HAL Loyalist Testing the Waters on Oceania

[Old As Dirt Mom]

Hi, I'm a frequent Holland America cruiser who feels it's time to broaden my horizons and try something new. I had a tentative Alaska booking on Regent, whose product appeals to me, but as I've cruised to Alaska several times already (I love Alaska), I decided to go with Oceania because of the more interesting mix of ports.

 

Together with my sister, we chose the Alaska 10-day Vancouver to Vancouver itinerary on the Regatta this coming June, as we wanted to visit Kodiak again (we only had five hours there last year on HAL's Amsterdam, which made us want to come back and see more, and the Regatta is scheduled to be in Kodiak for 8 hours). We're in a PH cabin.

 

I would be grateful for any info, insight, suggestions, photos, and/or opinions on the Oceania experience and Regatta in particular. I've spent quite a bit of time researching this forum, and I've gleaned a lot of information (thanks Mr. Hondorner!). However, I know that Oceania has implemented, or will implement, some new features over the next few months, and I would appreciate up-to-date data.

 

In return for your kind assistance, my sister plans to keep a blog of our Regatta cruise next June, complete with photos, and post a link here for any who might be interested. We are dedicated cruise lovers with a positive attitude, and we anticipate a marvelous ride on Regatta to Alaska and return. Thanks very much in advance!

[suemiks]

Hi, I'm a frequent Holland America cruiser who feels it's time to broaden my horizons and try something new. I had a tentative Alaska booking on Regent, whose product appeals to me, but as I've cruised to Alaska several times already (I love Alaska), I decided to go with Oceania because of the more interesting mix of ports.

 

Together with my sister, we chose the Alaska 10-day Vancouver to Vancouver itinerary on the Regatta this coming June, as we wanted to visit Kodiak again (we only had five hours there last year on HAL's Amsterdam, which made us want to come back and see more, and the Regatta is scheduled to be in Kodiak for 8 hours). We're in a PH cabin.

 

I would be grateful for any info, insight, suggestions, photos, and/or opinions on the Oceania experience and Regatta in particular. I've spent quite a bit of time researching this forum, and I've gleaned a lot of information (thanks Mr. Hondorner!). However, I know that Oceania has implemented, or will implement, some new features over the next few months, and I would appreciate up-to-date data.

 

In return for your kind assistance, my sister plans to keep a blog of our Regatta cruise next June, complete with photos, and post a link here for any who might be interested. We are dedicated cruise lovers with a positive attitude, and we anticipate a marvelous ride on Regatta to Alaska and return. Thanks very much in advance!

Mike and I are on your cruise in June (7-17 right?) as well! Look forward to meeting you. Think we will like the small ship.

Sue (suemiks) from Bellingham

[Old As Dirt Mom]

Mike and I are on your cruise in June (7-17 right?) as well! Look forward to meeting you. Think we will like the small ship.

Sue (suemiks) from Bellingham

 

Hi, neighbor Sue from Bellingham, yes we are on the June 7-17 itinerary. I guess I should go over to the roll call for our cruise:)

[Old As Dirt Mom]

I emerge from a weekend spent foraging for information regarding virtually every topic to be found on this Oceania forum. My head is spinning, my eyes are crossed, and I feel like I should be awarded an OD (Doctorate of Oceania);)

 

A big thanks to all the many people who post frequently and articulately here about their experiences with Oceania Cruises.

 

The big news I gleaned is that somehow, in all ignorance, I inadvertently managed to snag the favorite cabin of poster Jan Cruz for our Regatta Alaska cruise! My apologies Jan, hopefully you'll be elsewhere and won't need your cabin:)

 

I do have a question: Is it imperative to make your dinner reservations for the specialty restaurants prior to embarkation? Or can you book once onboard? We won't know, so many weeks ahead of our cruise, where or when we'll feel like eating, or with whom. It would nice to be more spontaneous about our dining arrangements. However, if it's better to be scheduled than spontaneous, I guess I should be prepared.

 

Thank you.

[winegirl]

I booked our allotment of reservations before the cruise. When we got on board, plans changed and we had to cancel and rebook to join others we met onboard. I took a look at the cruise schedule and decided what nights we wanted a change of pace, picked arbitrarily. Be sure to get confirmation from the website that your picks went through.

