puzzled by such negative comments about Oceania Riviera

[atlantic cruiser]

Having only booked but as not yet sailed on Oceania, I was somewhat shocked at the negative feedback on the Seabourn board about a cruise on the Riviera I believe. After reading all the positive reviews about the great food, service on Oceania I was rather disgusted by the snobbish put downs in this review. Tell me it isn't so. Thanks

[aohkay]

What thread are you referencing? Perhaps they were talking about the Mariner.

[PaulMCO]

What thread are you referencing? Perhaps they were talking about the Mariner.

 

It is titled "Earth to Bayhilla"

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1896572

 

I would take exception to his review. We were on the same cruise and certainly did not fInd the same (except for the Canapés) bad food and poor service.

[atlantic cruiser]

Just noted the same sarcastic, review on the Oceania site too! I know everyone has a right to their own opinion but this guy is so negative and so superior I am not going to read any more. Just hoping for some assurances that his assessments are ridiculous. Thanks

[Emperor Norton]

Different people have differing expectations and experiences. Two people could share a table and one could have a perfectly cooked dish with fresh ingredients and the other could be served month old frozen and thaw cycled to death trash.

 

Unless they're eating off each others plates their experiences will be totally different, yet equally valid.

[cruisewmn]

We just returned from a fabulous cruise on Marina. It was our first with Oceania and we were impressed enough to rebook for next summer. We took a cruise on Seabourn Quest two years ago and were quite disappointed. Food was mediocre and service lackluster. We have no plans to book another Seabourn cruise.

 

Cruising is subjective. You won't know if you like a ship until you try it. :)

 

 

 

Sent using the Cruise Critic forums app

[HeatherInFlorida]

It isn't so :). Admittedly, I can't compare our first experience on Oceania with an experience on Seabourne because I've never cruised on Seabourne.

 

But we've cruised since 1982 on Cunard, Royal Viking Line (oh so long ago it was my favorite), Holland America, Celebrity, NCL, Windstar and a few others that died a long time ago. Before our cruise on the Riviera this past January I had told my husband I was done. Our last cruise on Celebrity had been disappointing and I believed that cruising had changed too much to make me want to do it anymore.

 

And then we booked our cruise on the Riviera and I fell in love (and so did he) as if it were my first time on a cruise. We can't wait for our December cruise (again on Riviera) and the following November on Regatta. We do have a Celebrity cruise planned in 2015, but that may change when the new schedules come out for Oceania (I'm on pins and needles:D).

 

My review of the Riviera is linked in my signature if you're interested in reading it. But I feel confident in saying you will not be disappointed.

[Travelcat2]

I am always disappointed when posters make negative comments about a cruise line on another board. Not sure what the purpose is -- unless a specific question has been asked. I also find posts like #2 above, where a Oceania poster assumes that any negative comment is about a Regent ship, equally annoying.

[Paulchili]

This an opinion of one individual (as far as I can tell) about his/her experience on the Riviera.

While it is a perfectly valid opinion of this person - that is all that it is. Just an opinion of a single cruiser.

There are many other reviews of the Riviera for comparisons to those that have never sailed on Oceania before. Those that have, will take it for what it is - a legitimate impression of a first time cruiser on Oceania.

His/her opinion is as valid as anyone else's but has to be taken in the context of other reviews. If it represents a majority view than it has a lot more merit than if it is a minority or an exception. It's that simple.

We can all decide for ourselves.

[ronrick1943]

I don't know, sounds like something happen on this cruise and that person didn't get it resolved or getting his/her way----sounds like sour grapes.

Rick

[avalong]

Suggested reading: Baychilla's review of the Seabourn Pride - 16 days in the Baltic. He's equally hard on Seabourn's culinary offerings as well as other aspects of the Seabourn experience. He's just a tough sell, that's all. The major difference is that, overall, he liked the Seabourn cruise (although, honestly, you couldn't tell by some of his pithy observations), whereas he didn't care for the Oceania experience. To each his own.

[Emperor Norton]

Suggested reading: Baychilla's review of the Seabourn Pride - 16 days in the Baltic. He's equally hard on Seabourn's culinary offerings as well as other aspects of the Seabourn experience. He's just a tough sell, that's all. The major difference is that, overall, he liked the Seabourn cruise (although, honestly, you couldn't tell by some of his pithy observations), whereas he didn't care for the Oceania experience. To each his own.

This is spot on.:cool:

 

I don't know, sounds like something happen on this cruise and that person didn't get it resolved or getting his/her way----sounds like sour grapes.

Rick

 

Can I play? Professor Plumb, the Library with the lead pipe.

[rogfam]

My review of the Riviera is linked in my signature if you're interested in reading it. But I feel confident in saying you will not be disappointed.

 

Heather, read your review and we will also be in a PH this winter on Riveria's sister ship Marina. Now, more than ever, I can't want for our cruise!!

[canuck.qc]

I read the entire review & found it to be riddled with sarcasm and frankly it did not contain any useful info. that one could apply to their future travels. Also, posting endless close-up HD photos of various foods can make any plate look unappetizing (unless photographed professionally). I tend to think one should be thankful for the opportunity to travel, look around, to have such complaints :confused:. We have cruised the same itinerary with O and what I remember are the local people we met, the places we saw, the kindness and passion of the guides we had & the quality of tours & excursions... those are the topics I want to read about in a review.

[Caroldoll]

His pictures are fabulous, but his remarks are way off target. I have had a horrible experience on Seabourn, but their food was good! I have had a super fabulous experience on Riviera and their food was fabulous! Every cruise is different, but one would have to go a long way to put Riviera down. We cruise all the time, all lines and I believe I do know.

[ORV]

This an opinion of one individual (as far as I can tell) about his/her experience on the Riviera.

While it is a perfectly valid opinion of this person - that is all that it is. Just an opinion of a single cruiser.

There are many other reviews of the Riviera for comparisons to those that have never sailed on Oceania before. Those that have, will take it for what it is - a legitimate impression of a first time cruiser on Oceania.

His/her opinion is as valid as anyone else's but has to be taken in the context of other reviews. If it represents a majority view than it has a lot more merit than if it is a minority or an exception. It's that simple.

We can all decide for ourselves.

 

Yes, but as others have noted we have to filter it through his attitude.

[fairbourne]

Just noted the same sarcastic, review on the Oceania site too! I know everyone has a right to their own opinion but this guy is so negative and so superior I am not going to read any more. Just hoping for some assurances that his assessments are ridiculous. Thanks

 

For what's its worth Atlantic Cruiser, we recently sailed on the Regatta and have an upcoming Riviera booked. (It was booked first, but then along came the Alaska itinerary and we jumped at it!)

 

The first words my TA said to me when I called her to book, was that it was not Seabourn. However, we went with an open mind. When we first boarded the Regatta I did have my doubts, yes there is no "champagne" reception, the first 24 hours were less than satisfactory, but and it is a BIG but, we spoke with some senior managers as I firmly believe that there is no point in not saying anything, and you should nip any concerns in the bud. From there on in we were treated like royalty! Nothing was too much trouble. There were a couple of crew who weren't too attentive, but that can happen on any ship. There will of course be a school of thought who would say everything should have been just so that we shouldn't have had to complain in the first place, but hey we deal with it, we don't "suffer" through not saying anything.

 

We both thought the food was better than SB and SS (apart from the SB breadsticks, they can never be beaten in my book and the Nigerian Shrimp) Much more choice with the speciality restaurants and if you have any requirements at all, a polite word was all it took. I enjoyed the GDR and did not feel the food was "mass-catered". The Terrace could be busy and we did not go there for dinner, but enjoyed a few lunches sitting out on the aft deck. I didn't care too much for Waves, but then I'm not a burger or hot dog eater at all. Polo again as I don't eat red meat was not my first choice, but shhh, don't tell anyone, the Maitre D there was kind enough to offer to bring me something from Toscana if I wanted. But I was happy with a fish dish off the Polo menu, so contrary to certain reports, they are very accommodating - and we did not ask!

