Queen of the Oceans

Former names: Ocean Princess, P&O Oceana

Queen of the Oceans current position

Queen of the Oceans current location is at East Mediterranean (coordinates 38.47995 N / 21.09943 E) cruising en route to ASTAKOS. The AIS position was reported 37 minutes ago.

Current Position

Specifications of Queen of the Oceans

Year of build2000  /  Age: 24
Flag state Bermuda
BuilderFincantieri (Monfalcone, Italy)
ClassSun
Building costUSD 300 million
Speed21 kn / 39 km/h / 24 mph
Length (LOA)261 m / 856 ft
Beam (width)32 m / 105 ft
Gross Tonnage77499 gt
Passengers2016 - 2419
Crew870
Passengers-to-space ratio32
Decks14
Cabins1008
Decks with cabins7
Last Refurbishment2017
Sister-shipsSea Princess (MS Charming), P&O Adonia (Azamara Pursuit)
Former namesOcean Princess, P&O Oceana
Christened byHRH Princess Anne, Princess Royal (for P&O Cruises UK)
OwnerEaglepower Shipping Ltd
OperatorSeajets Cruise Line (Seajets Ferries Greece)

Queen of the Oceans Review

Review of 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.

PO Oceana cruise ship

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.

Queen of the Oceans - user reviews and comments

Queen of the Oceans ship related cruise news

Other Seajets Cruise Line cruise ships

Queen of the Oceans Wiki

The Fincantieri Monfalcone-built P&O Oceana ship started service under the name "Ocean Princess" in February 2000. The vessel was a P&O order for Princess Cruises' fleet. As Ocean Princess, she offered Caribbean and Alaskan voyages, with relocation through Panama Canal. Two years after the launch, she entered the P&O fleet as "mv Oceana". She was named together with Adonia (Azamara Pursuit since 2018) on a double christening ceremony - the first one for the P&O line.

This vessel is named after the P&O liner "SS Oceana" (1888-1912) which operated cargo and passenger shipping services between UK and Australia-India leaving from London England. MV Oceana belongs to the Sun-class series with sister vessels Adonia (now Azamara Pursuit), Dawn Princess (now Pacific Explorer) and Sun Princess (now Pacific World). Oceana cruise ship was transferred to P&O UK in 2002. It was officially christened in May 2003 by HRH Princess Royal (daughter of HM Elizabeth II). It was the first double christening ceremony in the cruising industry's history. The second christened ship was MS Adonia. The ship went to a 2-week drydock refurbishment in spring 2008. The refit was part of P&O's elevation program.

Other P&O UK ships named by British Royals are Oriana (April 6, 1995, by HM The Queen), Aurora (April 27, 2000, by HRH Princess Royal) and Britannia (March 10, 2015, by HM The Queen). In 2005, ship's flagstate/registry was changed from UK (London) to Bermuda (Hamilton), as the Bermudian flag-state allows onboard weddings. In 2017, the liner was homeported in Malta (Valletta) and operated with fly-cruise deals from UK and roundtrips from homeport Valletta.

P&O Oceana refurbishment 2017 review

The ship's last for P&O UK drydock refurbishment was in 2017 (December 1-14) and done at Blohm+Voss Shipyard (Hamburg Germany). The refit project was undertaken by the London-based interior design company RPW Design (UK). The list of changes/updates made during the drydock included:

  • Terrace Bar (alfresco dining venue aft on Deck 14) was redesigned and received extensive renovation - new color scheme, new lounge furniture, new tiling, renovated hot tubs, new canopy (shading seating area over the swimming pool).
  • The Plaza (buffet restaurant on forward on Deck 14) was updated with new carpeting, floor tiling, new color scheme, improved lighting, new chairs, new banquette seating.
  • Magnums (Champagne bar midship on Deck 7) was updated with a new colour scheme, new furniture (bar stools, lounge chairs, sofas), redesigned (new private spaces were created by adding screens).
  • Yacht & Compass Bar (pub/bar lounge forward on Deck 7) received a new color scheme, new carpeting, new furniture (roped side tables, new fabrics), new dance floor.
  • On Lido Deck 12, the youth facilities (Buzz Zone/arcade, Hideout, Treasure Chest, Nursery) received various upgrades and improvements. Kids and teen clubs' equipment was updated. A new soft play area for kids was created. Walls and floors were redecorated with new schemes. The arts-crafts furniture was changed. The Nursery was relocated, thus improving the use of space.
  • All Suites were refreshed with new color schemes, new furniture (sofabeds, armchairs, coffee tables, lamps), new curtains, bed cushions, and throws).

During drydock 2017, the US company General Electric (GE) via its subsidiary Marine Solutions provided new generation power electronics controller for the vessel. The ship's old controller was replaced with new digital propulsion controller for the ship's 4 propulsion units.

P&O Oceana refurbishment 2012 review

The list of deckplan changes after the ship's 11-day drydock project in 2012 included:

  • renovation of all passenger rooms
  • new carpeting throughout the ship
  • Cafe Jardin's menu was upgraded with the new Marco Pierre White specialty menu
  • Le Club (disco & nightclub) was refurbished with new seating and upgraded with new lighting/audiovisual equipment
  • Minor renovations were done to the pool area (Deck 12), the Horizon Grill (Deck 14) and the Plaza buffet (Deck 14).
  • (Deck 7) The Cyb@study Internet Cafe was replaced by Card Room.
  • Upgraded (shipwide) Wi-Fi coverage.