 

On board, it may be harder to make reservations unless you have the "butler" accomodations. On our cruise, one had to present oneself to the podium in the Terrace DR at breakfast or lunch, I believe and make your reservations then. No phone calls from the cabin to do this. Since we were off the ship on excursion every day at this time, we couldn't use that process. If I'm wrong about the onboard reservation process, please other cruisers, add your experience.

 

Two points I'd like to make: The Main Dining Room actually had the most creative and varied fare. I preferred the choices there over the speciality restaurants, which had menus that did not change. The specialty restaurants are more intimate, but they never appeared fully booked either. I think the ship deploys waitstaff where it thinks they are needed, and perhaps that's the reason why the specialty restaurants seemed half full--not enough waitstaff to handle any more reservations. Anyhow, we got at least 3 extra nights in the specialty restaurants by showing up at the Main Dining Room at peak hour, when they had lines waiting to be seated. We always ran into a couple or group we knew, and the maitre'd asked us if we'd consider going to Polo or Toscana, where we could be seated quicker. Of course!

[Old As Dirt Mom]

Thanks, Winegirl; that was an extremely helpful and informative post. I see you've gone to Alaska on HAL. Would you care to make any comparisons between the two lines? It looks as if Windstar is your favorite cruise line; what appeals to you the most about their product? Thanks for putting up with my questions!

[winegirl]

Oh boy, this may start a row!

 

We love the small passenger count cruises. We've been on a hotel barge with 8 people and the HAL Westerdam with 2,000. The smaller ships always give you a more intimate, personalized experience. This doesn't mean you are waited on hand and foot, but there are niceties.

 

We took a stab at Windstar and absolutely LOVED it! The Windstar and Windspirit accomodate 148 passengers. They are sailing yachts, with smaller cabins (about 190 sq ft, Owners is 225 sq ft.) No balconies, tiny shop, casino, fitness room, one dining room in the evening. No elevators so no handicapped facilities, no scooters on board. No real entertainment. Good food, good wine, open dining. Port intensive cruises. Baby boomer clientele. They are like us, well enough off to pay for a nice cruise, and definitely not interested in playing dress up, interested in port experiences, not there for the typical "cruise ship" experience.

 

When I have lunch on Windstar, the staff knows after the first day that I like a capuccino after lunch. They have to go downstairs to get it but it's there without asking every day. That's an example of the service on Windstar: you get to know the crew and vice versa. It's almost like family.

 

My favorite thing about Windstar is the "sail away." When they leave port, which is usually late afternoon/early evening, everyone is on the top deck. They play the Vangelis theme, can be heard on the dock, we wave to the locals, they wave back: it's very emotional and magical to sail away on this gorgeous yacht with the sails unfurling, enjoying a cocktail. Nothing else like it in our cruising experience.

 

I've heard that Windstar may be in some financial trouble, and that some TA's are not booking clients on Windstar as a result. This is tragic, but I'm thinking it's because Windstar has not changed their itineraries for quite a while. We'd be on Windstar every year if they'd open up some new itineraries.

 

As far as comparing Oceania to HAL, it depends on what you like when you cruise. I'm copying my impressions from another post:

_____________________________________________________________

HAL Westerdam to Alaska, in a "suite" size cabin and Oceania Insignia in the "Concierge" level. At that level, Oceania does serve hot room service breakfast. I thought I heard they were going to expand that on the Marina. From what I see, the Marina has much larger staterooms than Insignia, Regatta or Nautica. So the cabin sizes will be equivalent to a verandah suite on HAL.

 

It was interesting, but on deck 7 of HAL Westerdam, I felt the ocean rolling more than I did on the smaller Insignia. I think the higher up your deck is, the more you will feel the ocean rolling. I used Bonine everyday on both cruises, didn't want to chance seasickness.

 

I thought the food on Oceania was marginally better than HAL, with the main dining room being the consistent star. The no extra cost reservations in the specialty restaurants were nice as well. Restaurants were not as "mobbed" as on the Westerdam. I disliked the HAL Lido buffet restaurant, Oceania's Terrace is far more civilized and less hectic feeling.

