What are the best tips for a newbie to make the most of Oceania?

[Paulchili]

Is there a charge for the thassalotherapy pool, steam or saunas?

 

Are the specialty restaurants open for lunch? If so, is that part of the 1 guarantee per cruise? No, they are not open for lunch

 

At the Terrace Grille, what do they actually grill? Everything you can think of - lobster tails, jumbo shrimp, fish, steaks, lamb, sausage, vegetables, pasta or wok station.....

Will there be a noise issue if our cabin is above the casino area on the Riviera?

I doubt it very much

 

Does O have a Captain's "Welcome Aboard" and "Farewell" party?

Yes

 

 

I am sure others will add to this.

[chrismch]

Thanks, Paul.

[LHT28]

Is there a charge for the thassalotherapy pool, steam or saunas?

 

Does O have a Captain's "Welcome Aboard" and "Farewell" party?

 

If you are in Concierge or above cabins you can use the spa deck (T-pool) free

They do sell day passes for the spa deck to the lower cabin cat

If you book a spa treatment you can get access to the spa deck for 1 hr before or after your treatment (unless they have changed this option)

 

I believe the steam rooms are free to all

 

There is no farewell party that I am aware of

 

Lyn

Edited July 2, 2014 by LHT28

[roothy123]

I am sure others will add to this.

I was going to post the same about the farewell party - not a farewell party with the Captain per se. However, perhaps Paul was referring to the "special guests" show and party in which practically the entire crew comes out onto the stage. I don't go to too many shows, but that's one I don't miss. The crew is so wonderful and it's a nice way to see them - ALL! On the cruises I've been on, it has been the second to last night and is advertised as having "special guests" or something like that. Don't miss it - unless you think the service has been awful on Oceania!

 

Once you're a "repeater" on Oceania (and chances are you will be!) you'll be invited to a past passengers cocktail party. The Captain usually makes it to that one.

 

Agree that it's doubtful you'll hear anything from the casino. It is carpeted, which probably means no scraping of chairs.

Edited July 2, 2014 by roothy123

[roothy123]

One other tip to help you enjoy your cruise:

 

Keep in mind that every cruise line does things differently. While it's normal to get on a new ship and compare it to the ones you've been on, try not to dwell on the differences but instead seek out the new and unique things you might find! Because of your post, it sounds like you're already trying to do that, so that's great! However, I just thought I'd throw it out as I see so many threads on Cruise Critic in which a person is comparing or dinging Oceania to other cruise lines because they don't offer what their previous cruise line offered. Nope, Oceania seldom or never offers movies under the stars, galley tours, or some of the other things other lines offer. However, it does offer great food and wonderful service, plus free art classes (and it's not always painting, and seldom knitting - I've participated in photography and fiber arts). The shows aren't necessarily Broadway quality but the cruise itineraries are usually fairly intense (and often quite unique compared to many lines) so after a day of exploring a new destination and a good dinner I really don't care most nights about the shows.

 

Putting down my pompoms now.....but truly hope you enjoy Riviera! Don't forget to eat on the Terrace some nights! Oh, and when you do: You do not need to worry about getting a drink (water included). The servers will get that for you. Just take your food to a table and they will find you.

Edited July 2, 2014 by roothy123

[turnip eater]

One other tip to help you enjoy your cruise:

 

Keep in mind that every cruise line does things differently. While it's normal to get on a new ship and compare it to the ones you've been on, try not to dwell on the differences but instead seek out the new and unique things you might find! Because of your post, it sounds like you're already trying to do that, so that's great! However, I just thought I'd throw it out as I see so many threads on Cruise Critic in which a person is comparing or dinging Oceania to other cruise lines because they don't offer what their previous cruise line offered. Nope, Oceania seldom or never offers movies under the stars, galley tours, or some of the other things other lines offer. However, it does offer great food and wonderful service, plus free art classes (and it's not always painting, and seldom knitting - I've participated in photography and fiber arts). The shows aren't necessarily Broadway quality but the cruise itineraries are usually fairly intense (and often quite unique compared to many lines) so after a day of exploring a new destination and a good dinner I really don't care most nights about the shows.

 

Putting down my pompoms now.....but truly hope you enjoy Riviera! Don't forget to eat on the Terrace some nights! Oh, and when you do: You do not need to worry about getting a drink (water included). The servers will get that for you. Just take your food to a table and they will find you.

