Oceana?

[lansonlady]

Hello everyone,

 

We took our first cruise ever earlier this year.

 

We sailed on the QM2.

 

We are considering another cruise later this year on the Oceana.

 

I wondered if there was anyone out there who had cruised on both ships and could possibly tell me how the two compared against each other? - a bit of a tall order I know, but any comments would be gratefully recieved.

 

We have two teenagers aged 13 and 15.

 

Thanks,

Lanson.

[Glenndale]

Hello Jackie,

You seem to have been bitten by the cruise bug - has happened to all of us on here!

Oceana is a fine ship but fairly different in character to the QM2. Slightly less formal I would say, but most British P & O fans (can't speak for the Aussies) tend to adhere to the dress codes.

The entertainment is less 'highbrow' compared to QM2, there is a show lounge where they have a comedian, singer, illusionist - that sort of thing and also the theatre which had different shows each night.

They also have specialist speakers during the day - sometimes the cruises are themed.

You'll find more children aboard too, especially in the school holidays, so your pair may well find more people of their own age on board. I believe that the youth program is well organised too, but I'm not speaking from experience as our children are all grown up.

The balcony cabins on Oceana are around the same size as the cabins on QM2 but the balconys are not enclosed like the hull cabins we experienced, they are smaller though and can only accomodate 2 chairs and a table, no sun bed.

There's a good, well equiped gym and a couple of pools as I recall.

We last cruised on Oceana in 2004 to Cork, Amsterdam, Bruges, Le Harvre & St Peter Port, food was good (probably not quite as good as QM2) but certainly good enough. It used to be silver service but I think they have changed to plated meals now. There are alternative restauarants on board if you fancy a change.

One of the nice things about P & O for us is the 'in cabin' tea making facilities - your own kettle, cups and saucers, tea bags and packets of biscuits (which many have admitted to hoarding and taking home to keep the memories of the cruise alive).

We will be cruising on the Arcadia at the beginning of December - no good for you as it's child free - and looking forward to seeing New Orleans, fingers crossed that this hurricanne season is kinder to the folks there.

Where are you thinking of visiting this time?

Take care,

[lansonlady]

Hello Glenndale - it's good to hear from you!

 

Hy Husband is eager for me to book a mediterranean beack holiday in the kids summer school holidays - but I can't get off the cruise sites!

 

I have been truely smitten by cruising but its quite an expensive option having to pay for two cabins and hubby 'suggests' one cruise a year should be enough! I have found a bargin on Oceana (knowing my luck if I dither any longer the cabins will be gone!) - I have just got to convince my husband!

 

I'm a tad claustrophobic so I can't consider the economies of an inside cabin where all the bargains seem to be. The cruise I'm looking at is Portugal, Spain, Canaries and Madeira. Just right for a sun soaking, relaxing escape from the rigors of life!

 

OOOoooo its very tempting......perhaps a late dinner, by candlelight, just the two of us........;)

 

I'll be back!

[Heads !!!!]

QM2 is quite stuffy and formal in the Cunard tradition.

 

Oceana is a family ship, lots of fun and consistantly has by far the highest customer satisfaction ratings (made up from the answers in the questionnaires that go out at the end of evey cruise) of any ship in the fleet.

[lansonlady]

Thanks for the feedback Heads, I appreciate your reply.

 

Unfortunately, we couldn't get two cabins close together so we won't be on the Oceana this summer! We do intend to sail on her one day though......

[libra-sue]

I recently went on a Canaries cruise to the ports mentioned, photos on photosite: www.sveale.photosite.com on Arcadia though .

 

Any questions on ports, ask away.

 

sue

[lansonlady]

Thanks Sue!