This was a first cruise for my husband, and my second. We chose this cruise because the ports of call interested us; P&O's Oceana just happened to be the ship. I'd started reading these forums only after we'd pretty much decided to book, so was somewhat apprehensive about the negative reviews I read for Oceana, However, I needn't have worried as we really enjoyed the whole experience!
Ours was a fly cruise, and we were really impressed with P&O's organisation from the moment we checked in at Cardiff airport, right through until we arrived back a week later. The only slight disappointment, which was completely outside of P&O's control, was that a flight delay (due to very foggy conditions at Cardiff) meant our later-than-anticipated embarkation in Venice left no time for us to explore the city before sail away. As we'd both visited Venice on previous occasions, this wasn't a disaster, but was still disappointing.
Our balcony cabin (C712) was beautifully clean, and well maintained. The shower-room was very compact, and we found we had to spill out into the bedroom for space to dry off after a shower! Not so much of a problem for us, as a couple, but it could have been a challenge for anyone not on such intimate terms with their travelling companion! Our steward was friendly, welcoming, and available if/when we needed him.
Category HD. C deck, aft. Not far from aft lifts. Very quiet. Clean, and well maintained. Balcony appeared freshly repainted. Very compact shower-room - neither of us are particularly large, but we had to move into the bedroom for space to dry off after a shower! Would happily have this cabin again.