P&O cruises (P&O Cruises)

Member Name: Dee0104

Product:	P&O Cruises
Date:	15/05/09 (22 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Absolute luxury - exceeds expectations, pay for things in stirling so no nasty exchange rates

Disadvantages: None

After 3 or 4 years of myself, my fiance and my brother winding our parents up for going on cruises year after year - saying that its for the more mature generation (we know it's for everyone - but the reaction we were getting was hilarious), our parents decided to prove us wrong and take us on a mini cruise to bruge (so that worked out really well)!

They wanted to show us just what it was all about, how big these liners were, and how enjoyable and versatile they could be.

Now, all the P&O liners, which depart from the UK depart from Southampton, so no matter where you are you need to get there. Most of the cruises depart around tea time, so that those travelling a long way do not have to travel overnight for a morning departure. We travelled from the north east of england, we set off around 7am and arrived around 2ish. If you choose not to drive, there is a bus service that willbring you all the way.

As there is no 'check in time', people arrive at different times of the day, so there is less chance of there being any cues - you literally turn up, give your cases to the staff, go through passport control and onto the liner (and settle down with a lovely glass of vino). By the time you get to your cabin, your cases are there - all ready and waiting - fantastic.

A big advantage - which i'm sure all you other females (and maybe males) will agree, is that you are not flying, so therefore there is no weight restriction on what you choose to bring! Wonderful!

Now, before you get on board, you are asked to let the staff swipe your credit or debit card, and they give you a swipe card in return, which allows you to get into your room, and you also pay for anything you buy on board with this card. There is no cash taken on board and everything will be charged to the card at the end of your cruise. I did feel a bit dubious as I like to know what I am spending but it was far less than I thought.

All of the food is included in the price of your holiday. This is all of your meals and any snacks that you require throughout the day (or night). The only extra expense is your drinks (and even then there are some places that provide soft drinks, tea and coffee for free). You pay for your excursions and anything that you buy on board.

THE OCEANA

For this cruise we were on the Oceana - and it was huge! As you arrive onboard you enter the atrium an are greeted by a mass of sparkling gold handrails, palm trees, mahogony bars, glass elevators, shops, wonderful decor and the most pleasant staff you could wish for.

Now the features on board differ from liner to liner but you can visit the P&O website to find exactly what is onboard each one. The Oceana has 12 bars, a gym and sports court, a casino, nightclub, plenty of restaurants and places to snack, 4 pools, a spa and a 500 + seat theatre.

We got ourselves back to the main deck to set sail where we had the option to buy champagne (at a reasonable price of £3 per person) for when we set sail. We all took advantage of this and we had the privilege of listening to a brass band play to us on the dock side as we departed into the channel.

The bars that are on board range from a more lively sports bar, to a more relaxed kind of bar so that there is something to suit all tastes. The food options are also very varied so there is something to suit all tastes.

THE CABINS

These range from outside and inside staterooms, staterooms with balcony, mini suites and suites. The price of your holiday depends what room you stay in, where you are going and how long you are going for. We stayed in an inside cabin as it was only for a few days and no - they are not the biggest of rooms, but big enough. Every room is equipped with TV, bathroom (with a bath or shower), desk, plenty of wardrobe space and a fridge. The outside suites have a window and the suites have more space altogether - even room for a settee. The rooms are well decorated and extremely clean, and the staff come in twice a day to clean, change bedding, give towels, put chocolates on your pillow (my favourite), and generally tidy up for you. Every morning you are given a newsletter, with what is on, the predicted temperature and other articles of interest - so you won't miss out!

FOOD AND DRINK

You will be given the option by your tour operator when you book to 'freedom dine' on an evening (dine when you like, if tables are available) or have a set time every evening in which to dine. I would recommend booking a table as the restaurants fill quickly. You don't have to dine in the main dining areas every night, you can still just get a snack from another area. There is a big choice on he menu to suit most tastes (apart from my brother who decided he wanted steak and chips - which they actually made specially!). There are always at least 5 courses which can be a lot, and when I didn't finish my main, the waiters thought there was something wrong and offered to make me 'anything I wanted'. Wow, what restaurants do that? - I had to explain I was full.

You can probably get any drink you require on board these ships, and a common myth is that they are overpriced. I found I paid the same or sometimes very slightly more onboard as I do at home. Another thing to remember is that the prices are in pound stirling, so at times like these when the pound is weak, it makes no difference! If you go to a country with the euro, you pay a lot more now due to the exchange rate.

THE STAFF

One word - commendable. They are so hard working, so polite, so eager to please and well presented. I have never been cared for as much on any holiday, or even in any hotels here. They make the experience so special.
You can tip the staff at the end of your holiday when you get the balance due and you can also leave money in your cabin for the staff member who cleans your room (you get the same one whole holiday). It is not compulsory but you will feel they really deserve it when you leave.

THE EXCURSIONS

Excursions are available in every port and there is a variety to suit all budgets and tastes. You can simply get on a coach and go to the nearest town or you can visit the sights, go kayaking, cycling, water parks, wine tasting or simply lie on the beach. Again this depends where you are going - and if you want to stay on board - that's fine too.

TO SUMMARISE

This was an experience for me that was out of this world - so much so that my fiance proposed soon after and we are getting married this August on board the Oriana in the middle of a mediterranean cruise. Beause it is a wedding, there has been a lot of communication between ourselves and P&O over the last month, and even the staff that work behind the scenes are exceptional and they have given me everything I wanted, even if it wasn't an option in the brochure. I have so much faith in the day going as smoothly as possible because of their capable hands.
The price may seem a bit much but once you go, you see you get your money's worth over and over!

Remember to take some of the local currency for your excursions!

Summary: Suits all ages, wonderful holiday