We booked the cruise as a postponed honeymoon, we had been on the Oceana 2 years previously and hadn't wanted to revisit. However it was the itinerary we wanted. Previous to joining the ship we stayed at the Sofitel at Gatwick a great way to start your holiday. The flight was chartered via Thomson and the check in was so smooth, the next time we saw our luggage was in our cabin. P&O have this part of your holiat off to a fine art. We were kep't informed of our pre cruise travel really well and love the cruise personaliser. We researched our shore ex trips and booked them all before boarding.
Once landed in Genoa the journey to the trip is relatively quick and getting through customs was super quick. The check in and embarkation once again was really good, very friendly check in staff, then the usual photo as you are about to board. Once on board, there was no cabin staff to show you to your cabin, just pointed in the right direction and find your own way. The last time we were on board, we were informed the ship was going into dry dock for a refit, we were intrigued to see what changes had been done. That will be none then, nothing has changed and the ship is looking really, really tired. We registered our son for the Reef and the team here are great, the activities are really good and he loved going on an evening, whilst we we dined as preferred to go to the children's tea. The reef team really engage with the children and also know how to converse at all levels.
Our first evening we dined as a family in the Horizon Grill, the food was nice, the cover charge to eat here is quite expensive for the choices and sizes, the service was terrible and considering the restaurant wasn't full, the food did take a long time to come out. The restuarant staff were more bothered about people walking through. The migration of passengers is very confusing. We travelled to Pisa on the next day whilst docked in Livorno, our local guide was really good and we were escorted by one of the ships photographers whom decided to fall asleep on the back seat and then badgered everyone for photographs. Day at sea was very relaxing, the crew once again were stretched and more bothered about throwing people of their sunbeds than actually servicing the decks. It was quicker and easier to go to the bar than wait for a waiter.
Once we got into our cabin, we were greeted by Chetan, who was excellent, very friendly and always smiling. However, the cabin is tired, cracked tiles in the bathroom, cracked and dirty plastic in the shower, the remainder of the previous occupants underwear, snoring strips and children's socks under the bed. These were sorted howver, I do question on what level are these cleaned in the short time they have to turn around the cabins.