Rare LHT28 Posted November 14, 2019 #26 Share Posted November 14, 2019 5 minutes ago, floridatravelersforlife said: We are Celebrity refugees. Do you remember the Century or Zenith? We feel like the R Class ships are like the Century Class. Looking at the Century they are a lot larger than the R Class ships almost 3 times the number of PAX She is now Marella Explorer 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Lois R Posted November 14, 2019 Author #27 Share Posted November 14, 2019 1 hour ago, floridatravelersforlife said: We are Celebrity refugees. Do you remember the Century or Zenith? We feel like the R Class ships are like the Century Class. Not so strong on the entertainment, but all the rest is somewhat similar. Food is better, crew is great. You won't be disappointed IMHO I sailed on Century at least 7 times and Zenith 3 times so yes, I remember them well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
keithm Posted November 14, 2019 #28 Share Posted November 14, 2019 On 11/11/2019 at 7:21 AM, Lois R said: Good morning, thinking of giving Oceania out for a March cruise to the Caribbean for a birthday trip. I was a Celebrity cruise for many, many years. More recently, I have moved on and my more current cruises (say since 2016) have been 2 on Silversea, 1 on Azamara and 2 river cruises. I also have 2 more booked on Silversea. There is a cruise on Riviera for 10 nights in March that looks good and there is a Single Supplement special as well. So, from you Oceania regulars, can give me the low down on why you enjoy their product and what they can offer me as a solo cruiser? Thank you! Pricewise Silversea is generally higher priced. Food quality, is said to be good, but the Riviera has some of the best food we've ever had on a ship. We're both in the food industry & my spouse is a CIA trained chef, so let's say I'm plenty spoiled when it comes to food. The entertainment is generally pretty low-key. I think the budget is reflected in the food quality. That's not saying the entertainment is awful, just not what you might find on other lines. I do find the pax to generally be older than Cunard/Celebrity/Princess. As was said, they are more worldly as a whole. We've seen enough pax who are not gay friendly, but this is more from the region that some pax come from. I'll leave it at that. The staff will take splendid care of you. & will endeavor to make your cruise as outstanding as possible. I do recommend doing the daily tea service. I think you'll enjoy it. The entertainment staff is quite approachable & we've seen them sitting with pax & chatting quite often. I tend to think this is mostly for suite pax, but we saw it with solo cruisers as well. Let me know the itinerary of the Riviera trip. We might be able to recommend some excursions. This sounds like it might be similar to our 2018 trip, which got us familiar with Oceania. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare LHT28 Posted November 15, 2019 #29 Share Posted November 15, 2019 Keith I think the entertainment staff it is part of the job to mingle & make nice with the passengers Some you meet you actually feel like they are genuinely interested in the conversation with you other seem to fidget until they can find an excuse to leave 😉 We have met both kinds & never been in a suite or PH for that matter Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
keithm Posted November 15, 2019 #30 Share Posted November 15, 2019 On 11/11/2019 at 10:30 AM, Paulchili said: That and NO FORMAL NIGHTS - unlike those on Silversea 😀 True, but you're still expected to dress decently for dinner. Hence the "Country Club Casual" trademark. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
clo Posted November 15, 2019 #31 Share Posted November 15, 2019 4 minutes ago, keithm said: True, but you're still expected to dress decently for dinner. Hence the "Country Club Casual" trademark. I ironed Bob's golf shirts today 🙂 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
edgee Posted November 15, 2019 #32 Share Posted November 15, 2019 On 11/11/2019 at 8:28 AM, Classiccruiser777 said: Small ships, refined ambiance, great food & service, tasteful decor, wonderful beds, no photographers, no art auctions, very few announcements. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
edgee Posted November 15, 2019 #33 Share Posted November 15, 2019 On 11/11/2019 at 8:28 AM, Classiccruiser777 said: Small ships, refined ambiance, great food & service, tasteful decor, wonderful beds, no photographers, no art auctions, very few announcements. Agree except for "very few announcements." Oceania forces its cruise directors to read the entire schedule listed in Currents 2 or 3 times a day. More annoying announcements than Celebrity, Holland America and Crystal combined. This is one reason why we cruise on Oceania less than we used to...still enjoy so much about it, but the Carnavalesque announcements are very irritating. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flatbush Flyer Posted November 15, 2019 #34 Share Posted November 15, 2019 18 minutes ago, edgee said: Agree except for "very few announcements." Oceania forces its cruise directors to read the entire schedule listed in Currents 2 or 3 times a day. More annoying announcements than Celebrity, Holland America and Crystal combined. This is one reason why we cruise on Oceania less than we used to...still enjoy so much about it, but the Carnavalesque announcements are very irritating. Absolutely NOT true. A very few of O's CDs are guilty of regurgitating the Currents. Chief among them is D.... who also "sells" stuff ad nauseum and then blames the lack of creativity on Miami. Still other CDs will do the early AM "run down" in an entertaining way on their CD show on the TV while referring you to Currents for details. At lunch/dinner you might get a couple of upcoming highlight mentions but not the script reading so many of us loathe. IMO: The Oceania CD least apt to bore you to death? Ray Carr. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Lois R Posted November 15, 2019 Author #35 Share Posted November 15, 2019 8 hours ago, LHT28 said: the link only list International Countries am I missing something?? Hi, the list that comes up for me shows Florida choices. You have to put your zip code in the field and then a list pops up. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Lois R Posted November 15, 2019 Author #36 Share Posted November 15, 2019 8 hours ago, Classiccruiser777 said: Agree 100%. A good TA will add perks and provide a rebate. Here’s a link to O’s website that may be helpful to find an Oceania “connoisseur club” agent (these are the agents that book lots of O cruises): https://www.oceaniacruises.com/find-agent/ Thank you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare 1985rz1 Posted November 15, 2019 #37 Share Posted November 15, 2019 3 hours ago, keithm said: my spouse is a CIA trained chef Wow, a spook chef! What counties were your spouse assigned to. Undercover? (OK, I know CIA...in this case... is Culinary Institute of America, but I couldn't resist.) 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare LHT28 Posted November 15, 2019 #38 Share Posted November 15, 2019 23 minutes ago, Lois R said: Hi, the list that comes up for me shows Florida choices. You have to put your zip code in the field and then a list pops up. Thank probably defaulted to international site Usually I get things in CAD so it knows where I live 😀 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
edgee Posted November 15, 2019 #39 Share Posted November 15, 2019 10 hours ago, Flatbush Flyer said: Absolutely NOT true. A very few of O's CDs are guilty of regurgitating the Currents. Chief among them is D.... who also "sells" stuff ad nauseum and then blames the lack of creativity on Miami. Still other CDs will do the early AM "run down" in an entertaining way on their CD show on the TV while referring you to Currents for details. At lunch/dinner you might get a couple of upcoming highlight mentions but not the script reading so many of us loathe. IMO: The Oceania CD least apt to bore you to death? Ray Carr. I guess you have had better/ more experience with Oceania CDs, so I take you at your word. I have cruised Oceania eight times. Have had D twice and agree with you about her. Of the other six only Julie James was a delight and accepted my complement about limited microphone use by telling me that passengers are not stupid and there is no sense reading the schedule which they can see for themselves in Currents. I have not had the good fortune of experiencing other Oceania CDs who feel similarly. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flatbush Flyer Posted November 15, 2019 #40 Share Posted November 15, 2019 12 minutes ago, edgee said: I guess you have had better/ more experience with Oceania CDs, so I take you at your word. I have cruised Oceania eight times. Have had D twice and agree with you about her. Of the other six only Julie James was a delight and accepted my complement about limited microphone use by telling me that passengers are not stupid and there is no sense reading the schedule which they can see for themselves in Currents. I have not had the good fortune of experiencing other Oceania CDs who feel similarly. IMO, the best of the current CDs are Ray Carr, John Egan and Leslie John (with Ray and Leslie being at opposite ends of the personality spectrum). I've heard good things about Julie but have yet to encounter her. There's also three newer fellows - two of which are so lackluster that I've renamed them "the English guy" and the "wannabe Broadway performer (who's often off key)." I hate to be so harsh on the poor performing newer CDs - maybe they'll get their Oceania sea legs sooner than later. But Dotty should really know better that her constant barkering is obtrusive and so unnecessary. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
petcoke Posted November 15, 2019 #41 Share Posted November 15, 2019 33 minutes ago, Flatbush Flyer said: IMO, the best of the current CDs are Ray Carr, John Egan and Leslie John (with Ray and Leslie being at opposite ends of the personality spectrum). I've heard good things about Julie but have yet to encounter her. There's also three newer fellows - two of which are so lackluster that I've renamed them "the English guy" and the "wannabe Broadway performer (who's often off key)." I hate to be so harsh on the poor performing newer CDs - maybe they'll get their Oceania sea legs sooner than later. But Dotty should really know better that her constant barkering is obtrusive and so unnecessary. And thats all it is your opinion Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andee Posted November 15, 2019 #42 Share Posted November 15, 2019 17 hours ago, floridatravelersforlife said: We are Celebrity refugees. Do you remember the Century or Zenith? We feel like the R Class ships are like the Century Class. Not so strong on the entertainment, but all the rest is somewhat similar. Food is better, crew is great. You won't be disappointed IMHO Our 1st ever cruise was for my parents 50th anniversary on 1996 on the Century during her inaugural sailing year. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rob the Cruiser Posted November 15, 2019 #43 Share Posted November 15, 2019 1 hour ago, Flatbush Flyer said: IMO, the best of the current CDs are Ray Carr, John Egan and Leslie John (with Ray and Leslie being at opposite ends of the personality spectrum). I've heard good things about Julie but have yet to encounter her. There's also three newer fellows - two of which are so lackluster that I've renamed them "the English guy" and the "wannabe Broadway performer (who's often off key)." I hate to be so harsh on the poor performing newer CDs - maybe they'll get their Oceania sea legs sooner than later. But Dotty should really know better that her constant barkering is obtrusive and so unnecessary. You're not being harsh. 10 - 15 minutes for the CD and Captain's announcements in the morning is more than enough time. Any additional information will most likely be detailed in Currents. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flatbush Flyer Posted November 15, 2019 #44 Share Posted November 15, 2019 25 minutes ago, petcoke said: And thats all it is your opinion Of course, that's my opinion. Assuming that you may be a big Dotty fan, rest assured that she has a very loyal following. And, when it comes to her friendliness, Trivia oversight skill and several other aspects of the CD job, she is a stellar performer. However, one only needs to search the CC Oceania forums/threads to find the numerous complaints about her incessant and repetitive hard sell of shipboard services. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare LHT28 Posted November 15, 2019 #45 Share Posted November 15, 2019 for the most part the CD's we have had they were not too chatty on the tannoy Usually they do the morning announcement /noon with the Captain & one in the evening to remind people about the show or whatever but they are short no more than 10 min as I seem to remember some will put out a call for trivia or bingo mid afternoon but not a long chat I have not sailed with Dottie but that might be a good thing 😉 Julie James is great Leslie Jon is great but could find a new song to sing at the shows 😎 Peter Roberts is fine we seem to have him more lately on our cruises A few I cannot remember their names they were that good 😉 Not a lot you can do about it other than make your comments known to management JMO 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
petcoke Posted November 15, 2019 #46 Share Posted November 15, 2019 1 hour ago, Flatbush Flyer said: Of course, that's my opinion. Assuming that you may be a big Dotty fan, rest assured that she has a very loyal following. And, when it comes to her friendliness, Trivia oversight skill and several other aspects of the CD job, she is a stellar performer. However, one only needs to search the CC Oceania forums/threads to find the numerous complaints about her incessant and repetitive hard sell of shipboard services. Not a big Dotty fan at all, but dont knock the new CD because they are not to your taste, every person is different Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bob brown Posted November 15, 2019 #47 Share Posted November 15, 2019 Hi Lois... I’m confident you will enjoy Oceania. As for solo traveler’s....all I can say is, I boarded the 180 day world cruise as a solo, but disembarked as a happily married man. I met the love of my life at a solo party on the second day, and had our wedding on board two days before the cruise ended. While I realize, that may not be what you are looking for, but to me, it just doesn’t get any better than that.😉🙂 9 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
floridatravelersforlife Posted November 15, 2019 #48 Share Posted November 15, 2019 23 hours ago, LHT28 said: Looking at the Century they are a lot larger than the R Class ships almost 3 times the number of PAX She is now Marella Explorer 2 I was thinking of the experience and feeling of the shipboard life,rather than the stark numbers. Some ships IMHO feel less crowded than others. And the pax are more congenial and friendly. We found that to be the case on the Century then and some R Class Oceania ships now 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
canyonwren Posted November 15, 2019 #49 Share Posted November 15, 2019 5 hours ago, bob brown said: Hi Lois... I’m confident you will enjoy Oceania. As for solo traveler’s....all I can say is, I boarded the 180 day world cruise as a solo, but disembarked as a happily married man. I met the love of my life at a solo party on the second day, and had our wedding on board two days before the cruise ended. While I realize, that may not be what you are looking for, but to me, it just doesn’t get any better than that.😉🙂 Wow, congratulations. That's so cool! I wish you both the very best! ❤️ 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Lois R Posted November 15, 2019 Author #50 Share Posted November 15, 2019 6 hours ago, bob brown said: Hi Lois... I’m confident you will enjoy Oceania. As for solo traveler’s....all I can say is, I boarded the 180 day world cruise as a solo, but disembarked as a happily married man. I met the love of my life at a solo party on the second day, and had our wedding on board two days before the cruise ended. While I realize, that may not be what you are looking for, but to me, it just doesn’t get any better than that.😉🙂 Yes, congratulations to you....and no, that is not what I am looking for...…….. I looked at the drink package and it is very pricey (in my opinion). I would probably be better off just paying as I go. 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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