Oceana - First timers and child friendly??

[kelly2719]

Hello! This a great Forum, have some great advice on here. My family and I are considering a cruise next year but are cruise virgins so a bit clueless Im afraid! We are both in our late 20s and have 3 children who will be 10, 6 and 3 next year. We will be travelling with my Mum and Nan and little sister who will be 5. Our eldest is going to share a room with them to solve the issue of room capacity.

I have a few questions that I hope you don;t mind me asking if anyone can help at all!

 

We want to go in July 2011 and on a 7 night cruise not too far from home, definetly travelling from Southampton as that is where we live. We love the look of RCI Independance so it is out of oue price range and only has 14 nights during that time period. We have found a 7 night cruise in July around Spain, Portugal and France which looks ideal. It is on the Oceana, the brochure does say its family friendly but I would love to here from anyone who has been on it as its very important to us that the kids have lots to do and will not be made to feel unwelcome.

 

We ideally wanted to try Ventura but it will cost us an extra £1000 for the exact same cruise. Is it worth paying the extra do you think?

 

Our kids will be happy with a pool and kids club but am worried that there will lots of adults trying to avoid children and hardly any kids expecially as its during term time.

 

Thanks! Kelly x

[Britchic4]

Oceana is definitely family friendly and P&O kids' clubs are excellent - arguably the best of them all. While RCI ships have a bit more in the way of facilities, they don't have a night nursery which will be very useful for your little ones. In July Scottish schools have already broken up and lots of older teens have finished exams so there will be plenty of kids on board I'm sure.

Ventura does have a bit more for kids but I'm not sure an extra £1000 would be justified as the kids will have a great time on Oceana.

[annieuk]

Oceana is a wonderful ship for families - for people of all ages really. We have been on several P&O ships and Oceana is our favourite. From what we have heard from families on board the children's facilities are excellent and the children have a great time. Equally I know older people enjoy her too. I would have no hesitation in recommending Oceana.

[Funky Face Painter, UK]

Hi there, I have been on Oceana and Indy. I would say that Indy is better, but it is more expensive, so I know what you mean. It's not just the price of the hol, it's also the drinks prices and you have to pay for shuttle buses etc on RC and not on P&O. Oceana is a little 'tired' I would say, but if you haven't been on the american (what I call shiny) ships, it would be great (really!, still really nice). Our first cruise was on P&O Artemis (very old) and we had a fantastic time. Kids clubs are great on P&O and RC. But the best clubs my kids have been on was in fact, Celebrity. However, again, American ship and I think that time of year, only 14 night hols. One other point to remember on P&O, is that if you are going ashore, you HAVE to take the children with you. On American ships, you can sign them in to club while you go ashore. My girls are 10 and 11 years and although we take them ashore a lot of the time, sometimes they really wouldn't have enjoyed it and it's great to either do a tour or spend time ashore without the nagging!. It's funny, but RC costs more to take the children than Celebrity, but Celebrity is a 5* ship and Indy is 4*. Celebrity has an older clientele, but once you have cruised with them, they really are superb in my opinion (I am 40). However, we are off on Azura in Sept (love the cocktail prices) and QM2 in November (worth looking at them, sometimes Cunard are not as expensive as you think!). You can also use tesco vouchers for P&O, Cunard and Princess cruises now (4 x face value) for cruises 7 days or more. You do end up paying more than the cheapest travel agent cost, but if you have lots of vouchers, definately worth it (you have to book direct with the cruise companies - who are never the cheapest!). Also, shop around for the best price, I now use Kirsten at The Cruise Specialists in falkirk 0808 178 7965. Get a price from ebookers and get Kirsten to match it. Always ask for prices with grats so you know how much to TOTAL price will be for the whole hol. Azura is doing a 7 night cruise in May 1/2 term to the baltics and they did have tesco allocation if you wanted school hols. Don't be afraid to shop around and beat them all down on price! If you need any further advice, just ask!

[Britchic4]

I think the May half term Azura one is to the fjords Funky Face Painter.....at least I hope it is, I'm on it!:D

For our area the Oceana April Med cruise is almost entirely in the Easter schools hols too (just 2 days in term time for us) and has free child places.

[DK09]

Oceana is a wonderful ship for families - for people of all ages really. We have been on several P&O ships and Oceana is our favourite. From what we have heard from families on board the children's facilities are excellent and the children have a great time. Equally I know older people enjoy her too. I would have no hesitation in recommending Oceana.

 

Hi Just got back from Oceana and couldn't agree more. We had to, on more than one occassion peel my niece (aged 5) away from the club. She had a great time and her mum and dad had time to relax too :)

[davedex]

the kids clubs will keep your lit luns occupied for ages and Lynne (youth club director) did an absoluteley fantastic job under (sometimes) hard conditions!!! i have another thread about my personal experience regarding the family friendly part but please bear in mind that this was just my experience when i travelled last year. Although other parents echoed my feelings there were plenty of others who did not give it a second thought!