gskimmel Posted March 8, 2012 #1 Share Posted March 8, 2012 I just got an email from Oceania regarding their 2013 Alaska cruise promotions. We've only been on 3 cruises, mainly on Celebrity. We were planning to take an Alaskan cruise next year and Oceania has been in my radar for the past year. I'm looking at either the Seattle to Vancouver or the Seattle to Seattle sailing on the Regatta. My questions are: - What is the Regatta like? - What can we expect from Oceania? To give a reference point, our main experience has been Celebrity Aqua class. - We will be in our late 30s, will we be considered too "young"? Any input is greatly appreciated. Thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare LHT28 Posted March 8, 2012 #2 Share Posted March 8, 2012 There are several threads comparing Oceania to Celebrity Apple to Oranges The passenger may be a bit older but we have been on cruises with 20 somethings to 80's somethings ....not a problem for us who are 60 somethings If you are expecting a party type cruise then you are too young ;) Regatta is a small ship less than 700 passengers, well appointed cabins Have read through this thread http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1585762 They were not on the R-ships but it does give you an idea of Oceania compares Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bruin Steve Posted March 8, 2012 #3 Share Posted March 8, 2012 I just got an email from Oceania regarding their 2013 Alaska cruise promotions. We've only been on 3 cruises, mainly on Celebrity. We were planning to take an Alaskan cruise next year and Oceania has been in my radar for the past year. I'm looking at either the Seattle to Vancouver or the Seattle to Seattle sailing on the Regatta. My questions are: - What is the Regatta like? - What can we expect from Oceania? To give a reference point, our main experience has been Celebrity Aqua class. - We will be in our late 30s, will we be considered too "young"? Any input is greatly appreciated. Thanks Regatta is a smaller ship--less than 700 passengers...and venues are sized accordingly...but most of the same public areas are there--just smaller. What it is missing is a dedicated show room...Shows are performed in a lounge and, therefore, the quality suffers a bit from the lack of facilities...also, the entertainment, on the whole, won't be what you are accustomed to with Celebrity. What is outstanding is the food. I really enjoy Celebrity's food...but find Oceania to be even a step above that. Another enjoyable difference is the lack of formal nights...no need to pack or deal with all of that extra stuff. And, the dining is all open seating--making it easier to work around your port schedule...and easy to arrange to eat with others that you meet...or by yourselves if you want. Unlike some of the big ship lines with an open seating alternative, the open seating works very well on Oceania as the dining room and restaurants are amply sized. Also, specialty restaurants are at no additional cost. In your 30s, you will be among the younger people on board...We are in our 50s and usually feel like youngsters on Oceania ships. The demographics--due to price, length of cruises and lack of children's programs--tend to be skewed toward an older, mostly retired crowd. Even so, there always seems to be SOME younger people on board...but, if not, we always find people whose company we enjoy--even if they are a bit older than us. With the demographics and the number of passengers and more limited facilities, a byproduct is that the ships seem to get awfully quiet at night...a lot of people just do dinner, then retire to their cabins...usually a little activity in the casino and that's about it...On our last Nautica cruise, I was hitting the "disco" every night (actually at the request of a friend of ours-- a younger single woman who just wanted some company--so I provided that--with my wife's approval, of course)...and, most nights, the place was a relative ghost town...most of the folks there were crew...with only a handful of passengers...Oceania is just not the cruise line for you if you want a lot of night life... It does work well for those looking for an easy, relaxed cruise with great food and an elegant (though not formal) atmosphere... Only you can decide if it's for you... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gskimmel Posted March 8, 2012 Author #4 Share Posted March 8, 2012 Thanks for the posts. We typically don't see any of the entertainment while on board. Most of the time, the rocking of the ship causes us to fall asleep shortly after 10pm. Our main purpose in cruising is to relax, which is why we enjoy Celebrity. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare LHT28 Posted March 8, 2012 #5 Share Posted March 8, 2012 Thanks for the posts. We typically don't see any of the entertainment while on board. Most of the time, the rocking of the ship causes us to fall asleep shortly after 10pm. Our main purpose in cruising is to relax, which is why we enjoy Celebrity. Then give Oceania a try ..you will love the beds :D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ebobh Posted March 8, 2012 #6 Share Posted March 8, 2012 I just wanted to thank you, Bruin Steve, for the consistency of your posts, the comprehensive nature of each response, and the clarity and accuracy of information you provide. You do so in a way that conveys a sincere desire to share your experiences without judgment of others (a refined art IMHO). I've been on this board for a few years, and have found you to perhaps be the best source of informal info and insight about the specifics of the ships, their ambiance, and to patiently answer all of the arcane questions posed by those who are new to the cruise genre. Just wanted you to know your efforts are appreciated (even by someone from that other school in LA...). Regards, Bob H Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bruin Steve Posted March 8, 2012 #7 Share Posted March 8, 2012 I just wanted to thank you, Bruin Steve, for the consistency of your posts, the comprehensive nature of each response, and the clarity and accuracy of information you provide. You do so in a way that conveys a sincere desire to share your experiences without judgment of others (a refined art IMHO). I've been on this board for a few years, and have found you to perhaps be the best source of informal info and insight about the specifics of the ships, their ambiance, and to patiently answer all of the arcane questions posed by those who are new to the cruise genre. Just wanted you to know your efforts are appreciated (even by someone from that other school in LA...). Regards, Bob H Thanks, Bob... I try...I like to be as helpful to others as so many here are to me... Of course, sometimes there are some folks on these boards who don't agree (Wait until someone asks me about Carnival! :) )... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cathi Posted March 8, 2012 #8 Share Posted March 8, 2012 Steve - have to agree with the OP. I have always looked for your responses knowing that they will be very unbiased. Keep up the good work!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jancruz Posted March 8, 2012 #9 Share Posted March 8, 2012 (Wait until someone asks me about Carnival! :) )... LOL Jancruz1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bloomcruisers Posted March 8, 2012 #10 Share Posted March 8, 2012 Regatta is a smaller ship--less than 700 passengers...and venues are sized accordingly...but most of the same public areas are there--just smaller. What it is missing is a dedicated show room...Shows are performed in a lounge and, therefore, the quality suffers a bit from the lack of facilities...also, the entertainment, on the whole, won't be what you are accustomed to with Celebrity. I know that it may vary night to night, but what time do the main lounge shows on the Regatta usually begin? 8ish, 9ish ??? Just trying to figure an approximate dinner time if we do want to go to the show. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JimandStan Posted March 8, 2012 #11 Share Posted March 8, 2012 (Wait until someone asks me about Carnival! :) )... LOL Jancruz1 Don't they have "THE FUN"? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare LHT28 Posted March 8, 2012 #12 Share Posted March 8, 2012 I know that it may vary night to night, but what time do the main lounge shows on the Regatta usually begin? 8ish, 9ish ??? Just trying to figure an approximate dinner time if we do want to go to the show. Usually 9:45 pm Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
loum140 Posted March 8, 2012 #13 Share Posted March 8, 2012 Having done Alaska on Regatta last year, I wanted to point out something else -- Oceania usually stayed in port all day, unlike other ships that are only in port for a few hours. For us, this meant the opportunity to take both a morning tour and one in the afternoon as well - not having to pick and choose only one activity per port. Or take a full-day marine wildlife sail. One whale watching expedition (an Oceania excursion) did not get back to the ship until early evening. Also, because of the smaller size of Regatta we were able to get "up close and personal" with the glaciers. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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