 

Amen to that:)

[kiawahdon]

"Oops..forgot one suggestion: When you go out in a port, especially if you are going as an independent (in other words not on an Oceania excursion), take the port agent information that Oceania prints in the Currents newsletter each night. Last year in St. Petersburg we ran into a woman who had gotten separated from her tour group at the Hermitage and had NO idea what to do. She had no phone and was practically hysterical, as I would have been in! She was wandering around the huge parking lot looking for more Oceania cruisers. Luckily she ran into my husband and another O cruiser who helped her contact the port agent."

 

All the above drama would be eliminated if O would do what I suggested months ago. Put the ship's telephone number on the back of the cruise cards. Many lines do this and it negates the need to have a copy of Currents with you.

[pacheco18]

One other tip to help you enjoy your cruise:

 

Keep in mind that every cruise line does things differently. While it's normal to get on a new ship and compare it to the ones you've been on, try not to dwell on the differences but instead seek out the new and unique things you might find! Because of your post, it sounds like you're already trying to do that, so that's great! However, I just thought I'd throw it out as I see so many threads on Cruise Critic in which a person is comparing or dinging Oceania to other cruise lines because they don't offer what their previous cruise line offered. Nope, Oceania seldom or never offers movies under the stars, galley tours, or some of the other things other lines offer. However, it does offer great food and wonderful service, plus free art classes (and it's not always painting, and seldom knitting - I've participated in photography and fiber arts). The shows aren't necessarily Broadway quality but the cruise itineraries are usually fairly intense (and often quite unique compared to many lines) so after a day of exploring a new destination and a good dinner I really don't care most nights about the shows.

 

Putting down my pompoms now.....but truly hope you enjoy Riviera! Don't forget to eat on the Terrace some nights! Oh, and when you do: You do not need to worry about getting a drink (water included). The servers will get that for you. Just take your food to a table and they will find you.

 

Absolutely wonderful advice.

[ORV]

Just would like to add that the "Captain's Welcome" party is much better than what you have probably experienced on other lines. Instead of the obligatory champagne and fruity drinks it's an open bar pretty much throughout the ship for 2 or 3 hours.

 

I think you can still go meet the Captain and CD, HD etc., but you don't have to.

[alexspepa]

the "drinks of the day" someone mentioned are a real bargain, and many times were old school drinks - godfathers, rusty nails, old fashions, etc.

[chrismch]

How about feedback on the Piano Bar? Who is good? Who is just so-so?

 

Notice pictures by the pool with Balanese lounges but there only seem a few. Are they by special reservation?

 

Saw pictures of a buffet in the dining room with caviar and cold seafood. Is this type buffet on every cruise?

 

Besides booking restaurant reservations, what else is a must do on embarkation day?

[YoHoHo]

How about feedback on the Piano Bar? Who is good? Who is just so-so?

Depends on the style you enjoy. No choice in any case. Just have to go and decide for yourself. Some do good job with 'name that tune' and such. Others might have sing-along's.

 

Notice pictures by the pool with Balanese lounges but there only seem a few. Are they by special reservation?

No, they cannot be reserved, open to all.

 

Saw pictures of a buffet in the dining room with caviar and cold seafood. Is this type buffet on every cruise?

Don't recall if on all the sailings I have been on but certainly recall a themed seafood buffet in Terrace on several as well.

 

Besides booking restaurant reservations, what else is a must do on embarkation day?

Suggest you book your reservations on-line when open to you. They do hold back some setting for onboard bookings but I prefer to not stand in line straight away. You will get a larger selection the earlier you book.

 

Day 1 must do's? None really. If you want to purchase one of the Beverage Packages once on board then better to do that on day 1. If there are sessions for the Artist Loft that interests you sign up early as they will fill. Same for extra La Reserve offerings. But these might be announced on later days. Bottom line though it is a relaxed atmosphere there is nothing that must be done on day 1.

Edited July 2, 2014 by YoHoHo

[LHT28]

How about feedback on the Piano Bar? Who is good? Who is just so-so?

Not sure if you get a choice ;) Jerry Blaine is very good

Notice pictures by the pool with Balanese lounges but there only seem a few. Are they by special reservation?

first come first serve I find them too low jmo

Saw pictures of a buffet in the dining room with caviar and cold seafood. Is this type buffet on every cruise?

I think just on longer cruises

Besides booking restaurant reservations, what else is a must do on embarkation day?

You should book the restaurants, cooking classes & La Reserve BEFORE you board

You could book spa appts also if that is your thing

I would just go eat then take a wander around to get familiar with the layout

Most restaurants are in the back of the ship

 

above all ..just enjoy

 

Lyn

[LHT28]

"Oops..forgot one suggestion: When you go out in a port, especially if you are going as an independent (in other words not on an Oceania excursion), take the port agent information that Oceania prints in the Currents newsletter each night. Last year in St. Petersburg we ran into a woman who had gotten separated from her tour group at the Hermitage and had NO idea what to do. She had no phone and was practically hysterical, as I would have been in! She was wandering around the huge parking lot looking for more Oceania cruisers. Luckily she ran into my husband and another O cruiser who helped her contact the port agent."

