Queen of the Oceans

The 2000-built (as MS Oceana) cruise ship Queen of the Oceans was one of the oldest in the P&O UK fleet, with former shipowner Carnival Corporation and ship manager Carnival UK. On July 7, 2020, P&O (via the company's President Paul Ludlow) officially announced that after 20 years of service, the liner was sold and leaves the fleet. The buyer (Seajets Ferries) and the sale price were not disclosed. The decision was based on the financial impact of the Coronavirus crisis.

On July 6, Oceana arrived in Southampton (from Newcastle upon Tyne) and docked at Berth 46. On July 8, the liner left Port Southampton en route to Port Patras (Greece) where was officially handed over to the new shipowner (Eaglepower Shipping Ltd/Seajets Greece). The ship docked on July 17.

SEAJETS Greece (1989-founded) is a Cyprus-based shipping company that specializes in passenger and cargo ferry services exclusively in the Eastern Mediterranean (Aegean Sea). Seajets' fleet includes mainly fast-ferries (14x high-speed catamarans, max capacity 2100 passengers + 600 cars) plus 3x conventional Ro-Pax vessels (max capacity 1300 passengers + 400 cars). Seajets operates from homeports Piraeus-Athens, Lavrion and Crete (Heraklion and Rethymno) inter-connecting 26 Cyclades Islands (Crete including) with 260 connections.

The vessel (IMO number 9169550) belongs to the Sun-class Princess Cruises ships - with sistership Sea Princess (now Dream Charming). P&O Oceana was initially named "Ocean Princess" (when in the Princess fleet). P&O Oceana was last drydock refurbished in 2017.

The 2016-passenger cruise ship Oceana featured a modern vibe and was attractive to both new-to-cruising younger travelers as well as veteran cruisers. With Oceana, P&O targeted mainly the UK market. The vessel was popular with its many bars and lounges, nightclub, dining venues, duty-free shopping options. The ship was transferred to P&O UK in 2002 and entered drydock at Grand Bahama Shipyard (Freeport Bahamas). It was officially christened (by godmother HRH Princess Royal / daughter of Queen Elizabeth II) in May 2003. The special event was the cruising industry's first double christening ceremony. The second christened was Oceana's sistership Sea Princess (which later sailed as Adonia, and Azamara Pursuit, since 2018).

Cruise itinerary program

P&O Cruises Oceana itinerary program was based on roundtrips from homeport Southampton (England UK), including to the Caribbean (Transatlantic crossings), the Canary Islands and Iberia (Portugal and Spain), as well as "mini-cruises" from the UK (to Belgium and Holland) and Mediterranean fly-cruises from the UK.

Oceana's planned for 2019-2020 Middle East itinerary program was canceled and the ship was again homeported in Southampton. For winter seasons 2020-2021 and 2021-2022, the liner was again scheduled for deployment in the Middle East with planned homeporting in Dubai UAE. The itinerary program was based on 7-day and 14-day roundtrips. The summer programs were based on UK roundtrips (homeporting in Southampton) to Canary Islands (12-day and 14-day itineraries) and Western Europe (2-day and 7-day itineraries).

Note: For P&O Oceana itinerary details see in the ship's "Wiki" section.

Cabins

P&O Oceana staterooms (a total of 1008) include 38x Suites, 372x Balcony, 193x Oceanview and 405x Inside cabins in 18 grades. Most passenger cabins are sized 140 ft2 (13 m2) and are in Inside cabin categories. The cruise ship's largest cabins are the 6x Penthouse Suites (sized 585 ft2 / 54 m2), each with a 285 ft2 (27 m2) step-out terrace.

Shipboard dining options - Food and Drinks

The Oceana cruise ship offers a high-quality cruise, especially in dining, for a very good price. The inclusive fare in the major dining venue is consistently solid, and Cafe Jardin, a for-fee bistro which is created by celebrity chef Marco Pierre White, is a standout. Onboard Oceana cruise liner prices are good, too. There isn't a service charge added to drink prices, that is already very competitive - at least in the original currency (British pounds). Beers (British, American, and European) are from £1.40; soft drinks start from £1, and cocktails cost from £2.50. Wines cost from £9.25, with a decent Burgundy just £12.

Follows the complete list of P&O Oceana restaurants and food bars.

• Ligurian Restaurant (aft Dining Room, serving Your Time Dining 6-9:30 PM)
• Adriatic Restaurant (aft Dining Room; open seating breakfast 7:30-9 AM, Lunch 12-noon-1:45 PM, Afternoon Tea (4-4:45 PM) and complimentary club-dining with two fixed Dinner seatings - at 6:30 or 8:30 PM)
• Cafe Jardin (24-hour specialty restaurant by Marco Pierre White; serves complimentary breakfast and lunch, dinner at surcharge)
• Horizon Grill (specialty dinner steakhouse/seafood restaurant, at surcharge; serves complimentary fast food)
• The Plaza (buffet restaurant, complimentary; themed dinner 6-9:30 PM)
• Sundaes (Ice Cream Bar; surcharge).

Shipboard entertainment options - Fun and Sport

There are two show lounges on Oceana - Starlights and Footlights Theatre. Footlights is a 530-seat, superb theatre-style show lounge, for theatre events and production shows; movies can also be shown there. Starlights is a smaller cabaret-style lounge with a bar. There is a big emphasis on decent quality of entertainment. The resident group of singers, dancers and actors provide theatre-style presentations like cut-down versions of famous musicals. In addition, the cruise ship offers an array of cabaret acts. Classical concerts are also often scheduled. Additional amenities include: Complimentary 24-hour Room-Service, Internet/WiFi access, supervised kids programme, laundry/self-serve laundromats, nursery.

Follows the complete list of P&O Oceana lounges, clubs and other entertainment venues for kids, teens, and adults.

• Oceana Atrium (4-decks central open floor area and social hub)
• Explorers Bar (specialty coffees); Magnums Bar (Champagne Bar); Winners’ Bar (sports bar); Terrace Bar; Pennant Bar
• Regent Street (brand fashion, gifts, souvenirs, handbags); Bond Street (boutique; fashion, brand perfumes, jewelry, watches)
• Starlights (cabaret-style entertainment venue with glass walls)
• Tiffany's Lounge and Coffee Bar (complimentary specialty coffees and Belgian chocolates, nightly entertainment, live piano music)
• Yacht & Compass Pub and Lounge
• Footlights Theatre (530-seat, nightly West End-style productions)
• Monte Carlo Club Casino
• Photo Gallery and Shop; Art Gallery; The Library; Explorers (Internet computers room); Card Room
• Terrace Pool; Crystal Pool; Riviera Pool (served by Riviera Bar); Splash Pool (for kids); 6 jacuzzis
• Oasis Spa complex (Saunas, Steam Rooms, Beauty Salon)
• Gymnasium (complimentary equipment, Fitness classes; Yoga and Pilates at surcharge)
• The Buzz Zone (teen-only area); The Hideout (kids club area); Night Nursery (for kids 6 months to 5 yo); Treasure Chest (kids lounge)
• The Crow's Nest Lounge (dance floor, a stage for live music; with floor-ceiling windows for panoramic views; hosts art classes, quiz games, cooking demos during the day)
• Jogging Track; Traditional deck games area (Deck Chess, Deck Quoits, Shuffleboard); Table Tennis; two Golf Net cages.