‘SS OCEANIC' REVIEW

Originally intended for Transatlantic service, the delightful 39,000 ton ‘SS Oceanic’ entered service in 1965, but with the dramatic downturn in demand for such liner voyages in the mid 60’s, she effectively went straight into the embryonic cruise industry as a new build.

I have experienced the considerable pleasure of cruising on ‘SS Oceanic’ in 2003, 2004 and 2005. Indeed at his table on Gala Dinner evening in 2005, Captain Roman Krstanovic declared : “This ship is a masterpiece – she has the most beautiful and perfect hull, and after forty years is still a perfect cruise ship!” His admiration and affection for the last remaining of the great Italian liners of the 60’s is eminently understandable. She is every inch a classic, and the ship has proven to be a great success for her current owners, the Spanish company Pullmantur, now part of the ‘RCCL’ empire.

Sailing on her regular Western Mediterranean weekly schedule, departing Barcelona every Monday, she has acquired a formidable reputation for excellence throughout the Spanish cruise market, and is often booked to capacity. Her loyal followers embrace all age groups, and there is usually a sizeable group of British ‘expats’ on board.

Language is simply not a problem. All the officers and most of the crew speak English, and the daily cruise news and all menus are produced in both English and Spanish.

Being powered by steam turbines, Oceanic does not suffer from any of the unpleasant vibration sometimes associated with diesel propulsion. This is particularly beneficial in the cabins overnight, when you sometimes wonder if the ship is actually moving at all! Being built originally for the North Atlantic, she is fully stabilized, and has very good ‘sea-legs’!

Food is generally excellent, and certainly lives up to the ship’s four star rating. Drinks are on an ‘inclusive’ basis, and this means very acceptable wines – a good Rioja for example - with lunch and dinner, along with branded whisky, gin, vodka, brandy and liqueurs on demand from the ship’s bars. There is a nominal charge for certain premium brands.

The ship is very well appointed and maintained throughout, and certainly does not show her age! She was also the very first ocean liner/cruise ship to be built with a large retractable ‘magrodome’ roof over her upper deck, enclosing when necessary the Riviera Pools, and providing a very flexible space which is used to the full for everything from sunbathing, through buffet dining, to the Captain’s Gala Cocktail party.

I recommend Oceanic without hesitation – she is a graceful and elegant vessel externally, but with a friendly and wholly unpretentious atmosphere within. Her passengers clearly know how to enjoy themselves – sometimes noisily – and Pullmantur certainly knows how to manage a successful cruise operation. Oceanic is a truly wonderful experience – enjoy her while she is still around!

Colin R. Miell, July 2007.

Jetline Cruise are offering Amazing ALL INCLUSIVE 7 Night MED cruises on the Oceanic from only £399pp.

QUEEN MARY 2… AND NOW WHAT WE REALLY THINK:

Enough of the brochure speak. Having cruised on the Queen Mary 2 several times – this ship is one of our favourites. Here are the myths – exploded :

OLDER SNOBS

Lots of people think Cunard and the Queen Mary 2 will be full of older snobs. On my first cruise it was pleasant surprise to find this was untrue. In fact ( at the age of 40) I met lots of like minded people on board and made some good friends. Holidays on the Queen Mary 2 are not as expensive as many think they are – just take a look at some of the fabulous deals we have negotiated for you. As a result there is a greater mix of people and age ranges on board.

TOO FORMAL

It is no more so than any other cruise ship – in fact you can get away without having to wear a suit on board. They do have dress codes for the main restaurant in the evening which varies from casual , smart casual ( shirt and jacket) and formal (suit & tie). If you do not want to participate simply eat in one of the fabulous Kings Court venues.

SEGREGATED DINING.

If you book a Princess suite – the main restaurant assigned is the Princess Grill which has open dining. If you book a Queens Grill suite – the main restaurant assigned is the Queens Grill – which also has open dining. Everyone else booking anything from interior staterooms to high grade balcony staterooms is assigned to the Britannia restaurant which has 2 sittings.