 

All the above drama would be eliminated if O would do what I suggested months ago. Put the ship's telephone number on the back of the cruise cards. Many lines do this and it negates the need to have a copy of Currents with you.

On our January cruise they had 1 sheet of paper with all the port agent's info for that cruise ...no need to carry the daily Currents with you

I just put the paper in my tote bag that I take ashore

 

Hope they will do this for all cruises

 

Lyn

[pacheco18]

They usually have a special brunch buffet on longer sailings.

I have found these to be very disappointing.

I think the mass market lines do a better job with the grand buffets.

Last time we went to the brunch buffet, looked around, and then headed for Waves.

 

However, if you are on a long cruise and they have a "grand tea" -- do not miss it,

[bob278]

As a rookie who has never been on Oceania, I have questions that I didn't even know I had after reading this thread. I will probably pop in from time-to-time with more.

 

I think I understand that reservations before the cruise are available based on your cabin category both for when you can start making them and how many you can make.

 

If the two of us want to dine in one of the restaurants, are there tables for two or do you share? Not necessarily a bad thing, but there may be special occasions that call for a more intimate experience. What are the table sizes available and if you have 4 people would you possibly be put at a table for 8?

 

I see comments on the boards about self-serve laundry. I know my wife has no interest in that so I wonder, is there laundry-for-a-fee? Is it reasonable?

 

Does O have a good program with benefits for booking while on board?

 

We are both excited about our upcoming first cruise with O but recognize that it will be very different from our past experience. I appreciate all the information I have already picked up on the boards and this thread in particular.

[pacheco18]

As a rookie who has never been on Oceania, I have questions that I didn't even know I had after reading this thread. I will probably pop in from time-to-time with more.

 

I think I understand that reservations before the cruise are available based on your cabin category both for when you can start making them and how many you can make.

 

If the two of us want to dine in one of the restaurants, are there tables for two or do you share? Not necessarily a bad thing, but there may be special occasions that call for a more intimate experience. What are the table sizes available and if you have 4 people would you possibly be put at a table for 8?

 

I see comments on the boards about self-serve laundry. I know my wife has no interest in that so I wonder, is there laundry-for-a-fee? Is it reasonable?

 

Does O have a good program with benefits for booking while on board?

 

We are both excited about our upcoming first cruise with O but recognize that it will be very different from our past experience. I appreciate all the information I have already picked up on the boards and this thread in particular.

 

There are tables for two -- harder to get than share tables but doable. There are tables for 4 and 8. You specify whether you want to share when you reserve.

 

Laundry for a fee is reasonable. Less than one would pay at a good hotel.

 

There is a savings for booking on board and you do not have to book a specific cruise. You can book a future cruise credit and then transfer to your TA. Lately they have been giving 100 OBC for booking on board plus the savings. You can also book a cruise when you are home and try to get the on board booking credit applied to that cruise -- based on availability it can be done.

[StanandJim]

f the two of us want to dine in one of the restaurants, are there tables for two or do you share? Not necessarily a bad thing, but there may be special occasions that call for a more intimate experience. What are the table sizes available and if you have 4 people would you possibly be put at a table for 8?

 

When making pre-cruise reservations on the telephone or Online, you'll have the option of Sharing a Table or not.

If you choose the "No Sharing" option, you'll be seated alone.

 

I see comments on the boards about self-serve laundry. I know my wife has no interest in that so I wonder, is there laundry-for-a-fee? Is it reasonable?

 

There is a Full Laundry Service, with prices that are very similar to what you would pay at your local dry-cleaner.

 

Does O have a good program with benefits for booking while on board?

 

You'll find an Oceania Ambassador on every cruise. Purchasing another cruise while you are still onboard will usually garner a discount of between five and fifteen percent.

[turnip eater]

The discount for our cruise was quoted at £65........say less than $100......less than 5 per cent on the cost of our cruise.:eek: We didn't book on board as we could get a better deal for our 'new' TA:)

[pacheco18]

The discount for our cruise was quoted at £65........say less than $100......less than 5 per cent on the cost of our cruise.:eek: We didn't book on board as we could get a better deal for our 'new' TA:)

 

Your discount depends on your cabin category. On higher cabin categories the discount can be very attractive. Booking on board is ALWAYS BETTER -- YOU GET THE PERKS FROM YOUR TA ON TOP OF WHATEVER ON BOARD DISCOUNT IS OFFERED.

