corpkid Posted September 23, 2013 #1 Share Posted September 23, 2013 (edited) I'm going to write a full review here in a few days, but just wanted to say this was our, hands down, favorite cruise line. We are new O cruisers (we've sailed the gamut - Carnival to Cunard to Azamara) and after reading all the reviews on here we took the plunge with O. Yes, it is not cheap, but what you do get is quality and the value is there. Only downsides were the shore excursion costs, though via the roll calls, you can manage a smaller group for better prices, more tailored. So no fault there. We did one culinary excursion via O and it was amazing - but the rest was private. It's on you. Also the FOOD! Delish - and all around. And the ship (Marina) was just as tasteful as could be and we slept like babies - and the bathrooms are actually quite spacious (again, Marina). The patrons - uniformly delightful, in their own ways. Made so many friends. Baristas near the library was just about heaven to us. Awesome coffee drinks (no charge) plus a fun group made for some good afternoons of "trying to read" spent more laughing. THEN - if you wanted to stay up later, the Martini bar was certainly a hoot. So many stories from that bar very late but I'll keep them to myself. And finally - the staff. Just perfect - had us on a first name basis by hour 1 and we could not even think of a single mis-step sans our dear (and funny) waiter trying to pour wine in very rough seas. We got a good laugh out of the 2 minute pour attempt as did he. But it was FUN. We have already booked 2 more cruises on O - all on Marina. British Isles next July and Australia and NZ Feb 2015. That should stand as a testament to our pleasure with O. Thanks all involved... EDIT: 7009 or 7008 are awesome B3 rooms. I'm probably ruining this for myself but we are already booked into 7009 for the next two cruises. And ask for a lounger or two - guess what - our attendant had that, plus double ice (per request), plus our mixer choices (per request) AND our champagne on ice. We brought all that hooch on ourselves, to boot and nobody batted an eyelash. Quality..... Edited September 23, 2013 by corpkid Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vulcan1971 Posted September 23, 2013 #2 Share Posted September 23, 2013 (edited) I have a booking on Marina for the 2014 westbound TA. Looking forward to that cruise with great anticipation as it is my first experience with O. Please let us know when your cruise review is posted. Maybe you can post a link here to the review. Sent from my Samsung Note II on the T-Mobile 4G LTE network using Tapatalk Beta 4 Edited September 23, 2013 by vulcan1971 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
corpkid Posted September 23, 2013 Author #3 Share Posted September 23, 2013 I have a booking on Marina for the 2014 westbound TA. Looking forward to that cruise with great anticipation as it is my first experience with O. Please let us know when your cruise review is posted. Maybe you can post a link here to the review. Sent from my Samsung Note II on the T-Mobile 4G LTE network using Tapatalk Beta 4 You got it. Trust me I've sailed almost every line except some of the very premium lines and you won't be disappointed. If something is not right, just mention it and they will fix/amend it. The ship is great. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mura Posted September 23, 2013 #4 Share Posted September 23, 2013 Delighted to see we have a new convert!! Hope to sail with you some day soon. Mura Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paulchili Posted September 23, 2013 #5 Share Posted September 23, 2013 (edited) Glad you enjoyed your cruise. The bad news - you are now officially addicted. The good news - it's not harmful to your health and there is a cure. I bet you know what it is. :D Edited September 23, 2013 by Paulchili Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
canuck.qc Posted September 23, 2013 #6 Share Posted September 23, 2013 Look forward to reading your full review, so happy you enjoyed your first of many O cruises. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Almagetty Posted September 23, 2013 #7 Share Posted September 23, 2013 We fly out on Wednesday to join Marina in Southampton on Friday for our first O cruise. Like you, we've sailed many, many times on many other lines. We are very excited to experience the cruise you describe! :D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
