Oriana X507 Pre-cruise

Unread post by **MicheleW** » 30 Mar 2015, 15:13

Well, that's work finished for the week and now I can relax and look forward to our mini cruise on Oriana tomorrow.

Most of the packing was done yesterday, with just a couple of things left to throw in the bag. This afternoon I shall pack the dogs things for their 'holiday' and then after dropping them at Mums tomorrow morning for the dog-sitter to collect it's Southampton here we come!

Unfortunately, the weather isn't looking too good at the moment, so I am not actually expecting to make our first port of call on Wednesday which is Guernsey! Be nice if they took us to Cherbourg instead - I'd be able to stock up on some of my favourite wine. But if we can't get ashore it will give us more time to enjoy our mini suite, which we have splashed out on for the occasion of our 20th anniversary on Wednesday.

Will report back on the trip on our return.

Michele

PS. 10 pairs of shoes/sandals packed

Unread post by **Wina G** » 30 Mar 2015, 15:15

Hope you have a great cruise Michele, Happy Anniversary too xx

Unread post by **barney** » 30 Mar 2015, 15:32

Have a good one

Unread post by **qbman1** » 30 Mar 2015, 15:36

MicheleW wrote:
PS. 10 pairs of shoes/sandals packed

...for HOW MANY night ?!

Unread post by **Dancing Queen** » 30 Mar 2015, 15:46

We have some friends on this one ( first time with P&O ) I think they've chosen a good ship so I hope they enjoy it

I read somewhere that there are major roadworks on the M3 ?? ( sorry I'm useless with road numbers ) but I think the main motorway into Southampton ( maybe someone local could confirm ) make sure you leave yourself plenty of time if there are.

Have a great time and a Happy Anniversary.

Unread post by **Kenmo1** » 30 Mar 2015, 18:48

qbman1 wrote:
MicheleW wrote:
PS. 10 pairs of shoes/sandals packed
...for HOW MANY night ?!

I'm not taking that many pairs for 18 nights!!! Have a happy anniversary and a great cruise wearing all those shoes.

Maureen

Unread post by **oldbluefox** » 30 Mar 2015, 21:09

Happy Anniversary to you and your husband, Michele. Have a great cruise.
10 pairs of shoes? For how long?

Unread post by **qbman1** » 31 Mar 2015, 10:49

oldbluefox wrote:
10 pairs of shoes? For how long?

It's about 4 pairs a day !!

Unread post by **Manoverboard** » 31 Mar 2015, 10:52

... plus one's very own bobble slippers of course, in 7 different colours

Unread post by **Wina G** » 31 Mar 2015, 10:58

Just seen these messages from P&O on Facebook

Notice to those passengers joining Oriana today
Oriana has been unable to berth at Ocean Terminal this morning due to strong winds, we are awaiting a time for her to move to a terminal, where we can then disembark passengers from the last cruise. We will keep everyone updated but at the moment we do not have a confirmed embarkation time and therefore would ask you to delay your arrival until you hear from us again. We are sorry for this delay and will keep you updated via text message and here on Facebook.

From P&O Cruises....... "Oriana is still waiting for the winds to drop to a terminal where we can embark you safely. We are not expecting to begin boarding until early this evening so please plan your journey accordingly. We will continue to update you regularly and we will let you have a firm time as soon as possible. We are putting £30 per person on to your on board account so you can have lunch on your journey. Again we apologise for this delay."

Hope you don't have too much of a wait Michele xx

Unread post by **qbman1** » 31 Mar 2015, 11:10

Michele can pop into town and blow the £30 on a pair of shoes - just in case she doesn't have enough !!

Unread post by **Kenmo1** » 31 Mar 2015, 14:13

New message on facebook saying that embarkation will not now take place until tomorrow . The 2 ports will be maintained and a 50% refund of holiday will be made. Not a good start to the cruise but even more money for Michele to spend on shoes. Hope PO have managed to contact everyone.

Maureen

Unread post by **Gill W** » 31 Mar 2015, 14:21

What bad luck, especially for a short cruise.

It has been very windy, so I had been wondering how Oriana was doing.

