Are we too young for Oceania?

[Issyalex]

We are 50 and 61 and are Celebrity lovers too but we did our first Oceania cruise on Serina last year and loved it, so much so we've booked for n X T year NYC to NYC. The only reason we didn't book this years cruise as we had already booked one with celebrity.

Yes the entertainment was nearly non existent but the food, esp the sea food, was superb. Speciality restaurants are free, shuttles are free.

The service was excellent and we loved the two cocktail 'happy hours', 241 cocktails. Champagne cocktail and Long Island tea are a must try. Having free latte's, juice, bottled water, smoothies, milkshakes etc was a bonus. So much so I used my OBC for gratuities, wine and happy hour cocktails and stil had enough to 'buy' my two daughters a designer handbag each for Christmas! ;p

The beds are amazing, so Zzzzzzzz comfy.

I feel Oceania is value for money as I feel celebrity are starting to price themselves as a 6* line which they are definitely not.

If you don't mind the age of fellow pax and the low key entertainment but love great food, service and the intimacy of a smaller ship then go for it.

[JimandStan]

If you don't mind the age of fellow pax

 

 

 

 

-and if you DO mind, well.....

we trust that you will put them out of their misery painlessly and quickly.....

[Sabbycat]

I personally object to the idea of being "too young" for any cruise line. It's more a question of personality and interests. I am someone who would always have been good to go on a cruise with people far older than I was. When I was in my early 20s several times I celebrated New Year's Eve with my parents and their friends. I was the only young person at the table (generally at a restaurant, not at home) and I enjoyed it far more than more typically frenetic New Year's Eves. I've never liked frenetic times!

 

We met a young couple (in their 30s) on our first Renaissance cruise. This was a cruise where we looked around at the boat drill and figured that the average age was 70-plus. I was in my mid-to-late 40s, I think, DH would have been mid-50s. I asked this younger couple how they were enjoying the cruise and they were loving it. The DID have a few qualms when as they were boarding they saw four wheelchairs being loaded on the R2 ...

 

So it's really more a matter of who you are than how old you are. At least that is MY opinion.

 

On transatlantics there usually are guest lecturers, but you never know what you will be getting. We've been on cruises with several very interesting lecturers, and a few times they were fewer and NOT so interesting. There is no predicting that dynamic. If you are on a port-intensive cruise there probably won't be time for lecturers. They seem to assume everyone will be touring.

 

And it's very true that there are more activities on the "O" ships -- they are larger and have more space. So the Culinary lessons and the artist's loft just aren't available on the "R" ships.

 

I adore the library on the "R" ships and am happy to spend there on sea days. But I do pray for good weather ... because if it's bad weather it may be impossible to find a chair.

 

Then there was the lady on one cruise who came up to the library every day, immediately fell asleep and snored VERY loudly. There is no predicting that aspect either!

 

Mura

I agree with Maura.

 

My dh and i have cruised both Celebrity and Azamara. Azamara has an older demographic. (Similar to Oceania i would expect) But this is not an issue for my dh and i. I absolutely love talking to my elders and hearing about their travels. They are, for the most part, more well traveled than we are and their stories are interesting and exciting. I also love how youthful they seem and their endless energy. I have met some amazing people.

 

I also find their contributions to conversations interesting because they have experience so much more in their life. I find they can thought provoking.

 

I find the casual nature of the ship adds a great atmosphere on board. I think it allows for more sharing and talking, rather than people wandering about showing off their formal wear. People seem more relaxed. It is an inviting atmosphere.

 

 

 

Sent from my SM-T560NU using Forums mobile app

[Hawaiidan]

It might help you and all of us if you would post what your wants and likes are for entertainment during the day and pre dinner and after dinner.

I realize that you thought Celeb was not up to par in food and service... That O is by far superior but aside from that what would you want a O ship to offer on a daily basis for your enjoyment.

 

That would help me and you and us all as to whether O cruise will offer some , part or all you your pleasure options.

[ljandgb]

Dh and cruised for the first time on Marina at age 45. We had a great time. We frequently have had "older" friends, and in fact our travel mates were late 70's. I've never been one to need a hopping night life, so a quiet ship after-hours was not a problem for me. Dh met a group in the casino that kept him busy in the evenings. We met some absolutely delightful people, and as an introvert appreciated that we did not have forced table mates. That said, we usually ate with a handful of people we'd met thru our Roll Call meet up, and usually met up with a larger group for happy hour.

 

I work full time plus take call. I have 4 kids still in school. Vacation for me includes quiet time and the ability to just sit. Our Oceania cruise did just that. Being in French Polynesia was a bonus as well! I'd gladly do another Oceania cruise.

[travellerin1984]

For two ago we had our honeymoon on Riviera. We are in our early and late 30s. The food and service was wonderful, pool is great too. We enjoyed the cruise but found the people are much older. Shows were quite boring but we liked the classical music and the pianist. Riviera is much smaller than Celebritys ships so there is not much to do in the evening. Not many people at the bars after shows. If you enjoy good food but dont need much entertainment after dinner then its a good choice for you. I have done 9 cruises with Celebrity and like the product more. Oceania is great and we could definitely think cruising again if the price is right but we like Celebrity better because there is always something happening onboard. Food is better on Oceania but Celebrity has more action and better shows. You can also book Aqua class and get better food and service.