 

Oceania will have no art sales or lectures, they got rid of that. We kind of enjoyed the art lectures on HAL. Oceania's library is wonderful. Internet service on Oceania was slow and expensive, and for some, that may be the deal breaker if they need internet service.

 

You may want more activities on board than Oceania offers. We don't do the late night shows, casino or bar scene but if you enjoy those, HAL would have more to offer in my opinion.

 

HAL excursions were less expensive than Oceania's. I felt the excursion quality on both lines were equivalent--they probably contract with the same tour operators in each port.

 

We like smaller ships so vastly preferred the 700 passenger size of Insignia to the 2,000 passenger size of Westerdam. HAL seemed to attract a large number of older cruisers, many in wheelchairs or scooters. There were also more families with children. Oceania seems to have fewer of both demographics, although we did see family groups on Oceania. The Oceania service is also a bit more personalized primarily due to the lower passenger count.

 

After cruising on the HAL ship, we both definitely agreed that the Oceania 700 passenger ships are as large as we will ever consider. We just don't like the crowds.

_______________________________________________________________

 

Hope this helps. I have to add that we've toured Alaska on land and by ship and the land trip was far better. When the big cruisers get into those ports on the inside passage, anywhere from 2,000 to 8,000 people or more get off the ships and head to the shops in town. Yes, you can do some "excursions" of limited duration and nature. But it can't compare to seeing Denali or Kenai Fjords in depth without thousands of others in tow and without ship schedule to maintain.

[StanandJim]

I've heard that Windstar may be in some financial trouble, and that some TA's are not booking clients on Windstar as a result. This is tragic, but I'm thinking it's because Windstar has not changed their itineraries for quite a while. We'd be on Windstar every year if they'd open up some new itineraries.

 

We lunched with some staff from the Wind Star while they (and we) were in Aruba this past weekend, and they insist that WindStar is committed to keeping their entire fleet sailing, despite the economy.

 

Apparently, there were several instances where the owners could have opted out of contracts if they were winding things up, but the decision was made to re-sign, so the future seems secure. :D

[aohkay]

I booked our allotment of reservations before the cruise. When we got on board, plans changed and we had to cancel and rebook to join others we met onboard. I took a look at the cruise schedule and decided what nights we wanted a change of pace, picked arbitrarily. Be sure to get confirmation from the website that your picks went through.

 

On board, it may be harder to make reservations unless you have the "butler" accomodations. On our cruise, one had to present oneself to the podium in the Terrace DR at breakfast or lunch, I believe and make your reservations then. No phone calls from the cabin to do this. Since we were off the ship on excursion every day at this time, we couldn't use that process. If I'm wrong about the onboard reservation process, please other cruisers, add your experience.

 

Two points I'd like to make: The Main Dining Room actually had the most creative and varied fare. I preferred the choices there over the speciality restaurants, which had menus that did not change. The specialty restaurants are more intimate, but they never appeared fully booked either. I think the ship deploys waitstaff where it thinks they are needed, and perhaps that's the reason why the specialty restaurants seemed half full--not enough waitstaff to handle any more reservations. Anyhow, we got at least 3 extra nights in the specialty restaurants by showing up at the Main Dining Room at peak hour, when they had lines waiting to be seated. We always ran into a couple or group we knew, and the maitre'd asked us if we'd consider going to Polo or Toscana, where we could be seated quicker. Of course!

 

Below is the reservation policy for dining reservations in the specialty restaurants. You will ALWAYS receive your allotment, whether you book online, in person on the ship, or are not in a Suite; however, you may not receive the preferred dates/ times if you wait until you book onboard.

 

As winegirl did, we looked at the itinerary and chose evenings that we had to be back on board early.

 

I believe the restaurants are booked to capacity every evening, save the odd cancellation. If the resturant doesn't look busy early in the evening, it's due to the tables being booked already for later reservations. It will then be filled to capacity around 8:00 - 9:00 and then fall off after 9:00.

 

I enjoyed all of the food outlets on Insignia...right down to the popcorn. :p

______________________________________________________

From the Oceania Cruises FAQ:

Reservation Rules

 

 

 

When to make your reservations:

• Your booking must be paid in full.
  
