Rare chrismch Posted July 7, 2014 #1 Share Posted July 7, 2014 Now I know lots of you will say it's the wonderful dining experiences, so let's eliminate that option. What makes you come back? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
orchestrapal Posted July 7, 2014 #2 Share Posted July 7, 2014 Now I know lots of you will say it's the wonderful dining experiences, so let's eliminate that option. What makes you come back? It has to be the staff! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hondorner Posted July 7, 2014 #3 Share Posted July 7, 2014 The people. The friends we have made. The staff and officers we've met, even the executives, who are real people. The last cruise we were on was like a reunion, yet we still made new friends. And, the ships -- perfectly maintained, beautiful, the right size, with what we consider great policies -- open dining, casual but nice dress, restricted smoking... And, contrary to so many, the entertainment. The Jean Ann Ryan singers and dancers, the professional cabaret performers, the string quartets and the great show bands. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Caroldoll Posted July 7, 2014 #4 Share Posted July 7, 2014 In addition to what Hondorner says...for us it is also the beautiful OS. We can be out on the back deck without anyone watching. We can just lie there and enjoy the ocean. We are sooo accustomed to our old time butlers, mostly Pritam and then Sandeep. We feel like we are coming home. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tarpeian Rock Posted July 7, 2014 #5 Share Posted July 7, 2014 We're anticipating only our second O cruise, but based on our first, some things are really clear: a staff who really cares, not just goes through the motions. An aura of class and refinement. Lack of nickel-and-dime. The luxury of a floating art museum. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
no fuss travel Posted July 7, 2014 #6 Share Posted July 7, 2014 Fellow passengers, the staff who bend over backwards, the size of the ships, the beds. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sopwith Posted July 7, 2014 #7 Share Posted July 7, 2014 Princess, Holland America and Celebrity. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jancruz Posted July 7, 2014 #8 Share Posted July 7, 2014 Princess, Holland America and Celebrity. ROTFL Jancruz1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andee Posted July 7, 2014 #9 Share Posted July 7, 2014 The size of the ships, lack of formal nights, included specialty dining, excellent staff, port intensive itineraries, permission to bring local wines on board to drink in our cabin, local tourist office reps on board to answer questions. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CANDYAPPLE Posted July 7, 2014 #10 Share Posted July 7, 2014 In addition to the above mentioned reasons, which I would agree with, my feelings are probably unique. I had a medical emergency. The way the staff reacted and the care I received in the infirmary were fantastic, as was the follow up. ($3600.00, reimbursed by my medical coverage) Arrangements were quickly made by the concierge staff for an early departure and return home, with wheelchairs waiting at each mode of transportation. Reimbursement ($8000.00) quickly made by my trip interruption insurance, (RBC) with any and all assistance provided by Oceania concierge staff. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare cruisingxpert Posted July 7, 2014 #11 Share Posted July 7, 2014 (edited) All the above except for Candyapple situation and one more thing. When we were delayed for 3 hours getting to Barbados due to an emergency medical evacuation, the Concierge contacted the tour operator and called all our rooms to say the Tour operator would wait for us. What makes that stand out? It was a private tour, arranged on our Roll Call, not an Oceania tour. CJ Edited July 7, 2014 by cruisingxpert Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare PaulMCO Posted July 7, 2014 #12 Share Posted July 7, 2014 Ability to wear jeans in the GDR :D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pacheco18 Posted July 7, 2014 #13 Share Posted July 7, 2014 Ability to wear jeans in the GDR :D You are starting a dress code thread here Shame on you:p Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MissyDog Posted July 7, 2014 #14 Share Posted July 7, 2014 We just returned from a Baltics cruise on the Marina. Due to an airline delay, we arrived just in time before we set sail. We were exhausted, but went to the GDR for an early dinner in our traveling clothes, which were presentable, clean jeans. The maître gently informed us that jeans would only be allowed on the first/embarkation day, but not thereafter. Am I missing something? Btw, we had a wonderful trip on the Marina! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pacheco18 Posted July 7, 2014 #15 Share Posted July 7, 2014 (edited) We just returned from a Baltics cruise on the Marina. Due to an airline delay, we arrived just in time before we set sail. We were exhausted, but went to the GDR for an early dinner in our traveling clothes, which were presentable, clean jeans. The maître gently informed us that jeans would only be allowed on the first/embarkation day, but not thereafter. Am I missing something? Btw, we had a wonderful trip on the Marina! "Dressy jeans" are OK -- standard blue jeans are not permitted Paul -- you are a bad boy -- now we have a dress code thread. LOL Edited July 7, 2014 by pacheco18 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrOZ Posted July 7, 2014 #16 Share Posted July 7, 2014 (edited) "Dressy jeans" are OK -- standard blue jeans are not permitted Paul -- you are a bad boy -- now we have a dress code thread. LOL I hate to perpetuate this, but I thought I'd ask- what are thoughts on relatively casual non-jeans and shirts (e.g. Eddie Bauer travel pants and button-down shirts in non-crazy-prints)? I'm actually finding myself slightly worried about Oceania norms, because "elegant casual" is not super descriptive, and I don't want to offend anyone with delicate sensibilities. Edited July 7, 2014 by MrOZ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pacheco18 Posted July 7, 2014 #17 Share Posted July 7, 2014 I hate to perpetuate this, but I thought I'd ask- what are thoughts on relatively casual non-jeans and shirts (e.g. Eddie Bauer travel pants and button-down shirts in non-crazy-prints)? I'm actually finding myself slightly worried about Oceania norms, because "elegant casual" is not super descriptive, and I don't want to offend anyone with delicate sensibilities. You will look maahvelous Can we end this right here????? Please! