Carribean

[A Man called Hoss]

Planning for either Jan 17 or Feb17.

One is the Oceanna, the other is Ventura.

Have been on both, like both.

Would like advice on when to book but we can't splash out.

It will need to be inside cabin and probably early or late saver.

Comments/Advice please.:)

[PJ's]

You don't say which cruise. If it is E701 Oceana, 35 nighter (4 Jan-8 Feb) or N702 Ventura, 28 nighter then early saver fares are available now on the P&O website but you may get a better price via a TA. Saver fares MAY come out later in the year.

[A Man called Hoss]

Thanks, yes it will be one of those 2; favour the E702 Oceana 35 night one as it means longer in the sun.

But, have just paid for X606 Oriana 18 nights in May.

Can't book another yet, may have to wait until later in the year.

Do round trip cruises to the Carribean tend to sell out well in advance?

[PJ's]

Never done a round trip cruise to the Caribbean from Southampton, only done fly cruises. I think the round trip ones are popular with those who do not like to fly. You may be lucky and saver fares will be out later in the year.

[tartanexile81]

We do the round trip every year and somebody on our roll call on the 35-dayer this year tracked the cabin prices which went up considerably from when bookings opened till the start of the cruise. The cruise is always really full and I know our friends were wait-listed for a change of cabin but couldn't afford the new price when one became available. Anyway the point of this is to say that these cruises are popular and there may not be many later savers available.

 

Having just come back from Oceana in the Caribbean, we've chosen Ventura for next year over Oceana but may well do the 35 dayer again on Ventura. We've had enough of Oceana for the reasons I gave in my review.

[A Man called Hoss]

Thanks TartanExile....Last time on the Oceana for us was 5 year's ago, we really enjoyed it, will check out your review.

Last time on Ventura was 3 year's ago...we prefer it over the Oceana.

I did track prices for the round trip Carribean cruises for earlier this year, just to get a feel on how prices may fluctuate. Was still working and no hols left to get. Did notice in the run up to Xmas, there was some good prices on offer,(one in particular included a 1/2 transit of the Panama Canal). The 18night cruise we are on in May is to celebrate the start of my retirement and also as it includes 2 day's in Venice, will be getting 24hr Vap passes, will vist Murano and Burano on the 1st day, then maybe down the Grand Canal+ HOHO as we feel like on the 2nd day.

Anyway, will start tracking prices and will either book select at hopefully a good time or may wait for Saver fares.

Not much experience in "Tracking", but have noticed all website prices seem to be identical.

Is it worth belling a cruise specialist or asking at high street TA's to see if any discounts or extra OBS are available.

Keith

[tartanexile81]

Thanks TartanExile....Last time on the Oceana for us was 5 year's ago, we really enjoyed it, will check out your review.

Last time on Ventura was 3 year's ago...we prefer it over the Oceana.

I did track prices for the round trip Carribean cruises for earlier this year, just to get a feel on how prices may fluctuate. Was still working and no hols left to get. Did notice in the run up to Xmas, there was some good prices on offer,(one in particular included a 1/2 transit of the Panama Canal). The 18night cruise we are on in May is to celebrate the start of my retirement and also as it includes 2 day's in Venice, will be getting 24hr Vap passes, will vist Murano and Burano on the 1st day, then maybe down the Grand Canal+ HOHO as we feel like on the 2nd day.

Anyway, will start tracking prices and will either book select at hopefully a good time or may wait for Saver fares.

Not much experience in "Tracking", but have noticed all website prices seem to be identical.

Is it worth belling a cruise specialist or asking at high street TA's to see if any discounts or extra OBS are available.

Keith

 

We did the 35 layer which included new Orleans and I think it's more popular than the Panama one which our friends did. We've done both but prefer the Caribbean / New Orleans and Florida one which is what Ventura is doing in 2018.

 

It is DEFINITELY worth phoning round. We're not allowed to mention agents here but I know that some who advertise that they will undercut any price.

