TheArchitect

I stopped listening to them when their quote arrived! It was daylight robbery.

On it yesterday, no problems at all and although a wee bit clunky didn't think the graphic format too bad. Was using Firefox on Windows 10 on two machines.

Have a great time and if you have any questions before you go, just ask.

Much appreciated, thanks.

We're assuming it's like a much posher version of P and O, I must admit, and that even informal requires me to take a couple of jackets - not a problem, I hasten to add.

We thought we might get the sleeper down to Euston, then get an early ish train connection from Waterloo to Southampton - or does madness lie with same-day arrival? P and O was always local charters!

Every now and then I go and read some of the reviews posted on Cruise Critic. However, I am beginning to think I must be travelling on different ships to the reviewers.

 

This time I was reading reviews of Queen Elizabeth. In the few I read I was told that the pools were unheated, the food in the Lido was the same all day every day, the staff couldn't speak English and didn't smile at all and the food in Britannia was all potatoes, sauces and fried. The list goes on.

 

None of these sound like the Queen Elizabeth I have travelled on.

 

It seems such a shame that people might be put off booking a Cunard cruise by reading such inaccurate reviews.

I've found the same with P&O elsewhere, notably TripAdvisor.

I'd worry it was my standards but as Architect for a recently refurbished 5 star hotel I'd like to think I know a wee bit about accommodation expectations and the like!

Enjoy whichever you choose, if it's Cunard let us know what you think.

Well, we've plonked for Cunard so we'll tell you what we think of it next summer!

Cabin 1024, for what it's worth.

Good to hear you enjoyed it. Green beans every night though for dinner is a bit much. We did not breakfast in the MDR. Hope the bacon was better quality than the buffet

We thought the buffet was pretty horrible and we're only in it twice. MDR breakfast bacon - and sausage - very good and very, very British. Good range of veg in MDR but green beans made frequent appearances depending upon the main course.

We have just been on Oceana Genoa to Venice. The ship itself was ok and our cabin bigger than on Britannia for the same class, don't expect to get a sun bed though unless you are up at 7am. Lots of pax saving and no monitoring of the situation. The food however was a different matter, dreadful in buffet and MDR. We have made a formal complaint to P&O about it, worse we have ever experienced. The ports were lovely though and the weather mixed. We would not book another cruise on her, doubt we will do another P&O, those paying select are subsidising the saver fares and suffering for it. The cuts have now gone to far.

We were on Oceana on the Venice to Genoa run in July and the food in the MDR was very good, for breakfast and for dinner.

Many thanks, folks.

Still swithering over this or P&O for just a week but with a balcony!

In lieu of our normal P&O cruise our TA has offered us a good package on a 9 night Med package but the only family cabins (we have a 15 and 13 year old in tow) are down in deck 1.

Anyone been down there and able to advise on whether noise from the decks above (or other sources) is a problem? Any other issues to be aware of?

People in shorts being turned away from the Oceana MDR when we were on it last month.

Just curious to know who the Captain is on the Oceana at the moment.

 

:)

I think it's Andrew Willard but I'm terrible on names.

I have checked wth 'er indoors, who confirms the itinerary as follows:

Wednesday - Venice, Casual

Thursday - Sea Day en-route for Kotor, Formal

Friday - Kotor, Casual

Saturday - Corfu, Casual

Sunday - Straits of Messina, Formal

Monday - Rome, Casual

Tuesday - Ajaccio, Casual

So, as I thought, 2nd and 5th nights.

Well said!

 

Life's too short, you're the sort of person I like at my dinner table.

This.

Hi Architect,

 

we are on the same leg Venice to Genoa starting on the 20th. Can you (or anyone else) tell me what nights are the formal night(s) for Oceana on this cruise?

 

Thanks,

Barton

It was the sea days, so 2nd (en-route for Kotor) and 5th (after passing through the Mesinna Straits). I assume they don't do them on port days as people are tired from trips, etc.

Hi going next month from venice. Can anyone tell me if we will get chance to see any of venice. we land at 1.45pm so not sure what time we will get to the ship, and I think the ship leaves at 8pm. I would really like to see some of venice but dont really think we will have time as anyone done this before. Thanks.

You should be on the boat by 3. Last Wednesday we sailed at 8.30. Your problem is muster/lifeboat drill, which was at 5.30 with no mention of the later repeat, although since they didn't check names you would probably get away with kissing it.

Volcanoes are best when they are smoking. Suspect the underwhelming view is better in your position.

"Krakatoa, East of Java"

Good. I trust you will continue to have a great time and thank you for feedback.

We're currently quite underwhelmed by Mount Etna but that's not P & O's fault and our cabin balcony is on the sunny mainland side anyway, so enjoying a nice seat and room service in the sun!

Nice to read your review. We are first time on P&O going from Genoa to Venice and back in September. Looks an amazing itinerary.

We are on the Venice to Genoa leg right now, and it's all very good. I agree with everything in the review saving for that we've not tried the entertainment as the kids prefer a more leisurely evening.

Totally agree. Have to say we weren't keen on the IOS but there is something about Oceana, older than some, but we love her :)

We're on E611b right now, passing through the Straits of Messina en-route for Rome and think the Oceana is rather good, to be honest. Food is excellent, service is good, balcony cabin very comfortable. Don't really see what all the Duff reviews were about.

We're on the same cruise in July and we're wondering whether there was time for a pre-departure look around Venice. I would be interested to hear how you get on.