I recently tried the poolside grill on a P&O cruise for the first time and came away thoroughly disappointed. Despite sailing with the line several times before, I had never ordered a burger there, so I decided to give it a chance.
Unfortunately, the burger was extremely bland and forgettable. What stood out even more was the salad selection, which looked unappealing and poorly prepared. Considering the grill had only just opened around lunchtime, it was surprising to see food presented in that condition.
In my experience, bland food seems to be a recurring issue across several dining venues on P&O. Whether it's the main dining room or the buffet, the meals often appear more impressive than they taste, while the buffet selection can feel quite limited.
I also ordered a cocktail that seemed to contain very little alcohol, to the point where I wondered if I had accidentally received a mocktail instead.
One reason these issues may persist is that complaints don't always seem to lead to meaningful improvements. When concerns are raised, staff members are polite and apologetic, but the underlying problems remain unchanged.
Based on my recent experiences, I'm starting to consider trying other cruise lines in the future, as the food and beverage offerings no longer meet my expectations.
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