pisces14

Good review, thanks for posting.

 

PISCES14 - can you explain what you didn't like about Oceana? (just curious!)

Hello

If I can explain, I simply didn't like the design of the ship. Yes, the atrium is very nice but everything seemed to revolve around it. There seemed nowhere quiet to go. I really missed having a nice quiet Crow's nest to sit in. Everywhere was noisy with quizzes, bingo, talks or loud music. That might suit some people but not me I'm afraid. I'm sure a lot of people like it or dislike it for their own reasons. It's all subjective.:)

Tartanexile81{Quote}

Shame we didn't meet. We ate with a group of friends who'd all been on Oceana before and have sailed a lot with P&O and we all thought the food was pretty bad. I shudder to think what it was like on Aurora. Apart from my meat we wouldn't say it was that badly cooked so it was down to poor quality ingredients.

Don't want to hog this board but if anybody's got questions about any of my review I'm happy to answer and hope I didn't miss anybody out this time

Who knows maybe we did;)

Anyway yes the food was pretty awful on the Aurora in comparison. I really thought the food was very good on this cruise when you think how many people they cater for. I mostly eat fish so perhaps that was the difference. The only time I had meat was to try the liver (because it's supposed to be good for you) and it was awful.:)

I was interested to read your report as we were on the same cruise. I remember you saying that you had booked an airboat privately this time as the P&O excursion which we had booked was in a Safari Park. You were right it was, although we nevertheless enjoyed it. I did wonder at the time if yours turned out to be better. It seems it did and I would have much preferred yours I think. I was amazed that you didn't like the food in the MDR as it was a vast improvement on the food we were served on the Aurora World cruise last year. We were congratulating ourselves and the staff on how wonderful the food was in comparison.

It was our first time on the Oceana and will be the last as we didn't like the ship.

When I changed my cruise I not only had to pay the £100 but also had to change to a more expensive cruise. Those were the T&C's then, so I'm surprised you are being allowed to change to a cruise of the same value.

Have to say that the only ship that always makes us smile (including Celebrity and RCI) and go 'wow' when we get on board is the Oceana - the atrium really is beautiful. Ironically, she was once a Princess ship :) She may be old but she still has that 'wow' factor for us . :)

 

Having said that - we loved Britannia - she was different.

 

:)

I'm so pleased to hear you say that. We are going on the Oceana for the first time. I know the first time I stepped on the Aurora I loved her, and she has remained my favourite. I'm going on the Oceana next because of the itinerary so I'm hoping I like her too. I really don't know whether the 'wow' factor is what I look for in a cruise ship though. Perhaps we all look for something different from a cruise or a cruise ship. I agree with others I really don't think a short cruise on any ship can possibly be the same as a 'proper' cruise.

You could try this one, it's one I've used in the past:-

reservations@email.pocruises.com

Or do as I did recently ask for a call back. That way you don't have to spend your money calling them.:)

Thank you Kruzseeka but we probably won't cancel as we usually do the P&O excursions because we know the ship won't go without us. Unless we have been to a port before we prefer not to risk DIY.

Tartanexile81

Don't worry we are used to P&O excursions sometimes not being exactly as they portray them. I'm sure we'll enjoy the ride, and once we've visited the port should we ever go that way again we'll perhaps have the confidence to book the excursion you are doing. I've made a note of the company just in case.

My husband is doing an excursion I don't want to do in Key West, would you say it was safe enough for a woman to walk around the town by herself? Thanks in advance.

Kruzseeka, We DIY in most ports, very rarely any P&O tours. Like you we're doing a private beach at a hotel in Montego Bay booked with shoreexcursioneer. I do a lot of research on TripAdvisor before we go but we're always happy to change plans if we get a better offer!

 

 

New Orleans : Walkable from port, or you can take a tram from just outside port, to the French Market at end of French Quarter. Walk to Jackson Square and lots of the main sights / buildings are in that area. In the evening the bars in Bourbon Street are VERY lively. The Spotted Cat is a great jazz bar on Frenchman's and we had a meal at a quirky restaurant a few doors along – Italian with a Louisiana twist.

Key West – small island. We took a trolley bus tour of the island from square where shuttle drops you off. Shows you think you might want to take a closer look at it just gives you a feel from the place. Crew like a pub crawl along Duval.

Port Everglades - We did P&O trip to the “Everglades” which turned out to be an airboat ride at a safari park. VERY disappointing as we don't do animals in captivity. This time we're doing a private tour with Fort lauderdale Airboat Rides. There's also water taxi in Fort Lauderdale and the beach / Promenade is lovely. Ship's shuttle takes you to a shopping mall and you can get the water taxi from there

Port Canaveral - We did a day trip to Disney World last time.

Charleston – Very walkable. Town is close to port. Great market and beautiful historic buildings Carriage rides are very popular.

Azores – You dock in town. We're always so glad to set foot on land we're happy to explore the town. The Azores are prone to fog and rain so tours to the crater etc are sometimes tricky. We like the two botanical gardens and lovely old-fashioned Portuguese feel to the town. If you want to do a tour loads of taxi drivers are waiting with maps of island. Just make sure you use a registered driver.