Having sampled the cuisine in the Queens grill I could not detect a difference to the food served in the Britannia restaurant. There is a larger menu and a more personalised service like flambé and filleting skills at your table side.

There are a number of other dining options throughout the ship which everyone can go to. With so many dining choices available the main restaurant assigned to your cabin is not one you would want to visit every night.

The Kings Court has four distinct and separate areas which are buffet style throughout breakfast , lunch and afternoon tea. These areas have tea and coffee on tap 24 hours per day. In the evening however 3 out of the four restaurants are converted to waiter service on a rotational basis whilst one remains as self service buffet style. For the waiter service ones you have to make reservations and there is no extra charge for this. We particularly recommend these restaurants in the evening if you are looking for an alternative to the main restaurant assigned to your cabin reservation – the menus are impressive and the service superb.

Other dining options include: The Golden Lion pub for traditional pub lunches such as ploughman’s, curry , fish and chips. The Boardwalk café on the top deck for buffet style alfresco dining. Finally the Todd English restaurant where reservations are required for evening dining at a charge of approx $30 pp.

TRANSATLANTIC CROSSINGS ARE BORING

On my first Transatlantic crossing I armed myself with 3 books to read during the 6 night cruise from Southampton to New York thinking I would be utterly bored. The opposite was the case and have since done another Transatlantic cruise. I would happily do another one again as these are the best cruises I have been on. A Transatlantic crossing is not a cruise but a voyage. It is more of an occasion than a journey – rather like a birthday is an occasion. This is the ultimate chance to relax – escape your mobile phone and your laptop, enjoy pampered luxury and self appreciation without the interruption of ports of call.

Your days are taken up deciding on where to eat , plotting your progress across the ocean, wallowing in the atrium pool on the top deck or relaxing in the many areas of the Canyon Ranch Spa. The thalasso therapy pool and relaxation lounge are our favourites. Perhaps having a read in the well stocked library or quiet contemplation in the Commodore Club over a cocktail or coffee on deck 9 at the front ! Go star gazing in the planetarium or take in a lecture from one of the guest speakers on board. When the stars are not out in the Planetarium watch a feature film being screened there. Watch the world go by in the Palm Court over a civilised pot of tea or decide how much or how little you want to work out in the fitness centre. By the end of your voyage you will wonder where the time has gone and will be reluctant to disembark.

Arriving and departing from New York is absolute fun and a highlight of the cruise.

On a West bound cruise from Southampton to New York it is a pleasure to board in Southampton and start your experience immediately without having to go through lengthy check in and security procedures at the airport then waiting around in the lounges before boarding your flight to the US. Your 5 days at sea are 25 hours long to make up for the time difference between the UK and the USA. Everyone gets up at 5 in the morning on the last day to watch the Statue of Liberty glide pass as the sun rises behind the picturesque Manhattan skyline. On arrival at Brooklyn ( only 20 minutes by taxi to Manhattan) you are in tune with US time and ready to enjoy a full day shopping , enjoying the sights and nightlife this city has to offer.

On an East Bound cruise from New York to Southampton and after a frantic time fitting all of the shopping and sightseeing in – it is an utter relief to board the Queen Mary 2.. Throughout your time in New York there is great realisation in the fact that you have not got to endure the laborious check in and security procedures at the airport then a cramped and impatient overnight flight back to the UK. Everyone joins in the sailaway party in the afternoon celebrating the farewell to New York and the ultimate landmark sailing under the bridge as the ships horn blows for a final goodbye to the continental USA. Each day on board your clocks are adjusted by an hour so that you arrive in Southampton in tune with UK time – with no jet lag !

All in all a cruise on the Queen Mary 2 is a memorable experience more for the quality of your time on board and the relaxation … rather than the ports of call and the activities there are to do.