corpkid Posted September 23, 2013 Author #8 Share Posted September 23, 2013 We fly out on Wednesday to join Marina in Southampton on Friday for our first O cruise. Like you, we've sailed many, many times on many other lines. We are very excited to experience the cruise you describe! :D Not to be missed is the (decadent) milkshakes from the pool bar or the ice cream. Yeah - Ice Cream/whatever but I swear it was so good. Also do the La Reserve dinner if you can. What a night that was! Just be ready to drink a LOT of wine. It was so obvious all 24 of us were um... "enjoying" ourselves by glass 3 of 8. Belly laughs abound and you could notice the volume of the group going up and up. Oh and the food was something else, too. :) HAVE FUN - I hope you love it as much as we did! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Almagetty Posted September 23, 2013 #9 Share Posted September 23, 2013 Not to be missed is the (decadent) milkshakes from the pool bar or the ice cream. Yeah - Ice Cream/whatever but I swear it was so good. Also do the La Reserve dinner if you can. What a night that was! Just be ready to drink a LOT of wine. It was so obvious all 24 of us were um... "enjoying" ourselves by glass 3 of 8. Belly laughs abound and you could notice the volume of the group going up and up. Oh and the food was something else, too. :) HAVE FUN - I hope you love it as much as we did! I hope so, too! We are booked in La Reserve and will try to "enjoy" the wine as much as you did. I'll be sure to try the milkshakes and the ice cream. :) (I think we hail from the same city. Orlando) Sent using the Cruise Critic forums app Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marseydotes Posted September 23, 2013 #10 Share Posted September 23, 2013 Thought the whole trip was YUMMY, not just the food! We are now addicted, as well. Hope to sail with you some day! Marseydotes Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LuAnn Posted September 23, 2013 #11 Share Posted September 23, 2013 I'm going to write a full review here in a few days, but just wanted to say this was our, hands down, favorite cruise line. We are new O cruisers (we've sailed the gamut - Carnival to Cunard to Azamara) and after reading all the reviews on here we took the plunge with O. Yes, it is not cheap, but what you do get is quality and the value is there. Only downsides were the shore excursion costs, though via the roll calls, you can manage a smaller group for better prices, more tailored. So no fault there. We did one culinary excursion via O and it was amazing - but the rest was private. It's on you. Also the FOOD! Delish - and all around. And the ship (Marina) was just as tasteful as could be and we slept like babies - and the bathrooms are actually quite spacious (again, Marina). The patrons - uniformly delightful, in their own ways. Made so many friends. Baristas near the library was just about heaven to us. Awesome coffee drinks (no charge) plus a fun group made for some good afternoons of "trying to read" spent more laughing. THEN - if you wanted to stay up later, the Martini bar was certainly a hoot. So many stories from that bar very late but I'll keep them to myself. And finally - the staff. Just perfect - had us on a first name basis by hour 1 and we could not even think of a single mis-step sans our dear (and funny) waiter trying to pour wine in very rough seas. We got a good laugh out of the 2 minute pour attempt as did he. But it was FUN. We have already booked 2 more cruises on O - all on Marina. British Isles next July and Australia and NZ Feb 2015. That should stand as a testament to our pleasure with O. Thanks all involved... EDIT: 7009 or 7008 are awesome B3 rooms. I'm probably ruining this for myself but we are already booked into 7009 for the next two cruises. And ask for a lounger or two - guess what - our attendant had that, plus double ice (per request), plus our mixer choices (per request) AND our champagne on ice. We brought all that hooch on ourselves, to boot and nobody batted an eyelash. Quality..... Please...keep it quiet!!! :cool: LuAnn Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
corpkid Posted September 24, 2013 Author #12 Share Posted September 24, 2013 (edited) Yes! I'm literally on the SE corner of Lake Eola downtown.... you? Edited September 24, 2013 by corpkid Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Almagetty Posted September 24, 2013 #13 Share Posted September 24, 2013 Yes! I'm literally on the SE corner of Lake Eola downtown.... you? Dr. Phillips Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
corpkid Posted September 24, 2013 Author #14 Share Posted September 24, 2013 Dr. Phillips I work over there (kind of) - Corporate center near Sea World. We should meet up sometime. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Almagetty Posted September 24, 2013 #15 Share Posted September 24, 2013 I work over there (kind of) - Corporate center near Sea World. We should meet up sometime. That would be fun! Sent using the Cruise Critic forums app Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