I wonder what everyone will do - if it happened to me, I suppose I could feasibly go back home for the night, but that wouldn't be possible for everyone.

It certainly wouldn't have crossed my mind to check Facebook before I left - hopefully everyone was contacted by email or text

Unread post by **Whynd1** » 31 Mar 2015, 15:01

They had also been advised that due to novovirus deep cleaning would take place so embarkation would be a little later than usual. Wonder how that will pan out now with docking problems.

Unread post by **Whynd1** » 31 Mar 2015, 15:02

If you had already left on say the eavesway coach very early in the morning what would happen, would p and o put you up somewhere

Unread post by **Kenmo1** » 31 Mar 2015, 15:10

Whynd1 wrote:
They had also been advised that due to novovirus deep cleaning would take place so embarkation would be a little later than usual. Wonder how that will pan out now with docking problems.

One person has posted on facebook saying when will we get off this cruise from hell. When someone else replied that they had enjoyed the trip, the first poster replied that they must have been one of the lucky ones with a working toilet. Sounds like there have been a few problems. Hope everything gets sorted for tomorrow. I wonder what happens to the people who have travelled down today and will now have to find and pay for accommodation.

Maureen

Unread post by **Kenmo1** » 31 Mar 2015, 15:11

Sorry Whynd - my post crossed with yours. Great minds think alike.

Maureen

Unread post by **Whynd1** » 31 Mar 2015, 15:25

I was thinking ng that if it was me my eavesway coach departs at 8.15 am so I would have left home approx 7.30 am. Just wondered in that situation what would happen.

Shame for both sets of passengers what a way to end one cruise and start another.

Lindsey

Unread post by **Kenmo1** » 31 Mar 2015, 16:29

It looks like PO are reimbursing accommodation for people who will have to find hotels for tonight and crediting people for CPS (presumably for those still stuck on board).. The cruise has been shortened to 3 days.

I suppose some people might lose a day's pay if they are due back at work tomorrow.

Apparently the Oriana is now berthed near to the QE11 terminal but it is not a safe place to disembark or embark passengers so presumably it will move this evening or overnight to a safe berth.

The response to how PO have dealt with this seems to be good from the posts on facebook.

Maureen

Unread post by **Quizzical Bob** » 31 Mar 2015, 19:58

Three tugs alongside her at the moment near the QE terminal so maybe she's on the move. The wind's still gusty but should decrease overnight. This is the problem with the older ladies of the fleet, they don't have the thrusting abilities of the younger ones.

Unread post by **Kenmo1** » 31 Mar 2015, 20:23

QB, wasn't that chap lucky to be rescued from the overturned tug last night. It sounds like sheer chance that someone saw his arm move. I had always thought that Southampton Water would be a fairly safe haven. It just shows how dangerous it could have been for Oriana trying to dock. I read an entry on facebook that indicated the Oriana had hit a wall.

Maureen.

Unread post by **Quizzical Bob** » 31 Mar 2015, 20:40

Kenmo1 wrote:
QB, wasn't that chap lucky to be rescued from the overturned tug last night. It sounds like sheer chance that someone saw his arm move. I had always thought that Southampton Water would be a fairly safe haven. It just shows how dangerous it could have been for Oriana trying to dock. I read an entry on facebook that indicated the Oriana had hit a wall.

Maureen.

Yes indeed, very lucky.

Oriana is now on the move:

http://www.dailyecho.co.uk/news/1263025 ... ed/?ref=ar

Unread post by **Meg 50** » 31 Mar 2015, 21:18

Whynd1 wrote:
If you had already left on say the eavesway coach very early in the morning what would happen, would p and o put you up somewhere

P&O have found, and paid for hotels for the night

Unread post by **oldbluefox** » 01 Apr 2015, 08:34

I hope Michele and her husband are alright, especially as it's their anniversary. At this rate she'll be down to her last pair of shoes and they've not even set off!!

Unread post by **Dancing Queen** » 01 Apr 2015, 09:52

oldbluefox wrote:
I hope Michele and her husband are alright, especially as it's their anniversary. At this rate she'll be down to her last pair of shoes and they've not even set off!!

Won't be a problem Foxy she can pop into West Quays this morning and buy a couple of new pairs

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