• The online dining reservation system closes 14 days prior to your sailing's embarkation date.
  
• Owner's and Vista Suite can make reservations 90 days to 15 days prior to embarkation.
  
• Penthouse Suite can make reservations 75 days to 15 days prior to embarkation.
  
• Concierge Level Veranda staterooms can make reservations 60 days to 15 days prior to embarkation.
  
• Veranda, Ocean View and Inside Stateroom can make reservations 45 days to 15 days prior to embarkation.
  

Number of reservations:

• Owner's Suite, Vista Suite, Penthouse Suite and Concierge Level Veranda
  10-17 Sailing Days: 2 reservations at each restaurant
  18+ Sailing Days: 3 reservations at each restaurant
  
• Veranda, Ocean View and Inside Stateroom
  10-17 Sailing Days: 1 reservations at each restaurant
  18+ Sailing Days: 2 reservations at each restaurant
  

Number of guest per table:

• All reservations have a maximum of 8 guests per table.
  

[tropicalkerry2002]

where? I LOVE popcorn!

[Old As Dirt Mom]

where? I LOVE popcorn!

 

I could be wrong (and being an Oceania newbie, I probably am), but I think it's Regent that has the popcorn, not Oceania?

 

Thanks, Aohkay and Winegirl, for your detailed answers. I will keep your information in mind as I prepare for our cruise. Appreciate your kind responses.

 

I see that Oceania has neither photographers nor art auctions onboard its ships; I approve of that.:) I do agree with you regarding HAL's Lido, or buffet. Too much mayhem (in my opinion only). I concur in that I find Oceania's internet fees and shore excursions to be pricier than HAL's, based on what I've read here and on the Oceania website.

 

I especially appreciate the HAL/Oceania comparison. I have enjoyed my HAL cruises over the years, but I'm starting to notice a decline in a number of areas, service being the most obvious to me. HAL still offers a premium product on some itineraries and in some cabin categories, but it's become very inconsistent, and can vary from ship to ship. I am very much looking forward to the Oceania smaller ship experience. It sounds precisely like my cup of tea.

 

One cruise line which intrigues me is American Safari Cruises. Now that would be an ideal way to experience Alaska!

[LHT28]

 

I enjoyed all of the food outlets on Insignia...right down to the popcorn. :p

______________________________________________________

Where was the popcorn :confused::confused::confused:

[Paulchili]

Where was the popcorn :confused::confused::confused:

 

On Princess with the MUTS (movies under the stars) :D

[LHT28]

On Princess with the MUTS (movies under the stars) :D

That is true & NCL had a popcorn machine by the bar where you could get fresh popcorn in the evenings

 

 

I do remember they did have a movie in the Regatta lounge one day with popcorn but we never go to movies ...

Guess I will have to go in for the popcorn then sneak out :D:D

[aohkay]

where? I LOVE popcorn!

 

We made a bet with our Butler that he couldn't find us popcorn. Lo and behold, guess who showed up at our door with a HUGE bowl of popcorn. Now, is that service, or is that service?! I love Oceania :D :D :D

[MightyQuinn]

Hi MAM!

 

Quite a few seasoned HAL cruisers have recently wandered over to Oceania. I can tell you that the waters are just fine here! Oceania is a great cruiseline that delivers a superb on-board experience. Beautiful ships, well appointed staterooms, delicious & well presented food, no-charge specialty dining, attentive service, elegant casual dress, interesting fellow passengers. What’s not to like?

 

But it’s not a case of absolutes. We missed the gorgeous teak wrap-around decks on HAL as well as the expansive outside public viewing areas. HAL staterooms are larger across all cats compared to Oceania and HAL gets the edge for allowing passengers to remain in their staterooms to await final disembarkation. Both have overpriced excursions & typical shipboard activities. Entertainment is very different between them but was a draw for us. On what matters most to us, Oceania trumped HAL.

 

Like you, I devoured this forum & read many CC member reviews before we decided to take the plunge a year ago. I learned so much! There are several published reviews (including mine) that make comparisons to HAL. Over the past few months, there have also been threads here that discussed the differences. For easy reference, here are some tidbits ….

