Thinking about Oceania Cruise

[skinexpert]

Hi,

I would like some information if possible. I have previously sailed on Crystal Cruise Line and I loved it. That was my first time ever cruising and it was very special i must say. My sister wants to do a Med. cruise for her "big" birthday. She is looking at Oceania. I want to know what is included since I don't think it is all inclusive like Crystal. Thanks.

 

Janis

[DrJW]

oceania is not all incl as is crystal..we have sailed crystal for many years...harmony....symphony and serenity....lovely ships....for the price you pay for a B cabin on Crystal..you are close to getting a PH [with butler] on O.

 

We have never sailed on any of the O ships..we did go on the Renaissance to Tahiti many moons ago! [ CEO was Frank Del Rio as well!] We are scheduled to sail on the Marina later this year!

 

We very much enjoyed the 'production numbers' on Crystal..I understand that O did not offer these in the past..but possibly do at this time....not sure.

 

What everyone RAVES about more than anything else is the 'cuisine' on O!

While we felt that the cuisiine on Crystal was excellent..we look forward to sampling all the restaurants on O!..

 

Happy sailing!

[skinexpert]

oceania is not all incl as is crystal..we have sailed crystal for many years...harmony....symphony and serenity....lovely ships....for the price you pay for a B cabin on Crystal..you are close to getting a PH [with butler] on O.

 

We have never sailed on any of the O ships..we did go on the Renaissance to Tahiti many moons ago! [ CEO was Frank Del Rio as well!] We are scheduled to sail on the Marina later this year!

 

We very much enjoyed the 'production numbers' on Crystal..I understand that O did not offer these in the past..but possibly do at this time....not sure.

 

What everyone RAVES about more than anything else is the 'cuisine' on O!

While we felt that the cuisiine on Crystal was excellent..we look forward to sampling all the restaurants on O!..

 

Happy sailing!

 

Thanks for the response. Are all the restaurants included in the price? Are the gratuities included. I saw on their website that grat are included. Not sure. I know the alcohol is not and that you can buy beverage plans. Just not sure about the other things. Thanks.

[hypercafe]

Everything is included expect alcohol in the drink world. Shore trips are not included. There is no charge for the special restaurants. Everyone is guaranteed one or two reservations depending on cabin class. Extra can be made on board space dependent. Special requests in the GDR are limited. Ship is resort casual every night in all venues. There are no set dinning times. Restaurants are open from around 6 to 9:30. There is casual dinning each night in the Terrace Rest inside and out. Staterooms are bigger in all cat. I feel service and food are similar however there are more people on the ship. You can buy a drink package to include drinks for apx 60$ day pp. I think you will like it. Have a nice trip.

 

 

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[skinexpert]

Everything is included expect alcohol in the drink world. Shore trips are not included. There is no charge for the special restaurants. Everyone is guaranteed one or two reservations depending on cabin class. Extra can be made on board space dependent. Special requests in the GDR are limited. Ship is resort casual every night in all venues. There are no set dinning times. Restaurants are open from around 6 to 9:30. There is casual dinning each night in the Terrace Rest inside and out. Staterooms are bigger in all cat. I feel service and food are similar however there are more people on the ship. You can buy a drink package to include drinks for apx 60$ day pp. I think you will like it. Have a nice trip.

 

 

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Thank you so much Hypercafe. This helps a lot. I like that it's resort casual and that there is open seating.

[hypercafe]

To answer your questions, I have only been on the large ship. They have one show each night around 9:30. Some are production type and some are single performers. Gratuities are not included, however on some trips they have a deal where they are. You can get more details if you state which ship you are looking at.

 

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Edited July 23, 2014 by hypercafe

[skinexpert]

To answer your questions, I have only been on the large ship. They have one show each night around 9:30. Some are production type and some are single performers. Gratuities are not included, however on some trips they have a deal where they are. You can get more details if you state which ship you are looking at.

 

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Looking at the Riviera.

[hypercafe]

The Riveria is one of the large, new ships. It has six different restaurants plus a wine pairing venue for a fee. A culinary center where you can take a hands on cooking class for a fee and a artists loft where you can take art classes that are included in the fare. They have lecture's, port talks etc same as Crystal. The ship is really very nice.

 

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[skinexpert]

The Riveria is one of the large, new ships. It has six different restaurants plus a wine pairing venue for a fee. A culinary center where you can take a hands on cooking class for a fee and a artists loft where you can take art classes that are included in the fare. They have lecture's, port talks etc same as Crystal. The ship is really very nice.

 

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Wow, this sounds awesome. Thank you so much for all of this information. I will take the info back to my sister and I'm sure we'll be cruising O soon! LOL

[roothy123]

Just in case it's not crystal clear (oops, make that oceania clear), gratuities are generally just paid (assuming you want to pay them) as a lump sum at the end of the cruise. There's no charge for the specialty restaurants, so no tip expected. The only exception I think is alcohol, for which an 18% service charge is added, unless you have a drink package. Of course, if you want to tip someone separately, you can do so on your own in cash. And of course, if you've been happy with the service of a particular person, it's nice to state that person's name on the mid-cruise comment card and final evaluation form.

 

In addition to what has been mentioned, the casino, spa, and ship's doctor cost money, although the one time we needed to visit the doctor, the charge was a lot less than I expected! Oh, and laundry - both do it yourself (cheap) or let Oceania do it (reasonable) - costs money. Transfers to ship and airport can be purchased, but we always take taxis.

 

Keep in mind that Oceania includes airfare as part of their price, unless you either decline it (in which case your price is reduced) or book too close to the departure date, when airfare goes away (and price is reduced as well). I'm not sure how Crystal does airfare, but many people don't realize Oceania includes it in the price, so I just thought I'd throw it out.

 

I have never cruised on Crystal, but from what I've heard and read, Oceania is a little less formal than Crystal, which works for me but may not for you!

Edited July 27, 2014 by roothy123

[edgee]

Oceania air is a bit complicated. Air is included unless you want to take a reduction in your cruise fare in exchange for declining it. However, the reduction is usually smaller than the price for which you can book your own air. With Oceania included air, the cruise line picks the flights and normally flies you in just in time to make your cruise. If you wish to deviate ( pick your own flights and come to embarkation city early/leave disembarkation city later) cost is $175 per person plus any increases in air for the flights you choose.

Edited July 28, 2014 by edgee