Christmas and New Year cruise - ship absolutely packed but no where near enough staff. Staff were rushed off their feet in the restaurants so lacked any time for pleasantries. That was after you had queued for ages or took your chance with the virtual queue app which would just remove you from the queue for no reason. Everyday we had to reinstall the app. Endless queues at reception who then seemed unable to help without referring you somewhere else. When you did get on the app lots of the shows / 710 club / speciality dining were already booked out. One of the staff at the theatre (someone is there to check you have booked) told us to wait around as lots of people don't turn up as they are delayed dinning.

The christmas day meal was chaos - we were on the early sitting in the buffet and queued for 25 mins, 2 others allocated to our table queued 50 mins and the other 2 never turned up - which meant we sat for 45 mins before being served. Others on the later sitting queued much longer. The food was more canteen standard when it arrived - 3 undercooked sprouts, 1 slice carrot, 1 roast potato, - that was it for veg - no yorkshire pudding, no cranberry sauce, no gravy - couldn't ask for more as apparently it would take too long to fetch. When we complained were told 'well there were alot of people onboard" - surly they knew that when we left Southampton. When we got down to the Canaries weather was lovely so it was great to sit outside - however very few staff walking round to take drinks request. We went to a few daytime activities which were mostly bingo, quiz or trying to sell you something - very poor considering the number of days at sea. VERY small pools and numerous whirlpools dotted around the deck. The Skydome pool is really noisy in the day - the evening show singers tried but sound was just terrible and the chlorine smell is very strong. Atrium was underwhelming and the piano played itself when they didn't have anyone to sit there. Cabins were ok but we had no draws and the lighting was not great. At busy times the lifts couldn't cope and people took to riding up to go down which just made things worse. Don't expect to be given any information on the ports anymore - they are only there to sell trips. Asked reception for a complaints form - they said get it from your cabin steward - who of course had no forms and referred us back to reception. Sent in a complaint to P&O but no response.