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"From 30 November 2011, Oriana will become exclusively for adults.
When Artemis leaves the fleet next May the number of holidays exclusively for adults available within the P&O Cruises programme will be effectively reduced as Adonia, her replacement, is a smaller ship. We therefore wish to add a third ship to offer this type of holiday. We feel we can do this as Azura, the most recent ship to be added to our fleet provides additional holidays for families. P&O Cruises have seven ships in our fleet and after November 30 2011 four will continue to welcome families (Aurora, Azura, Oceana and Ventura) and three, (Adonia, Arcadia and Oriana) will be exclusively for adults.
We are totally committed to satisfying the holiday needs of both families and those travelling without children."
[ 11-12-2010: Message edited by: Tom Burke ]
Funny how some people can moan about the behaviour of children, especially as a generalisation, yet we have seen more "senior" adults behave in a far worse manner.
Andrew
quote:Originally posted by OceanVoyager:[...]Funny how some people can moan about the behaviour of children, especially as a generalisation, yet we have seen more "senior" adults behave in a far worse manner.Andrew
Exactly. I guess the explanation for that is that these people who moan certainly never were children themselves and even if they were children at some time (which is unlikely) they for sure would have hated to experience something like a cruise vacation - especially since they now have the opportunity to go on cruise vacations.
Most of the conversation almost always includes the 'I see adults behaving just as bad' fall back excuse, but most just simply boils down to some cruisers wanting to be in an All Adult Only environment without being told that if they don't like it go to a Land Resort for Adults Only. Why should that be the only option as fewer and fewer cruises even during traditionally 'safe' off-season 'kid free' booking periods and on more upscale or previously non-family friendly or non-kid oriented lines now almost non-existent. Now all the cruise lines broadcast 'Family' and 'Kids' and have begin to alienate their base that use to think their favorite cruise line a safe haven from Spring Break or hundreds of families with kids of all ages. I understand that 'families with kids' is were the revenue is, but there are still plenty of DINK's (Dual Income No Kids) that want a kid-free environment without having to go to a Sandals resort.
I don't have kids and I don't mind kids so much in moderation. However I do not want to vacation with them. I don't think it too much to ask to cater to those love to cruise and simply just do not want to hear the high pitched giggling and voices coming from the putter patter of little feet running around at every turn on a cruise vacation.
Maybe they realise that younger families are more demanding of newer facilities. It's cheaper to do this than a massive upgrade that would bring it in line with celebrity etc.
Silly move,P&O IMO.
[ 11-13-2010: Message edited by: P&OOfficer ]
Having cruised on adults-only Arcadia recently (albeit only on a short cruise) I have to say that there was a difference in the feel of the ship without children which I rather enjoyed.
The space ratio will be incredible!
-Russ
I would love to take a Disney cruise to Mexico from L.A. but not w/that many children on board! Everything in moderation.
Compared to at least 3 years ago and keep going back the ship used to have venues filled, people out and about etc. Its all quiet now on board.
I know Oriana is a very good-looking ship with good facilities, but we've now chosen Ventura over Oriana three times. We are simply getting a lot more for our money on Ventura. Not in flashy facilities that we won't use, but in the basics: cabin & balcony.
If you look at Ventura compared to Oriana there is allot more space per passenger.
To rub salt in the wounds of the sun loving British - no lie - there were lots of vacant sun beds on Oriana in the tropics in 30C heat on this recent World Cruise. They were available in shade, sun and in excellent places to.
As I understand it allot of P&O regulars are now leaning towards the Azura/Ventura.
I think P&O need to do something to keep Oriana popular rather than just let it die out of popularity.
quote: I think P&O need to do something to keep Oriana popular rather than just let it die out of popularity.
It would be good if they could, but I'm not sure the portents are good.
I keep thinking about the Celebrity Century class, which were in many ways very similar to Oriana: same era, same size, similar configuration. Century had a massive refit some years ago at a cost of $50m, which added balconies onto almost all passenger decks, upgraded the spa, added a speciality restaurant, etc. The rumour was that Galaxy & Mercury would get the same treatment. Certainly when I was on Galaxy in 2007 the CD told me that he'd been present at a meeting on-board with X senior managers when they discussed the upgrades and paced-out whereabouts in the atrium the restaurant would go. In the event it didn't happen: perhaps Century's post-refit revenue didn't justify the $50m, or perhaps Celebrity decided that the Solstice class would be a better way of spending their money. Galaxy has been phased out to a German line who have spent the $50m in a huge makeover, and they're taking Mercury soon, but the changes to these ships are massive and amount to a rebirth into a completely different market. Century languishes on, looking increasingly out of place in the X fleet. I fear that P&O will soon be in a similar position with regard to Oriana.
Unless of course the new plan is for her to become the new Artemis (mainly for the considerably older brigade) and Adonia will eventually become - something different. Oceania and Azamara market their former R ships as up-market and sophisticated; perhaps P&O will eventually do the same with Adonia?
Oriana is still a decent looking ship inside. Some of the exterior is starting to look rather shabby, but the interior is still clean and lively.
Will P&O maintain the same feel of the ship or go modern, I doubt that they would fit in many if any at all new cabins in the aft place. My guess is leaning towards relocating the Rhodes Restaurant or Al Fresco as well as a new location for the Casino.
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