This is the first time we had sailed from Southampton, having before always flown out to Venice or Bareclona to pick up the ship. We particularly liked the itinerary of this cruise having always wanted to see the Azores but put off by the flying times from the U.K. We thought the Oriana was a lovely and spacious ship, but we had been told on more than one occasion and latterly by an entertainer who was on the Pacific Princess last September, that it really doesn't sail that well. I have to agree with this. I have always slept soundly on previous cruises but found the movement of this ship (not to mention the vibration) quite disconcerting.
We were impressed with the spaciousness of our stateroom and the attention of our cabin steward Rony, who we really couldn't fault. The food on the ship was good, but not execptional in comparison to other ships we have sailed on. It struck me that P&O have introduced considerable cutbacks since I last cruised with them on the Victoria eleven years ago.
The ports of call on this cruise I would give mixed reviews. Ponta Delgado was lovely, very little to see or do in Horta, Las Palmas was cloudy as always, Lisbon scruffy and most disappointing, but thoroughly enjoyed Vigo, which we thought was charming.