The cruise was very late setting off from Southampton. After passengers had been on the ship for more than 3 hours, all those who travelled by coach from Liverpool were ordered to go to a location immediately. It was later rumoured that a passenger on that coach had tested positive for Covid and the Liverpool passengers were ordered to collect their belongings and disembark. This was after they had spread thoughout the ship in bars, restaurants and cabins, quite possibly spreading the disease. At no time were we other guests on the ship informed of this. That cruise should have been abandoned. Later, a further incident left us wondering what was going on. At our first stop. Lisbon, the Captain announced that we would be later departing due to a ' sensitive' incident. Ths message was repeated several times. We did not depart until 6am the following day. None of us knew what was happening. We were again left completely in the dark. It transpired that the magician/comedian who had appeared the night before on stage, had died. This was apparently reported on news programmes back home, but we were never informed of this.

The cruise was ruined because of the lack of information given to us about the strange happenings. Had we became aware of the Covid incident at the start, we would have left the ship as we are both vulnerable, older people.

The food was acceptable, but only just. Since we cruised before on Ventura, the offerings in the Waterside self service had deteriorated. The gluten free offerings were confusing, sparse and quite awful. First cruise ever ( we have done 25 ) where gf muesli was not available. The cost cutting that P&O have done is very noticable. No Captain's welcome party, no Mediterranean Club party. The cabins are only serviced once a day, the stewards being used in the resturants in an evening. The entertainmnet was rather pathetic, except for one act. A delay to disembarkation at Southampton was the final straw, as we had a taxi waiting. total disorganisation.