Wanted to get away to PNG as we did on P&O Eden a few years ago. . . and loved it.

This trip on Encounter shattered our expectations. Must do this, must do that for Covid. OK. ... we did it all . . nothing got checked. Then a 40 minute wait on the gangplank with hundreds of others - no masks. Then internet not working ~ 2 queues of 25 minutes and another of 10 minutes to be told my pre-purchased plan did NOT include emails. Facebook, Instagram and all that other crap . . but not emails. So had to pay extra . . only to find that they charged me extra TWICE. Then tour bookings - - group booking was ignored - - friends sent on a different tour than us. Tour cancelled - - no refund. Then extra tour we booked - - charged twice! So, beginning of a so-called relaxing escape did not eventuate.

Food at, particularly, the Chinese place was woeful . . no taste, not enough (well, I guess if it's tasteless they expect you don't want much). Other restaurants OK - - but the self-serve at The Pantry was ridiculous . . over-crowded, no tables or seats available when you did get your food . . . just way too many people. All the entertainment venues were over-crowded - the so-called hotel had people up the walkways trying to be entertained. And entertainment at the theatre - - well, a couple of acts were quite good - - the rest was absolute dribble. Extremely disappointing and now P&O crossed off my future cruses.