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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 · 09/05/2007 12:08

Hi Marbeth. No, tickets not arrived yet. Booked through travel agent, so will monitor - they may just forget to ring!

That's good news about boarding. We didn't get on Aurora for quite a while; we arrived mid-late morning and were presented with "M" boarding tickets. My heart sank when I realised they were going to be done alphabetically! The wait with a 2 yo wasn't a great one. I am trying to pursuade DH to get us there as early as poss (we're staying in So'ton the previous night so shouldn't be too hard!). When does check-in open?

We also want to do the "Meet the kids' entertainers" thing as well as the safety talk - so that will eat up another bit of the afternoon.

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NannyL · 09/05/2007 19:18

Have a great time!

I have done norway and arctic with a 2 year old on aurora (June 2005)
baltic with a 3 year old on aurora (june 2006)
carribean with a 4 year old on oceana (feb 2007)
AND am off to the carribean with a 5 year old in feb 2008 on oceana

have a great time... the child care facilties are absolutely fab, and everything you can imagine needing will be provided!

marbeth · 09/05/2007 19:19

Hi Smutti

I think check-in opened around 12.00. We arrived around 11.00. At this stage the doors were not open.There was a small queue.Don't know if we will be so lucky this time.If I remember correctly the youth meeting is directly after the safety talk, just before children's tea. As the do not c open till 18.00 the 1st evening.Hopefully tickets will arrive tomorrow!

marbeth · 09/05/2007 19:21

Thank you NannyL. Was Simon the children's director in Feb. He was on Oceana last year and really good at his job.

NannyL · 09/05/2007 19:27

Yes he was!

he and all the other childrens crew are fab IMO

should my currnet family not want me i would seriously consider working on a cruise ship myself but i cnat see my job finishing for another 3.5 years, more if another baby comes along

oh yes.... chidlrens meeting was directly after safety talk... which you have to attend, so you just go from 1 to the other

Original poster
Smutti · 10/05/2007 13:00

Thanks NannyL

Poor DS1 - shown him the childcare facilities on the web; he looked very disappointed when he saw that DS2's looked better - what a fab pirate ship and paddling pool! (Presumably separate from rest of room). I'm sure when he gets to grips with playstations etc, he will change his mind and have a wonderful time!

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NannyL · 10/05/2007 19:07

oh when he gets there i will change his mind!

the yputh staff make it SO exciting for ALL the children.... it seems to be 1 big party for them all!

Original poster
Smutti · 11/05/2007 14:55

Hi Marbeth - just to let you know, the tickets have arrived at the travel agents!

Re the Cruise connections, I wasn't able to log on after registering, and have emailed them for help, but as yet (day 3) not heard anything.

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marbeth · 11/05/2007 16:27

Smutti, thats good new re tickets. Hopefully ours will arrive in the morning.That is a pity about cruise connections website as it is very informative.I want to see with the tickets if one of the formal nights is black and white. So i can decide what to pack!.We always end up on holiday bringing to much

Original poster
Smutti · 11/05/2007 20:37

Hi Marbeth,

Been to collect the tickets (yes, just a little excited) - can confirm there is a black and white evening. I am dreading packing. I know of 7 pairs of shoes I want to take, without even thinking about it! Then again, this is the beauty of cruising from Southampton, isn't it? - Just fill the car to the brim and empty it at the terminal! I may be able to squeeze in one or two toys...

We've decided we've probably made a mistake fixing our dining time. It would be a lot better to have less pressure of being tied to 8.30. Also, I'm wondering if on the later sitting, you miss the chance to see things afterwards. I'm not heavily "into" being entertained, but last time we caught the last 5 mins of Tom O'Connor; he was hilarious and we realised we'd missed a good act. Anyway, (I don't talk this much in RL!)I rang P&O today, who say there shouldn't be a problem swapping to Freedom, but it has to be done through the t. agent... so back I go tomorrow!

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Original poster
Smutti · 11/05/2007 20:38

I'll gladly fill you in on the other nights if you want - didn't want to spoil it for you.

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Original poster
Smutti · 11/05/2007 20:42

NannyL, I've been wondering about stg:

At first, I thought "wow - imagine an all-expenses paid cruise!" but now I'm intrigued as to how enjoyable it is for you, seeing as you are working? Do you get to "go out" on board at night? (Do you look after the LOs or do they go to Night Nursery?) Am almost intrigued as to why they need you on such a holiday - but then maybe you're almost part of the family?

Hope you don't think I'm being impertinent!

