This was our sixth cruise with P&O. We are aged 61. I have to disagree with the negative reviews of this ship. I will try and provide the information that I found useful. We love the Oriana. Yes, it's an old ship, due for a re-fit next year, but she has the feel of an old fashioned liner, something we both like. Lots of polished wood and brass and a wonderful Promenade deck. I am not a good sailor it even in a Force 8 she was very stable...although I made sure I topped up my Stugeron anti-seasick tablets!

The ship is clean and nicely decorated. We were on Deck 10, Cabin B231, a balcony cabin. Our stewardess was lovely and happily brought a bucket of ice and placed it in our fridge every day at 5pm. The cabin was spacious with a curtained off sitting area with sofa, table, fridge and TV. Lots of wardrobe and drawer space and wonderfully comfortable beds. The bathroom has a bath and over bath shower and provides toiletries. There is also a fixed wall hairdryer. All towels, as well as swimming towels are provided and change daily if required. Lovely to return to cabin after breakfast and dinner to find the cabin tidy, bed made up and a chocolate on our pillows.

We booked late so did not get onboard spending money and were unable to choose location of our cabin or dining option. However, having previously had set dinner time in Oriental restaurant we were pleased to find we had Freeom Dining in the Peninsular restaurant, we find this restaurant much better as the Oriental is above the engines and the vibrations can be disconcerting when eating. Freedom dining means that you can choose to eat whenever you wish between 6 and 9.30pm. As we wanted a table for two each evening we started to queue at 5.45 and always managed to get a table for two. The service was very good and the food was excellent. We were usually able to request the same table each evening when we arrived at the restaurant. We ate breakfast a couple of times in the Conservatory self-service but it was a bit of a 'free for all' and we decided to eat all meals, breakfast, lunch and dinner in the Peninsular. The quality was much better than the self service and was hot and served to us. They were more than willing to adapt menu to our requests. Read more