Oriana X719 to the Med

Reports about cruises on Oriana

Topic author
Linda67
Able Seaman
Able Seaman
Posts: 16
Joined: January 2013

Oriana X719 to the Med

#1

Post by Linda67 »

A quick review but please excuse the lack of commas as it doesn't work on the keyboard! I'll be using a - instead!

We had a forward inside cabin on C deck booked on select fare in March. It was the first time on Oriana since the refit and everywhere looked spotless and very clean.

We had a check in time of 2.40 but we travelled the day before to stay and leave the car with family about 10 miles away and took a taxi to the port - this was booked for 12.30 but turned up at 12.00! We were in the terminal by half 12 and fully expected to wait but were called to check in within 20 minutes and were on board just after 1.00. The cabins were ready so left the hand luggage and ventured up to the buffet. By the time we got back to the cabin the cases were there and so we were unpacked well before muster.

Muster was a bit of a farce - our muster station was the casino and Anderson's but you couldn't get into either so were standing outside the shops - it was all a bit chaotic but at least we were able to get away easily and take the life jackets back to the cabin before sailaway. All cruise cards were scanned.

This was a "discovery" cruise and the ports were El Ferrol Cadiz Ciutadella (Menorca) Olbia Naples Civitavecchia Monte Carlo Palamos and Gibraltar.

Our first discovery was the El Ferrol was a bit of a dive. I had read on Cruise Critic that even a local didn't know why ships docked there! The town itself was rundown with empty shops and graffiti but we went to the Naval Museum (which was free) and very good but think that this is probably the highlight of the town. If we ever go to this port again then we will do an excursion a bit further afield.

Cadiz - on a Sunday and everything was shut! We went for a walk following the path from the port gate and went up through to the park and then onto the beach for a paddle - it was pretty warm and there were plenty of locals on the beach. We walked back through to where the market is and there was the equivalent of a car boot going on (minus the car boots!) where there appeared to be plenty of tat on sale. Again I think an excursion is in order for any future visits - having been here 4 times and only being as far as Jerez previously.

to be continued.....


Topic author
Linda67
Able Seaman
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Posts: 16
Joined: January 2013

Re: Oriana X719 to the Med - Part 2

#2

Post by Linda67 »

.....cont

Ciutadella - this was a maiden call and also a tender port. We were anchored quite away from the harbour which meant that the tender's were taking around an hour each way at one point - we couldn't anchor closer because of protected seaweed! This meant that we had over a 2 hour wait for a tender which meant that we didn't get into the town until half 12 and all the shops shut at either 1 or half past! We had a walk through the town and out to the fort. My other half wasn't feeling great so we decided to head back to the ship - and then we saw the queue for the tender back! I left him under the cover of the gazebo that P & O had erected and joined the queue. They did provide cold flannels and water and the highlight was the lady from the finance department that they had brought out to help - she danced and sang her way up and down the queue of 2 to 300 hundred people handing out the flannels and water - they really should have had her in the entertainment team.

Olbia - we did an excursion here - a boat trip through the archipelago to Maddelena Island. I had read a review on here from somebody who had done this trip and said how good it was - so we booked it. It was really good! There was time for a swim when we arrived at the island and the water was really clear but unfortunately there were some jellyfish and some were stung by them. As we boarded the ferry back we were handed a cold bottle of water each along with a plastic cup and cutlery set. They then provided plastic dishes which contained olives cheese salami and some sort of flat breads - similar to a poppadom - as a Coeliac and not expecting this - I was unable to have any but my other half said it was all good. There was also white wine and the a bowl of grapes each was brought round. All in all a good trip and value for money.

