We were on the same cruise and although I agree that the ship is fabulous - the best in the fleet, we found the entertainment absolutely the worst we have ever encountered on a P @ O Cruise. We had to send our food back in the Cafe Bordeaux because it was very overcooked. The Theatre Company were unusually elderly and lacking in co-ordination and not one of them had a decent voice. We also found the other bands very mediocre and the comedian dire. Given that some of the best shows we have ever seen have been on board ships, this was a big disappointment. Overall I feel that Carnival have slashed the budget in so many ways that the standard of everything is gradually being diminished. At the sailaway there were no flags and then we found out that 900 new "virgin" cruisers were on board - what a shame more effort could not have been made for them. The food in the buffet was virtually the same every day and you are quite right that the dining room staff were entirely lacking in any personality at all although they all do their job admirably. We just found the whole experience very bland this time, although the Captain was a breath of fresh air and was the most interactive with the passengers that we have ever experienced.