P&O Cruises Oceana itineraries

Following the 2020's COVID pandemic, the ship had scheduled a total of 190 itineraries (departures) planned for the period October 29, 2020, through March 21, 2022. All those were canceled after the vessel was sold in early-July 2020.

Next tables show the cruise liner's last for P&O UK itineraries (as themes and call ports/times) with planned homeporting in Southampton and Dubai.

7-day "Dubai And Arabian Gulf"

Date / TimePort
29 OctDeparting from Dubai, UAE
01 Nov 08:00 - 18:00Mina Salman-Manama, Bahrain
02 Nov 08:00 - 18:00Doha, Qatar
03 Nov 08:00 - 18:00Sir Bani Yas Island, UAE private island
04 Nov 07:00 - 18:00Abu Dhabi, UAE
05 Nov 07:00Arriving in Dubai

14-day "Dubai And Arabian Gulf"

Date / TimePort
30 Oct 18:00Departing from Dubai
01 Nov 08:00 - 18:00Mina Salman, Bahrain
02 Nov 08:00 - 18:00Doha, Qatar
03 Nov 08:00 - 18:00Sir Bani Yas Island UAE
04 Nov 07:00 - 18:00Abu Dhabi, UAE
05 Nov 07:00 - 06 Nov 18:00Dubai (overnight)
08 Nov 07:00 - 09 Nov 17:00Muscat, Oman
10 Nov 09:00 - 17:00Khasab-Musandam, Oman
11 Nov 06:00 - 18:00Abu Dhabi, UAE
13 NovArriving in Dubai

17-day "Dubai And Arabian Gulf"

Date / TimePort
05 NovDeparting from Dubai
08 Nov 07:00 - 09 Nov 17:00Muscat, Oman
10 Nov 09:00 - 17:00Khasab-Musandam, Oman
11 Nov 06:00 - 18:00Abu Dhabi, UAE
12 Nov 09:00 - 13 Nov 18:00Dubai, UAE
14 Nov 07:00 - 19:00Khasab, Oman
16 Nov 07:00 - 17 Nov 17:00Muscat, Oman
19 Nov 08:00 - 18:00Mina Salman, Bahrain
20 Nov 08:00 - 18:00Doha, Qatar
21 Nov 07:00 - 18:00Abu Dhabi, UAE
22 Nov 07:00Arriving in Dubai

20-day Suez Canal repositioning cruise (Dubai to Southampton)

Date / TimePort
21 MarDeparting from Dubai
23 Mar 07:00 - 18:00Abu Dhabi, UAE
26 Mar 09:00 - 17:00Salalah, Oman
31 Mar 06:30 - 15:30Suez Canal, Egypt
03 Apr 08:00 - 18:00Valletta, Malta
06 Apr 08:00 - 18:00Cadiz-Sevilla, Spain
10 Apr 06:30Arriving in Southampton, England

12-day "Canary Islands from Southampton"

Date / TimePort
26 Apr 16:30Departing from Southampton
30 Apr 08:00 - 17:00Funchal, Madeira Island, Portugal
01 May 09:00 - 22:00Santa Cruz de la Palma, Canary Islands
02 May 08:00 - 19:00Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Canary Islands
03 May 08:00 - 18:00Arrecife, Lanzarote, Canary Islands
05 May 08:00 - 17:00Lisbon, Portugal
08 May 06:30Arriving in Southampton

14-day "Canary Islands from Southampton"

Date / TimePort
08 May 16:30Departing from Southampton
12 May 08:00 - 17:00Funchal, Madeira
13 May 09:00 - 18:00Palma, Canaries
14 May 08:00 - 23:00Tenerife, Canaries
15 May 08:00 - 18:00Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Canary Islands
16 May 08:00 - 18:00Arrecife, Canaries
18 May 07:00 - 17:00Cadiz, Spain
19 May 09:00 - 18:00Lisbon, Portugal
22 May 06:30Arriving in Southampton

7-day "Western Europe" (Iberia)

Date / TimePort
22 May 16:30Departing from Southampton
24 May 09:00 - 17:00Vigo, Spain
25 May 09:00 - 17:00Lisbon, Portugal
26 May 08:00 - 17:00Porto-Leixoes, Oporto, Portugal
28 May 08:00 - 18:00St Peter Port, Guernsey Island, Channel Islands
29 May 07:00Arriving in Southampton

2-day "Western Europe" (mini-cruise)

Date / TimePort
29 May 16:30Departing from Southampton
30 May 08:00 - 18:00Zeebrugge-Bruges, Belgium
31 May 07:00Arriving in Southampton

27-day Suez Canal repositioning cruise (Southampton to Dubai)

Date / TimePort
11 Oct 16:30Departing from Southampton
15 Oct 07:00 - 17:30Cadiz, Spain
18 Oct 08:00 - 17:00Valletta, Malta
21 Oct 07:00 - 15:00Suez Canal
26 Oct 08:00 - 17:00Salalah, Oman
28 Oct 08:00 - 22:00Muscat, Oman
30 Oct 06:00 - 31 Oct 18:00Dubai, UAE
03 Nov 07:00 - 04 Nov 17:00Muscat, Oman
05 Nov 09:00 - 18:00Khasab, Oman
06 Nov 07:00 - 18:00Abu Dhabi, UAE
07 Nov 07:00Arriving in Dubai

Godspeed!