Currently on Marina for the first time….impressions

[Host Jazzbeau]

Clean-up on aisle 6.  Now back to your regularly scheduled program:  "Currently on Marina for the first time....impressions"  😉

[Redtravel]

I was on the same Marina cruise.  It was our first O cruise since the Pandemic.  While it isn’t as relaxed as before pandemic, it is still a great cruise.  We had a fabulous time.  

[janecambridge]

We boarded in Miami  Dec. 18th. So far we have been really happy with everything except two meals. Toscana- a pasta dish with shellfish was very watery, very few shellfish and clumps of undercooked pasta. Then Red Ginger- Bay scallops, they were sitting in oil with no flavour along with flavourless noodles. But the rest of the meals everywhere have been very good. Staff happy and seem very organised this time. Suite is immaculate and well stocked with anything we want. Plenty of empty sun beds. 

[YoPhilly]

I do have one funny misstep to share.  At Toscana for dinner one night, the server described the night's special dish as pasta with mashed potatoes and salmon.  I stopped him to make sure I heard correctly..."You said pasta with mashed potatoes and salmon?"  Yes, ma'am.  He left the table with our drink order, then came back and corrected himself....the special was grilled salmon with mashed potatoes.  Oops!! 😁

[roger b]

On 12/23/2022 at 7:00 PM, janecambridge said:

We boarded in Miami  Dec. 18th. So far we have been really happy with everything except two meals. Toscana- a pasta dish with shellfish was very watery, very few shellfish and clumps of undercooked pasta. Then Red Ginger- Bay scallops, they were sitting in oil with no flavour along with flavourless noodles. But the rest of the meals everywhere have been very good. Staff happy and seem very organised this time. Suite is immaculate and well stocked with anything we want. Plenty of empty sun beds. 

 

I had exactly  the same experience  twice in Toscana , I Called the the the italian chef and showed  him how it should look He never got it right !!

 

[DCGuy64]

Can anyone recommend Oceania restaurants for non-seafood eaters? I don't particularly care for it and my vegetarian wife eats NO seafood and NO meat whatsoever. I see people going on and on about seafood items but we aren't into that. Any good options for us?

[janecambridge]

Rogerb, a huge improvement. Hope you enjoyed it 

[janecambridge]

Just now, DCGuy64 said:

Can anyone recommend Oceania restaurants for non-seafood eaters? I don't particularly care for it and my vegetarian wife eats NO seafood and NO meat whatsoever. I see people going on and on about seafood items but we aren't into that. Any good options for us?

 

All the restaurants cater very well for non meat and non fish eaters. 
Don’t worry! 

[PaulMCO]

It's been three years since an Oceania cruise.  We generally do DIY or private tour using tours by locals.  This cruise has been an exception as we booked several Oceania tours since we had a boat load of non refundable OBC.  So far all but one has been a disaster.  I NOW remember how bad and inconsistent their tours were.

 

What Oceania publishes when they sell you the tour in advance from the descriptions online, in your final emailed documentation, and the blue book are markedly different from what is actually done.  Non of these descriptions have been updated since the Pandemic.

 

Example -- St Maarten was to be a stop at the Butterfly farm and then a stop for shopping at Marigot.  Well guess what -- just an Island tour.  The Butterfly farm was destroyed in 2017 by Hurricane Ian and never rebuilt.

 

We are in Manaus today and yesterday.  Same issue.  Rubber Plantation was closed.  Military Zoo closed, Animal rescue center closed.  All have been closed since COVID and never reopened.

 

Destination services response -- we will forward your comments to Miami.

Good luck with that..

 

[susiesan]

10 minutes ago, PaulMCO said:

It's been three years since an Oceania cruise.  We generally do DIY or private tour using tours by locals.  This cruise has been an exception as we booked several Oceania tours since we had a boat load of non refundable OBC.  So far all but one has been a disaster.  I NOW remember how bad and inconsistent their tours were.