 

Hope this helps. You'll love Oceania! :):)

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1292826&highlight=

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1280021

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1203871&highlight=

[Old As Dirt Mom]

Much obliged, Mighty Quinn. I thought I had read all the reviews and HAL comparisons during my reading binge over the past weekend, but there's obviously a number of threads that evaded me:) I love having more material to read, so thanks!

 

You made a comment in one of your links above which resonates with me: "If you love what HAL used to be, you will love Oceania". The first part of your statement made me a little sad, because that's my summary of the current HAL experience, too, and I never thought I'd feel that way. "What HAL used to be". And I haven't even been around the cruise world for very long myself. Ah well, I suppose evolution and adaptability are part of both life and business. HAL will certainly survive the current economic climate, but it won't be the same HAL. There's good and bad to that, I suppose. I guess I must be getting old!:eek:

[MightyQuinn]

MAM, I know what you mean. I felt like we were "cheating" on HAL last year when we tried Oceania. Because back in the day, we NEVER thought of any cruise line but HAL. But things change, loyalties shift & memories of the good ole days start getting cloudy. I now realize that choice is good! HAL is still in our mix (gotta spend those FCDs somehow ;);)) but they're no longer on top.

[StanandJim]

Stan and I both grew up within ten miles of the New York Harbor during its' heyday as a cruise embarkation port. Cunard, HAL, Furness Bermuda, Sitmar, and Home lines took turns basking in our favor as the 1960's melted into the 1970's and beyond.

Eventually, however, the choices dwindled until Holland America became virtually the only game in town.

After the first five years or so, the itineraries were hardly exciting, but mother liked to play bridge, and dad liked to Rhumba, so we kids were a captive audience.

 

Things that are important to a youngster, such as the ginger trolley, the "full sized real porcelain bathtubs" (perfect for amplifying the distant engine noise if you stuck your head in) and the distance markers on the promenade deck, gave way to an appreciation of the food, magnificent service, abundance of flowers and general ambiance as the years passed.

 

Now, I'd like to say that we took the high road and stopped sailing HAL when the edges started to fray, but the honest truth is that we stuck with them for almost ten years into the Carnival period despite the not so subtle deterioration of their product.

 

In fact, you reference one of the HAL features that we still miss, the wrap around teak promenade deck.

 

It is typical of the direction of the "New" HAL that those promenades are becoming communal verandas via the new "Lanai Stateroom" concept.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GcAAiUITzqs&feature=related

[Mura]

and HAL gets the edge for allowing passengers to remain in their staterooms to await final disembarkation.

 

Er, are Howard and I the only people who wait in our stateroom despite the rule that we be out? We've never had a problem ... No one kicked us out until we left.

 

Of course, maybe I should be quiet since if everybody did that there COULD be a problem!

 

In that case, forget I said anything.

[GrammieK]

StandandJim,

OMG! Is that a picture of the Home Lines Oceanic??? That was my first cruise in 1978! NY - Bermuda - Nassau - what a blast. We hit a hurricane and a water spout actually grazed the ship taking with it a number of teak deck chairs! It was so exciting, but of course, it was even harder to find a deck chair for the remainder of the cruise! That was when cruising was cruising - the good old days!

Hope you enjoyed Aruba,

Kathie

[Old As Dirt Mom]

What I'd really like to know: Are the Oceania ships truly as beautiful as depicted in those gorgeous brochures? Are the amenities promised in each category as lavish as stated?

 

(The brochures I've been getting in the past few years from Oceania are such media masterpieces that I can't bring myself to throw them away:o. I've placed them in my art cupboard for my daughters' school and art projects. But they're pretty massive, and my cupboard is getting full.......)

[LHT28]

What I'd really like to know: Are the Oceania ships truly as beautiful as depicted in those gorgeous brochures? Are the amenities promised in each category as lavish as stated?

 

 

The rooms are not a shiny as the brochures :D

 

They look very much like the photos to me

 

Lyn

[caribbeansun]

Yeah, they have more of a matte finish I'd say ;)

 

The rooms are not a shiny as the brochures :D

[caribbeansun]

A couple penthouse pics from our most recent cruise: