Check in was effortless - if only airports could be so calm! It does help having an army of porters ready to take your luggage straight to the ship. Arriving at midday gave us the opportunity to explore the ship before having to unpack.
Lunch in the Conservatory was very good - a wide choice of hot food, fruit, salads and sandwiches made to order.
Our first impressions of the Oriana - gentle old colonial feel to it; several bars/lounges and restaurants and airy carpeted walkways. It doesn't feel like a large floating hotel as the rooms are well designed and not vast open spaces. The Oasis Spa has been refurbished and is beautiful - with high prices to match though. The gym is excellent with a variety of equipment and classes to take part in. We shall no doubt visit the cinema at some stage and probably see some of the shows.
Activities? Spoilt for choice! In order of importance - wine tasting, keep fit and gym classes, Spanish lessons. Janey has refused to join in the line dancing so I'm going to yeehah all on my own! The instructor claimed she could teach anyone the foxtrot in one lesson - we'll see about that lady. Aliona she ain't but then I'll never be drummer for McFly!!
As one of our good friends said of their long cruise - "You play all day and only come in for food and bedtime."
When our luggage arrived at the cabin we found that what covered 3 beds and 2 floors at home, fitted into 8 drawers and a 6ft wardrobe with a little bit of help. We never knew you could fit so many clothes on 1 coat hanger. If Matt had used his van we could have got another couple of cases in.
Our cabin - compact but well equipped; the bathroom is very pink and a little tired! Thought I was being very resourceful taking a mini washing line but P & O beat us to it - there's one over the bath! I remembered the pegs though.
A good send off from the quay to the accompaniment of a bagpipe band and super fireworks.
Dinner was fine if a little unimaginative but that maybe because it was the first night. Thankfully they got the gluten free bit right - I was invited to choose the next days meal from the menu and the staff would guarantee it would be gf. Lovely rolls too - a far cry from the Celebrity dining nightmare. A table of 8 meant we met new people, all of whom are doing the full voyage - good job they seem very nice or else it could be a tricky 96 days.