Doesn't Compete

We have cruised fairly extensively but we chose this cruise because a family member we wanted to take didn't have a passport and hadn't cruised before.

Expectations were not high but we were very impressed by the ships layout, bars, public rooms and condition for her age.

P&O got embarkation and disembarkation right, quick efficient and friendly.

Cabin 9182 was well maintained and plenty of hanging space but the converted sofa-bed for the third occupant was restricted, very hard, and not very suitable for a 6ft plus body.

Dining was where it all fell down.

First and major problem is the way the Pantry is furnished, the high stools and low coffee type tables just don't fit the athleticism and body type of the cruisers the line attracts. Why??????? The service style may work with different layouts but it doesn't work the way it is and serving staff don't listen to requests for smaller serve portions. Add to this everything is served on stone called plates so that by the time you do find somewhere to eat the meal is cold, greasy and unappetising. Pity because some of it left the servery quite tasty.

The Waterfront main dining room has a nice ambience once you can get past the entry procedure. Why are people queuing to get in when the restaurant is virtually empty? When you do get seated the service is just fair and the food OK but uninspiring. If you want a steak expect an extra charge on your bill, and a Surf and Turf is an extra $25.

Angelo's specialty restaurant is an insult to real Italian cuisine. To much TV chef platting concern and not enough food, and what there is is tasteless.

Dragon Lady was pretty good, service, ambience and food above anything else aboard.

Didn't try Salt after noting that after paying the extra cover charge there were still many items on the menu which had an extra charge.

How can P&O justify charging for hamburgers and pizza at the grill or ice cream on the pool deck? And of course a decent cup of coffee is always at an extra charge.

Entertainment was well produced but the production shows didn't seem to match the audience type aboard. The live music around the ship was good. We enjoy Trivia and Daisy does it well with a nice injection of humour and fun.

One of the things that was the invisibility of senior officers. Don't they like mingling with the crowd, or are they afraid of getting feedback. Whatever the reason there seems to be a lack of enthusiasm among the crew and that generally reflects management style.

One thing this trip proved to me is that P&O Australia is just not competitive on either style or price. It is not cheap and when youi add the extra out of pocket charges and the little things you don't get the total cruise cost comes out around the same price as a much more upmarket cruise line.

9182 would be a great cabin for 2. Big balcony, plenty of hanging space, well maintained.
Put in a third person and the sofa bead is hard, short and certainly not comfortable for a full size adult.