swabber

I've had a seven-nighter on Oceana and a four-nighter on Cunard (QM2). It was great to experience Cunard but now that I've done it I would now choose the week long cruise on Oceana.

Four ports of call against one, seven nights against four, pounds against dollars (less pricey on P&O), choice of freedom dining against fixed (on Select Fare). Although the Cunard cruise is less money, with the higher on-board prices the overall difference will be much less than £500.

Oceana is a lovely ship and of course more relaxed. I thought the entertainment was good.

If you really want to experience Cunard then a mini cruise is the ideal opportunity. As others say though, only you can decide which one to do. I'm sure you'll enjoy either one.

On Eclipse last week with a Classic Package the tonic was Canada Dry and poured from a plastic bottle. I would specify the gin but just assumed I got the tonic appropriate to my package. I think it was a 1 litre bottle so once it got near the bottom some of the fizz had gone.

I saw some people with cans of Seagrams tonic to drink on its own but assumed they were paying for it or had a Premium Package.

In Std Balcony on Eclipse last week it was Gilbert and Soames Soap Bars, Shampoo, Conditioner and Body Lotion... and two robes.

We had some Chandon last week on Eclipse and found it to be pretty good. With a Classic package it costs an extra $2.36 a glass including gratuity.

I see on F1 motor racing they seem to be spraying it around on the podium this season.

Hi to all!

Its been said their is no formal nights anymore but chic nights is this correct?

If so.. Do people still dress up my husband and i love to dress up but is it worth bringing dinner jackets and posh frocks?

We sail with celebrity because it used to:cool: offer the formal nights and being a little older we liked the smart evening wear

Just got off Eclipse after a cruise to Iceland. Most people did dress differently on Evening Chic nights but I only saw one or two DJs (or tuxedos depending on where you hail from). They certainly weren't out of place because everyone knows the format and people wear what they feel chic in.

Personally, I wore a lightweight dark blue suit and tie and my wife wore a cocktail dress as she did on smart-casual nights with me in my chinos and short sleeves. Some ladies from perhaps Asia were wearing their finery with hats. The coolest guy, I think, wore a trilby and showed us the way with his dancing. Others had jackets and open neck shirts and some wore jeans. As long as you follow the dress code then anything goes.

If you want to wear long dresses and dinner jackets then you'll be fine; in fact you'll likely get compliments. If however, you want to see everyone else dressed the same way, then I would recommend P&O or Cunard. Each one a good line IMO with of course Cunard being the more formal.

Just got off Eclipse this morning. Tendering is never a good experience (for me anyway) but Lerwick wasn't all that bad.

We had good weather and I counted five tenders in the water. We collected our tickets mid-morning and probably waited half an hour or so to board.

It was the best tender I've been on with padded, forward-facing seats. On the side of the tender I seem to recall it said 120 persons as a tender and 150 as a lifeboat.

They let people ride up top if they wanted and the trip to shore was around five minutes.

The ship itself was beautiful and clean, food was wonderful and all in all a great cruise experience.

We were very lucky with the weather, especially compared to the cruise preceding ours.

If you've booked a cruise on Eclipse I would advise you continue to look forward to it. Just my opinion of course.

We did the Malta fly/cruise on Oceana last year. I can only speak for our flights and they were charter flights with Thomson both ways. I can't be totally sure but I think this means that everyone on the plane is joining the cruise and therefore the vast majority will be couples who will inevitably want to sit together.

We too noticed that the choice of seats were such that you could only choose a window and middle or two isles opposite each other so clearly geared-up for couples. Whereas we normally pay to choose seats it looked like we would almost definitely be sitting together whatever happened.

We also noticed that, judging by the availability of un-booked seats near to the flight date, there wasn't a mad rush to book them.

On that basis we went against our norm and didn't pay the extra and at check-in on each flight we were simply asked if we wanted a window and middle or two isles.

I very much doubt that any couple would be split up so I'll stick my neck out here and advise anyone who hasn't yet forked-out to choose seats and who doesn't mind where in the plane they sit as long as they're next to each other to save their money. That said, I can empathise with anyone who just wants to be sure and thinks that another £60 isn't much more to pay considering what you've already paid for the cruise.

If you're a bit worried then try to check-in earlier rather than later.

Very true. It is a wonderful itinerary, I’m very excited regardless of the cabin! I hope they do sort something, if not I won’t worry about it until I get on board. Thank you for the support, it’s really good to know talk to someone who has been on the ship :)

 

 

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I'll echo Happyhummingbird's view of Oceana. We sailed on her last year just before her refit, so potentially at her worst. We were sceptical as we're getting used to bigger, newer ships but we loved her. She looks sleek and has a wonderful atrium. I've already booked for next year. Try perching yourselves at the little bar in Magnums for a pre-dinner drink and enjoy the little plate of canapes. Very romantic.

I'm now envious of your cruise and if I had to, I'd build that queen-sized bed out of anything I could lay my hands on.

