Penthouse Suite on Marina

[Tybeequeen2010]

We are considering a Penthouse Suite on Marina. What are the benefits of this upgrade vs. a Veranda cabin?

[mringenoldus]

This is an absolutely beautiful cabin! We particularly loved the seating/table area at the end of the bed - perfect for room service breakfast.

 

 

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[Mura]

More room in general. Large walk-in closet, larger bathroom.

 

You have a butler in the PH -- do you want one? Lots of arguments here. When butlers were first brought onto Oceania we didn't use them at all. Now we do! We don't use them as much as others do -- we haven't scheduled cocktail parties in our suites, for example. But they are very useful in getting reservations in the specialty restaurants if you want them. If you want them to pack or unpack for you, they will -- we don't! OTOH, DH has occasionally had his shoes polished ...

 

Plus, the possibility of ordering dinner in from any of the restaurants (except for Terrace) is enticing to us on long touring days and also the last night before leaving the ship. I know that many here don't like the dining set-up on the "O" ships PH cabins with the table and two chairs at the bottom of the bed. It's rather awkward, I agree. (I actually find the dining set-up more comfortable in the PH cabins on the "R" ships, even though the cabins are smaller.)

 

We haven't been in the lower levels on Marina or Riviera although we have on Nautica. We couldn't even have breakfast in a veranda on Nautica, but the PH on Marina was do-able.

 

For US, we prefer the PH on any of the ships. But not everyone agrees. I await other opinions! It really depends on what YOU want. Many CruiseCritic fans don't think it's worth the extra $$ for concierge, let alone a PH or above. But WE do.

 

Mura

[Paulchili]

Well worth the upgrade if you can swing it.

The extra space in cabin & bathroom, the service and ensuite dining (from any restaurant) are some of the nice extras.

[Iamthesea]

We are considering a Penthouse Suite on Marina. What are the benefits of this upgrade vs. a Veranda cabin?

 

When are you thinking of sailing? We will be on her in a month. :)

[GeezerCouple]

One thing we especially appreciated during a holiday cruise, when getting extra Specialty dining reservations was difficult... we just asked our wonderful Butler to serve us that dinner en suite.

 

Nice.

[janecambridge]

We never usually book anything as good as a penthouse suite on any line,but got a good deal in August last year.

The only downside is being spoilt so much,how can we travel any other way again? Having said that,looking around other cabins in August and listening to cruise critic,Oceania seems to be one company who have high standards all over with comfort very much in mind in all cabins.

For us ,there was a real luxury,feel good factor in our penthouse suite that made us feel completely relaxed on our holiday.We never once felt any type of anxiety in anything we did as we were well looked after.To us it was a 'complete' holiday in every expectation.

If I could afford it,I would do it again in an instant.

 

If you do your research,you will see that some people prefer the extended balconies on some verandah cabins,which are really lovely but on a hot trip,they would be too 'open' for us.But the cabins were perfect...

A personal choice but I believe whatever you choose,it will be fine.

Edited January 4, 2017 by janecambridge

[globevest]

We have cruised in PH and Verandah and without doubt for us the PH is far superior for the reasons expressed above. Of course the cost difference is also significant.

[Queen of DaNile]

We were offered an upsell for what we thought was a reasonable amount on a 17 day Marina cruise with lots of sea days. We jumped on the offer as it gave us the lovely walk in closet and more space for a longish cruise. We also were able to get a penthouse with an extended balcony on deck 7 which was fabulous on sea days. Then there is access to the Spa Terrace which we enjoy for the quiet views of the sea, again very nice when you have many sea days but not everyone's cup of tea.

One of my fondest memories about staying in an Insignia penthouse was being served dinner, course by course, in the privacy of our cabin while cruising the Chilean fjords. Pure heaven :)

[newlondon]

Agree 100% with Mura.