[blueboo]

We do the round trip every year and somebody on our roll call on the 35-dayer this year tracked the cabin prices which went up considerably from when bookings opened till the start of the cruise. The cruise is always really full and I know our friends were wait-listed for a change of cabin but couldn't afford the new price when one became available. Anyway the point of this is to say that these cruises are popular and there may not be many later savers available.

 

Having just come back from Oceana in the Caribbean, we've chosen Ventura for next year over Oceana but may well do the 35 dayer again on Ventura. We've had enough of Oceana for the reasons I gave in my review.

 

I was just wondering if you could let me know what the sailing is like in general as you do round trip every year. We have booked Ventura for 28 day Caribbean and now I am getting jitters in case of terrible weather. I don't get sea sick, just get a bit scared when ship rocks and rolls a lot !

[tokyo]

Looks like we are on the same cruise. I don't think you need to worry to much about the ship rocking and rolling. I have been told it should be ok at that time of year :rolleyes: However, the bay could be rough anytime of the year.

[danielundecided]

Itinerary-wise I would go for the Oceana in January IMO - you visit ports that aren't visited often, if at all by P&O (like Cozumel) and as you say it's longer in the sun.

 

Ship-wise I would go for Ventura as Oceana is said to be showing her age and need for a refit by quite a few people and Ventura would be more stable. In addition, Ventura has more facilities.

 

I would personally book the cruise on Oceana and take a few travel sickness pills!

 

Dan

 

 

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[blueboo]

Looks like we are on the same cruise. I don't think you need to worry to much about the ship rocking and rolling. I have been told it should be ok at that time of year :rolleyes: However, the bay could be rough anytime of the year.

 

Oh Hello....maybe we will bump into each other !:)

[terrierjohn]

I was just wondering if you could let me know what the sailing is like in general as you do round trip every year. We have booked Ventura for 28 day Caribbean and now I am getting jitters in case of terrible weather. I don't get sea sick, just get a bit scared when ship rocks and rolls a lot !

We did the same cruise this last January and there were quite heavy seas and strong winds for the first 2/3 days, but after Madeira/Azores the weather and seas rapidly improved. However, despite others comments to the contrary, we found that Ventura handled the seas very well. She did creak and groan a bit but the Captain will assure you that this is quite normal and nothing to worry about; the movement was quite gentle and we did not encounter any passengers who were suffering from seasickness.

We thoroughly enjoyed every minute of this cruise, so much so that we have booked Ventura's 35 nighter to the Caribbean and USA in 2018.

[A Man called Hoss]

Thanks for all the replies.

Not booked up yet...now favour E702 35 days, February. Longer during dim and dismal part of winter and longer in the sun. As stated in my other post, not booking until I know how well I recover from fractured vertibrae.

Any thoughts on when the ship will sell out. Prefer a balcony but inside would do. Also, would the period from xmas day until first week in Jan likely to be very slow for bookings and perhaps have some good prices.

Thanks,

Keith

[tokyo]

Oh Hello....maybe we will bump into each other !:)

 

If you look at the roll calls threads there is one for our cruise.

[Southendweather]

This all sounds delighful and maybe in another 10 years when I can retire and fingers crossed we are both still here and fir enough to do it, we most certainly will, funds permitting. It will be nice not to be limited to just a fortnights leave, which is all I am permitted to take in one go, hence the fly cruise is our only option for the Caribbean. I also beleive that some of the older passengers chose the Southampton option not just because of the hastle or not like flying but I beleive the insurance goes through the roof once you get to 80. What ever you chose, it will be great...

 

Keith (Southend):)

[tokyo]

WE are doing the one in Jan as my wife will not do fly cruise as she is disabled and it can cause problems with flying etc.

[zib_zib]

We did both 35 nighters earlier this year. First Oceana in January to Panama Canal and Caribbean, But the ship is a rust bucket and held together with duck tape. We still enjoyed the cruise though, don't let that put you off. It just looks embarrassing next to other ships in port.

Second time in April on the 35 nighter on the Oriana to Caribbean and USA.

Both fantastic itineraries enjoyed the Panama, but New Orleans was the best for us as we were there for the jazz festival.

 

We are off again to New Orleans in February on a 46 nighter with Fred Olsens

 

 

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