I like a challenge :D

Oh wow, Iceland sounds incredible! Have a wonderful cruise!! Not sure if you have a balcony, but if so, DH used to go to the Gastro Pub and get a bottle of beer but left the cap on it so he could drink it on our balcony. We brought a corkscrew/bottle opener to use in the cabin, so that helped, but this way he was close by when it was his turn to jump in the shower. Plus, it was probably more exciting to sit outside on our balcony, snacking from the cheese plate, and watching the sail away, as opposed to sitting inside on deck 3 with no view :cool:

We do indeed have a balcony and I had already made a mental note of your packing of a bottle opener as the thought of a beer on the balcony has an appeal. It's unlikely to happen though as it looks like we'll throw open the doors only to let in the howling wind and the rain. But hey, it's the North Atlantic...... bring it on ;p

Enough of my cruise, people are looking-in to read of your adventures..... me included.

Dana, thank you very much for this marathon, well-written review. You clearly enjoy doing this but it's still a tremendous amount of work. Probably the best review I've read, and there's a lot of good ones around.

We're joining Eclipse soon, sailing from Dublin up to Iceland so it will be warm clothes for us and no shorts. Hopefully we'll check-out the Caribbean in the not too distant future.

We sailed on Eclipse when she was in her infancy and back then I avoided the Passport Bar but I'm now looking forward to trying a beer at the Gastro Pub whilst my wife is getting ready before we head for our pre-dinner drinks at the Martini Bar.

Thanks again.

swabber

On both these cruises, according to the P&O website, you dock in the early morning on Day 3 and set sail in the afternoon of Day 4...

AMSTERDAM, NETHERLANDS

ARRIVE EARLY MORNING – OVERNIGHT STAY - DEPART AFTERNOON

First things first. Continue to do what you can through your TA and P&O direct. It may be that you don't get anywhere but it's worth a go.

Next, if you're still in B737 when you board then go straight to Guest Relations and put it to them and see if you can be moved. You may have to not unpack so that when everyone is onboard you are ready to move if another cabin is available.

If you're stuck with what you've got then you've at least done your best.

Next, look at the positives and perhaps you'll need to be a bit creative. You're still on a cruise and you've got a balcony. Speak to your steward and see if they can come up with a suggestion. I bet they've had this before.

I'm already thinking what I'd do if it was me (and I was a bit younger of course) and straightaway I'm thinking of the three pullman mattresses that I could use to put on top of one another between the two lower berths to build a double bed. I'm sure your steward could help if something else is needed to get the height right. A bit of a faff each night and you shouldn't have to do it but it may mean you can enjoy your holiday.

I remember being in a similar predicament years ago and took it upon myself to move a bit of furniture around to get the beds together each night and back where they were each morning. Again, a bit of a nuisance but I enjoyed my cruise.

All the best and good luck with getting it sorted.

I should have said, at Valletta harbour it was off the coach, straight through check-in and on to the ship. No waiting around. Straight to the cabin, off for something to eat and the luggage was waiting at the door when we got back to the cabin again.

It went like clock-work.

We did Malta to Venice on Oceana last year and loved everything about the ship and the itinerary.

We had an early morning flight from Gatwick which got us to the ship in time to have lunch on-board and get our cases into the cabin before heading off to explore Valletta.

As others have said, we walked along the waterfront with the sea on our right until we got to the Barrakka Lift. It's a bit hidden but there's the odd sign to 'Elevator'. You can see it on Google Maps. I think it was 1euro to go up and free to come down and saves a lot of time and leg work. It takes you to Upper Barrakka Gardens where you have a good view over the Grand Harbour and cruise ships.

From there it's easy to explore the old town. We went to a restaurant in front of St Johns Co-cathederal for old time's sake and had a local beer under the shade of a parasol whilst looking forward to the cruise ahead.

We had plenty of time and I think we planned it to get back to the ship in time for the safety drill and unpack before a shower and pre-dinner drinks.

In Venice we took the people mover to Piazzale Roma (about 1.5eu each way) and from there walked to St Marks by following signs to Rialto and San Marco. This of course took us over the Rialto Bridge.

From St Marks we walked out the other side of the square to the canal, turned right and walked along the water's edge. If you keep walking for a few minutes until you're forced to turn right then you will find the famous Harry's Bar on the corner. If you're feeling flush you can pop in for a Bellini.

From there we just meandered, stopped for lunch and loosely followed signs to P. Roma to pick up the people mover again.

In Split the ship docks in the town and it's an easy stroll to Diocletian's Palace which we thought was great. A labyrinth of old alleyways with many shops and restaurants.. We had an al-fresco pizza and wine lunch at a small restaurant called Mediterraneo within the walls of the complex and found it both very friendly and inexpensive.

If you walk back to the ship and then keep going in the opposite direction to the town you will soon come to a long beach with a promenade where you will find a bar for a drink. There's enough within walking distance of the ship to fill a day in port.

