Dancing on Oriana World Cruise

[Slow Foxtrot]

Dancing enthusiasts on P & O cruises may be interested to know that on the first half of Oriana's current World Cruise the resident dance teachers are Roger and Ann Sherfield. Roger and Ann are well known on the competition circuit and, as I have just returned from the first leg of the World Cruise (UK to San Francisco), I can report that they are extremely popular with passengers both at the nightly dances and also in the daily ballroom and latin tuition classes.

At the Black & White Ball they gave a very professional demonstration of the Waltz and Tango which was much appreciated by dancers of all abilities.

All in all they were a credit to P & O and the way that the company continues to promote traditional dancing on Oriana and Aurura.

 

Most of the strict-tempo dance music was provided by Natural High, widely acknowledged by many dancers to be one of the best dance bands at sea.

They have a wide knowledge of the correct tempos for ballroom, latin, sequence and rock 'n' roll dancing and this is not always the case with dance bands on other cruise lines. Of course, there was also line dancing and late-night disco dancing so all credit to P & O for encouraging dancing in all its forms.

 

Slow Foxtrot

[bazzaw]

Thanks for that insight. We are joining Oriana in 2 weeks time for the voyage Brisbane to Southampton. This will be the longest cruise we have ever done so far - the longest being only 12 days. As it is a long one, we are intending to try to refresh/remember our Ballroom classes of 25 years ago and will use the cruise as a floating ballroom class :)

 

The biggest problem we have found over the years after learning ballroom through basically what was training for ballroom competition dancing is the lack of venues and loss of our training through lack of use. Most places that we ever encounter any form of dancing these days are on small crowded dancefloors where you are severely restricted with dance moves. I really would like to do some dance classes that take this into account. Not much point these days (for us at least) in relearning the Viennese Walz or Quickstep :)

 

Very happy to hear your comments.

 

 

PS AS you are just off Oriana, could you offer any advice regarding the dinner times and show times please? Firstly - what are they - and which showtime is the easiest to get good seating? We have found that on some cruises the times for the different dinner settings have correlated well with the show times - but on others they have not.

 

 

Barry

[Slow Foxtrot]

Thanks for that insight. We are joining Oriana in 2 weeks time for the voyage Brisbane to Southampton. This will be the longest cruise we have ever done so far - the longest being only 12 days. As it is a long one, we are intending to try to refresh/remember our Ballroom classes of 25 years ago and will use the cruise as a floating ballroom class :)

 

PS AS you are just off Oriana, could you offer any advice regarding the dinner times and show times please? Firstly - what are they - and which showtime is the easiest to get good seating? We have found that on some cruises the times for the different dinner settings have correlated well with the show times - but on others they have not.

 

Barry

 

 

In Oriana's two main formal restaurants the first sitting is at 6.30.pm. and the second sitting is at 8.30.pm. However, there is always the informality of the Conservatory where food is served in buffet style and no reservation is needed. There is also the small Al Fresco cafe where one can eat at more or less any time.

As for the main production shows in the Theatre Royal; the first show is normally at 8.30.pm and the second show is at 10.30.pm. As we were in the Harlequins dance venue most nights we found that first sitting was more suitable for us

 

With regard to your dancing comments; we were in Brisbane last year on Oriana and were talking to several competition dancers who lived there and they told us that ballroom dancing and 'new vogue' dancing was quite popular in the region. So, with more investigation, you may find somewhere suitable to renew your interest. Incidentally, I understand that the present dance teachers on Oriana (Roger and Ann Sherfield) will be leaving the ship in Hong Kong and a new couple will be taking over. However, I'm sure you'll enjoy their classes on the run up to Hong Kong and that you'll be taking to the floor in Harlequins most nights.

P.S. Don't miss the occasional jazz nights with Natural High in the Crow's Nest.

 

Have a great trip.

 

Slow Foxtrot