Activities & Facilities
P&O Cruises' British superliners - Adonia, Aurora, Oceana and Oriana - offer an incredible array of activities and facilites to make your day at sea as busy or as relaxing as you please. Enjoy shuffleboard and deck tennis, or a refreshing swim in the pool. Take a dance class, or explore your creative talents in an arts and crafts class. Catch up on your email in the cyb@study, or shop until you drop in the boutiques onboard. Learn about an upcoming port of call. Or simply enjoy a good book and a cocktail by the pool. The options are endless to ensure that every day is as good as the next.
Newspaper
Your copy of the ship’s daily newspaper is delivered to your cabin every evening. You’ll find full details of what’s on, when and where, for the following day.
Reception Desk
The Reception Desk is a cross between a hotel reception, bank and information office. You’ll find there’s always someone there who will be happy to assist you.
You can buy stamps and post letters (incoming mail is delivered to your cabin).
You can cash travellers cheques or personal cheques, and exchange foreign currency with no commission charges.
You can arrange a party or a birthday cake; and if there is anything at all about your holiday that doesn’t meet your expectations, please tell the staff at the Reception Desk and they’ll do everything possible to assist
Games
On deck you’ll find shuffleboard, quoits, deck tennis and table tennis. There are also golf driving nets, golf simulators, laser trapshooting, football, cricket and short tennis on most ships.
Pools
Adonia has four outdoor pools; Aurora has two outdoor pools and one indoor/outdoor pool with retractable sky dome; Oceana has four outdoor pools; whilst Oriana has three outdoor pools . Water temperatures are posted each morning and pool towels are available in your cabin.
On Oceana, the Crystal, Riviera and Splash Pool are for the enjoyment of all passengers. The Spa Pool is reserved for adults over 16.
On Aurora and Oriana , the Terrace Pool is reserved for families with children under 10. The Riviera Pool is reserved for adults over 16 and the Crystal Pool is for the enjoyment of all passengers.
Spa & Sauna
On all four ships you can also indulge in a relaxing jacuzzi or a sauna should you feel so inclined. Aurora has four jacuzzis, Oriana has five, and Adonia and Oceana have six. We strongly recommend that they are not used by the under 10s; and that those aged 10 to 16 are accompanied by an adult.
Daily Activities
Every day at sea, you’ll find a range of talks, classes and demonstrations: all instructive, informal and fun. You can learn a new hobby, discover a new interest or prepare in advance for your ports of call. Additionally, our Port Presenter will give a series of entertaining and informative talks designed to help you make the most of the ports you visit. Full details of all activities can be found in the ship’s paper.
Library
All ships have a library where you will find a good selection of books, both fact and fiction.
Perfect for those restful moments, you’ll find a well-stocked library with everything from biographies to best sellers, and quiet corners for reading, or writing postcards home. Aurora and Oceana have ‘listening chairs’ – simply select a CD and enjoy music in comfort. From the cyb@study you can access the internet, send and receive e-mails or enjoy a range of educational CD Rom’s (charges apply). Young adults age 10-17 years can also surf the World Wide Web from their own venues – Quarterdeck and Decibels (charges apply).
All ships have a librarian to assist you and the opening times are published in the ship’s newspaper. On Aurora and Oriana there are also quiet rooms where you may play cards, Scrabble, Monopoly, Trivial Pursuit or have a game of Chess.
Internet and Computer Facilities
Visit our cyb@study, where our cyb@manager will help you set up an account to access the Internet and answer any questions you may have on sending e-mails to friends and family. The cyb@study is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week, so you can surf the net any time you like. However, the availability of Internet based services will vary according to the ships' position.
The cyb@study offers a fantastic range of facilities including:
- Internet access
- Acess to e-mail Internet accounts e.g. Hotmail, Yahoo, Freeserve
- Facility to set up a new Internet e-mail account
- Facility to have e-mails sent and received for you by a member of staff
- In addition to the cyb@study, Oriana offers access to the Microsoft Office facilities, Cruise Destinations Guides, plus fixed digital cameras that allow you to send pictures home via e-mail and much more.
You can access your Internet e-mail account in the cyb@studies on board Adonia, Aurora, Oceana and Oriana.You will need to know your full e-mail address (e.g. johnbrown@yahoo.co.uk) and your password. If you do not have an e-mail account but would like to open one, this can be set up for you. Alternatively you can have e-mails sent and received on your behalf by a member of staff.
If you would like to send an e-mail to a passenger on board one of our ships, then simply address your e-mail to the relevant ship as detailed below. However, you must ensure that you identify the passenger's name and cabin number in the 'Subject' field, so that can staff can forward the message to the appropriate person. Please note that a small administration fee will be charged to the passenger:
oriana@pocruises.com
aurora@pocruises.com
You are also able to use the Floppy Disk and CD-ROM drives in Oriana's cyb@study, thereby allowing you to read any documents and information that you may wish to bring with you. However, for security and reliability reasons, we do not allow the uploading of any executable programs or files.
Oriana also runs workshops in a number of computer related subjects for users of all levels, from a beginner's guide to file management, to Internet access and advanced Excel.
Both Aurora and Oriana have computer facilities in their Youth Club areas, with Internet access, so the kids can surf the net and send e-mails to their friends. Of course, a 'Web Nanny' will be around to monitor access to the Internet. In addition security devices are activated on these computers to prevent access to any unsuitable websites
Art Auctions
On board our ships you will be able to discover world renowned artists through a selection of original pieces of art. You will also be able to experience the excitement of a live auction as you bid for your favourite piece.