 

What Oceania publishes when they sell you the tour in advance from the descriptions online, in your final emailed documentation, and the blue book are markedly different from what is actually done.  Non of these descriptions have been updated since the Pandemic.

 

Example -- St Maarten was to be a stop at the Butterfly farm and then a stop for shopping at Marigot.  Well guess what -- just an Island tour.  The Butterfly farm was destroyed in 2017 by Hurricane Ian and never rebuilt.

 

We are in Manaus today and yesterday.  Same issue.  Rubber Plantation was closed.  Military Zoo closed, Animal rescue center closed.  All have been closed since COVID and never reopened.

 

Destination services response -- we will forward your comments to Miami.

Good luck with that..

 

Moral of the story: use you non refundable OBC and get a massage every day.

[roger b]

1 hour ago, PaulMCO said:

It's been three years since an Oceania cruise.  We generally do DIY or private tour using tours by locals.  This cruise has been an exception as we booked several Oceania tours since we had a boat load of non refundable OBC.  So far all but one has been a disaster.  I NOW remember how bad and inconsistent their tours were.

 

What Oceania publishes when they sell you the tour in advance from the descriptions online, in your final emailed documentation, and the blue book are markedly different from what is actually done.  Non of these descriptions have been updated since the Pandemic.

 

Example -- St Maarten was to be a stop at the Butterfly farm and then a stop for shopping at Marigot.  Well guess what -- just an Island tour.  The Butterfly farm was destroyed in 2017 by Hurricane Ian and never rebuilt.

 

We are in Manaus today and yesterday.  Same issue.  Rubber Plantation was closed.  Military Zoo closed, Animal rescue center closed.  All have been closed since COVID and never reopened.

 

Destination services response -- we will forward your comments to Miami.

Good luck with that..

 

Ask for your money back  , I did and got it in the U.K we have the sale of goods and services act .

   If you do not get what is in the description  you are entitled to a refund !! You have to be persistent  with the guest services Good luck !!

 

 

[sunlover12]

4 hours ago, PaulMCO said:

It's been three years since an Oceania cruise.  We generally do DIY or private tour using tours by locals.  This cruise has been an exception as we booked several Oceania tours since we had a boat load of non refundable OBC.  So far all but one has been a disaster.  I NOW remember how bad and inconsistent their tours were.

 

What Oceania publishes when they sell you the tour in advance from the descriptions online, in your final emailed documentation, and the blue book are markedly different from what is actually done.  Non of these descriptions have been updated since the Pandemic.

 

Example -- St Maarten was to be a stop at the Butterfly farm and then a stop for shopping at Marigot.  Well guess what -- just an Island tour.  The Butterfly farm was destroyed in 2017 by Hurricane Ian and never rebuilt.

 

We are in Manaus today and yesterday.  Same issue.  Rubber Plantation was closed.  Military Zoo closed, Animal rescue center closed.  All have been closed since COVID and never reopened.

 

Destination services response -- we will forward your comments to Miami.

Good luck with that..

 

Sorry to hear of the difficulties on your shore excursions.  On the flip side and in defense of O, I've done many ship excursions and haven't experienced these problems. I haven't done an O cruise to those ports you mentioned so maybe it just depends. If the description of the excursion doesn't match what you actually did, then it obviously needs to be addressed and changed. I'd be upset too. I would comment in detail on the end-of-cruise and/or mid-cruise survey.

 

I've been on 2 Oceania cruises this year and took a number of O excursions on each. What we did on 

all of those excursions matched exactly to the description. However there was one port where the weather wasn't great, with a lot of fog at the top of the mountain. The tour guide suggested that we skip that because we wouldn't be able to see anything so she offered an alternative where we would have a better view. Before she made that decision she asked for a show of hands and we all agreed to take the alternative. It has been my experience that the tour guides know exactly what has been described to the passengers and they do not deviate from that. 

