Doughty3

Thank you for the link....now I've got a clearer idea of the city layout and distances involved.

We like the idea of travelling to Cavtat by ferry (after walking some/all of the city walls).

Will we be able to buy some good local wine there to take back to our ship at the end of our day out? Any recommendations? Should we try a supermarket in Cavtat for this? Then we would plan to catch the bus straight back to the cruise port.

We like the idea of travelling to Cavtat by ferry if it's not too rough.

Does anyone know the nearest bus stop to the ferry departure point, travelling from the cruise port?

We'd like some advice about planning our visit.

We're pleased to discover that our ship is in Dubrovnik for a full day on a Saturday at the end of September, arriving at 8 and leaving in the evening.

We'd like to walk the city walls (probably at a slower speed than when I last did it 55 years ago!) and also visit Cavtat, perhaps for a scenic stroll and lunch.

We like to use public transport where possible but don't know the logistics...which should we do first?

Thank you.

Could anyone give me a rough idea of how many hours before flight departure back to the UK Oceana passengers are taken to the airport in Malta?

Thank you.

We're on the late Thomas Cook flight (19:15) back to Gatwick and want to plan our last day in Malta.

Has anyone any idea what time we will disembark for the airport? Will it be safe to plan a morning activity and a late lunch back on Oceana?

Any advice most welcome.

On P&O's website advice section, the question 'Can I dine in my Suite?' mentions Room Service charges in the reply.

Have any Suite passengers been charged since the new Room Service menu has been in place?

Me too, although our flight from Gatwick lands late afternoon/early evening so there won't be much time for anything!

Our only other cruise delivered us to the ship in Genoa for a late lunch and we were able to wander off the ship after the lifeboat drill to explore a bit and shop.

What time will we get to the ship in Malta?...has anyone done it recently on the late Gatwick flight?

Is the new Room Service menu available to Suite passengers via the Butler or directly ordered from Room Service?

Is it all still free of charge for Suite passengers or just the breakfast?

If MDR food is to be taken in your cabin how much notice does your Butler reasonably need?

We're Suite newbies and a tad confused.

So can we insist on choosing from the MDR menu if we want to have lunch or dinner in our cabin even if it is not initially offered? On the other hand if we want to order from room service do we go through our butler?

We are both quiet people and don't want any battles on holiday!

If we use our butler are his tips added to the automatic tipping system as we are in a suite?

We were in an Oceana mini suite on our only other cruise and paid the automatic tip charge plus extra to our excellent cabin steward.

...and I thought the butler would only be packing & unpacking which I would find completely unnecessary!

Thank you for so many helpful replies.

We have booked a Suite for the first time on Oceana for a Med cruise later this year. We are celebrating a major birthday.

My husband loves the idea of having a butler, especially as his/her services are included in the cruise price.

I'm not so sure.

What do experienced suite cruisers do? Butler or no butler and your reasons please?

Thank you for that quick reply!

Is there a separate breakfast area for full suite passengers on Oceana?

Only D deck suites are available for the Oceana cruise I'm interested in.

On the deck plan the D suites and balconies look smaller than those on B and C decks, and there appears to be an overhang on the balcony. Am I being too picky?

Finally, is noise from Starlights underneath a problem with these D suites?

Does anyone know if Oceana's refurbishment in December 2017 is a major one?

What is P&O planning?...or is this an industry secret?!

I should have added ...iPad & small umbrella.

We did a port intensive Med cruise and explored independently using public transport...including the infamous Naples Circumvesuviana for Pompeii with no problems.

I bought a Healthybackbag for days ashore...not because I have back problems...it just seemed the ideal bag for me. It can be worn across your front with the outside pocket close to your body for security if needed or diagonally across your back...very comfortable.

Many colours are available and several sizes...small suited me and still had many compartments. I carried waterproof, sunglasses, sunscreen, maps, rail timetables, water, sunhat etc etc

My advice would be not to risk wine soaked clothes in your suitcase!

When we visited Genoa last year we turned right after getting off the ship, walked for 10, not very scenic, minutes towards the old port area (look out for the pirate ship) and found a small Ekom supermarket on Ponte Molo Morosini with a small selection of local wines.

We'd brought a supermarket wine carrier with us and bought local wines in each port to sample before we went to dinner each evening.

We found the ship's wine reasonably priced.

Hope this helps & is in time for you.

Thank you for the helpful replies.

Scottishgolfwidow...how is the cruise style different from P&O if it is geared for Americans? Is it more informal? How about the dining? Is there still entertainment/shows on board and how do they differ? Our only cruise experience is a P&O fly cruise.

We've just returned from our first ever cruise and enjoyed Oceana on a Med flycruise. Now we think we might go further afield to Alaska as well as taking another P&O cruise next autumn.

We know there are people on this board who cruise on other lines as well as P&O and wonder what the main differences are that we'll come across on cruise lines that go to Alaska.

We didn't bother much with the entertainment on our cruise and spent a lot of time on our balcony on sea days enjoying the view. We explored independently on port days. We also enjoyed being able to bring a local bottle of wine on board to have on our balcony...we know some things will be different in Alaska!

Any comments or advice most welcome from you experienced cruisers.

We recommend the Jardin Exotique.

Catch the No.2 bus from near where the cruise ships dock.

The beautiful cacti gardens are high above Monte Carlo on a steep slope and give spectacular views over the city, while giving some relief from the noisy traffic and general bustle.

They include a fantastic cave of stalactites and stalagmites, with bilingual guided tours every hour. Many steps down into the cave but well worth it if you can manage that.

The Monaco Tourist Board is excellent and has an informative website.

Recently we climbed to the fort..quite a challenge for a couple in our late sixties & mid seventies.

We then had a well earned delicious seafood lunch in a family run restaurant in a back street, followed by a little shopping in the old town.

Everyone we met was very friendly and helpful.

We were unable to find a taxi driver to take us to Livorno Centrale at 7:30, so we waited for the first shuttle into town leaving promptly at 8:00. We then took a bus to the station and were at the station by 8:35! There was no long ticket queue and we were on our (Florence) train to Lucca before 9:00.

It confused me as well.

I think Jet2 are based at Leeds/Bradford Airport now and fly a plane down to Bournemouth just to take you to Genoa!

The SITA buses sound good but they don't run very often. With your limited time you'll need to check times carefully and also factor in Naples' chaotic traffic.

Alternatively, cross the busy road in front of the cruise terminal and buy a 2 journey (tram/train) ticket from the very helpful man in the newspaper kiosk. Take the No 1 tram (not forgetting to validate your ticket on boarding) to Porta Nolana station which is the terminus of the Circumvesuviana line and your best chance of getting a seat. The tram ride takes a few minutes and you get off after it makes a sharp turn left, when the modern Circumvesuviana station is soon visible on your right. The trains to Pompeii Scavi leave about every 30 minutes (destination Sorrento) and with lots of stops take about 40 mins. The station at Pompeii Scavi is near the entrance to the ruins.