Westyone

We were just in os on Insignia. No freezer.

Thanks for the feedback. Interior space in an OS is 622 and VS is 533, so yes they're similar. The living room works well and is what I had in mind as we want our own sleep space.

I will chime in since there are few responses.

We stayed in 6091 on insignia in late july. Although we did not use it I believe the sofa in the living room is a pull out sleeper. Don’t know if it is comfortable or not. There is also room to put a roll away if that would work better for you. There is a drape to pull for privacy between the rooms plus the half bath off the living room.

The suite was fine. There was some noise from anchors or something when pulling into port. The rooms above may experience less noise....don’t know for sure, just guessing.

Don’t miss the observation lounge on deck 10. Forget the exact name. Great place to watch the sunset going home from Bermuda. Very quiet in the evening and the bar is open.

I would consider O again if it were with DH or a friend. If I cruised with Daughter, son in law and granddaughters, I would not. They need more action! I was surprised to see so many young children and young teens on this cruise. All were very well behaved! One boy I spoke with said he enjoyed the cruise. I asked if he wasn’t bored, he smiled and said yes, a little. My 13 year old granddaughter did a 7 day NE RC Cruise the same week with her best friend and family. She had done several suite experiences on Celebrity with us and her family. She liked the RC Cruise because there was more to do and in her words, wasn’t hoity toity! :D

LHT28. “You should have spoken to the Maitre'd on your way out about the coffee fiasco

The staff are changing not so many Europeans as in the past”

Yes, I did speak with the Maitre’d on the way out because I believe the supervising staff should be aware. He wanted my room number but I do not think it mattered who I was or what level room I was staying in. The service did not reflect well on the line. He apologized, called me by name and said he would let the director of the dining room (forget the exact title) know. That director did phone the next day but I had a hard time understanding him. I do believe the situation got the waiter in trouble because he avoided eye contact with me. The maitre’d and waiters were very ingratiating after that, almost overly so. But as I said, the service even afterward was just off. I’m sorry for the waiter but either he needs more training or the dining room needs more waiters.

I also noted it in the survey without mentioning names.

On positive side, our butler was good although we only used him to bring breakfast. The ladies who took care of our room were also good.

I don’t think I recall any European staff. A lot of men from India, men and women from Bali, Kazakhstan, and Pilipinos, among others.

I want to stress, the service was off only in the dining room toward the end of the cruise that I noticed. That should not have happened. Other than that, the cruise was lovely

Final thoughts after the cruise

Overall, a nice cruise with some glitches. I will explain below.

As StanandJim said on another thread, “There is a whimsey about sailing on a 650 passenger ship, which account for four of Oceanias six vessels, and part of that charm is the lack the glitz and technology of the Gigantics”.

We liked that. We went expecting to enjoy the cruise with good food, good service, great fellow passengers, quietly elegant ambiance and that’s what we got ........for the first 3/4 of the cruise. Then, something happened in the dining room.

I’ll cut to the chase. Very subjective, but I thought the menues weren’t so great those last few days......maybe I just ate too much and wasn’t hungry. But the service deteriorated. Example: waiter took our dessert order. DH wanted coffee, I asked for cappuccino. We waited. Maybe 15 minutes. DH cup came. We waited. Dessert came. Waited. Finally called waiter who was serving coffee to nearby table who came and poured DH coffee. DH asked for the cream and was told assistant waiter would bring it. We waited. Ice creams melting, coffee getting cold. No cappuccino. We finally decided to go to bistro for our coffee. As we got up the waiter suddenly noticed us and was all over us but we left anyway.

Something like that should simply not happen. But it went on. Next day at lunch in grand dining room I asked sommelier for wine which never came and said sommelier was not in sight. Finally saw him near end of meal and he blamed it on the server on the other side of the room who was supposed to bring it!

I would likely have left this out on CC and let this thread die if it were not for the gentleman I encountered in the elevator those last days. We made the usual small talk and I asked how his cruise was going. He said “Eh. Oceania is my favorite line but something is off with the service this time.” Elevator doors open and out he goes.