We went late September and had great weather so hope you are as fortunate.

Of around 15 cruises this one was up near the top for overall enjoyment.

Just be aware that most of your replies are from US pax and they have a totally different system to those booking cruises with flights from the U.K. ;).

Indeed. It can be a bit confusing when people contribute from many different countries. I try to fit in UK somewhere if necessary when I post.

Just a caution...On different message board that deals with flying (I never know if you can say other sites or not) there is current discussion about, at least on Delta, you have to be at airport 4 hours before flight.

 

Keep that in mind.

Thanks for that. There's no such issue in the UK......... yet. I do tend to build in plenty of time when heading to the airport in any case.

Well, after two phone calls and two emails I finally got an acknowledgement from Celebrity that my transfer vouchers do actually say that additional transfer information will follow. I already knew that, of course.

In case anyone looking-in is waiting for this 'additional information' it apparently pertains only to private transfers booked through Celebrity and not to seats in Celebrity's coach. Additional vouchers are needed for taxis and limos. I didn't get the choice of taxis and limos when I booked as only coach transfers were available.

I'm told the issue has been raised in order to make this clear on the vouchers that come with the e-docs.

Happy days.

If it's the same as the cruise I've booked on Oceana out of Dubai then it's an overnight flight out from the UK where you embark the ship the next day. You then either sail that day and overnight in Dubai at the end of the cruise where you fly home on a daytime flight or you overnight on the ship upon embarkation, sailing the following day, and fly straight home the day you arrive back in Dubai.

The former appealed to me as it provides one whole un-interupted day in Dubai on your last full cruise day.

Thank you. Are the tables very close together.

I'm struggling to remember here. We always have tables for two on freedom-type dining on any ship and I can remember distinctly that on Celebrity Eclipse for example they were very close together in a row so it sticks in my mind. That said, we will still be having such tables on our next Eclipse cruise.

On Oceana I don't have any such memories and having just consulted my wife we agreed that we had no issue with the proximity of other tables. I think you'll be ok.

Have a great cruise.

We cruised on her late last year and had a table for two every night. We dine around 8.30pm and sometimes got a table immediately. Even with a pager we only waited 10 minutes or so in the atrium. Hard to tell what time people want to dine on any given cruise and how many will want a table for two but we certainly didn't find it an issue.

We cruised the Baltic on Eclipse a few years or so back and docked right in Stockholm. The sail in and out through the archipelago is stunning and takes a few hours.

Being set on a group of islands, the best way to get around in my opinion is on the HOHO boats which cost us 100SEK or 10euros each all day back then so may be slightly more now. We 'hopped on' near to the ship and travelled around the islands ending up back at the ship at the end of the day. If you choose to do this then bear in mind that these boats get full when everyone is trying to make their way back to the ship an hour before it sails. If you happen to be at one of the last stops before the one where the ship is docked then you may not get on (as happened to us) so we walked back a stop or two and to our relief managed to get on one in time for our sailaway.

If you choose to dine in Tuscan Grille at any time during your cruise then this is the night to do it as you sail away from Stockholm. The view out the back of the ship is as good as you'd get from any restaurant. Request a window table overlooking the ship's wake. Marvellous.

Have a great cruise.

I'm sure there will be Celebrity representatives in the airport who will get you the desired transport. Worst case scenario would be taxi which would cost maybe €30.

I too am sure it will be fine. It's just that if there's more info to be had then I'd like to be in possession of it. Celebrity deliver a decent booking experience and a good cruise experience but the bit in-between booking and sailing sometimes falls short of reasonable expectations.

You're so very welcome. Just offering a bit of advice. Enjoy however things work out best for you. Have a wonderful cruise..safe, happy & healthy.

Thank you.

Welcome to Cruise Critic:

 

I too am going on Eclipse out of Dublin end of next month (sail date May 28th). We've opted to use a taxi from DUB (and the return trip also) to cruise terminal...Ship transfers are usually very over priced and the time spent doing them is absolutely unnecessary...but of course it's your choice.

Thank you for the quick response and the welcome aboard.

It just seemed the thing to do at the time of booking so as to get the flights, transfers and cruise all done and dusted under one umbrella. Considering the relatively small difference in the overall expense of the whole fly-cruise I though I'd leave it to Celebrity to get me to the ship on time.

Hope you have an enjoyable cruise.

It might be helpful if you shared your sailing date. Also have you checked with others on your Roll Call who may have also booked flights & transfers through Celebrity.

 

Just noticed this is your 1st post so obviously you are not on your Roll Call. Look ear the top of this page in the blue banner for Find Your Roll Call click on that the select cruise line, ship, sail date and you should find others sailing on the same cruise as you.

Thank you for the speedy reply and advice. I thought better of narrowing the question to a specific date as there are several cruises out of Dublin in the coming weeks and I would think the transfer info would be the same for all of them.

I had a quick look through the roll call but couldn't find anything pertinent there.