 

Enjoy your cruise

That is good information. I wish I'd had it before. We've booked the 'Everglades' with P&O.:(

Hi Pisces 14, I'm on that cruise too. We've booked a walking tour of the French Quarter and then we're taking the tram out to the Garden District on Day 1. We've also sorted out some music pubs and jazz clubs for the evening It is an amazing city and we loved it when we were there 3 years ago. Can't wait to go back. You're close to the centre and it's an easy walk into the city centre.

 

I did start a roll call for the cruise on this site but it never got going and there's also an even on FB. Can send you the details if you're interested. Not long now :)

Thank you for your kind offer but I’m a little wary of Facebook (probably my age). I’m really pleased with the information people have been sharing with me on here.

That’s good news that we are close to the centre. We usually book our excursions with P&O as we are always worried about the ship leaving us behind. As we are in New Orleans overnight we thought we’d try ‘doing it ourselves’ and book something on the 26th. Then on the 27th we will probably walk into the town and look around as it’s so close. I thought we would have to take a taxi but it seems we won’t.

Thank you again for all the useful information.

I hope you enjoy the cruise and you enjoy yours Kruzseeka. It does look very similar to ours.

Happy New Year to you all.:D

I saw this on Facebook and I couldn't believe the passenger actually complained to the Captain. If he wanted to complain about a gift surely it should have been to the purser (I can't think of the new title at the moment). On what other holiday would you receive a Christmas gift and I for one would have liked it. I'm not buying one of ebay though.

When do you go? We'll be there on Oriana later in the year - must say I'm looking forward to it...............a lot!!!!!!

We are there in February on the Oceana. Not long now.:)

We've always had 6.30pm sitting but as I previously said 6pm is much too early. I've spoken to our Personal cruise specialist and have changed to second sitting. If it hasn't changed to 8pm then we will have to live with it. We've always meant to try the later sitting anyhow. If it's 8pm then that will be even better.:cool:

Thank you both for your replies. I did as suggested and googled New Orleans Port. I clicked on Vessel Schedule put in the date of our arrival and found where we would be docked. I really had no idea I could do that. Thank you I’ll always do that now.:)

I wonder if anyone knows if I can find out where we are likely to be docked at a particular port. Or is this something we will only find out once on board? I've never thought about it before but we are considering doing an excursion for the first time not through P&O. Thanks in advance.

I dont think its a case of giving an honest answer I think for many years whatever the reason you phone P&O Customer Services at Southampton you can ring 3 times and speak to 3 different people and get 3 different answers they dont seem to know what their left and right hands are doing and is always different.

You are of course right. I've said that to my husband many times. They really don't do they.:(

Why can't you EVER get an honest answer from P&O. I heard dining times were changing and as I have a booking on the Oceana rang to find out if it would be so on our cruise. I was assured it was just for the ONE cruise. Apparently it would seem it wasn't just for the one cruise, and as I have first sitting I'm afraid 6pm is much too early. I'll be back on the phone to change to 8pm I think.

Thank you. We have a cruise booked on the Oceana next year and it's a ship we haven't been on before. It was very interesting to have a good look around.:)

Thank you tankmc. I must admit I'm a bit of a suspicious person myself. I always think that there is no such thing as a free lunch.;)

I'm intrigued, what is Quidco and is there some sort of catch? Why would they give you money back?

I applied for Shareholder benefit for our last cruise and received an updated booking confirmation 3 days later. Like the English Lady, I book direct with P&O.

I have recently completed a survey from P&O and as someone said one of the questions was again with regard to the dress code. I suppose it’s inevitable that eventually the majority will vote for a change.

My perception rightly or wrongly has always been that the larger ships are cheaper and therefore appeal more to the type of person who wants a cheap holiday as opposed to a traditional cruise experience. For that reason we have only ever kept to the smaller ships.

If P&O do stop formal nights, then without a doubt we will be looking at another cruise line.

I'm all for everyone being entitled to their opinion but I can never understand why anyone who refuses to cruise on P&O can be bothered to come on the P&O part of the Forum and express their comments.

I have to agree. I've just joined this forum because I cruise with P&O and I'm interested in what people think of P&O. If someone doesn't want a cruise which entails wearing formal outfits that's their choice. I'm not quite sure why they think anyone on a P&O forum is interested unless it's to point out they are now cruising with a more upmarket cruiseline. Again a matter of choice.

Is it not possible to keep the same cabin for each cruise? When we do back to back on Thomson we always keep the same cabin for the duration.

 

Or did you decide later that you wanted to stay for the next cruise?

We are doing a back to back for the first time. We booked the first cruise over 12 months ago. then decided to do the next cruise 5 months ago. I suppose it depends on the cruise but we were lucky to get the same suite for both cruises. I wouldn't have booked if I had to move.

I'm not so sure that P&O won't drop the formal nights too.( I really hope they don't). The bigger ships seem to attract the 'new' cruiser, who we are led to believe are not so keen on formal nights. That's a bit of a worry. I too think why do people book with a cruise company with a known dress code,and then try to change it to what they want. :confused:

I'm pleased to read this thread. I have been reading this forum as well as P&O's facebook page with regard to the embarkation changes.

We are on the Ligurian tier so I opened the link and it says we have an arrival time of 12.30pm. We haven't received our E ticket yet but I'm assuming it will say the same. So thank you.