Should I try Oceania? (compare to Viking)

[Vineyard View]

On 8/21/2022 at 5:24 PM, PSR said:

 

Yes, to upgrade to the Prestige package it is $20.00/day/person. Worth it if you have 2 or more cocktails a day. It does not change your "by the glass" wine selections, though. 

The upgraded drinks package includes the same wines by the glass as the regular wine package?  I did not realize this. Thank you for the clarification 

[PSR]

1 hour ago, Vineyard View said:

The upgraded drinks package includes the same wines by the glass as the regular wine package?  I did not realize this. Thank you for the clarification 

 

As far as I know, yes. All bars and dining rooms have the same wines by the glass that are covered by both the basic and upgraded packages. I think sometimes there may be "special" wines by the glass featured in the specialty dining rooms, but I did not look at the wine lists when we tried those dining rooms. You would have to pay for those glasses, I understand. We enjoyed the wines available on the standard list, but we are not wine experts and have only been on one cruise. Maybe someone else with more Oceania experience can clarify the wine by the glass situation.

 

Edited August 24, 2022 by PSR

[LHT28]

Most people upgrade to the Prestige package  from the O Life  House select  not for  wine by the glass selections but so they can have  almost unlimited  alcoholic beverages anytime

JMO

[Vineyard View]

Truly good to know these clarifications. Thank you again 

[Mareblu]

4 hours ago, Vineyard View said:

Truly good to know these clarifications. Thank you again 

One more crucial point:  tried in vain today to purchase Prestige Package, as we have done in the past.  Our TA spoke with Oceania senior rep who advised that drinks packages may now only be purchased once we are aboard.  From memory, the wines were by the bottle in the Prestige Package.  

[alaskaca]

3 hours ago, Mareblu said:

From memory, the wines were by the bottle in the Prestige Package.  

Last time cruising, Feb/March 2020, the Prestige Pkg included wine by the glass. 

[Mareblu]

1 hour ago, alaskaca said:

Last time cruising, Feb/March 2020, the Prestige Pkg included wine by the glass. 

Then I stand corrected 😊  Our last Oceania cruise was 2018, so changes happen with time.  It'll be interesting to see when we're aboard Sirena what we'll be offered in the Prestige Package.

[LHT28]

6 hours ago, Mareblu said:

One more crucial point:  tried in vain today to purchase Prestige Package, as we have done in the past.  Our TA spoke with Oceania senior rep who advised that drinks packages may now only be purchased once we are aboard.  From memory, the wines were by the bottle in the Prestige Package.  

It has always been by the glass  in both packages

Maybe you are thinking of the  7 Bottle package ?

You choose 7 bottles of wine from a specific list  for a flat rate

[Mareblu]

On 8/21/2022 at 9:09 PM, zodiacsign said:

I've done both. Obviously my views are subjective, but here's which one comes out on top in my opinion on different elements.

 

STATEROOMS: Oceania, in layout and bathroom space. (not considering balcony/no balcony issue).

APP/ONLINE INFO: Viking. (The lack of digiboards to look up the day's menus/events, and an app on board, are a downside on Oceania).

FOOD: Oceania

DRINKS: Viking. (Beer and wine included at meals, and cocktails to purchase very reasonable).

ENTERTAINMENT: Oceania (by a mile).

PUBLIC AREA DECOR: Viking

EXCURSIONS: Probably a wash. Viking does offer one "free" tour in each port. In some place these are good (like a walking tour), but in European cities there are usually "free" walking tours you can go to on your own anyway. Often Viking's included tour is just a bus tour with some photo stops. When it comes to paid excursions, I think they are similar (unsurprisingly: it's usually the same local tour companies selling excursions to all the cruise lines).

SPA AREAS: Viking. The indoor heated pool area, ice room, jacuzzis, plunge pool, sauna, etc.

 

 

Great news:  At least on Sirena, the recent refurbishment has resulted in a total digital upgrade, with interactive large screens identical (as far as I can see) to those on Viking.  Viking was way ahead, in our opinion, with the interactive info, but now it seems Oceania is on a par.  I imagine all other "reimaginings" in O's fleet would have the same treatment.  Overdue, and very welcome. 

[oskidunker]

9 hours ago, LHT28 said:

It has always been by the glass  in both packages

Maybe you are thinking of the  7 Bottle package ?

You choose 7 bottles of wine from a specific list  for a flat rate

Can anyone post the list?

[Mareblu]

10 hours ago, LHT28 said:

It has always been by the glass  in both packages

Maybe you are thinking of the  7 Bottle package ?

You choose 7 bottles of wine from a specific list  for a flat rate

Maybe we had both.  Our wine was definitely served by the bottle, and cocktails were covered by the package.

[AMHuntFerry]

56 minutes ago, oskidunker said:

Can anyone post the list?

The list will vary depending on what is available. There is a sample list on O's website:

https://www.oceaniacruises.com/value

https://www.oceaniacruises.com/Documents/Menus/23779/WinebytheBottle-SampleSelection.pdf

 

[DENIE]

17 hours ago, Mareblu said:

One more crucial point:  tried in vain today to purchase Prestige Package, as we have done in the past.  Our TA spoke with Oceania senior rep who advised that drinks packages may now only be purchased once we are aboard.  From memory, the wines were by the bottle in the Prestige Package.  

On the Riviera in June, we stopped at the front desk upon boarding and asked to be upgraded to the Prestige package.  They took our cruise cards and issued new ones in about 3 or 4 minutes - very easy.

