I was on deck 12 (L129) and it was perfect for me maybe a bit near the front during rocky seas but that didn't bother me.
Smoking area was just outside but on the opposite side of the ship so people didn't tend to use the door by my room. Horizon restaurant (self service) was on the same floor, although you did have to walk outside for about 25m to get to it. Could be a bit cold 🥶.
There seemed to be a lot of leaks which mostly affected the lower decks, again at the back but towards the end they closed the theatre one night due to a leak and that is at the front, 5 decks below me.
The door at the back of the first picture below was more or less opposite my room but tended to be kept closed to keep the heat in. I could open it but it was very heavy and just as easy to walk an extra 25 steps to the left to get there.
Just up the stairs was the Crows Nest bar where you could watch the ships progress. Bit cold at times but I guess that's to be expected on a cruise at this time of year.
The main restaurants are on deck 6, Medina, for Freedom dining, accessible from forward and midship lifts and Alexandria at the back and only accessible by the aft lift. Rooms on this floor form part of the corridor to get to the Medina so could be a bit disruptive around meal times.
Deck 7 is where most things happen, theatre, dance room, bars etc, although there are a few things on deck 8. Reception is on deck 5.
P & O not very communicative. There was a channel for Northern Lights broadcast on the TV but the only announcement that came over was for missing passengers to contact reception! A few people did report seeing a glimpse of the lights but there was no word from the bridge.
It would also have been nice if all announcements were posted on the TV as if you missed them you had no idea what was going on. This would have been good during the storm as although they announced when it was getting worse it would have been nice to hear when it was improving.
They also didn't seem to like giving you water. The only place to refill any bottles was in Horizon but even there you weren't allowed to fill it directly, you had to fill a cup and then pour it in your bottle. Even in Medina, you had to ask for water with meals and it was slow to arrive.
Embarkation and disembarkation was good as was the parking at port.
