P&O Cruises - Oceana Ship Cruises Reviews

Saturday 4th Feb 2012

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Oceana

Wonderful, Wonderful Oceana

Wonderful, Wonderful Oceana

Reviewed By: Brown, Chester on 4th Jul 2009
Cruise Line: P&O Cruises	Times cruised before: 6-10
Cruise Ship: Oceana	Sailed: June, 2009
Destination: Norwegian Fjords	Age: 56-65
Cabin: Balcony	Occasion: Annual/regular holiday

Arrived at Southampton on our Eavesway coach a little later than planned, having been on the scenic route to avoid an accident on the Motorway near to Southampton which had caused long delays and unfortunately involved an air ambulance. We were so glad that we had chosen to make the long journey by coach and did not have to worry about the departure time of the ship, which incidentally moved back about an hour to accommodate the late arrivals. The embarkation was a dream and we were on board in about 15minutes of our arrival, leaving our luggage to the administrations of the crew and the coach company. We found our cabin very easily and then set about looking around the ship. What a wonderful feel to it, we immediately felt at home and at ease. Plenty of space, plenty of seats, plenty of stewards all eager to greet you with a smile and service. After a dreadful time last year on Ventura we can't tell you how fabulous this ship is. Had a balcony cabin which, although small, was absolutely fine for our needs and a wonderful memory of sitting on it after midnight, doing a Sudoku puzzle and not needing any light because the sun was still in the sky. Glorious. We chose Freedom dining as is our usual habit, as we prefer not to have a fixed dining time. We ate mostly in the Ligurian restaurant in the evening but did have a couple of nights in the buffet Plaza, which was most acceptable and had a great deal of choice. We ate breakfast mostly in the Cafe Jardin because we liked the setting and because we prefer a lighter option. Whenever we went to either the Plaza or the Jardin, we never had any problems getting seats. In the Plaza, we may have had to look for at least one minute before finding anywhere - brilliant. Can highly recommend the afternoon tea in the Adriatic restaurant- sandwiches, scones, crumpets, tea cakes and pastries - it's an idea to skip lunch if you go there! There was never an occasion when we did not like what we saw either on the menu or at the buffet - it was superb. The Staff were amazing, nothing was too much trouble - and they even remembered names! Cannot praise them highly enough. The Entertainment was excellent, the Headliners in the Theatre, the classical pianist in the lounge, the quizzes around the ship and the visiting singer David Karl. So much to do and see. We did our own thing with regard to excursions as we had visited to Fjords before, albeit to a couple of different places, but felt that we wanted a more relaxed holiday this time. We did speak to several people who had been on excursions and most seemed to enjoy them although all said that they were far too expensive. A case in point was where a trip on a boat in Stavanger was literally only ten steps from our ship and would have cost the equivalent of £10 less had they gone straight to the trip instead of through the excursions on board ship. We do appreciate that you can't please all the people all the time but this ship is definitely for us. It was the right size and had everything that we need to make our holiday special for us. We would not hesitate to go on it again, but unfortunately the itinerary for next year does not fit our requirements and we are booked with Princess cruises. We hope that Oceana will do more short cruises in 2011 and that they will not all be on Ventura which is how it looks for 2010, and as previously stated we will NEVER go back on that ship. For anyone due to go on Oceana, I'm sure that you will have a wonderful time. Do marvel at the Atrium and enjoy a moment there to soak up the atmosphere and listen to the pianist, it's magical.
Quality of Food

Entertainment

Shore Excursions	n/a

Staff

Children's Facilities	n/a
Although children on board they were extremely well behaved.
Onboard Activities

Cabins

Overall Rating

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Comment by donnelly, nottingham (08 Jul 09 18:33) about this REVIEW

Hello mr/mrs brown. Thankyou for your review on the internet which i have read. We are travelling on the oceana soon but wondered if you could tell us anything about the tipping on the ship and about the 15% service charge for the drinks? Is it all compulsary or not. It was nice to here that the ship is nice as well so im looking forward to it alot more now. Hope you can answer my questions or anybody. Cheers. kery

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Comment by Brown, Chester (08 Jul 09 21:16) about a COMMENT by donnelly (08 Jul 09 18:33)

Hi Kery, We had no problems at all with regard to tipping- because we chose Freedom dining there was a £1.60 per person per day added to our onboard account to tip all of the staff ,this was to cover the fact that we did not have the same waiters all of the time. We thought that £11.20 each for the week was very reasonable and left it on although we could have gone to reception at any time to have it removed. We personally tipped on top of that because we thought that the service was exceptional. There are blank envelopes in your cabins which can be used for any purpose that you wish including leaving tips for people should you so desire. You can also increase the amount on your account for general gratuities by calling at reception at any time. There is no 15% added to drinks. All the 'watering holes' have drinks listed together with the price, which is the price that you pay. We found them extremely reasonable. The cocktail of the day was £2.50, a mocktail called longboat fiz ( non alcoholic) was £1.95 and we think that a pint of beer was £2.80? Hope that this helps. Have a fabulous holiday. Sandy

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Comment by mac, merseyside (07 Jul 09 13:10) about this REVIEW

Thanks i think i will steer clear of ventura i normaly go on oriana been on her quite alot and oceana artemis, and acouple of the other lines. but i tend to stick to the same ones i dont no why i seem to feel quite at ease on these RCI was ok, nice ships, but i intend to slip back to P &O, as going on oriana on 7 th august to greece and turkey this year.

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Comment by mac, merseyside (05 Jul 09 15:18) about this REVIEW

could you tell me please what you dont like about ventura, not been on that ship yet, i have seen not very good reports about it, what is the reason that you didnt like about it. thanks . mac.

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Comment by Brown, Chester (06 Jul 09 02:36) about a COMMENT by mac (05 Jul 09 15:18)

Found very little to like about her - not enough seats to accomodate the number of people wanting to eat at the same time - very crowded on the decks, especially if you go when the school's are on holiday, I believe that they have a capacity of 800 children. Found it very impersonal and the crew that we spoke to were not pleased to be on it. People using a lounge area as a walk through - even when shows were on or using it for a cinema. It was really irritating trying to listen whilst other passengers were carrying on a conversation whilst they walked by - sometimes not intentionally, they were just engrosed in what they were saying and didn't realise that there was an event going on. It just didn't flow for us at all and felt more like a holiday camp than a cruise ship. On the plus side, the cabin that we had was larger than the norm and beautifully decorated with flat screen Tvs. As I've said before though, each to their own.

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Comment by Brooker, Hampshire (05 Jul 09 08:59) about this REVIEW

We also do not like Venura, and you love Oceana but cannot find a destination next year we would want. We got home last Sat after 2 wks on Princess. It was a most enjoyable time. However! It does not match up to P&O.

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Comment by Wilson, Aston Flamville (05 Jul 09 00:16) about this REVIEW

So glad you had a great cruise, Oceana is our favourite having done short cruises, med cruises , Carribean and Panama Canal with her. Doing Transatlcantic next March with her, can't wait. Nice size ship, well appointed and friendly, staff are brilliant, Lyn

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Comment by Buckley, Rhyl (05 Jul 09 10:17) about a COMMENT by Wilson (05 Jul 09 00:16)

With you all the way the most friendly ship we have sailed on see you in March were on that cruise as well. Dave

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Comment by Wilson, Aston Flamville (05 Jul 09 19:19) about a COMMENT by Buckley (05 Jul 09 10:17)

Thanks Dave, hope we can meet up, Oceana is our favourite, Aurora coming second! Lyn

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