Oceana changes

[B anderson]

Hi everyone

We went on our first cruise on the Oceana last year 2012 prior to her going into dock to be refurbished.

Just wondered what changes we can expect on our 2nd cruise in September.

Also does anyone have any recomendations for things to do in Cartagena, Barcelona, Montecarlo, Citivettia, Ajjacio, La Coruna.

Thanks in advance for any replies

Regards Brian

[JohnTheDog]

The changes are minimal, the main ones being the "Le Club" area being totally refurbished as is Cafe Jardin. As for your stops most tend to visit Rome from Civitavecchia (sp)

[tractor boy]

Hi Brian, as John said the changes are minimal as some of the funds set aside for Oceana was used on emergency work on another ship, we was on Oceana at Xmas and was told most of the work was technical. As for your ports of call, If you like football the stadium tour is a must, also a walk down la Ramblas, visit the market just off there and make sure you find a Tappas bar, there are many good ones hidden in side streets off Ramblas. In Monte Carlo we did the F1 walking tour which was very interesting, it is hard to believe that cars race through the turns as they are so tight, something you dont appreciate watching it on tv. There are also some great restaurants for a spot of lunch but shop around as some can be very expensive. Enjoy.

[B anderson]

Hi Tractorboy

Thanks for your reply, the F1 walking tour sounds good to me, might have to convince the wife though but where can I find any details about it?

Regards Brian

[Dancing Queen]

You won't have to convince your wife Brian, just give her your credit card and send her shopping some lovely dress shops there are you sure you still want to do this tour

[tractor boy]

Hi Brian, if you google search p&o monte carlo walking tour it should take you to the p&o website and to destinations then click on "see more" on f1 tour. I think it lasted about an hour.

[B anderson]

Hi Dancing Queen, I dont think I will need to worry about her using my credit card, by the time Ive finished paying for the cruise and all her new clothes to take with her it will be maxed out anyway. Ill buy her an ice cream instead


Hi Tractor Boy, Ill have a look at the P&O site. I downloaded a map of the circuit so might be able to work it out, great idea to pass an hour or so thanks.

[tractor boy]

its amazing when you walk through the area where the pit garages are and it is pointed out to you as when its not GP week there is nothing there, they set it all up the week before, you also walk through the tunnel and you can see just how scarey it must be with F1 cars going through. If you like cars it is worth sitting in the sun outside the casino as this is like being at a rolling supercar show, dont be tempted to use the cafe there though, £10 for a coffee.

[MicheleW]

We were in Monte Carlo a few years ago and as my husband is a huge Formula 1 fan, one thing he wanted to do was walk the circuit. It took a while to get our bearings and it was once we recognised the Rascasse corner that we knew exactly where we were. The road up to Casino Sauare was a lot steeper than we had realised and then when we went through the tunnel, a ferrari came roaring through - fantastic

We wandered up to the palace and then visited the car museum (a nice respite from the heat). After a quick lunch, we then 'did' the circuit again - just as well I'm a fan too.

Really enjoyed the day we had there.

Michele

[tractor boy]

Oh yes, well done Michele, I forgot about the palace car museum, it was included in the tour. Dont be tempted to buy t shirts in there though, there is a little market not far away, you can see it from the museum, the exact same t shirts are almost half price.

[Silver_Shiney]

If you are going to Monte Carlo on a Sunday, be aware that there are no public toilets open. You are allowed to use the one inside the main casino though.

Watch out for pickpockets in Barcelona and Rome. A stroll around the marina in Barcelona is very pleasant!

I don't if it's a daily affair, but Ajaccio had a very nice little farmers' market a stone's throw away from the ship's berth.

Have a great time!

[bassman67]

Cartagena is a relatively new port of call and is really welcoming to cruise passengers, we found. We decided to just stroll ashore and visited the castle first which had a magnificent view from the top. Then we spent the rest of the day mooching along the main street, where there are various restaurants and bars. Surprisingly, there are many ex-pat Brits around, who seemed to be very friendly and introduced themselves when English was spoken. That way, we discovered, by recommendation, many of the local delicacies!

[AnnieM]

Nice to know that re Cartagena, Bassman67 ... we are visiting there on our cruise on Oceana that leaves a week on Saturday!

[Claire55]

I was also on Oceana at christmas and Cafe Jardin hadnt changed at all. In fact the visible changes were minimal
We had a new carpet in our suite as it was still producing the little fluffy bits that new carpets do.

[Silver_Shiney]

I was given to understand that the changes to Cafe Jardin were in the menu and that it was little more than a fancy pizza parlour now!. I'm hoping to update the CJ thread with the menus in about 10 days time!

[Quizzical Bob]

I was also on Oceana at christmas and Cafe Jardin hadnt changed at all. In fact the visible changes were minimal
We had a new carpet in our suite as it was still producing the little fluffy bits that new carpets do.

I believe you can buy bags of little fluffy bits of carpet on eBay

[gravy1955]

I have just got back from Oceana the beginning of this month and I'm afraid I couldn't see much difference(if any) from the first time I sailed on her 2 years ago.I know she is supposed to have had a refurbishment but it's hard to see where.

[melsea]

The last time I cruised on Oceana was back in 2004 and having looked at the virtual tour on the P&O website I do not recognise it at all. Did it had a refit years ago as well as it doesn't look like the same ship. We're on her from tomorrow 16th. So I'll let you know what we think. Have spent most our time on Aurora so it will be interesting to compare the two.

[Silver_Shiney]

http://www.cruise-community.me.uk/galle ... lbum_id=76 shows the main changes that I could see to the ship.

[bassman67]

The card room looks like a good venue for the Syndicate Quiz, but was it used for that?

[Silver_Shiney]

No, bassman, the syndicate quiz is still in the Plaza. The Card Room was used for playing board games and a Roman Catholic mass was held in there last Thursday afternoon (I was disappointed to note that, while this was being conducted, some people were still playing games, which I thought was disrespectful to those for whom such a ceremony is important).

[oldbluefox]

'while this was being conducted, some people were still playing games,'

Unbelievable!!

[bassman67]

I assume you were participating in the Mass rather than a bridge game. In my experience of card-players on board, I'm surprised that they didn't ask the priest to "keep the noise down"

[welshynurse]

Mass was held in there everyday, and yes there did seem to be people continuing with their card and scrabble games. I heard one couple in the library complaining that they couldn't go in there because "there was some meeting or other going on"

[Silver_Shiney]

I assume you were participating in the Mass rather than a bridge game. In my experience of card-players on board, I'm surprised that they didn't ask the priest to "keep the noise down"

No, I wasn't participating, I happened to be leaving the library and noticed what appeared to be a meeting and looked through the door to see what was going on.