Florist
Onboard Oceana we welcome the introduction of a floristry service. Why not treat yourself, a friend or a loved one to some beautiful flowers for that “special occasion”, or even just to celebrate your cruise. We have a large selection of bouquets and arrangements to choose from and our florist will even tailor make arrangements to your specification.
Shopping
You will be able to purchase everything from luxury items like electrical goods, glassware, porcelain and cameras to small necessities like suncream and camera film, which you may have forgotten to pack. Plus you can top up your holiday wardrobe in the shops on board, which carry a wide range of leisure wear and formal wear at duty free prices.
There is a dazzling range of luxury items. Fine perfumes, cameras, watches and evening wear at tempting prices. As well as those convenience items you may have forgotten: toothpaste, batteries, film, chocolate, postcards and stamps.
Photographers
Our team of professional photographers are on board ready to capture those memorable moments. They also offer a portrait service and can develop and print your films whilst you are on board. The photographers now offer a video of your cruise showing the Captain’s Cocktail Party, ports of call and much more (please note, this service is not available on all ships).
Religious Services
On Sundays, when the ship is at sea, an interdenominational religious service is held and is usually taken by the Captain – all are welcome. Roman Catholic and Church of England Chaplains also travel at Easter. They will celebrate Holy Communion and Mass.
Honeymoon
Newleyweds can enjoy the benefits of our ’Honeymoon Collection’ packages onboard - please call P&O Cruises or your travel agent for details. We need to receive official written confirmation of your wedding date from the registrar, priest or vicar of your wedding date, three months prior to sailing. The benefits are per couple and only apply if your cruise departure is within thirty days of your wedding day and a copy of your marriage certificate should be presented at the Reception Desk on sailing day.
Birthdays & Anniversaries
If you’re celebrating, we can make the day even more special by baking you a cake. Just ask at the Reception Desk for details and prices. In addition, we have a range of ‘Celebration packages’ available for purchase. Please see below.
Celebration Packages
Whatever the occasion, if you really want to celebrate in style, treat a loved one or friend or simply indulge yourself, why not consider one of our Special Occasion Packages (which include a bottle of champagne, a box of hand-finished chocolates, a formal portrait photo and a champagne breakfast in bed). To book your package, contact Reception once onboard.
Shore Tours
At almost every port of call we can help you make the most of the day by offering a wide range of shore excursions to suit every pocket or by arranging a hire car.
Details, prices and booking forms are included with your embarkation details – or you can call at the Tours Office onboard for advice before making your selection. We strongly recommend that you book your shore excursions in advance to avoid disappointment. As well as including all arrangements for transportation and guiding, our shore excursions are timed and organized to ensure that you return to the ship in good time for lunch or dinner and before the ship sails.
If you’d prefer to go it alone, you’ll find a folder of guides to your ports in your cabin with historical information and a mini-guide to recommended restaurants and shopping.
At many ports of call, the ship will berth some distance from the city centre and passengers who wish to go ashore independently of the P&O Cruises Shore Excursions Programme, will usually find local public transport connections and private taxis close to the port. At certain ports, where taxis may not be available at the ship and public transport connections may not be accessible within easy walking distance of the ship, P&O Cruises will arrange a shuttle bus service or a city transfer service. A small charge will be applied. Further information will be available onboard.
We are pleased to offer a car rental facility. If you wish to rent a car for the day at any of our ports of call please contact the Tours Staff on board at least 3 days before the required hire date. A small administration fee is charged for this arrangement.
Before deciding whether or not to rent a car, please consider your own driving experience and skills in the context of the traffic conditions and driving standards that you are likely to encounter. You must have a valid driving licence with you.
For those passengers who prefer not to drive themselves we can also arrange the services of a chauffeured limousine at many of our ports of call. Please contact the Shore Excursion Staff once you are on board. Again, a small administration fee is charged for service.
Golf
On each ship, the Shore Excursion Manager can organise a game of golf on shore in ports where this facility is available. Charges for green fees and club hire (where applicable) are available through the Excursions Office and don’t forget your golf shoes! An administration fee is charged for this arrangement. Our ships also have golf chipping nets (golf balls and clubs provided) and golf simulators for which a charge is made.
Laundry
We offer a full, reasonably priced, fast laundry and pressing service onboard. Or you can use the free launderettes you’ll find on all ships.
Medical Centre
Quite apart from our exercise programmes and keep-fit classes, you’ll be reassured to know that your ship has a fully equipped Medical Centre, staffed by British registered doctors and nurses. As the ships are outside the scope of Medicare, and medical treatment is charged at private rates – though you’ll find your holiday insurance covers most eventualities.
Keeping in Touch
Naturally, our ships boast the latest in telecommunications to allow you to phone or fax home or receive calls whilst at sea (though most people prefer a break from the telephone). For urgent calls direct to the ship whilst at sea, the Satellite Telephone and Fax numbers are as follows:
Firstly dial the prefix code for the Ocean area that the ship is in:
00871 Atlantic East
00872 Pacific
00873 Indian
00874 Atlantic West
Followed by the appropriate ship number:
Adonia
- Please contact P&O Cruises for details
Aurora
- Tel: 323301234 or 323301244
- Fax: 323301211 or 323301226
Oceana
- Tel: 323374610 or 323374620
- Fax: 323374616 or 323374621
Oriana
- Tel: 623362210 or 623362220
- Fax: 323362211
If the caller is unable to get through on prefix code 00 871 Atlantic East, they should try 00 874 Atlantic West or vice versa, as sometimes the ship receives better signals.
When friends or family call you on board they will get through to the ship’s Communications Centre and will be asked for your name and cabin number.
Postal Service
If you wish to send letters or postcards, you can buy stamps at the Reception Desk and we’ll post them at the next port of call.
