A question for oceana experienced cruisers

[dimiegirl]

Hello. We are looking at a 2 week cruise to the meditteranean on oceana nautica. I have a question , 1- what is included in terms of food/beverages? We have only been on RCCL and wanted to know if there were any differences in what is included also is it a problem to get a table for two at dinner. On RCCL it was hard and when it was possible, the tables were so close together it was like sitting at a table for 4 anyway. Thanks for you help!:)

[JimandStan]

Hello. We are looking at a 2 week cruise to the meditteranean on Oceania nautica. I have a question , 1- what is included in terms of food/beverages? We have only been on RCCL and wanted to know if there were any differences in what is included also is it a problem to get a table for two at dinner. On RCCL it was hard and when it was possible, the tables were so close together it was like sitting at a table for 4 anyway. Thanks for you help!:)

 

All the food is included on Oceania, as it is on RCCL. On Oceania, soft drinks and bottled water are also included in your fare. Only alcohol is extra cost, beverage wise, as even specialty coffees like espresso and cappuccino are free.

 

Tables for two are fairly easy to come by, particularly if you don't object to having a drink in the grand bar while they set it up for you.

 

BTW, if you think that a table that you are being shown to is too close to other guests, say something, the Captain will find something more suitable.

[dimiegirl]

Thanks so much for the quick feedback. If I could pick your brain one more time, I wanted to ask 2 more questions, 1- I saw on some reviews that unless you have a more expensive category roon, you can only eat at the specialty restaurants once. Is this true? Also, I would like to know if there are coin operated laundry machines on board. Since this will be a 14 day cruise we were hoping not to have to pack for 14 days worth of clothes. Thanks again!:)

[Jancruz]

There are coin operated machines on board but when I travel, I only take one weeks clothes and interchange tops and bottoms, think Chicos..

Jancruz1

[TKS]

You are guaranteed one reservation in each specialty restaurant on O if you are below concierge level. However, you can go to Terrace Cafe each morning you'd like additional reservations in one of the specialty restaurants, and if they're available you can book. Some have used this several times during their cruises. You're better served to book your available reservations online as soon as you can (45 days for below concierge) to get your preferred time; it's possible to book onboard, but the most popular times may be booked.

 

We find both Terrace and GDR range from good to excellent, so we have no problems if no specialty restaurant reservations are available. (In fact, we seldom ask for additional specialty reservations because the food is so good in GDR and Terrace.) You will be pleasantly surprised with the difference between RCCL and O's buffet and main dining room offerings.

 

BTW, I highly recommend you "share" your dining tables. A romantic dinner is great, but we've met some amazing people on O by sharing a dinner table.

 

Have a great time! Cheers, Kay

[LHT28]

We must not forget the ice cream & milkshakes by the pool are also included :D

[JimandStan]

We must not forget the ice cream & milkshakes by the pool are also included :D

 

Yes, but I think that is also the case on RCCL, so I didn't mention it.

[LHT28]

Yes, but I think that is also the case on RCCL, so I didn't mention it.

Sorry never sailed RCCL

 

I know Princess charges extra

[PaulMCO]

You won't get hounded also by people trying to sell you boarding cocktails, photographers, and the RCCL shopping guides :)

 

The milkshakes, malts -- using real ice cream are free (not the soft mixed ice cream from the machine).

 

Don't want to give away too many secrets -- the best tables for two are along the stern of the ship...

[RetiredFL]

There are tables for two that are close together. In fact close enough that we have used two as a table for four.

However, our experience has been that fellow passengers have been very good at leaving you alone if that is what you want. After a quick hello it is up to you if you want to engage the next table in conversation. Your body language should be enough to let them know. We have enjoyed some interesting conversation with other tables.

In the upper level there are some tables for two along the railing that are more "isolated".

As to laundry, there are machines. You use their soap but I would recommend taking dryer sheets along. The laundry gets very crowded especially times such as half way through a cruise. Jan is probably hogging the machines:D

Considering the cost of a cruise, we don't mind spending $30-50 to have most things done by the ship's laundry. We do u/w and socks in the bathroom. There is a clothes line in the shower.

As to dinner reservations we agree that the food in the GDR is so good that we have been tempted to cancel reservations at a specialty restaurant after reading the night's menu posted outside the GDR.

Sometimes life gives you difficult decisions!

[Cookie1]

Just another FYI - On RCCL you are charged 'extra' for those specialty dining restaurants, on Oceania you dont.

[bbwex]

You can get additional specialty restaurant reservations once on board. If you have some flexibility as to time, they can often (not always) accommodate you. We were on a 14-day cruise and ate in the specialty restaurants in half of the nights.

[Senior Citizen]

We just finished a 20 day cruise on the Nautica. Towards the end of the cruise, as on other long cruises we've taken, people came down with colds. We decided to request a table for 2 in the GDR because a few days before, we requested a shared table and one couple was coughing and blowing their noses throughout dinner. Our travel companions were sick but they wisely stayed in their cabins rather than cough on people. When we asked for the table for two, we were seated at a table on the starboard side next to the window. The couple that was seated next to us was one of our Martinis Bar night trivia team members. Then, the couple that was seated next to our trivia team members was also on our trivia team. What a delightful surprise to be able to end the cruise having dinner with these people. Bottom line, yes the tables for two are close enough that you can have a decent conversation with people two tables away! If you want to have a private dinner for two, just ask to be seated next to the window and don't allow people to engage you in conversation. The tables for two at the stern of the ship are even more difficult for people to engage conversation with BUT the table in front of you is either a table for four or six and their conversation can be quite noisy. You can definitely be alone at the buffet in Tapas or in one of the specialty restaurants.