[bitob]

Once you had been in a ph almost impossible to go back. It's our new"minimum"

 

 

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[pinotlover]

A PH is always nice. It if you have the money it's a simple decision. For us, on a very personal note, we opt to pay for the PH on the R ships, because the standard cabins are just to small, particularly on cruises over 10 days. However, we find the space in the verandahs adequate on the O ships and don't opt to pay the upgrade to PH. We do stay in the Concierge cabins on the O ships because we like the higher up cabins. Do we miss the advantages of the PH on the O's, yes, but it's a cost/reward issue which we always need to weigh.

[JimandStan]

A PH is always nice. It if you have the money it's a simple decision. For us, on a very personal note, we opt to pay for the PH on the R ships, because the standard cabins are just to small, particularly on cruises over 10 days. However, we find the space in the verandahs adequate on the O ships and don't opt to pay the upgrade to PH. We do stay in the Concierge cabins on the O ships because we like the higher up cabins. Do we miss the advantages of the PH on the O's, yes, but it's a cost/reward issue which we always need to weigh.

 

Brilliantly stated, but for the uninitiated who read this:

a Penthouse on the smaller Oceania ships brings a much larger cabin footprint and Butler service which elevates the "in Cabin Dinner Service" from glorified Room Service to an experience which is an equal to dining in the ships restaurants.

On Marina and Riviera the improved physical layout of the Penthouses makes them even nicer.

[Travelcat2]

IMO, the PH suites on the Marina and Riviera are wonderful - worth every penny. However, the PH suites on the smaller ships....... not so much (note: for 100% honesty - we have toured the Nautica but have not sailed on a smaller ship (as it is not something that is of interest to us - despite the lovely décor).

[Iamthesea]

We do stay in the Concierge cabins on the O ships because we like the higher up cabins.

 

Are there CC's with the extended balcony on the O ships?

[LHT28]

Are there CC's with the extended balcony on the O ships?

 

No just the B3's unless you get an aft PH or the top suites

Edited January 5, 2017 by LHT28

[wally_bushy]

We agree with all the positive statements in this post.

It is probably the best cabin/suite/room we have enjoyed.

[Iamthesea]

No just the B3's unless you get an aft PH or the top suites

 

Thank you. I have a B3. ;)

[Tybeequeen2010]

Iamthesea, we have decided to take a PH on Marina in late Feb. When are you cruising?

Edited January 6, 2017 by Tybeequeen2010
Info Change

[Tybeequeen2010]

Thanks to everyone for all the excellent information. You have helped us make a decision to take the PH on Marina. Mura, wonderful description and information. I am grateful. Jim and Stan, many thanks for the lovely pics. What a beautiful accommodation we have to look forward to. Happy New Year, everyone!

Edited January 6, 2017 by Tybeequeen2010

[Iamthesea]

We sail the 1st of February. ;)

 

Please explain your sign-on name. :D Tybee Island? Or, could that be your name? I went to Columbia College with a girl named Tybee. :)

[Tybeequeen2010]

Iamthesea - We lived on Tybee Island for a number of years.

[Iamthesea]

DH and I went through this argument again this afternoon on whether to upgrade to the PH. We decided not to. We are going to spend extra on a Beverage Package instead.:)

 

The cost to upgrade is $1200 for a 7 night cruise, plus the extra fees for the Butler, whom we do not need.

 

Although, I do like the size of the bedroom, and the lighted vanity would be a plus to me, the bathroom does not appear to be any larger.

 

We also prefer to eat in the dining rooms, so would not use the in-suite dinning.

 

 

Tybeequeen2010 Iamthesea - We lived on Tybee Island for a number of years.

 

Very pretty! We lived on Fripp Island, SC and then in Beaufort many years ago.

[Tybeequeen2010]

Iamthesea, I live in a lovely little Appalachian town in northeast Georgia. It is where my family began and where I was born. BUT, after all the snow we had this week, I miss my low country home more than ever. There's nothing quite like the coastal south. Thank you for all your good information. I hope you have a lovely cruise! TQ