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Oceana in Oct

wildmisty

By wildmisty,
in P&O Cruises ( UK )

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wildmisty

wildmisty

Posted
Posted

Hi

 

we will be cruising on Oceana for the first time ever in Oct and will get married on borad. Could someone answere a few questions pls:

 

1. the shore excursions provided by P&O seem quite expensive. Do they provide value for money? If not what would you recommend?

 

2. Are the currency exchange rates on board competitve or should we take euros with us?

 

3. Are blue jeans acceptable on smart casual nights?

 

4. Are there discount packages available for drinks on board?

 

Thanks very much for your help

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sandbox

sandbox

Posted
Posted

1. the shore excursions provided by P&O seem quite expensive. Do they provide value for money? If not what would you recommend?

 

I have always found P&O excursions very well priced and value for money.;)

 

2. Are the currency exchange rates on board competitve or should we take euros with us?

 

Ship exchange rates have never been competitve:p

 

3. Are blue jeans acceptable on smart casual nights?

 

NO:eek:

 

4. Are there discount packages available for drinks on board?

 

Yes but only for wine and softdrinks:cool:

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BrianI

BrianI

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Best way to get euros is from an ATM ashore using a UK bank card. Exchange rates on board are reasonable but you will get a better rate ashore, or take some with you.

You can withdraw euros or sterling on board and it just gets charged to your account, should you wish

Brian

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LibraLass41

LibraLass41

Posted
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I buy my currency before I go at m&s or the post office which usually gives good rates.

 

Take some british pounds too for tips - we take about £100 in £5 notes for tips and leave in the cabin safe until tips are due on last evening of cruise.

 

Blue denim jeans are not usually worn in the evenings in the main dining room, although you could wear them if you are eating in the buffet restaurant.

 

Shore excursions - depends where you are going? ! What ports have you got? Some can be easily done yourself, especially if the ship docks near places of interest, others need some planning and researching. Tell us your ports and we will try and help.

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Host Sharon

Host Sharon

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Gibraltar, Barcelona and Cadiz ar easy to do DIY. Beware pickpockets in Barcelona though. My friend lost her purse on the Hoho bus there this year from a zipped up handbag!

 

Rome, I would suggest an excursion - even if it is only Rome on your own where the bus is effectively a shuttle. Some people are happy to take the train from Civitavvechia where the ship's dock though. Again with Florence, the ship's usually berth at Livorna or La Spezia so it is a fair way into the city.

 

Don't forget to take cash (sterling) for the casino too if you like to play there.

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C at Sea

C at Sea

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I havent personally called at Cadiz but my daughter called there this summer and said she wished she had booked a trip cos there's nothing really there and it was disappointing. Rome is best done on a trip if its your first time there. If you catch a train, remember, the ship doesnt wait for you if anything goes wrong! We always have a trip in Rome and have been 4/5 times! I'm always worn out at the end of it and happily drop onto the coach for a snooze on the long drive back without having to worry about finding the way to the station or back to the docks!

Pickpockets in Barcelona are very bad - beware anyone asking you the way with an open map - they use this as a cover to steal! You can easily see plenty yourself in Barcelona without a trip.

Cartegena has lovely shops very near where the ship docks, its a nice town.

Florence is best with a trip and avoids any queues. Monte Carlo is easily done by yourself but you need a good map to avoid getting a bit lost!

Have a great cruise!

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Thejuggler

Thejuggler

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Trips seem expensive, but they offer good value, epsecially in places where DIY isn't easy.

 

Currency - we found the ship very competitive - the euro rate was slightly better than the Post Office.

 

In June we couldn't get any Krona locally and were offered it at 8.2-8.4 - the best I could find was 8.6 from the local airport, but this is a 20 mile round trip so I didn't bother.

 

We purchased some on board and it was at 8.8 to the £.

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Merlin7

Merlin7

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As per the P&O brochure..........jeans are acceptable on a smart casual evening, however, they do not specify a colour.

 

Have always takencurrency with us, even on a worldie,but the exchange rate on board is good.

 

DIY if you can, with much research beforehand. You will be able to do what you want to do ashore instead of being herded around in a large group.

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  • 2 weeks later...
Spartan kent

Spartan kent

Posted
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Thank you, Guys, very helpful. 16 working days until our cruise!:) Can't wait...

We decided to book excursions where we have to travel from the port ie Rome, Pisa/Florence etc just to be safe. Will leave blue jeans at home...

 

Thanks again

 

Hi we sail on the 2nd and our daughter gets married onboard on the 4th :D

 

So we may well meet up :cool:

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