Cruising _Newbie

That's perfect thank you! i understand that every cruise is different but a guide to timings is what i was looking for so that gives me a great place to start.  I think like you i'd like to explore the ship on our own, all part of the fun.  If the times are the same for me then we will have plenty of time for Mdina which is exciting - all depending on what time our cabin is allocated now!  Thank you!

On 2/12/2020 at 12:53 AM, HappyGiraffe said:

We sailed from Valletta on Oceana about 18 months ago so will do my best to answer!

 

1. See above! 

 

2. We were on-board midday-ish, went straight for lunch in the buffet and from what I remember the "cabins are ready" announcement was at about 12.40. Could be a bit later another time as there were lots on our cruise who had also been on board the week before so less cabins to change over! As Denarius says, our luggage didn't appear until later while we were out exploring but our cabin steward took it in for us. Also allow for a bit of time between arriving at the port and getting on board as you need to check in and have passports checked, and though they're very efficient if several coaches arrive at the same time it could take a bit longer.

 

3. Muster was scheduled for 8pm (although ended up being pushed back a bit as a flight was late). I would think it's unlikely to be much earlier but double check when you are boarding or ask your cabin steward. There's also always a board as you leave the ship showing the time everyone must be back on board.

 

There should be plenty of time to visit Valletta before you sail, especially as the town is an easy walk from the port and there's a lot of interesting things quite close together. Was there anywhere in particular you hoped to go?

 

Just as an example of how much can be crammed in to an afternoon, we dumped our hand luggage in our cabin and were off the ship again at around 1pm,  walked along towards the town, took the Barrakka Lift up the hill, saw the Malta Experience cinema show and Sacra Infermeria tour, stopped for a quick ice cream, explored the war museum at Fort St Elmo, walked back down by the harbour, did a harbour tour in a motorised-gondola water taxi, walked back to the ship and still managed to fit in supper in the buffet before muster! It was probably a bit too much, but we enjoyed it. Thank goodness we had a sea day after to recover! 

Fantastic thank you so much for the information, that is exactly what i was looking for!  I'm excited to see Valletta now as i think even if there are delays in checking in etc we should still get a couple of hours. 

I was hoping to hop in a taxi and visit Mdina, it's a 20 minute taxi ride each way so would need to decide on the day if we can actually do it.  Failing that Valletta itself looks like a beautiful place to visit you certainly managed to fit in a hectic itinerary, that's pretty much our speed so if we can do Mdina in a 2 hour turnaround (want to be as close to the ship as possible on our first day, just in case 🙂 ) then we can still cover a little ground in Valletta! 

I didn't know that the buffet restaurant would be open on embarkation, great to know as i'm diabetic so need to make sure i fit lunch in (always travel with a 'just in case' pack too). 77 Days to go now!! 

On 2/11/2020 at 5:58 PM, Denarius said:

1. If you arrive on a P&O charter flight your luggage will be taken direct from the plane to the ship. If you are on a scheduled flight, you will need to collect it at the airport in the usual manner and take it to the coach.

2. You cabin may be ready but your luggage may take several hours to arrive in your cabin.

3. When I sailed from Malta on Oceana last October safety muster was after 8pm but this depends on when the last flights are due to land. You will be informed of the time when you join the ship.

Thank you so much that makes it much clearer, we are on a charter flight booked through P&O as part of our cruise package so that will make things much easier for us.  A general muster time is what i was looking for so that is perfect, thank you for the information! 

Yep, another question!! my planning is coming along but i can't seem to find any info on the following:

1. We are arriving via plane to Malta and transferring on the P&O Coach to Port - do we have to collect luggage at the terminal in Malta and take it to the coach?

2. We should arrive approx 12.30 at the Port.  Is it likely that our cabin will be ready for us and how long after that does it take for the luggage to arrive?

3. What time do they usually do muster?  We are due to leave the port at 9pm and i'd like to see Malta for a bit of the day so just trying to plan around check in, luggage and muster to see what time (if any) we will have to look around Valletta! 

