P&O Oceana
 

Does anybody know anything about P&O's Oceana Believe it was acquired from Princess but still pretty new. I'm considering a Christmas cruise aboard her but know next to nothing about P&O. Would you compare it with, say, Celebrity in terms of quality?

Hi Judy,<BR><BR>The Oriana is a new ship (will be).<BR>I imagine the crew will be British as with all P&O ships except the Australian market Pacific Sky.<BR><BR>It is supposed to have 5 pools which is unusual for a ship that is only 77,000 tons and 856 feet. It is to have children's and teenager's rooms.<BR><BR>P&O is an extremely large shipping company and is the parent of Princess Cruises. P&O Cruises is not going to be merged/sold to RCCL or Carnival.<BR><BR>I have no idea what the cruise experience is like since I have never sailed a P&O ship. I took a walk-through of the Oriana when it was in the Canary Isands and I was very impressed.<BR><BR>The cruise line is said to be more elegant than Princess or Celebity. About equal to HAL or Cunard. The Brits are fussy vacationers and I am sure would not sail a line that was inferior. I am sure you will not be disappointed if you can afford the cruise price.<BR><BR>Paul<BR><BR>

Paul: PLEASE read the quwestion THOROUGHLY before you start to answer. The poster asked about the OCEANA (ex-Princess Cruises' "Ocean Princess") not the ORIANA. Just like the last post...you jumped all over the Regal EMPRESS when the poster asked abour the Regal PRINCESS.

I have been on the Oriana..but if you want more info about P&O why not try a British cruise board:www.shiphappens.co.uk<BR><BR>They are a pretty knowledgeable bunch ober there. Alos there are reviews of P&O ships in Cruise critic and cruise addicts which will give you some ideas. I wrote about the Oriana after a cruise in June this year.<BR><BR>Cheers Anniel

Don't get nervous Sandy. My message was too brief. Sorry.<BR><BR>I did not see the Oceana this is why I said I viewed the Oriana when it was in port to see how elegant the new P&O ships are.<BR><BR>The Oceana is new to P&O. It is still a new ship since it was delivered to Princess in February 2000 as the Ocean Princess. It will be transfered over to P&O next month therefore it is new to them.<BR><BR>Happy cruisin'<BR><BR>Paul<BR><BR>

We are sailing on her november 29th - ft.lauderdale, cozumel,grand cayman, aruba, barbados, st. lucia, antigus, st. maarten, princess cay. ft. l. Can!t wait - saw her last november in ft. l as ocean princess. We have a room on riveria deck or lido as they have renamed it with small balcony. 49 days

FYI<BR><BR>P&O are generally rated as a 4 - 5 Star grade. Yes we Brits are quite a fussy bunch where cruises are concerned. P&O generally appeals to the older market as its quite pricy. If you're happy being around quite a few older pple then go for it... Its an experiance never to be forgotten.Great but were the youngest on board.. If you prefer the majority to be around the younger age group then you are probably better off opting for Princess or RCI.<BR>For a bit more info have a look at www.choosingcruising.com<BR><BR>Enjoy

SORRY Link should read www.choosingcruises.co.uk

Thanks, everyone. Bummer, but I get a "cannot be found" message when I try both sites suggested. Think I'll go though. And, jeez, give Paul a break! Oriana...Oceana...I can see the similarity! Thanks for responding.

Yes, we need to cut Paul some slack. He's getting old and when he goes to his reference material he sometimes gets things a little mixed up. You know, like the Oriana is not a new ship (or will be as he says) and its not 77,000 tons - the Oceana is. Stuff like that will happen when you pretend that you've done something that you pull out of a book or brochure.

SORRY 3rd time lucky<BR><BR>http://www.choosingcruising.co.uk/