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marbeth · 11/05/2007 21:35

Hi Smutti, Thats really exciting about tickets.Would be interested to know about the other nights.I have still go to decide what to bring for each night. Keep changing my mind!That sounds a good decision re dining.On cruise connections someone had mentioned that with freedom dining you are allocated tables at 18.00 or 18.30 and then 20.00 and 20.30.However someone else mentioned they turned up at 19.00 always got a table. That would suit us better, as it is a rush getting ready for 18.30 especially on formal night by the time we get back from childrens tea.

Original poster
Smutti · 11/05/2007 21:41

Marbeth -(can you tell DH is out tonight?!)

Here goes:-

2 formal, 2 informal, 3 smasual nights.
Themes: 60s and 70s, tropical/carnival, B&W

I won't be wearing flares or a grass skirt! Might manage a lei, though.

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Original poster
Smutti · 11/05/2007 21:46

oh yes - today I read, in the back of the brochure, an insinuation that you can turn up for dinner when you want - and if they can't accommodate you, you can have a drink at the bar while you wait. Sounds OK to me. You're right about the after-tea rush - that's why we didn't dare pick 1st sitting. With our smallest only being 2, there's also a chance that if he doesn't settle in the kids' club, he may be with us - so again, flexibility is the key.

PS Check-in from 12 noon again.

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marbeth · 11/05/2007 21:51

Smutti, thank you for that. Last year we did not have themed nights.On the other cruise on Oriana the only different theme was Black and White.It will be interesting to see if everyone dresses up to themes. DH does not have anything tropical!

marbeth · 11/05/2007 21:54

Thats great about check in. I think we will be up early to travel down. The 2-5 and 5-8 clubs are lovely.The 5-8 have lots of fun. Ds is going to miss that. He is excited about the playstations.

Original poster
Smutti · 11/05/2007 22:13

DS1 got excited when I showed him the promotional DVD - and he saw the Scalextric thing that Ventura has ... then he was let down when I told him it wasn't on our ship!

I think my DS1 will get more out of it, now he's at school and more confident than he was last time.. hopefully he'll want to join in now. He went to Beavers for 1st time last night and wanted me to go! I'm taking that as a good sign. DS2 has started 2 half-days of nursery this year and is now settled - so hopefully that will aid him.

Your DS will be one of the younger ones in his group too, won't he? I don't think it bothers them, as much as it bothers us! I've been looking back at the activity timetable from before; they count for more than the toys/computers etc, really. Really should go to bed now and conserve energy!

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NannyL · 12/05/2007 10:24

if there arnt that many children on vorad the kids club can be flexible about which club the children attend... so if the 9 year old is happy with the 8 year olds, doing 8 year olds activities im sure they wont mind... IF not to busy with otehr children!

Original poster
Smutti · 15/05/2007 19:10

Hi Marbeth. We've managed to change to Freedom dining, so thanks for making us look into it! Have just received a brochure and map from La Coruna Tourist info; looks a lovely place. I emailed them last week (via their website) and they didn't take long to come. However, there seems to be a temporary tourist info on the side of the "Transatlanticos" docks so no doubt they will have some. Hope your tickets have come now.

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Lolly68 · 16/05/2007 15:01

Have a great time we came back last month from a cruise on the Oceana with our DD who is 16months. We had the best time and she absolutely loved it!

marbeth · 16/05/2007 15:45

Lolly68 I am sure we will have a great time.
Smutti, our tickets arrived yesterday.We are getting excited now. That is good news about freedom dining,as hopefully it will give you a little more flexability.
I am trying to decide what to bring. Have a shopping trip planned for Friday.Can't make my mind up about what to bring for the formal nights.

Original poster
Smutti · 17/05/2007 13:34

Thank you Lolly!

Marbeth, glad your tickets have come. Yes, choosing your wardrobe is the downside to a holiday. Fortunately, I think most things "go" as long as you're reasonably within the guidelines. I have got my formal stuff - hopefully it's OK (why do I never remember to do my situps?!). One I got for a Christmas bash; the other I was really lucky with - went to the village for a loaf of bread, came back with a long black evening dress!

Took DH shopping for his stuff last night - was not very successful (he doesn't like shopping at the best of times, let alone after a day at work!). Talked him into getting another dress shirt - do not want to be visiting the laundry if I can help it!

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Original poster
Smutti · 20/05/2007 20:49

One week to go............

Have got all the family on Minadex vitamins etc. Please please please let nobody be ill!

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marbeth · 20/05/2007 21:27

Hi Smutti

Time is going in really quickly now. Started to get everything organised today. We have been looking at the 5 day weather forecast.My DH thinks there must be an error as they have La Rochelle temperature at 31.

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