End of post. :o

Likewise, in case of an emergency, and the elevators go out, it is the cruiser, and/ or their accompanying travelers, responsibility to get them down the stairs.

When we boarded and I asked a question about the muster drill, our butler suggested that I call reception to let them know my DH used a wheelchair. Just befor the drill sounded two crew members came with a wheelchair and took DH to the drill and stayed with us the entire time. They explained that they were assigned to DH in case of emergency. They left the folding wheelchair outside our room.

True, but since many people are confined to wheelchairs your experience with your DH is quite valuable for them. My DW and I do not have this issue, but I'm sure many are thankful for the information. These comments also make me more sensitive to the plight of the handicapped onboard ship. So, I appreciate your digression.

Thank you! 🙂

DH is 170 pounds......less without his prosthetics.😃

In occupational therapy they taught both me and DH best friend how to help him get about without hurting ourselves. It’s easy to hurt yourself if you are not careful no matter your size. It’s simply not the crews’ job nor responsibility. I don’t question that.

But I digress. This thread is about my impression of the cruise as a first timer on O, and not about handicapped passengers.

Heck, I've seen crew help a seated wheel-chaired passenger down the stairs. Little bumpy but everybody tries so hard to make it as easy as possible. (O may even have a wheelchair just for situations like your scootering sweetie)

 

Other times the passenger has been taken out of a lower deck--ask the Concierge if a port situation works for rolling out a lower deck.

 

ask your TA to help you with this and also talk to Concierge and Destination Services first thing--they might be able to help you.

No one offered with a wheelchair assist although that could have worked. As I said they did offer to carry the scooter down if he would walk. It was the most strenuous acitivity DH has done in a long time. Obviously I was concerned.

I took my question to the front desk and asked about Bermuda. She said there will be a ramp from deck 3 there. She said because of the tide level they could not debarkation from 3 in Halifax as deck 3 was below the level of the pier. Don’t know why they had steps rather than a ramp on 4 but they may have had reasons. Celebrity always had a ramp and staff to help getting down in the scooter so I guess I thought it would be the same with O. The Concierge is going to contact me “after4:00”.

It is behind us now. I just wanted to give a heads up to others in our situation. If you have not lived with a double amputee you just aren’t aware of the difficulties you can encounter. Little things like a small step are no longer little things but a barrier.

Other than that the cruise is going well and we are pleased. This is our first sea day and it is easy going. Had delicious fish over polenta with grilled veggies at lunch in dining room. And pistachio ice Cream!

I guess the most logical question here is why is the crew not allowed to assist? Did they give you a reason?

I think it’s a liability thing. All cruises’ contracts that I have read say handicapped persons are welcomed as long as they have someone along to assist as the crew cannot.

Handicapped persons

A caveat for those who use a scooter because of need, not ease. DH has been an amputee for 11 years. He can walk only very short distances with the aid of a cane, like to the kitchen or br at home. He no longer does stairs. Newport and Bar Harbor are tender ports and we knew that so had no plans to get off the ship. We’ve toured Boston before and there is nothing to do at the pier so again stayed on ship.

Sooo, we looked forward to Halifax. Guess what? Only stairs and no ramp for the scooter. The crew very kindly offered to carry the scooter down while DH took the stairs slowly with difficulty. Crew is not allowed to help support I don’t think, so it was just me. I braced myself and walked behind just in case but I would have been a pancake if he fell on me. They also had him stand a rather long while going through security until I spoke up. Young people and the able bodied just don’t understand and likely neither did I when I was their age.

Just be forewarned if you are in a similar situation. Celebrity always had a ramp and two crew members to help.

“That's good to hear. Any problems getting a seat at the shows?“

Not unless you go at the very last minute. We were listening to the wonderful string quartet which plays in the atrium until 9:15. By 9:00 some couples began ambling through to the lounge. We left about 9:20 by the time DH found a clear path. We sit in the rear of the lounge where there is a ramp and there were several seats. Only a few seats were left by show time but there were some. The lounge is small so there are no bad seats.

Beware: if you arrive after the comedian begins the show you will be heckled! 😂.