 

We were in a PH which I "felt" was about the same size as a Verandah on SB or SS, just more square as you have a small bank of inside cabins and two halls. The decor on the Regatta in the stateroom was IMHO a tad dated and could do with a freshen up, but I have to stress everything was very clean, and very comfortable. The beds are first class. I missed the walk-in wardrobe, but look forward to having one on the Riviera. Our butler was always smiling and was happy to bring anything we asked for in a timely and efficient manner. Including treats we hadn't asked for but none the less, we managed to find some room for! ;):D. Our welcome canapés were not at all like Baychilla's - we had no lipsticks on the side! ;-) :-) And they were presented on a covered dish with our chilled bottle of champagne and glasses at its side. We had a look at a concierge/verandah stateroom and they are small, but you know that when you book and of course they cost less!

 

The whole feel of the Regatta was English country house style and we quite like that, so it will be interesting to see the newer, much brighter Riviera.

 

The only thing which we did not care for were some of our fellow pax on that sailing - we have never come across such rude people. But, thankfully, they were in a teeny minority, but because their behaviour was so noticeable and bad, it seemed like more. We met some lovely fellow CCrs and other new friends who we enjoyed socialising with enormously. But let's face it you could run into this rude behaviour anywhere! And I've seen it on SB and SS too!

 

I will also just touch on the dress code. It is very informal, but most people did smarten up for dinner, but as with everywhere, you will get the odd few who think that jeans, baseball caps and trainers are acceptable at dinner. It wasn't policed by staff and I think that's such a shame when others are dressed nicely and you are dining in lovely surroundings. However, I was also surprised when on SB as to how informally and very casually dressed a lot of people were at dinner there also.

 

So taking our TAs comment, no it is not SB, it is O and doesn't proclaim to be anything other than O, and I think, even with adding in gratuities and your choice of drinks package, it offers value for money. (Not too much, just in case FDR is reading this! ;):))

 

Would we sail with them again if we hadn't already booked the Riviera, yes!

 

To each his own, but really I felt compelled to write this as I don't think Baychilla's review is very fair - but then as others have said, is he ever truly happy, or are we missing something in his sarcasm?

 

As for the other SB posters who now proclaim that they will never sail on O based on this review, well that quite honestly beggars belief and I would have thought they would have had more sense than that! :eek:

 

Oh and I almost forgot, the dreaded smoking issue. No smoking at all in staterooms or verandas. Limited inside to one area, and although that infiltrates currently a bit into the rest of the lounge, plans are afoot to soon enclose the smoking area in that space. The only other smoking area is one small corner of the pool deck and that was easily avoided. So as far as smoking is concerned, O wins hands down!

[TERRIER1]

Just noted the same sarcastic, review on the Oceania site too! I know everyone has a right to their own opinion but this guy is so negative and so superior I am not going to read any more. Just hoping for some assurances that his assessments are ridiculous. Thanks

 

And you won't have to sail with him either.

 

:)

[aohkay]

I am always disappointed when posters make negative comments about a cruise line on another board. Not sure what the purpose is -- unless a specific question has been asked. I also find posts like #2 above, where a Oceania poster assumes that any negative comment is about a Regent ship, equally annoying.

 

Nope, didn't assume that a negative comment automatically had to be about a Regent ship. The OP is new here and I thought perhaps she confused the Mariner for Marina. Wouldn't be the first time someone got the two ships mixed up.

[Mura]

I am always disappointed when posters make negative comments about a cruise line on another board. Not sure what the purpose is -- unless a specific question has been asked. I also find posts like #2 above, where a Oceania poster assumes that any negative comment is about a Regent ship, equally annoying.

 

 

I, too, didn't get the feeling the reason for the question was due to an assumption that any negative comment is about a Regent ship.

 

As it happens, it is not at all unusual for people (especially those that haven't sailed on O before) to think that Marina's name is Mariner. That's not to cast aspersions on either ship.

