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Original poster

P&O Cruise-Anyone done LaCoruna, Bilbao, La Rochelle, Brest?

59 replies

Smutti · 05/05/2007 16:33

We haven't booked any excursions yet, are hoping it's easy to get a taxi or bus into centres. Is this the case? ~Also Wondering if anyone has info on where to go, got DSs, 6 and 2.5 y.o.

Any places have a beach within easy reach?

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Original poster
Smutti · 05/05/2007 17:23

bump

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Original poster
Smutti · 05/05/2007 18:55

bumpity bump

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marbeth · 05/05/2007 23:03

Hi Smutti
Is this the Oceana cruise in May. We are going on this cruise.Last year we went to Brest. Went to Oceanopolis. We found this excellant. Did not go with the organised trip. Buses available from port which stopped outside. Our Ds really enjoyed it and we are planning to go back this year.In La Rochelle we visited 2 musuems, side by side which were excellant for children. There also is a nice castle.The other ports we have not visited.P and O run free buses into all the ports we tend to do this as it works well we can go ashore for a morning and be back on board for the afternoon.

mysonsmummy · 05/05/2007 23:21

we were on the Bilbao last august when it ran into a snall boat and killed the fishermen on board. the captain said something had been caught round the propeller and we delayed in 1 day - yes now we know what it was.

tubismybub · 05/05/2007 23:26

sorry to hijack have been looking at P&O cruises for norway. Do you recomend them for families DS wil be nearly three if we go

marbeth · 05/05/2007 23:32

Yes excellant holiday for children. Child care facilities are really good. The ships are very child friendly.

tubismybub · 05/05/2007 23:38

I take it they are not quite as big and formal as some other cruise ship though?

Original poster
Smutti · 06/05/2007 17:18

Not quite as big it's true (preferable IMO). I found Aurora to be quite formal - loads of people got dressed up for dinner, even on the non-formal nights. Def child friendly. Can't wait!

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Original poster
Smutti · 06/05/2007 17:24

Marbeth - yes it is the Spring Bank Oceana cruise. Are you as giddy as I am? Thanks so much for this info. It is especially reassuring to know that P&O do buses - a fact they neglect to mention, when trying to sell you the excursions at a whopping price! Can you name the La Rochelle museums? Could be a good option if the weather isn't good. Looked at the Oceanopolis website. Looks ideal (we have season tickets for The Deep in Hull - kids love that).

I like the idea of being able to come back on board for the afternoon - chance to make use of facilities, and as we are planning on doing the kids' high tea thing, it won't be so rushed.

We did "Guernsey" when we went on a taster Aurora 3 nighter a couple of years back. Only downside was a ticket-system for queuing to get off by tender. We found a nice place for coffee, then had a little walk and ended up at a nearby stony beach (next to cafe where we had lunch). Not an exciting trip, but ideal with LOs- and we were back on board in good time.

How old's your DS? Thanks again.

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Original poster
Smutti · 06/05/2007 17:26

We "did" Guernsey even

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fairyjay · 06/05/2007 17:45

We were on Oceana last summer, although our kids are older. On the whole the trips are better organised independently - you can do what you want, and you're not having to think about 40+ other people. There always seemed to be plenty of transport available at the ports, although we didn't visit any of those you mention.

We're off again at Christmas, and I've been looking on Trip Advisor for some tips on the ports we'll be visiting - you might find that useful.

HTH.

Original poster
Smutti · 06/05/2007 17:47

Aha -never thought of Trip Advisor! Will look now. Thanks

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marbeth · 06/05/2007 18:08

Hi Smutti

Our ds is 9.This will be the first time he will be in the 9-12 group.A little apprehensive about this as the children can leave without getting signed out.He is quite young for 9. Last year he really enjoyed the 5-8 year old club and could not wait to go each day.The museums we visited were musee des Automates and musee des modeles Reduits. Had to search on google for the names.The 1st one has over 300 puppets. The 2nd has trasport models including trains.I think the cost per adult was 10 euros for a joint ticket.We have opted for freedom dining this time so it will be interesting to see how it works.