To the OP,

Thank you for checking in! Not that I am trying to rush your cruise to completion, but we'll be boarding when you return to NY. To say we're eagerly awaiting Saturday would be an understatement. :):)

Half the fun of anything is in the anticipation!

Indian food in the Buffet last night and I missed it. Greek theme this afternoon.

Good comedian entertainer this evening. He basically improvised the entire show. Very funny.

Thank you for your wonderful posts and information. We will be first time "O" cruisers as well on the August 14th sailing. Very helpful information- keep the reviews coming! I am also nervous about the alleged rough seas in Bermuda.

Let me preface by noting when I say “rough” below it means I felt the sway but it’s only enough to remind me that I am on a ship and to walk a bit more carefully. I don’t think anyone is getting sick or using meds.

We are in Halifax today and will be enroute to Bermuda tomorrow. I will let you know how it goes. We did have a bit of bumpy seas ..........forgive me as we are on a cruise an I find I am getting my days mixed. Bear in mind hat we are in an aft room so it is likely the second worst place for feeling the bounce. First is the front of the ship I would think. So, I think it was rough late after leaving NY, but the weather was a bit stormy in that area. Then leaving Newport, but a table mate who has a sailboat said water is always rough leaving a harbor. Also some roughness late last night. Most of the sway seemed to be in the middle of the night if at all so we don’t mind being rocked to sleep.

So far we’ve experienced nothing for anyone to be terribly concerned about. :D

We ate in Tuscan last night and so far we much prefer Polo and the Grand Dining Room. We are thinking of canceling our second Tuscan reservation. This could just be us not wanting Italian food right now. Again very subjective so don’t yell at me Tuscan lovers!

Keep on posting. We are on the next cruise on Insignia and interested in your comments, recommendations. Rough or smooth sailing up the coast and to Bermuda?

 

Mary

I will try to answer any questions you have. We are not doing excursions so I can’t help too much with the ports.

So far we ate twice in the Grand dining room and once in Pollo. I am not a big meat eater so had lobster twice and can’t remember what I had the first night. :o We sat with two other couples in Pollo the second night. The woman next to me had a huge veal chop which she said was delicious and she finished every bit. The others had steaks of some sort which they also said were good.

I had lunch in the ding room one day and had very good perch. Portion was small which was perfect for me, but I’m sure you can ask for more if you are a bigger eater. Each lunch buffet has a theme: seafood, Mexican so far. I feel that I have eaten so much so far that I need to slow down. Problem is everything looks so good I have to try it.

Take Away: the food will not disappoint!

Entertainment: a string quartet often plays in the main staircase area, pianist in a lounge. Very nice. The show last night was 45 minutes with a woman singer. Decent.

Take away: What others have reviewed is true. Entertainment is not as glitzy as on bigger ships, but it’s entertaining enough.

The staff is always friendly, smiling and helpful. DH says when he is out and about alone in the scooter someone always helps with opening doors for him.

The gym is one of the nicest I have seen on a ship. Decent size, good assortment of machines, lots of cardio equipment and free weights. Water, towels, and cleaning cloths available. I was easily able to do my regular routine which is good with all I am eating.

We wanted a relaxing cruise and so far are pleased.

There is only one entrance to the three Manhattan cruise ship terminal piers (at 55th Street)...from there you first pass pier 92, then 90, and last 88. You should have been able to see the ship as you drove along...and it was the only one there on the 25th. When you return on 4 August, the NCL Gem will be at pier 88, and since people from your ship have already parked atop pier 90, most likely you will return to pier 90...

That’s how we knew we were at the wrong pier: 1) no people, 2) the ship was behind us. This was our first time boarding in Manhatten. So much for trusting your paperwork. Look for the ship and the people and stop! I was looking for the O sign and pier 88 so zipped right past 90.

Thanks for posting. Did you notice what time non-suite passengers were allowed on? Was it 1pm or earlier?

 

I'm surprised there was no sign at the entrance to the port saying where the ship was. Or did the driver not come up/down 12th Avenue but drive in from a cross-street?

