Oceana 4 night mini cruise

[drewlin]

Drew and I are doing the 4 night cruise to Guernsey and Zeebrugge in June for our wedding anniversary (the actual date is the sea day). I read on another review that on a mini cruise (2 nights in this case) they had to disembark with their luggage instead of leaving outside the cabin the night before. Does this apply to slightly longer cruises as well as we will still have suitcases because of the formal clothes (Drew's kilt is quite bulky and heavy). Anyone know?

[the english lady]

I am hoping that I can put my cases through the hole in the wall when we go on a 4 nighter later on in the year , and consequently leave the cases out the night before. We are tacking it onto a weeks touring holiday, so will have a large case each.

Hopefully if I am wrong someone will let us know.

[oceana20]

Hi drewlin,

According to the P&O website with regards to 2 and 3 night cruises 'due to the short nature and low luggage requirements of these cruises, passengers often wish to take their own luggage straight to their stateroom rather than wait for luggage to be delivered to their stateroom for them, there will be a small number of luggage porters on hand should you wish to embark without your luggage and have it delivered to you'.

Four nights are treated just the same as a longer cruise.

Hope you both have a fantastic cruiise.

[drewlin]

Thanks Oceana20. That's put my mind at rest as I didn't want to lug my case around with me until the cabin was available.

[oceana20]

Your very welcome, we always go straight to our cabin and drop our hand luggage off, normally just pop it in the wardrobe, put passports/monies etc into the safe and then go and have lunch and a stroll around the ship, stopping off for the occasional chocolate banana, x

[drewlin]

Chocolate banana? That sounds interesting, is it a drink or like chocolate strawberries?

[oceana20]

It’s a cocktail, slightly addictive and VITAL to drink this when you are sat by the pool, haha x

[drewlin]

That definitely sounds like my kind of drink! Thanks for the heads up on it.

[drewlin]

Just to let you know Oceana20 that I tried the chocolate banana (large) and it was lovely and very moreish!

[the english lady]

Just to let you know Oceana20 that I tried the chocolate banana (large) and it was lovely and very moreish!

I was going to try and avoid the chocolate banana this time...tooo too too naughty for words.

What did you think of Oceana? We are on her in July and have so far only been on the old Artimis and Aurora.

[drewlin]

Oceana was only our 2nd time with P&O. Our first was on Aurora which we loved so Oceana had a lot to live up to. The atrium is beautiful on Oceana and so much better IMHO than Aurora but there it ends. We did find finding our way around more difficult on Oceana, there didn't seem to be a much through flow as on Aurora (no walk around deck) and no different coloured carpets at lifts showing aft, front and mid sections which helped me get my bearings on Aurora. There was quite a few times when we found our way from one end of the ship to the other blocked and having to retrace our steps and change decks. We were only on for four days so that might have something to do with it.

We had an inside and it was the smallest inside we have ever had and had fixed single beds, having said that there was adequate storage space and it was kept immaculate by our cabin steward. We were very comfortable and slept well.

We had freetime dining which worked great for us and the food was lovely, not so keen on the Plaza (buffet) as always seemed crowded with only one service side open whenever we went. I'd recommend breakfast and lunch either in the dining room or Cafe Jardin as the food and service make a much nicer experience than the buffet self service.

We also noticed that it was quite narrow in places making it difficult for anyone in a wheelchair. We have a friend with a large motorised wheelchair and I'm sure that she would struggle at times.

The entertainment was great especially the ventriloquist Gareth Oliver and his fiancee Alice. He did 2 shows and we went to both as he was so good. They also showed 2 films Les Mis and Skyfall.

Overall though we had a good time. I would sail on Oceana again although it wouldn't be my first choice.

[the english lady]

Thank you very much for this and the comparison with Aurora. I think I read somewhere that Oceana has the smallest bathrooms in the fleet. Atrium on Oceana certainly looked more sparkly....Oh well as someone said being on a ship is better than being on land.

[drewlin]

I would take a cruise on Oceana over not cruising anytime. Yes the bathrooms are small but big enough (and neither my husband or I are small!). At least everything is in easy reach lol! If I'd never been on Aurora, I would have been very happy with Oceana so I hope I haven't put you off. It all subjective. I didn't like Independence of the Seas which loads of people love so what does that say of my taste!!!

You will have a lovely cruise and enjoy it.

[Presto2]

We loved Oceana and have chosen to return for a cruise in Easter having been on the newer Celebrity ship, The Silhouette. She is a lovely ship - you just have to remember that she is older, but, nevertheless I think you will have a great time. We're already looking forward to next April ! :D

[CCFC]

On an Oceana short cruise we tried a mini-suite once as it was only another £150 and we were amazed at the difference. Separate Jacuzzi bath and glass shower with the loo in a room of its own. Coffee maker, two balconies, two TVs.

 

I couldn't afford that for any more than a few nights but it was well worth seeing how 'the other half' lives!

 

I have some pictures if anyone is tempted.

[oceana20]

Hi Lin

So glad you enjoyed your chocolate banana, 9 more days and then its my turn, might have to go steady though as 21 nights equals more calories than I can bare thinking about.

Hope you enjoyed your holiday, I had to chuckle when I read your post about the Aurora v Oceana, I could have written those exact words (regarding the access and having to go up/down to go along) except that I would have been referring to the Aurora. Really cant wait until 23rd, hopefully at some point I may even get some sunshine haha x:)

[the english lady]

Funny you should say that. We always had difficulty finding our MDR on Aurora, when we had the one at the back. Would laways end up on the floor where you couldn't walk straight along. Strange thing was on our last cruise on her, I asked for the middle MDR, as I knew I couldn't lose that one. However we seemed to keep on finding the back MDR then!!!! Was that to do with the pre dinner drinks???!!!

[davecttr]

Oceana does have a wrap around promenade deck but it is not open to the elements all way around. I found the layout easy to negotiate, especially as both the dining rooms are accessed off the atrium and are below the main entertainment decks.

 

The only blockage of access i noticed was Cafe Jardin in the evenings where you could not gain access to the public toilets forward if you were in Winners bar or the Casino. Other than that I thought the ship handled passengers well.

 

The Plaza worked well as a buffet and like all buffets the secret to a relaxed meal is to be there when everyone else isn't! As Cafe Jardin is the late night buffet venue I think they could do more with the Plaza than just have a syndicate quizz every evening. There is a substantial bar and a dance floor so entertainment should be possible.

 

I found the Oceana a relaxed and pleasing ship and have 4 cruises booked on her :)

[drewlin]

We were on the same deck as Cafe Jardin so maybe that why I have this impression of always being blocked! As I said it is all subjective.

The mini suite sounds really impressive and something I would love to try but never thought about booking on a short cruise but will bear in mind for the future.

We loved Andersons on Aurora for our pre dinner drinks but found the martinis in Magnums very yummy especially the breakfast martini with the taste of marmalade! This was recommended by the barman and didn't disappoint.