 

Mura

[Travelcat2]

Yes - very possible. I should not have made by assumption.

[hypercafe]

I do not get it. Why a person who can research a line and see all sorts of pictures of the ship would book a back to back and then dislike the ship and the ports so much. Seems like a great waste to time and money, why not just stick to what you know you like?

[Emperor Norton]

I do not get it. Why a person who can research a line and see all sorts of pictures of the ship would book a back to back and then dislike the ship and the ports so much. Seems like a great waste to time and money, why not just stick to what you know you like?

 

The line itself was supposed to be the gold standard for food at sea, the most options, the highest quality, oodles of awards. Thats what the research said. As for the ports Im not sure what you're reading but I have not dumped on every port.

[writer100]

And you won't have to sail with him either.

 

:)

 

A lively riposte! I have a foot in both camps (sort of) so my comments are (perhaps?) less partisan that those from true believers who line the decks here on cc. Our cruise history is initially i Regent, then 4 Seabourn--1 Legend, then 1 on each of the larger SB ships. Then Riviera, and 48 hours ago, back from Marina Isles and Fjords. (Two more O cruises booked.) So, the Riviera experience was mind changing--food better than Seabourn, service sometimes better than, mostly as good as, only rarely worse than SB. Bartenders on both lines cannot make a Hemingway Daiquiri--never heard of it on O--or a decent mojito. The normal O veranda cabin is significantly smaller than SB's, no walk-in closet is a real minus. Bedding is better than. Shower, well, I learned to use the spa shower. My wife--a tougher marker than I am--found the just passed Marina cruise somehow less memorable. Not exactly disappointing, but lacking the extraordinary positives that we found on Riviera. The latter was a cruise to the Caribbean, and it may simply be that one entire aspect of the cruise experience was lacking on Marina; no one in the pool or hot tub. The outdoors are a powerful dimension in the Caribbean, distinctly less so in the North Sea. But something else was amiss. Was it the entertainment? No, we never go. (Although we did enjoy Mio, a close-encounter magician whose talent was, ah. magical.) The food was very good, but somehow not as remarkable as on Riviera. Polo and Red Ginger excel, but other venues were a bit more variable in their excellence. An off night for the chef, for us, or just expecting the same degree of surprise and excitement that was felt first time around? Perhaps, any or all. Here and there, a slight language barrier, as a server at breakfast in the Terrace was visibly translating a request from English to her native tongue.But she was so eager to please, so pleasant, that one was instantly charmed rather than irritated by the hesitation.

 

In sum--and certainly not in short--every line, every ship, is a different experience.Valenced by itinerary, pax mix, cabin size, price--you pay more, you expect more right?--plus the weather, and the dozens of little experiences that make up the total cruise.Oh yes, the smoking policy--really the No Smoking policy--on O is important to us. On 1 Seabourn cruise our verandah was off limits because of a smoker next door. Would I go back to Seabourn? Yes, at the right price, and itinerary.

 

I suggest that the Seabourn experience on the 3 smaller ships really did--maybe does-- offer a certain distilled SB essence. It can be a much more personal experience that sailing on a larger ship. Certainly the bigger SB ships are similar in feeling to the larger O liners in a social sense.

 

I have no interest in Silversea, a disinterest heightened by their citing by the CDC for storing meat and other perishables in unrefrigerated crew cabins. What were they thinking? And Crystal still seems a bit too formal, its dinner plan an awkward compromise between open and regulated times.

So, I am looking forward to my next two cruises on O--both on Riviera. And of course, I reserve the right to quibble and complain.

And so should you.

[Wendy The Wanderer]

I've never been on Seabourn but have met a number of SB cruisers on Regent ships. As nice as they were, they were all Seabourn snobs--nitpicking everything they could find on Regent, looking down their noses, so to speak (but still having a good time for all that, and still friendly and enjoyable.) Don't know if this is a general thing--perhaps there is an SB equivalent to "Crystalization"?