[roothy123]

The discount for our cruise was quoted at £65........say less than $100......less than 5 per cent on the cost of our cruise.:eek: We didn't book on board as we could get a better deal for our 'new' TA:)

 

Well, I was about to say that your TA can take over the booking, but I see that has already been mentioned....

 

Nice to know that I might get a list of ship's agents/phone numbers when I cruise in August. That was not the case last August on my UK/Norway cruise.

 

Bob, even if you or your wife don't want to do your own laundry on the ship, keep in mind that those self-service ironing boards come in handy if you arrive with crumpled clothing! Unless they've changed things, you need to go purchase tokens at Reception to operate the laundry machines and dryers. (For the ironing boards no trip to Reception is needed.)

 

I know some people aren't crazy about ship's shore excursions, and lots of people think O's are overpriced, but if you see one that really, really interests you, you might want to sign up for that while at home or soon after boarding, as a few of them DO reach capacity level. However, if at any point you find out that one is filled, you should go immediately to the Shore Excursion desk and ask about the possibility of more slots opening up. You can sign up for shore excursions before boarding and cancel up to a certain point before the excursion, so sometimes people change their mind and cancel, making more slots available. Also, if enough people want to take a particular filled excursion, it's sometimes possible for the shore excursion folks to get the vendor to open up more slots, another bus or van, or whatever. It doesn't hurt to make your wishes known.

Edited July 2, 2014 by roothy123

[pacheco18]

Important tip for new O cruisers IMO

 

Join your roll call. Many veteran O cruisers are very keen on private excursions and do a great job arranging them. These private excursions are for small groups and cost a LOT less than the O excursions (sometime for the identical excursion). O roll calls are usually quite active for that reason.

 

Small group excursions have many benefits but the chief one IMO is that you get to know the people on your excursions quite well -- and that can lead to lifelong friendships.

[StanandJim]

Important tip for new O cruisers IMO

 

Join your roll call. Many veteran O cruisers are very keen on private excursions and do a great job arranging them. These private excursions are for small groups and cost a LOT less than the O excursions (sometime for the identical excursion). O roll calls are usually quite active for that reason.

 

Small group excursions have many benefits but the chief one IMO is that you get to know the people on your excursions quite well -- and that can lead to lifelong friendships.

 

+1 the very best way to enhance your cruise experience!

[roothy123]

Important tip for new O cruisers IMO

 

Join your roll call. Many veteran O cruisers are very keen on private excursions and do a great job arranging them. These private excursions are for small groups and cost a LOT less than the O excursions (sometime for the identical excursion). O roll calls are usually quite active for that reason.

 

Small group excursions have many benefits but the chief one IMO is that you get to know the people on your excursions quite well -- and that can lead to lifelong friendships.

 

Great suggestion! Roll Calls are sometimes also good for sharing rides to/from airports. By the way, while I DO participate in some of O's shore excursions, I NEVER buy their airport transfers. You can almost always get to the airport by cab just as fast, and cheaper. I suppose there might be an occasional port in which a language barrier or safety concern might possibly be an issue, but for most cruises, a cab is perfectly fine. Also, in most places, the price is per cab (not per person), so sharing with one or two other people who are going to the same airline or terminal as you will save you money. Since Oceania makes air arrangements for many of its passengers, it's often easy to find others who will be on the same flight(s) home. Why not share a cab?

Edited July 2, 2014 by roothy123

[Mura]

As Roothy mentioned, I agree that there definitely could be locations where you'd want the security/safety of a ship's transfer (especially when there are language problems) -- we ourselves usually just take a cab or arrange for a pickup at the airport.

 

BUT I'd like to add that we had to take a cab from the Beijing Airport to our hotel about 5 years ago when we were heading there for a Viking cruise. Our flight from NYC to Vancouver was late and we missed our connecting flight to Beijing, and since no one notified Viking (they'd been scheduled to pick us up) no one was at the airport when we arrived a couple of hours late.

 

It turned out not to be a problem. The ladies at the "help desk" wrote down our destination in Chinese for the driver, and when we got to the hotel there was no problem in paying for the ride; the fare was more than reasonable. Our guide reimbursed us on the spot. (Yes, we got local cash from the ATM at the airport.)

 

So even if you don't speak Chinese, it's possible t get to your hotel safely!

 

But it you are arriving in a "politically unsettled" area, I too would prefer a ship's transfer no matter what the cost!

 

Mura