

The Princess@sea messenger function available on tablets and phones was very handy for keeping in contact with travelling companions, monitoring account activity and finding out what activities were on (although these did not always agree with those listed in the Princess Patter).

We chose the Anytime Dining option which meant that most of our evening meals were taken in the Bernini Dining room, unless dining after 7.30 pm when a second room became available. We were given the option of sharing a table or eating on our own. The sharing option meant the we could be seated immediately. The dining room staff were efficient and personable. Some of the tables were too large (those for 10) and we might as well have been at a table for 4 due to the limited conversation over the noise of the restaurant.

The Movies Under the Stars was a great option with lounges and blankets provided for the 2 screenings nightly.

The golf putting green area looked sadly neglected and shabby.

This was our first Princess cruise, and other passengers suggested that we don't base our opinion of the cruise line just from this ship.