littlemissbossy · 06/05/2007 18:13

Haven't done the cruise but have been to Brest and La Rochelle. Second Oceanopolis, it really is excellent. La Rochelle is lovely - fabulous shopping

InTheseShoes · 06/05/2007 19:14

Sorry ladies, just crashing your thread to wish you a Bon Voyage and at you going off with P and O - the two best holidays we have ever had were on Arcadia (now no more I think) and Aurora - the Aurora one was the three week Med holiday to Cairo and other fabulous places. That was 6 years ago, and we haven't been since; we came home with a very special souvenir from Aurora - DS! Now he is 6, we were thinking of taking him on a cruise this year, but has had to be delayed due to the imminent arrival of a souvenir from the slightly less glamorous Manchester (DD/DS2!)

Great to hear such positive feedback of taking LOs on a cruise, definitely on our agenda for within the next couple of years, and the one you're describing sounds perfect!

Original poster
Smutti · 06/05/2007 21:34

InTheseShoes - thanks! The night nursery/slumber parties are just fab. Just a word of warning; we booked well over a year ago, and cabin choice was already dwindling!

Thanks, too Littlemissbossy. During high school, we used the "Tricolore" French books, and La Rochelle was mentioned throughout. It has been an ambition of mine since then, to go into L'Office de Tourisme and ask, "Est-ce qu'il est possible louer des velos, a La Rochelle?" Of course when it comes to it, I'm sure I won't!

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Original poster
Smutti · 06/05/2007 21:38

Marbeth - Thanks for the museum info. They sound good. Transport models will go down particularly well with my two! (DSs, 6 and 2.5)

Not sure how it happened, but Freedom Dining was never mentioned when we booked - only read about it since (must do my homework better in future). Anyway, we have opted for second sitting, in the hope that we can settle them. On Aurora, DS1 (then 3) actually ended up at the slumber party, falling asleep in front of a film. slightly cruel, but it wasn't for long - and he never woke when we took him back to the cabin.

Anyway, we are optimistic that if we have any problems with LOs and need to change our dining arrangements, they'll surely accommodate us?

(But I'm so hoping they'll settle so we can have some "us" time!)

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Original poster
Smutti · 06/05/2007 21:40

In theseShoes: Forgot to add, good luck for the safe and speedy arrival of No2!

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marbeth · 06/05/2007 21:48

Hi Smutti

They are good at changing dining arrangements if needed. Last year we had booked second sitting and wanted to change to first and had no problem doing so.Are you a member of cruise connections on P and O website. We find this really good for answering any questions.weare all getting excited now as this day 3 weeks we will be at sea.

Original poster
Smutti · 06/05/2007 21:56

Hi Marbeth.

No, not joined Cruise Connections.... sounds like a good idea. That's good to hear about the dining. It's not just the children thing; we haven't secured a table for 2 this time- we're on a table for four. I would imagine that how you get on with the other couple, could either make or ruin your hol!

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marbeth · 06/05/2007 22:10

Hi Smutti

If you are on a table for 4,does that not count your ds's. Our ds has always been counted in the table number. When we were on a table for 6. There was always an empty space as ds prefered to go to children's dinner.

Original poster
Smutti · 06/05/2007 22:14

Ohhhh... so perhaps we are going to look like the couple nobody wanted to sit with??! Presumed it was us and 2 others, since we had a table for 2 (not 3) when with DS before, but I do see your point, which does look totally valid!

Must go to bed now. If I think of anything else, I may be here asking you again, if that's OK?

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marbeth · 06/05/2007 22:17

Hi Smutti

Feel free to ask any questions you may have.

Original poster
Smutti · 08/05/2007 15:59

Hi Marbeth,

Just got round to looking up some stuff and found GoogleEarth is really good for sussing out what's where in relation to the docks. La Coruna looks v nice - lovely old square just behind the marina and a huge beach in possible walking distance.

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marbeth · 08/05/2007 18:24

Thanks Smutti for the information re La Coruna.Have Your tickets arrived yet? You can board earlier now. When we went on Oriana we were on board by 13.30. Which was great as we were able to get lunch and had time to explore before we had to go to muster stations.we arrived really early so ended up with boarding cards A. After the suites and gold passengers we were the 1st set to get on.

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