Welcome to family-friendly Oceana. Fun and relaxing, this superliner has a 'wow factor' all her own. Perfect for fun-loving individuals who want more from their time away, this ship offers copious options for relaxation, rejuvenation and socialising. Endless diversions and an informal atmosphere beckon on board. You can play a game of five-a-side or tennis in her sports court, ingeniously housed within her funnel. Peruse the shops in Regent Street. Luxuriate in a jacuzzi. Surf the net or email home in Explorers. And tone your body while you soothe your mind in the ocean-view gymnasium. Read on to see what two of our Sales Consultants thought about their visit.....

Sales Consultant Jay and her partner Andrew sailed on Oceana's 'Caribbean Isles' itinerary departing 8 Dec 2006. Flying out to Barbados to meet the pristine ship, Jay was impressed with how quick the embarkation was.
'We were taken by bus straight from the aircraft to the ship. Although the queues appeared rather lengthy it didn't take long at all. As we stepped aboard we were overwhelmed by Oceana's grand atrium, and we were greeted by immaculately dressed officers.'

They enjoyed a cocktail out on deck for the 'sailaway', before returning to their cabin to find their luggage awaiting them. They found their outside cabin to be spacious enough with a large window offering magnificent sea views, along with ample wardrobe space. However inviting it was, with so much to do on board they didn't have much time to spare in the cabin.

'Our cabin steward came and introduced himself within half an hour of us arriving, and he really couldn't do enough for us. We were always met with a warm smile, that goes for the entire staff on board.'

Jay and Andrew opted for Oceana's Freedom Dining, as they preferred to keep evening arrangements flexible, meaning they could dine in the inviting Ligurian restaurant when and with whom they liked. They suggest those who prefer really getting to know their table companions, the Club Dining option would be more suitable. And of course Oceana's Select Dining venues offer variety and a change of scene. You can even dine beneath the stars at her Horizon Grill or for bistro style fare in The Plaza.

Also on the same itinerary was Sales Consultant Lisa and her friend Rachel. They chose Oceana as they knew she would provide a friendly, sociable atmosphere, not just aimed at couples. Lisa wanted the freedom to disembark and soak up the sun on a tropical beach most days, or easily find a sun-lounger around the pool. With a wide age range on board they knew they would have fun and meet new people, yet still experience the luxury surroundings and first-class service of a premium cruise line.

'A cruise holiday offers so much more than a land-based holiday. We visited ten fabulous exotic ports; on board the prices of drinks and duty-free were very reasonable, and we got to experience professional entertainment in the show lounges. Of an evening there were bars aplenty, Le Club for those who like to dance, and the restaurants produced mouth-watering cuisine 24-hours a day. Families were certainly well catered for, with kids clubs and a separate pool area for the younger ones. What more could you ask for?'

Pictured opposite: Rachel, Lisa and Jay.

Lisa and Rachel found the information on shore excursions easily available, as these could be watched in the comfort of your own cabin or by attending a port lecture in one of the lounges. These lectures were very informative and helped them decide which places of interest they wanted to visit and gave a brief history of each destination. The excursions were reasonably priced and it gave them the added security of an English speaking guide and air-conditioned transport once ashore. The ports they chose to visit independently they found easy to disembark and embark as they wished.
'The Caribbean is a great place for shopping as well as sunbathing' says Lisa. The girls managed to bag a great outfit for the 'Tropical' themed night, where a deck party was held and every passenger turned out adorning brightly coloured clothes and garlands. The entertainment on board was of such a high standard and had something to suit all tastes, from pool parties to west-end style theme shows.

For both parties, their general opinion appears to be the same. A superliner suited to many tastes, she is the perfect choice for families and newcomers alike.

About Oceana

Oceana commenced sailing with P&O Cruises in November 2002. At the time she was the largest vessel in the fleet, and the first to accommodate over 2000 passengers. In her maiden season, Oceana introduced some new ports of call to P&O Cruises itineraries. These included Cristobal in Panama, Costa Maya in Mexico and Princess Cays, the private island of P&O Cruises sister company, Princess Cruises.
Offering a relaxed cruise experience, Oceana offers a particularly flexible and spontaneous experience. Step on board and her atrium provides a glamorous first impression. Gleaming marble steps invite you to explore further. Glass fronted lifts glide up and down. And palm trees invoke the holiday spirit!

Less about tradition and more about pushing the boundaries of modern cruise travel, Oceana says it all. Step on board and you'll find that whichever grade of accommodation you opt for - there are no more welcoming cabins at sea.

Let's start with the décor. Sumptuous soft furnishings co-ordinate with deep carpet and artwork adorns the walls. You've the choice of twin or double beds and many of the rooms have extra berths. As you'd expect there's a colour TV, direct-dial telephone, refrigerator, safe and a hairdryer. Less expected but extremely welcome, are tea and coffee-making facilities so you can make a drink whenever you like - though, of course, your steward is always on hand to bring drinks, turn your bed down and generally cosset you.

In your bathroom, you'll find private facilities, a powerful shower and apparently limitless supplies of fresh white towels. And that is the very least you can expect. If you opt for a touch more luxury, you'll find cabins with sweeping ocean views, or your own private balcony - the perfect place for breakfast or cocktails. Of course, wherever you choose to stay you'll find that Oceana's immense range of pleasures are yours.

Ship Facts:

• Country of registry United Kingdom
• Entered service May 2003
• Named by HRH The Princess Royal
• Gross tonnage 77,000 tons
• Length overall 260.0 metres (856 feet)
• Service speed 21 knots
• Crew 875
• Regular passenger capacity 2,016
• Passenger decks 11
• Passenger cabins 1008

Click on the ship name to read more staff cruise reviews:
P&O Cruises' Arcadia
P&O Cruises' Oriana
Sea Princess
Ocean Village
Fred Olsen's Braemar
RCI's Voyager of the Seas
Hebridean Spirit
Family Cruising aboard Oceana

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