Do you have question about a cruise that you are planning to go on or want advice and the cruise brochures do not have the answers.  Ask your question here and visitors to the site who have real cruise experience will answer your question.

Go to "Find A Question" and choose Excursions under "Topic". Then key in the individual Ports Of Call under "Topic" and you will find out an awful lot about the places you will be visiting. Civitavecchia for Rome and Livorno for Florence and Pisa. Concerning drinks - P&O drinks are priced at about what you would pay in a UK pub/restaurant. P&O do allow you to take alcohol on board with you as long as it is not excessive. The water on board is perfectly drinkable, although it is easy to become a habit to buy bottled water. Do not be surprised by the Ship's Muster when you go on board - it is an Internatinal Maritime safety requirement! Enjoy all the new things you will be experiencing on your first cruise!

Assuming you are going from Southampton pack your clothes already on hangers - including men's shirts. It reduces the time you take to unpack. I was amazed how much quicker I unpacked the first time I did this. I try to use the wire hangers you get from dry cleaners. If you want to reduce creasing put garment in plastic bag - again from dry cleaners, if you smile nicely they will often give you some - fold it over once and put in case. Again you can reduce creasing if you lay garments in case with arms or legs over side of case then layer a few garments then gradually fold the overlying parts in -sorry sounds complicated but hopefully you will see what I mean. I always take a bottle of squash with me as it's one thing you can't get on board, along with the fizz etc! Put any bottles in your hand luggage and take it on yourself. I always put my husband's DJ and any evening jackets I take in a suit carrier and we take it on with our hand luggage. Have a great cruise. Oceana is a lovely ship. On her again next year through the Panama Canal, can't wait.

Agree with that has been said.If you do your own thing try sharing a Taxi with fellow Cruisers. Always get a Price first.Get to know your Cabin Steward Waiters a pleasant Good Morning/ Evening can work wonders.If you do go to Rome or Florence and want a less organised tour do the On your own tour.Both places are walkable.Join in with the Formal nights share a dinner table get up early for that prized Sun Lounger.Have a great Time I know that you will.

Look at all excursions before you go and decide what you want to see some do their own thing. I like to see all the high spots and as the ship is in port for a limited time and I am on holiday I do the excursions this ensures all the highlights. If the place is worth another visit then I book a shore based holiday and explore the area. What is the point of spending all that money to go to say Rome and spending your time trying to find your way to the sites the toilets and somewhere to eat a good meal? Pay the price relax let them take you feed you and return you to the ship on time. You can trim the price doing your own thing but drop down to London for the day and imagine trying to find your way around unable to read the signs and unable to speak yes you can buy a map just try it. Travel from Dewsbury station to Brow Wood Road in your own town no car pay taxi? Walk?

Try to limit the number of excursions you take, the cost can mount up quite quickly, plus a tour at each port will leave you feeling quite drained. Try doing your own thing if you are confident enough, this usually leaves you a bit more relaxed than the organised tours. When dining try for a large table size if you are doing club dining, you have a better opportunity to meet new people this way. Plus try for second sitting (8:30 p.m.) if possible. First sitting at 6:30 can sometimes seem to be a bit rushed to get ready, especially on Formal nights. Hope this helps, and enjoy your cruise....Bob

we had our first cruise this year on oceana, tip only one electric socket per cabin so take extension with you so as to be able to charge up phone, camera etc. we had a great time. enjoy yours