[oskidunker]

43 minutes ago, AMHuntFerry said:

The list will vary depending on what is available. There is a sample list on O's website:

https://www.oceaniacruises.com/value

https://www.oceaniacruises.com/Documents/Menus/23779/WinebytheBottle-SampleSelection.pdf

 

That looks good. A list posted by someone in March looked bad. Instead of Perrier Joulet  champagne is was Nicholas  Fallete, a big difference and a no go.

[LHT28]

2 hours ago, oskidunker said:

Can anyone post the list?

The list changes  on each cruise

[ORV]

For those interested in Interactive things, like apps like other lines use, you might be interested to know on the recent survey for the Oceania Cruises Insights Panel they asked a couple of questions about them. So apparently it's on their radar. 

[TexasTwist]

I’ve done both. Both are great that you have small ships. So much easier getting off and on the boats. I do prefer the size and layout of Oceania as well as the food. Entertainment is equal. Viking free excursions were inconsistent at best. Not great. Oceania tends to be a better value. 

[Eloise4Ever]

On 8/23/2022 at 11:36 PM, Vineyard View said:

The upgraded drinks package includes the same wines by the glass as the regular wine package?  I did not realize this. Thank you for the clarification 

 

Just to make it clear, the wines by the glass on the regular and upgraded drinks packages on O include ALL the wines by the glass available onboard. In other words, regardless of whether guests choose a drinks package or pay for drinks as they go, all will be choosing from the same list of wines by the glass. Although the selection may vary from cruise to cruise, you can get an idea of the wines by the glass here: https://www.oceaniacruises.com/Documents/Menus/1694/Bar-Menu.pdf.

 

I much preferred the way O do it to Viking, where we had the upgraded package but found it difficult and slow at lunch and dinner to order wine that wasn't the included wine of the day. 

 

 

[Mareblu]

In Portsmouth, boarding  Oceania’s Sirena in a few hours.  So exciting to be cruising again after three long years.

[cruisr]

On 8/24/2022 at 8:41 PM, AMHuntFerry said:

The list will vary depending on what is available. There is a sample list on O's website:

https://www.oceaniacruises.com/value

https://www.oceaniacruises.com/Documents/Menus/23779/WinebytheBottle-SampleSelection.pdf

 

So, unless I am misunderstanding, the Geisen Marlborough SV, which I can get for $9.99 a bottle would be $47.90 per bottle and I have to buy 7 to get that price?

[LHT28]

1 hour ago, cruisr said:

So, unless I am misunderstanding, the Geisen Marlborough SV, which I can get for $9.99 a bottle would be $47.90 per bottle and I have to buy 7 to get that price?

Correct

Or just take  your own  & if you take a bottle to the dining venues  pay the corkage fee of $25 per bottle

[Mareblu]

Red Ginger last night.  I had almost forgotten how exquisite Oceania’s cuisine is

[MEFIowa]

On 9/18/2022 at 6:24 PM, LHT28 said:

Correct. Or just take your own & if you take a bottle to the dining venues pay the corkage fee of $25 per bottle.

"... the Geisen Marlborough SV, which I can get for $9.99 a bottle would be $47.90 per bottle and I have to buy 7 to get that price?"

 

OR just pass up on any wine at dinner, saving a small fortune, and use the savings to buy something nice for yourself and significant other in the boutiques? [I write that looking at the RAF Red Arrows Citizen Eco-Drive watch on my wrist that I bought on Riviera 12/21 and thinking about the nice purse and handbag I bought for my wife on that cruise, too. IF you looked around and priced things out, many of the boutique items were very decently priced indeed!]

 

Just bring your bottles of whatever on board, at the start and in ports, and consume them in your room.

[LHT28]

1 minute ago, MEFIowa said:

OR just pass up on any wine at dinner, saving a small fortune, and use the savings to buy something nice for yourself and significant other in the boutiques? [I write that looking at the RAF Red Arrows Citizen Eco-Drive watch on my wrist that I bought on Riviera 12/21 and thinking about the nice purse and handbag I bought for my wife on that cruise, too. IF you looked around and priced things out, many of the boutique items were very decently priced indeed!]

 

Just bring your bottles of whatever on board, at the start and in ports, and consume them in your room.

LOL

 Or maybe  just drink what you want where you want

 DH  dreads going in the gift shops   he has so many logo shirts  that will last him  the rest of his life 

No More watches  either he has 4 or 5 

 

Not everyone want to sit & drink alone in your cabin 😉

JMO

[PasadenaDave]

Thank you for this thread.

 

We have five cruises with Princess, we cruised with Viking Istanbul to Venice last May and then HAL Quebec to Boston in September.  After our experience with Viking, returning to a huge HAL ship was less than enjoyable, thus except for say a quick Vancouver to LA on Princess, our days on Mega Ships is over.

 

We really enjoyed Viking.  Highlights were thermal spa, no nickel and diming, no casino, no photographers.  They treated us very well and laundry was excellent for self serve.

 

We get the Oceana brochures with the Wall Street Journal and like the British Isles cruise Portsmouth to Portsmouth.

 

Our question, it appears the overall satisfaction between Viking and Oceana is similar with one besting the other in some categories.  Do you think it is worthwhile our dipping our toes into the Oceana experience?  While price is always an issue, for the purpose of gathering information up front payment or included or not included items is not a consideration at this stage.

 

Thanks in advance