Naples - the highlight for us. We did the excursion to Mount Vesuvius and Herculaneum. There were only about 27 of us on the tour which took us part of the way up Vesuvius and then we walked the rest of the way. It was hard work for us fairly unfit people but well worth it. It was a perfect day weather wise and we had a view right over the bay of Naples and surrounding areas - absolutely stunning. We then had lunch at a hotel back at the foot of Vesuvius - I had been to the excursion desk to advise of my dietary needs but the guide we had also checked with any requirements on the coach on the way to the hotel. It was quite a plush hotel and as soon as we sat down I was given gluten free bread so was fairly confident I would be ok (I have quite a violent reaction to gluten so if in any doubt I wouldn't have eaten anything but had taken a couple of snacks with me). There was wine and bottles of water on the tables and a basket of bread. It was then a salad followed by cannelloni (I had gluten free pasta in a tomato sauce) followed by a tiramusu like pudding ( I had fruit). After lunch we went to Herculaneum - amazing. We had such a good guide who was informative yet fun and so kept our attention. Probably the best excursion we have any done.

to be continued....


Topic author
Linda67
Able Seaman
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Posts: 16
Joined: January 2013

Re: Oriana X719 to the Med

#3

Post by Linda67 »

.....cont

Civitavecchia - we opted for a more relaxing day after yesterday and went on a wine tasting tour. Again very good - we went to a lake first and from there to the wineyard. We tasted 4 wines in total - 2 white - 1 red and a dessert wine. Again there was an unexpected amount of food and I did ask one of the servers if anything was suitable (in pigeon Italian learned from a pasta packet!) and was brought some gluten free crackers on a plate with prosciutto and tomato. The others had french bread with tomatoes - some with olive oil - pate - then goats cheese - a plate of meats followed by almond biscuits.

Monte Carlo - we were docked and walked to the Oceanography Museum - we got directions from the Tourist Information in the terminal building and got there as it opened. You could buy a combined ticket with the Palace but only did the Oceanography Museum. This was 14 euros but had a 2 euro deduction for a voucher from a booklet given to us. There is an aquarium on the ground floor which was deserted when we went in and was fabulous. We then did the rest of the museum. We then went on the little train which started and ended right outside the museum. It was 9 euros and went right round the harbour and up to the casino and back. Unfortunately the Monaco boat show had just ended so they were packing up so there were hoardings and little pop up tent things all around so couldn't get a clear view. We then walked back down through the town and then up to the Casino - what a different world!

Palamos - this was the first time a P&O ship had been here since 1969 (I think). This was our 5th port in 5 days and it was drizzling so maybe we didn't appreciate the place as much as we would have done had it been sunny. There was also a protest in the town following the Catalan vote for independence. It has a nice beach and is a small town but we had a bit of a wander and returned to the ship for a bit of a catch up on sleep!

Gibraltar - to be continued!

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oldbluefox
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Location: Cumbria

Re: Oriana X719 to the Med

#4

Post by oldbluefox »

Thank you Linda. Nice to read about some different ports although there were excursions there which we have never done so hopefully next time.

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Gill W
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Re: Oriana X719 to the Med

#5

Post by Gill W »

Sounds like some really interesting ports. Great that your dietary requirements were looked after too.

Will look forward to reading more
Gill


cruisin_duo
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Re: Oriana X719 to the Med

#6

Post by cruisin_duo »

Thank you for the review. Enjoyed hearing about Oriana.

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barney
Deputy Captain
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Joined: March 2013
Location: Instow Devon

Re: Oriana X719 to the Med

#7

Post by barney »

Thanks for the review Linda
We have a soft spot for the Oriana.
Empty vessels .. and all that

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Kenmo1
First Officer
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Re: Oriana X719 to the Med

#8

Post by Kenmo1 »

Very interested to read your review, Linda. I see you weren't very impressed with El Ferrol, a 'discovery' port. We felt much the same about Corigliano Calabro which we visited last week on Oriana on a Discovery Cruise and it can only be described as a bit of a dump. Dog mess all over the pavements and grim looking steep streets. Its only saving grace was the Castello Ducale with an entrance fee of 5 euros. It was a pleasure to walk round with some stunning rooms.

I think P&O are struggling to find decent new ports for their cruises. The only good thing to come out of visiting such ports is that you come home thinking how lucky we are to have some wonderful places to visit in the UK.

Maureen

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Manoverboard
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Location: Dorset

Re: Oriana X719 to the Med

#9

Post by Manoverboard »

El Ferrol .... is located for visiting a number of very beautiful places in Galicia.
Keep smiling, it's good for your well being

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