Since we went to our suite at 1:00 we didnt hear the other announcements. Non-suite rooms were ready some time after 1:00 but not sure when. When we walked down the hall some room doors were open and some closed. I assume the open doors were rooms that needed more work to be ready. Lots of suitcases were already I got the hall.

We are currently on day 2 ( this is Friday and we boarded Wednesday so maybe this is day 3). 🤪. These are our impressions as first timers on Oceania, previous suite cruisers on Celebrity. Comments are also from the perspective of the wife of a double amputee who uses a wheelchair or scooter to get around the ship.

This is my first review. I write in thanks to the many posters who offered me valuable info.

Boarding: we got to the Manhatten pier at about 11:15 due to a lot of traffic on a rainy day. Our documents said pier 88 and we were actually pier 90 so that posed a bit of an issue as our driver had to get out and inquire why the entrance to the pier was empty. He was allowed to back up although he was concerned about getting a ticket. There was no O marking on pier 90. A fellow passenger said that their docs had the correct pier number.

We thought by arriving around 11 as we were assigned we would avoid some crowds. WRONG! There was no one in the suite line but plenty of people in the stateroom line who are assigned a 1:00 boarding.

No one at check in offered to help me push the wheelchair either through the terminal nor up the short ramp to the ship. I was offered no help until after we actually got into the ship. This is in spite of Oceana Concierge asking through our TA the time we planned to arrive and knowing DH is using a wheelchair.

Waves was not open because of the rain. Terrace Buffet was already jammed and it was not possible for me to push DH wheelchair so he could see what was available. The congestion eased somewhat by 12:00.

Our suite was not ready until a 1:00 announcement.

Take-away: take Pinotlover’s advice and board mid-afternoon after lunch to avoid the people congestion! It was nowhere as crazy as a larger ship but there were some crowds and people with large suitcases.

The Ship: the ship is lovely and not as old fashioned ornamental as I thought it might be. Fellow passengers are friendly and well traveled. Food so far is terrific and perhaps even better than Celebrity Luminae.

We are currently on insignia in Newport. Last night the captain announced that it would get bumpy in route to Newport and it was. We are on deck 6 in an aft OS and it was rocky. It was no problem for us as neither of us get sick on ships and it was during the night so we were in bed. Only time I ever was sea sick was on a small boat that held maybe 20 people going snorkeling on smooth waters!

“I'm not sure how you would be confused. Very few cruises sail out of Brooklyn these days and they specifically say Brooklyn when they do. I just got my Blue Book in the mail today for my first Oceania cruise (out of NYC, like you) and it clearly says "New York, New York" for the embarkation port and in the itinerary. Seems pretty clear to me.”

MisterBill99,

According to Wikipedia: New York City encompasses five county-level administrative divisions called boroughs: Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, The Bronx, and Staten Island. Wikipedia

So, if an itinerary says New York, New York it is not obvious which port, Manhattan or Brooklyn, your cruise is sailing unless you are experienced with sailing out of NY with a given line and you already know. According to the NY terminal website both QE2 and a Princess ship regularly sail from Brooklyn. Several others including Oceania, sail from Manhattan.

Our final Cruise Vacation Summary, which we received the other day at two weeks before sailing, is the only document I have seen that gives the embarkation port information:

Terminal Name: Manhattan Cruise Terminal Berth 2, pier 88

End of ambiguity.

Yup, they have my email address.

As advised, not stressing! :cool:

Welshfamily, do send your email. I don’t know if there is a way to send your address more privately rather than posting for all to see. Maybe some of the regulars here can advise.

I am going to follow the recommendation of LHT28 and others and bring passport, credit card and a printout of final cruise summary....which btw I have not received yet 😬. (Will rattle TA cage tomorrow as last week O said they sent it to him 7/6. )

On past cruises with Celebrity, they requested that we fill out and sign several pages and bring them to embarkation. Not once was I asked for those pages at check in. I would think all that is really needed is the booking number (and passport and credit card) and they can look up your info.

Update

Got blue book today. Arrived via FedEx.

The blue book arrived today via FedEx, 16 days before cruise!