To be fair, The Pacific Pearl is going to be removed from the P&O fleet in March 2017, so to make comment on the overall state of the ship is not appropriate.
What I would like to focus on are the things that are P&O brand.
We were travelling as a family of four (kids: 3 and 8 years old) with an extended group for christmas. The idea was that we didn't have to bother with travelling to anyone's house or cooking christmas meals. it was supposed to be an enjoyable and relaxing time.