corpkid Posted September 30, 2013 Author #16 Share Posted September 30, 2013 Lengthy review submitted. Probably be a few days but I'll let you know when it is posted! Again, we just loved Marina and are already daydreaming about being back on there in 10 months, then again another 8 months later! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
corpkid Posted October 2, 2013 Author #17 Share Posted October 2, 2013 I'm FAMOUS! :) (seriously - review is now posted). Hope you enjoy. http://www.cruisecritic.com/memberreviews/memberreview.cfm?EntryID=227897 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Caroldoll Posted October 2, 2013 #18 Share Posted October 2, 2013 I am in love with you two...and so are "we" DH. You have the right attitude and get up and go! So glad to hear you went to Moscow. Really something. You have the right attitude and the right amount of get up and go! Hope we meet sometime! There is so much to see and so much to see out of eyes that appreciate and are not critical. High five!!! Carole Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
canuck.qc Posted October 2, 2013 #19 Share Posted October 2, 2013 Loved your review. So happy you found O to be a good fit (I didn't doubt it for a minute!) So refreshing to read a review about relevant & practical info... I will follow your posts for your upcoming adventures! Will be on a similar itinerary after our FPolynesia cruise . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paulchili Posted October 2, 2013 #20 Share Posted October 2, 2013 What an upbeat report - a pleasure and fun to read. Thanks! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare LHT28 Posted October 2, 2013 #21 Share Posted October 2, 2013 Very nice review I am exhausted after reading about all the tours you did :eek: I need a nap Glad you are a convert Lyn Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
corpkid Posted October 2, 2013 Author #22 Share Posted October 2, 2013 Thanks both of you! Carol - keep cruising O and I pretty much assure you we will meet as we are stacking the calendar. Thanks so much for your kind words. :) I ran out of steam / time to document Copenhagen but it was also wonderful and 4 more days of great weather. We really lucked out on this one with only one day of rain in Germany. Hope to bring the sunshine from Florida to the British Isles again next July. :) Canuck, Please tell me more about the French Polynesia, if you would't mind. I'm desperately trying to get the DH to go there as it looks absolutely amazing. We generally have a rule "no tropical locales" for long hauls since we live here in Florida and hit the islands and Mexico quite frequently (a bonus of living in the "weirdest" state). But I think this would be worth doing. Thanks again - and this could be the friendliest sub-board on the site. Go back to the "ask a cruise question" area and watch the war. :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paulchili Posted October 2, 2013 #23 Share Posted October 2, 2013 I am exhausted after reading about all the tours you did :eek: I need a nap Lyn That is exactly how I felt reading it :D But remember Lyn, we too were young(er) once and could do it as well :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
corpkid Posted October 2, 2013 Author #24 Share Posted October 2, 2013 (edited) That is exactly how I felt reading it :DBut remember Lyn, we too were young(er) once and could do it as well :) My husband is 72 and I'm 36. I am keeping him young is all I can figure out - the guy won't age! He gets on the super crowded rush hour Moscow subway and starts directing people from our group how to get on (it was literally packed), as an example. I married up. :) Full head on those shoulders. ;) You REALLY must meet him - nothing but awesome. Sweet, southern, and just has a great prospect on life. Edited October 2, 2013 by corpkid Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wendy The Wanderer Posted October 2, 2013 #25 Share Posted October 2, 2013 Hey corpkid, great review--detailed and very well written, thanks. I'm about to try O for the first time next month and hope to be wowed like you two. As for French Polynesia, make sure to take a look at the Paul Gauguin before you ever make a decision about it. It's a very small ship, intimate and fun, and designed for those islands. I know Oceania does do FP now, but I wouldn't do any other ship than the PG. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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