Just back from Oceana E821

[pretenda]

All in all had a good time.

 

Any time dining in Ligurian proved to be a good choice. We dine at around 9 o clock and had to wait only a few minutes (were provided with a pager - went for a predinner drink and a look around the shops) on a couple of occasions. The food choice was good and the meals hot and enjoyable. Staff were very helpful (with a couple of exceptions - but no bother).

 

Booked ship excursions in Vigo and Lisbon which were good fun and informative and excellent value for money. Couldn't stop at La Rochelle due to possibility of Industrial Action, and couldn't land at St Peter Port due to rough seas. We took a detour to Cherbourg (the Captain - who was great fun and communicated with everyone) managed to get us a half-day berth. Quite a nice city and we had a look around the martime museum.

 

Only downside was that the lavatories were not flushing properly for the first few days which was annoying (and we thought should have been sorted before sailing, especially as cruise operators generally raise awarness of the norovirus). Obviously only lip service as they would not risk losing revenue on this occasion. This was an ongoing issue from the previous cruise and blamed on passengers flushing objects other than the usual down the toilet.

 

There was, on occasion, a strong smell of cigarette smoke in the corridors. Whether it was blowing back from the balcony or if the rules were flouted we are unsure.

 

The Casino has been downsized, not much choice in there now - but the live group was good.

 

Any questions I'll try and answer.

 

Glenda

[LibraLass41]

Glenda

What tour did you do in Vigo?

Been there once and just walked around the town, wanted to go a bit further afield next time when we go there in 2009.

 

We will be on Oceana for the 1st time in Aug 09, interested to see this ship and oriana next year.:)

[feebee_71]

Pretenda,

 

I was a passenger on the previous cruise and, apart from a notice placed in the Horizon one day there was nothing about any problems with the flushing system on our cruise.

 

I am glad Freedom Dining worked for you, I love it and have found it hard at times when people complain about having to wait for a table or having to queue at a certain time - often they want tables for two (of which there are very few) or they have arrived at a popular time - such as immediately after the captains speech on the welcome aboard cocktail party night!

 

I am also glad you were able to have a port in exchange for St Peter Port as I know there were concerns from some passengers that they would lose the opportunity to have a port altogether.

 

Feebee_71

[pretenda]

Hi Sue

 

We did the wine tasting tour in Vigo and we thought it was excellent value for money. We got to see some lovely scenery along the route to the vineyard. The setting was a lovely old manor house style building and it was approached by a long drive bordered by giant-sized blue and lavender hydrangeas. (Not as good as you on the uploading photo front - but have some and will (eventually) try and upload for you to have a peek)!

 

Tasted about 5 wines - 3 white, (different ages), one rose and one red. Then three liquers. They were very generous with the measures too. It was a very informative tour, with a good guide and the two ladies who worked there were very good at describing their product.

 

On our return journey we stopped en route at a small coastal town where we visited a Parador and were served tapas, cake, wine and coffee. Took about 4 and a half hours in all and most enjoyable.

 

Hope that you're keeping well.

 

Glenda

[LibraLass41]

Thanks Glenda

I have printed the previous post off and will keep it for info when we go to Vigo

 

Yes, keeping well. Off on Ventura on friday (12th) for the 2n weekender to Bruges.

[pretenda]

Hope you have a lovely weekender Sue :) - let us know how you get on.

 

Glenda

[Pontius Navigator]

I disagree with FeeBee. There were problems on 3 days.

 

One day the toilet did not flush (C-deck port) but it did about 2-3 minutes later - in otherwords if you blinked you missed it.

 

Then in, I think Vigo, the toilets were out of commission for about 20 minutes although it could have been longer.

 

Finally, at Southampton, the urinals near the cyber-study were not draining so the place was almost flooded.

 

As for smoke, we too smelt smoke on C-deck on one day. We don't think it was smoke from the balcony as the airflow was very definitely outboard. If you opened the cabin door while the balcony door was open there was a near gale from the corridor. Smoking in the inside cabins - well.

[pretenda]

Yes-PN is quite right about the "flushing problem". The lavatories in our block (B Deck and down - we were starboard - last cabin at the back B747) were not working right from when we boarded. The cabin steward said the problem was a carry-over from the previous cruise when all had not been well then (Feebee - perhaps your bit was working OK).

 

At one point it was about three hours before it flushed - overheard lots of people talking about it. The Captain even mentioned the problem and asked people to watch what they were flushing in his morning address!!! It was noted in Horizon and also a personal letter was placed in our cabin about the problem. The problem did indeed last about three days and then seemed to be OK thenafter.

 

With regards to the cig smoke, Tony and I thought it might be from inside cabins as it was a little too strong to have permeated through from a balcony. We were very surprised - I thought that rule was sancrosanct!

 

Looking forward to our next cruise now :D - not long to go!!

 

Glenda