Booking: Booking was reasonably smooth. We weren't allocated our cabin until the day before which was fine. The day before setting sail, we were told we weren't cruising the Fiords of NZ due to biosecurity issues. We accepted that and P&O credited all passengers $50 to spend on board for that day of cruising. With the pre-booking process of listing dietary requirements or allergies, there was only room for one item you could select as a food allergy which we did (EGG), so if you had more than one allergy you had to list it in the comments section. We listed Anaphylaxis to Egg and Dairy in this section also. We had also phoned P&O prior to boarding to notify them of anaphylaxis to Egg and Dairy. So, P&O were notified twice prior to boarding the ship. We also carry Epipens and medication in case we require it. We completed VeriFLY and all Covid testing and photographed negative results which was required.

Embarkation: Was relatively quick but like a cattle stockyard with lots of people at the check in counters and no social distancing. First Red flag was that check-in staff did NOT ask to see proof of negative RAT result, we had to offer this up. So, we went through customs and on to the ship. No directions to our cabin, we just found it and let ourselves in.

Cabin: We arrived at our balcony cabin which had two bunks in it to accommodate the four us. Two adults, two older kids. Configuration meant no room to sit and be together as a family but we decided to live with it as we would be out of the room most of the time and could enjoy the balcony. But I probably wouldn’t do this again. I’d order a second room for the kids. Room hadn’t been vacuumed and there was stuff left under the bed such as lollies and headbands from the previous passengers…..or perhaps the people before them, or the people before all of them, who really knows! Bathroom was clean, light fitting had fallen out of the ceiling and the hot water didn’t work sometimes. Read more