Oceania Marina & Service

[LHT28]

53 minutes ago, RetiredandTravel said:

 

 

https://www.thepreismans.com/marina19_menus.htm#Bar

 

 

Looks like they have 21 beers/ciders etc, I bet in bottles.  Not environmentally friendly at all

The question was Beer on Tap   🙄

Glass bottles are better  that plastic ones  IMO

 YMMV

[ORV]

3 hours ago, RetiredandTravel said:

Its possible they have the Vero primarily to save money.

I'm sure they're not the only company to couch a money saving measure as a benefit to the environment, and appeal to the Green crowd. And sometimes they can be both.

 

I've had the Vero in the room and found it to be fine, but I'm sure it's probably just an couple of extra steps beyond the regular process they use for drinking water on board. 

[Host Jazzbeau]

We've never had any problems drinking the tap water on ships – their desalinization-plus-added-minerals-process produces safe and good tasting water.  So I would expect Vero to be even better.  But I don't like to carry around a heavy metal water bottle, so we'll continue to bring empty Poland Spring bottles to refill onboard.

[PaulMCO]

First off to the OP your itinerary you picked is a great one and Oceania is very experienced doing this and does it more often than other lines and does it well.

 

We are on the first Leg from MIA to Buenos Aires (ending in Jan 2023) on Marina.  We chose this based on the itinerary.

 

We have cruised on Marina/Riviera and the smaller ships.  We have a love hate relationship with O.  I like O and DW hates O.  Our last cruise on Regatta was horrible (rivals some our bad HAL trips) and yes we tend to write reviews when we are pissed.  Bad food, bad ship, bad service in the GDR, bad General Manager, and bad Captain.    Just like Regent, Crystal etc.. it all depends on the ships management.  Good managers = good crew, bad managers - staff does not care.

 

There are some GM's on O that I would not sail with because I know the service will be below par and bad service stretches to other areas including food.  There are others that shine and you will have an overall experience that is equal to the Seabourn's and the Crystals.  Unfortunately these days it is hard to find out in advance who will be running the show.

 

Post COVID I do not think you can compare crew.  There will likely be many new comers and shifts to different ships for the regulars because of the slow startup.

 

 

Edited July 30, 2021 by PaulMCO

[mtnlvr53]

Wow! This is a lot to digest!  We are Princess, Celebrity type cruisers normally. We have a Holland America SA cruise booked for 2022 but I'm looking at alternatives for 2023. Oceania is quite a bit cheaper, on the surface that is, than a re-book of Holland America. Sooo.... after all the talk of caviar and cheap wine I am a bit confused.  We would like a cruise line with good food (actually, I have to eat gluten free) a good bed and pleasant staff. The itinerary is most commonly the main factor on which cruise line we pick. So this cruise line most closely matches Holland America and I'm just wondering if we would be disappointed if we selected it.  (It doesn't seem like it, but that IS the reason I came and started reading.) By the time this cruise happens we will be 70 so it seems like this line might be a good fit from that perspective. 

Thanks for any insight you have. CC folks are very knowledgeable and helpful for helping people make good decisions.

Also is the Concierge level a good deal--I see it included free laundry which would be nice? Again, thanks so much!

Janet

[mauibabes]

Janet,

Keep reading the many postings from Newbies on these Roll Calls and you will be educated well beyond Oceania Cruises 101, you could be a Grad School cruiser soon.

We too did some Princess and Celebrity but once we found Oceania about 14 years ago, we started preaching the attributes of Oceania to our friends. ALL have abandoned the other lines, including HAL which we have not sailed.  If you like smaller ships, 684 or 1250 max passengers, a country club casual atmosphere (no formal or gowns or suits),  a Tranquility bed that you will never want to get out of, absolutely amazing food, FREE specialty restaurants, a family atmosphere with the wonderful and professional crew, absolutely luxurious accommodations without the All Inclusive prices, WELCOME TO OCEANIA.

 

You will hear from people on this Roll Call who are first timers waiting to sail up to VETERANS with 20-30-40+ Oceania cruises. No question will not be answered so just ask. You will never go back to the other lines. 
Enjoy the RC and book that cruise.  September will bring new itineraries for 2023, 2024 and maybe into 2025. Vista is the new 1200 passenger luxury ship being constructed in Italy and her itineraries go on sale September 15 for Inaugural sailings in 2023. Just start rolling through the Oceaniacruises.com website and check it out.

Welcome 🚢👍🙏🍷🍽🍹🥂

Bonnie and Gerry 
aka Mauibabes

[AMHuntFerry]

Janet,
And now from one of the newbies 🙂
My husband is vegetarian, so I've researched the available foods to death. Oceania is going to be amazing! One of my favorite places to dream-browse is the sample menu list for Riviera:
https://www.oceaniacruises.com/ships/riviera/cuisine/

The smaller ships have a more limited selection of specialty restaurants, but you can browse their menus too.
You'll be happy to know that gluten-free is among the standard special diets that Oceania accommodates.
https://oceaniacruises.zendesk.com/hc/en-us/articles/360005474013-What-special-diets-are-available-on-the-ships-
Just have your TA notify Oceania ahead of time so they have everything ready for you (especially for afternoon tea carbo-load!).