Thank you :) - and apologies- I warned you I was a planner!

12 minutes ago, pete14 said:

Have a look at some of the tours provided by P&O and find out which takes the longest time. If what you are hoping to do takes longer, it may be an idea to rethink. 

Great idea, thank you!  i've started to list them all and get start and end times so that should be fairly easy to do now.

20 minutes ago, AndyMichelle said:

Depends which port? 

Many sailings seem to be tea time ish, but Bergen, for instance, is often around 2pm if last stop before heading home. 

Port authorities should have a published schedule. 

Andy 

Ah thanks, worth knowing, i might do a couple of choices and decide on board when we find out exact times.

What time do you need to be back on board the ship when at port?  I am looking at doing a couple of self guided excursions but not sure what time to aim at getting back for to be safe.  

Thank you!  🙂

2 minutes ago, groovechick said:

If you don't like what's available in the main dining rooms, there is also the buffet, which has themed nights (Asian, Indian, Italian, etc.) and the additional charge speciality restaurants (Sindhu = Indian, Beach House - American diner-style and Epicuran - fine dining). The menus for these payable restaurants work on a weekly rotation, so you will know what's available well in advance, and the buffet theme nights are advertised in the Horizon. I believe there are also sample menus for the MDR and payable restaurants available to view on the P&O website.

Thats great thankyou!  How soon do you know how many formal nights there are and themed nights?  I haven't seen any info on these yet?

Cruising in 94 days and counting!

1 minute ago, groovechick said:

I don't think the menus are available to everyone the night before. It's usually for people who have special dietary requirements and similar so the chefs can tell them whether their choice contains any allergens, for example, and whether they can provide an alternative. I think the waiters would get fed up if everyone started asking for the menu the night before, as they are already rushed off their feet and it's just one more thing for them to do. Also the menus may be subject to change - sometimes they expect to take on a load of local fish at a port, say, which they've planned on the menu (the menu usually features a dish local to the country or port you're visiting), and then it's not available so they have to rethink.

Makes sense thanks 🙂

Thanks for the tip, if you select 'add to basket' on the excursion rather than 'details' you get the start time and in the details tab you get the length of the excursion so it's easier to work out now, it's the small things that keep me happy!

16 minutes ago, Vampiress88 said:

I’m like you in which I like to plan everything. It kills me not to know everything. I would like them to tell me the menus, the shows, any quizzes and entertainment at least a month in advance. With a cruise I think it’s very difficult for them to do which is why they don’t. I just try and go with the flow on the ship. I try and see if there is a discount to book for the specialty restaurants on the first night then I kinda go from there. Usually depends on what food they are serving. If nothing takes my fancy I’ll try beach house or something. Kinda difficult when the menu sometimes doesn’t come out till 11 and it’s outside the restaurant door. 
 

 

oh I didn't know the menu's were only available the night before too, at least if i know of these things in advance i won't stress about finding out beforehand!  I'll plan what i can and then try and chill out about the rest, wish me luck with that one though!

Thank you so much that's incredibly helpful!  I'm a planner so it pains me not to know every detail 😂  The port information will really help with that!

I didn't realise there would be two shows which makes things easier too.  I'm sure i'll be back with more questions once i've figured a few more details out!

I think we will book one or two excursions where the city centre is a good drive from the ship to ease my anxiety!  

After the advice, i'll certainly be booking the spa onboard, thankyou!

Please forgive my ignorance but this is my first cruise and I have so many questions!!

I'm travelling with P&O Oceana on 30.4.20 for 1 week.  I've accessed the online planner and am trying to figure out what to book for when.  My issue is that there are no times available for anything i.e the evening entertainment, what time the shore excursions start and finish.  I've booked the early dining so we can see the shows, not sure if this is necessary?  Do they release timings ahead of the cruise or do they only give you these details when you are onboard?

Also, can you prebook spa treatments as i don't currently have the option?

Thanks!