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare LHT28 Posted July 7, 2014 #18 Share Posted July 7, 2014 We just returned from a Baltics cruise on the Marina. Due to an airline delay, we arrived just in time before we set sail. We were exhausted, but went to the GDR for an early dinner in our traveling clothes, which were presentable, clean jeans. The maître gently informed us that jeans would only be allowed on the first/embarkation day, but not thereafter. Am I missing something? Btw, we had a wonderful trip on the Marina! The comment from Paul was a joke or a wind up :D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare LHT28 Posted July 7, 2014 #19 Share Posted July 7, 2014 (edited) I hate to perpetuate this, but I thought I'd ask- what are thoughts on relatively casual non-jeans and shirts (e.g. Eddie Bauer travel pants and button-down shirts in non-crazy-prints)? I'm actually finding myself slightly worried about Oceania norms, because "elegant casual" is not super descriptive, and I don't want to offend anyone with delicate sensibilities. I have not seen those slacks before ....I see a shopping trip in my future Thanks for sharing The slacks will work fine...the shirt ok for daytime Edited July 7, 2014 by LHT28 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare ORV Posted July 7, 2014 #20 Share Posted July 7, 2014 I have not seen those slacks before ....I see a shopping trip in my future Thanks for sharing The slacks will work fine...the shirt ok for daytime I looked at a pair of these pants the other day at the EB store. They looked much too much like fishing pants for me to wear to dinner. Of course I've seen plenty of those at dinner as well as cargo pants, neither of which I would consider acceptable for evening dinner in the MDR or specialties. Oh wait, we weren't going to make this a dress code thread, were we?;) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare PaulMCO Posted July 7, 2014 #21 Share Posted July 7, 2014 It was meant as a joke but looks like a wind up :D In any case jean or no jeans -- NO FORMAL NIGHTS.. Bad enough I have to were a suit to work. I don't need to on my holiday!!!! Another amazing thing -- is that the staff remembers you from past cruises... (the real amazing thing is that they staff reups from contract to contract) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
moggyhill Posted July 7, 2014 #22 Share Posted July 7, 2014 Yea! So it's ok to wear my bib overalls in the dining room. At least that is what Paul says. So I will be packing them for the trip this weekend. See yall in england Sent from my iPad using Forums mobile app Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare LHT28 Posted July 7, 2014 #23 Share Posted July 7, 2014 I looked at a pair of these pants the other day at the EB store. They looked much too much like fishing pants for me to wear to dinner. Ok so will have to go look in person then decide DH has Dockers he wears for dinner or sometimes a pr of dress slacks Thanks for the heads up Lyn Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Arusha Posted July 7, 2014 #24 Share Posted July 7, 2014 Why I chose Oceania for my first cruise and my second... Food. I know the OP wanted to eliminate this from discussion, but it is a major factor for me. When you're out on the ocean, you can't call a local restaurant for take out. Small ships. I didn't want to be on a floating city. Itineraries. Nice mix of port days and sea days. No formal nights. Formal nights are so last century! Not going to lug evening dress even if airlines allowed steamer trunks. Quiet, calm environment. No endless announcements, no loud music, no huge on-deck TVs. Just blissful peace and quiet. Tasteful onboard activities. No Hairy Chest contests. Friendly, attentive staff. Nice to see many of the same staff on both cruises. Friendly, well-behaved passengers. Courteous during embarks/debarks and on excursions. No drunks lurching noisily through hallways. No "Loud Harolds." Well-managed itinerary changes during cruise. My first cruise with Oceania was during Hurricane Sandy. The itinerary changed several times, including skipping Bermuda altogether and staying in Canada, plus a change to the final debarkation port. The Captain and the Destination Services crew handled this very well. I hope to sail again with Oceania in the near future. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
debijaynes Posted July 7, 2014 #25 Share Posted July 7, 2014 (edited) We've booked our first Oceania cruise, 14 days -Caribbean- on the Regatta. I HATE to ask but-- my husband wore his Tommy Bahama shirts to dinner on Regent in the Caribbean. He wears these shirts to our club with silk pants so that says country club casual to me. They really look better to us than a plain button down and khakis --just our opinion! Or should I get some Brooks Bros. short sleeve button downs? Or is Elegant casual a sport coat? I always wear tunics or silk shirts and white pants. Sorry to rock the boat (HA) but we like to fit in and go with the flow! Debi Edited July 7, 2014 by debijaynes forgot a line Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Please sign in to comment
You will be able to leave a comment after signing in
Sign In Now