Have fun browsing!
Kathleen

 

[LHT28]

3 hours ago, mtnlvr53 said:

Wow! This is a lot to digest!  We are Princess, Celebrity type cruisers normally. We have a Holland America SA cruise booked for 2022 but I'm looking at alternatives for 2023. Oceania is quite a bit cheaper, on the surface that is, than a re-book of Holland America. Sooo.... after all the talk of caviar and cheap wine I am a bit confused.  We would like a cruise line with good food (actually, I have to eat gluten free) a good bed and pleasant staff. The itinerary is most commonly the main factor on which cruise line we pick. So this cruise line most closely matches Holland America and I'm just wondering if we would be disappointed if we selected it.  (It doesn't seem like it, but that IS the reason I came and started reading.)

 

I would say  as far as food  Oceania beats HAL  hands down

They may not have  caviar  all the time like some lines if that is important to you

Also not  a wine specialist  but the wine  was fine for us  or if you are picky about what you drink just bring your own & pay the corkage fee

 

The free laundry is 20 items per bag & you get 3 bags  3 day turnaround

The self serve laundry is also free  if you do not mind doing your own

JMO

 

[mtnlvr53]

2 minutes ago, LHT28 said:

I would saw  as far as food  Oceania beats HAL  hands down

They may not have  caviar  all the time like some lines if that is important to you

Also not  a wine specialist  but the wine  was fine for us  or if you are picky about what you drink just bring your own & pay the corkage fee

 

 

No, we are definitely caviar OR wine people, so neither matter to us. I'm sure it matters to some people and I think that's the great thing about life...we can all enjoy the things that make us happy!

[mauibabes]

Janet,

We have traveled numerous times with friends who are gluten free and it is an easy request. You or TA notifies Oceania and it is included in your requirements file and the first day aboard you reconfirm your requirement for GF. Just my opinion, sometimes the balls can be dropped. You will receive daily menus the day before to make your dining selections. Easy peasy! 
They are EXCELLENT about dietary concerns and requirements. Salt free,Vegetarian, Vegan, plant based, egg allergy, they will take care of your needs. 
Gee, Bonnie and I like Pepsi over Coke so our refrigerator is stocked with Pepsi in lieu of Coke that is standard in every stateroom refrigerator. 
Oceania is very accommodating.

Gerry

[GrammieK]

15 hours ago, mtnlvr53 said:

Wow! This is a lot to digest!  We are Princess, Celebrity type cruisers normally. We have a Holland America SA cruise booked for 2022 but I'm looking at alternatives for 2023. Oceania is quite a bit cheaper, on the surface that is, than a re-book of Holland America. Sooo.... after all the talk of caviar and cheap wine I am a bit confused.  We would like a cruise line with good food (actually, I have to eat gluten free) a good bed and pleasant staff. The itinerary is most commonly the main factor on which cruise line we pick. So this cruise line most closely matches Holland America and I'm just wondering if we would be disappointed if we selected it.  (It doesn't seem like it, but that IS the reason I came and started reading.) By the time this cruise happens we will be 70 so it seems like this line might be a good fit from that perspective. 

Thanks for any insight you have. CC folks are very knowledgeable and helpful for helping people make good decisions.

Also is the Concierge level a good deal--I see it included free laundry which would be nice? Again, thanks so much!

Janet

hi Janet,

 

We switch back and forth between HAL and Oceania: HAL when we want a quick ft lauderdale Caribbean cruise and Oceania when we want a luxurious experience. 
 

HAL is always the less expensive alternative for us, but when you take other things into account that could change!

 

On Oceania, all non alcoholic drinks are included (not so on HAL). If you choose concierge class you will have access to a private sun deck, but on HAL it can be difficult to find a lounger unless you book a private cabana. Specialty restaurants on Oceania are included in the fare, but on HAL you incur an extra charge (about$30 p/p per nite). When we cruise HAL we wat in pinnacle or tamarind very nite because the main dining room is not as good as Oceania. 
 

there are many other reasons that Oceania is a better choice, but they differ with each passenger. Try it, you’ll like it!

k

[Aloha 1]

We have done 2 Regent and 6 Oceania cruises (Riviera and Marina). Like the OP, our first Regent cruise from Rome to Southampton was outstanding. Our second on Mariner from NYC to Montreal not so much. The "lowlight" of that cruise was service in Compass Rose or lack thereof including the night my filet came with the plastic tag for "medium" embedded in the steak and half melted. Haven't been on Regent since.

 

 Every one of our Oceania cruises has been fantastic. O is now our go to line. From the food, to the rooms, and the service, top shelf. One of our favorite things is afternoon tea in Horizons. String quartet, bubbly, proper scones, etc. We have never had a problem with the wine list nor spirits. A "hidden" gem is dinner in The Terrace. Pretty much the same food being served in the MDR plus a grill with lobster tails, lamb chops, shrimp, etc. made to order. And a fresh pasta station. Best part is you don't have to dress which after a long day ashore can be a blessing. 

 

You will never know if O fits your style unless you try her. I heartily recommend you do!

Edited August 3, 2021 by Aloha 1