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Taster Mini Cruise on Oriana |
| Reviewed By: Baldwin, Heaton Moor, Stockport on 6th Jun 2008 |
| Cruise Line: P&O Cruises |
Times cruised before: 6-10 |
| Cruise Ship: Oriana |
Sailed:
May,
2008 |
| Destination: Northern Europe |
Age: 56-65 |
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Embarkation at Southampton was very good with car parking, luggage and passenger drop off all sited within a couple of hundred feet. Registration was quick and easy and we were on board within half hour of arrival.
Oriana is an older ship but still has many qualities we liked. It is very British in styling and comfort with most areas being subtle and refined and not brash and bold.
The cabins were like most cruise ship cabins with all that you needed in a slightly confined space. Cabins were clean and tidy and there were some extra touches such as a tray of hard boiled sweets and a “Spa” treatment pack in the bathroom. Wardrobe space was good and plenty of coat hangers were provided. Tea and coffee making facilities were in the cabin and I asked our steward for hot chocolate sachets for bedtime, which unfortunately were not forthcoming. Bathroom was good with very good hot shower. Pool towels only appeared on the last day, not that we really needed them!
The Oriental and Penninsular main restaurants situated on deck 6 provided all main meals. Seating was allocated in either one from the start. The Oriental was smaller and had a more intimate atmosphere whilst the Penninsular was lighter and brighter and was used for lunch and afternoon tea as it was slightly larger than the Oriental. Meals were generally very good, not oversize portions but more than adequate. A good selection, 5 courses with coffee and/or tea. Afternoon tea here included crumpets and clotted cream served with the soft scones.
The Conservatory restaurant served as the main buffet which we did not use at all after the first day as we found it too busy. The seating area seemed inadequate for the numbers of people and the serving areas always had large queues at the hot selections area. And with the serveries facing each other in the centre of the buffet area it made the congestion seem even worse. The best bit about the conservatory was the tierred terracing at the rear of the ship. A lovely area to sit and eat, drink or doze. This area was used as an altenative dinning venue, “Terrace Grill” and for an additional cover charge of £7.50 provided a nice area for moonlight dinning. Another alternative dinning venue was the “Oriana Rhodes”. This attracted a £15 per head additional cover charge. The food here was very good and the service exceptional. Worth a try especially if you have a special occasion. However as the food to me in the main restaurants was also very good I would only use the alternative venues once or twice.
Al Frescos on deck 12 offered a very small almost 24 hour dinning alternative but with only a limited choice. Bacon Panninis and Salmon and Cream Cheese Bagels for breakfast. Pizza, Pasta and soup for lunch along with a small cheese, cold meat, cereals and selection of fruit salads and sweets. This area offered speciality coffees at additional cost too. This area was one we frequented alot. Pleasnant atmosphere and good snacks especialy late night sandwiches served between 22.00 and 06.30.
Entertainment, not that good. Having recently returned from a far east cruise on RCI’s Rhapsody where I thought the Vegas satyle stage shows were excellent. The ones on Oriana were not as good and the venue with its single storey stage didn’t possibly help. The other area used for cabaret acts etc , the Pacific Lounge, was similar but with pillars restricting views in some areas. Other entertainment was poor with a large proportion of on board activities directly costing or in indirectly trying to sell things.
Other lounges, Andersons, Lord Taverners, Crows Nest and Harlequins were excellent. Atmospheres in each representing the type of bar from subtle reading room to more brash disco dance floor. There was somewhere for everyone and the service was extremely good. Wine, beer and spirits were I think overpriced, wine especially. I expect to pay more than in the shops but with many recognisable wines selling for 4 or 5 times their comparable supermarket prices in the UK I do think P&O are trying to fleece us alittle. No service charge is shown as extra on the bill so it must be included I asuume around 15% but still no reason to hike the prices this much.
Service generally was excellent with waiters being able to remember our likes and dislikes after only two or three nights in the restaurant and bar staff being polite and couteous. I was even politely turned way from one bar as I was not formally dressed at the time and the bar was a formal dress area. I actually believe this should happen more and dress code should be politely enforced. Unfortunately for the first time ever our cabin steward did not benefit from his full gratuity. Service earns rewards, no service or reduced service means reduced gratuities. I dony agree with the adding of tips to the onboard account. This creates a non service atmosphere and like many cruisers I am not sure whether the money actually gets to the crew!
Generally we enjoyed ourselves a lot and will probably go again on Oriana if the cruise and price are right.
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| Quality of Food |  |
| Generally good. Oriana Rhodes excellent. Al Frescos a nice atmosphere and good if limited selection | | Entertainment |  |
| Stage style shows not as good as seen previously. Small stage and single storey theatre may have made the presentation worse. Other onboard entertainment poor and primarily designed to directly or indirectly part yopu from your money. | | Shore Excursions | n/a |
| | Staff |  |
| Very good. Polite, courteous and willing to help. Exception was cabin Steward who slipped up on requests and some basic cabin cleanliness | | Children's Facilities | n/a |
| | Onboard Activities | |
| As said under entertainment most activities seemed designed to poart you from your money. Quizzes were good and well attended. | | Cabins | |
| Cabin good with everything I needed except hot chocolate sachets! | | Overall Rating | |
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