We are considering a world cruise in the next couple of years and appreciate these comments. I take the view, as does the poster "Burrows" that seasoned cruisers will usually have a gripe and in our experience with P O any minor things like loos breaking down they have sorted it without a fuss but we haven't sat in our cabin twiddling our thumbs and timing the appearance of the engineer. We have simply got on with it and gone off round the ship. I fully support the comments about the excellent staff- some people seem to regards themselves as a cut above and frankly if they start with an attitude like that they ought to go on a different cruise to me. The only concern I have is that we will be lumbered sharing 80 days with negative people. That's my nightmare!

I fully agree with your last comment. My partner and I have always greeted and treated staff that we have come into contact with, like friends rather than servants, stopping for a chat where possible, and showing THEM respect. I myself have noticed that many people who have cruised many times before, and can obviously afford it, do seem to generally be less happy with most things onboard than some others. Happy cruising.