Oceana changes
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Topic author - Able Seaman
- Posts: 9
- Joined: February 2013
Oceana changes
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
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
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- Senior Second Officer
- Posts: 542
- Joined: January 2013
- Location: Hampshire UK.
Re: Oceana changes
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)
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- Third Officer
- Posts: 138
- Joined: January 2013
- Location: cambridge
Re: Oceana changes
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.
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Topic author - Able Seaman
- Posts: 9
- Joined: February 2013
Re: Oceana changes
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
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
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- Senior First Officer
- Posts: 3819
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- Location: Derbyshire
Re: Oceana changes
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
Jo
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- Third Officer
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- Location: cambridge
Re: Oceana changes
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.
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Topic author - Able Seaman
- Posts: 9
- Joined: February 2013
Re: Oceana changes
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.
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.
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- Third Officer
- Posts: 138
- Joined: January 2013
- Location: cambridge
Re: Oceana changes
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.
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- Second Officer
- Posts: 262
- Joined: January 2013
- Location: Wales
Re: Oceana changes
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
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
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- Third Officer
- Posts: 138
- Joined: January 2013
- Location: cambridge
Re: Oceana changes
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.
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- Deputy Captain
- Posts: 6400
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- Location: Bradley Stoke
Re: Oceana changes
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!
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!
Alan
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- Second Officer
- Posts: 266
- Joined: January 2013
- Location: Cambridge
Re: Oceana changes
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!
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- Able Seaman
- Posts: 11
- Joined: February 2013
- Location: Huddersfield....
Re: Oceana changes
Nice to know that re Cartagena, Bassman67 ... we are visiting there on our cruise on Oceana that leaves a week on Saturday!
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- Able Seaman
- Posts: 14
- Joined: January 2013
- Location: Lincolnshire
Re: Oceana changes
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.
We had a new carpet in our suite as it was still producing the little fluffy bits that new carpets do.
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- Deputy Captain
- Posts: 6400
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- Location: Bradley Stoke
Re: Oceana changes
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!
Alan
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- Senior First Officer
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Re: Oceana changes
I believe you can buy bags of little fluffy bits of carpet on eBayClaire55 wrote: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.
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- Third Officer
- Posts: 119
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Re: Oceana changes
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.
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- Senior Second Officer
- Posts: 576
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Re: Oceana changes
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.
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- Deputy Captain
- Posts: 6400
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- Location: Bradley Stoke
Re: Oceana changes
http://www.cruise-community.me.uk/galle ... lbum_id=76 shows the main changes that I could see to the ship.
Alan
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- Second Officer
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- Location: Cambridge
Re: Oceana changes
The card room looks like a good venue for the Syndicate Quiz, but was it used for that?
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- Deputy Captain
- Posts: 6400
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- Location: Bradley Stoke
Re: Oceana changes
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).
Alan
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- Ex Team Member
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- Location: Cumbria
Re: Oceana changes
'while this was being conducted, some people were still playing games,'
Unbelievable!!
Unbelievable!!
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- Second Officer
- Posts: 266
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- Location: Cambridge
Re: Oceana changes
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"
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- Third Officer
- Posts: 140
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Re: Oceana changes
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"
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- Deputy Captain
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Re: Oceana changes
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.bassman67 wrote: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"
Alan
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