Uno, dos no trays !!!

Our departure time from Woodall Services was two two hours later than usual and heavy traffic and roadworks obliged our excellent driver to change his route. Consequently we didn’t arrive at Southampton until ten to four, twenty minutes after our scheduled time. This made boarding very easy, the easiest I have ever experienced.
Our luggage arrived quite quickly and after unpacking we decided to go to the self-service restaurant. Bad decision. It was chaos. Hundreds of us had decided the same, all at the same time. Add to that the fact that we suddenly discovered that P&O had withdrawn the provision of trays, leading to lots of people wandering backwards and forwards carrying hot plates, then having to find somewhere to put their plate while they got a drink. It was manic, not an experience I would care to repeat.
On other occasions we used the self service restaurant, breakfast, lunch, there was the same wandering around carrying hot plates but the diners were fewer in number than on that first evening. I saw many elderly struggling. There is surely a health and safety issue here but apparently the ship passed its safety inspection while we were on board.
Please provide us with trays, once again.
The food was excellent in all the restaurants in which we ate. The service was slower than usual but that didn’t bother us.
One thing that bugged us was the presence of loud music on many of the deck areas. Our for a bit of peace, quiet and a Kindle.
We loved our balcony cabin, so much so that this was the second time we had chosen it. Our cabin steward was first class.
The shopping on board was good at times, such as when there was a sale. Lots of products are cheaper at home in our supermarkets.
The cruise itinerary was excellent. We loved everywhere we stopped, only booking tours on our two days in Barcelona. We booked our own TukTuk in Lisbon and a minibus in Gibraltar. I must say that the weather was stunning throughout.