JMO

[PaulMCO]

14 hours ago, sunlover12 said:

Sorry to hear of the difficulties on your shore excursions.  On the flip side and in defense of O, I've done many ship excursions and haven't experienced these problems. I haven't done an O cruise to those ports you mentioned so maybe it just depends. If the description of the excursion doesn't match what you actually did, then it obviously needs to be addressed and changed. I'd be upset too. I would comment in detail on the end-of-cruise and/or mid-cruise survey.

 

I've been on 2 Oceania cruises this year and took a number of O excursions on each. What we did on 

all of those excursions matched exactly to the description. However there was one port where the weather wasn't great, with a lot of fog at the top of the mountain. The tour guide suggested that we skip that because we wouldn't be able to see anything so she offered an alternative where we would have a better view. Before she made that decision she asked for a show of hands and we all agreed to take the alternative. It has been my experience that the tour guides know exactly what has been described to the passengers and they do not deviate from that. 

JMO

I have commented on mid cruise survey and heard zero from this.

One letter back stated they are waiting for Miami to make a decision on compensation.  The other said no compensation will be given.  

 

I will not hold my breath...

[janecambridge]

Great meal in Toscana last night- redeemed themselves. Trouble in Red Ginger, extremely busy. They seem to opening specialist restaurants alot each day to those that haven’t booked. By the time we get there at 7.30pm, they are very busy and over 90 minutes  in red ginger with just the appetiser.

Another good lunch in MDR and very quiet. 

[LHT28]

Just now, janecambridge said:

Great meal in Toscana last night- redeemed themselves. Trouble in Red Ginger, extremely busy. They seem to opening specialist restaurants alot each day to those that haven’t booked. By the time we get there at 7.30pm, they are very busy and over 90 minutes  in red ginger with just the appetiser.

Another good lunch in MDR and very quiet. 

maybe some know the secret handshake

Very strange that they overbook

[FLcruiser2011]

We have been on Oceania Marina now for almost two weeks, and have tried all four of the specialty restaurants -- Polo, Jacques, Red Ginger and Toscana -- one time each.

 

The food in the main dining room has been excellent -- easily on a par with the luxury lines -- and the food in all four of the specialty restaurants has been disappointing, especially in Jacques.  Go figure.

 

Edited December 31, 2022 by FLcruiser2011
fix typo

[pinotlover]

6 hours ago, janecambridge said:

Great meal in Toscana last night- redeemed themselves. Trouble in Red Ginger, extremely busy. They seem to opening specialist restaurants alot each day to those that haven’t booked. By the time we get there at 7.30pm, they are very busy and over 90 minutes  in red ginger with just the appetiser.

Another good lunch in MDR and very quiet. 

In that Tuscan Steak appeared to be regularly overbooked on our cruise, I’m to the opinion that the issue is no longer a computer glitch, but a determined new policy of Oceania. Those sitting at the reservation desk obviously know how many are booked at each time slot. 
 

Does Oceania believe that allowing more customers into a Specialty , at the expense of service , represents a positive for customer satisfaction? I’m sure the answer is highly variable for passengers. Some appear to want a Specialty every night regardless of service. Others of us would rather have fewer but more exceptional experiences. 

[Host Jazzbeau]

16 minutes ago, pinotlover said:

In that Tuscan Steak appeared to be regularly overbooked on our cruise, I’m to the opinion that the issue is no longer a computer glitch, but a determined new policy of Oceania. Those sitting at the reservation desk obviously know how many are booked at each time slot. 
 

Does Oceania believe that allowing more customers into a Specialty , at the expense of service , represents a positive for customer satisfaction? I’m sure the answer is highly variable for passengers. Some appear to want a Specialty every night regardless of service. Others of us would rather have fewer but more exceptional experiences. 

This was what led Crystal to institute a small booking fee after the first reservation at each specialty.  Insured that everyone got one, and that only those who really wanted a return visit would book again.  But you should have heard the howls!!!

[ORV]

9 hours ago, Host Jazzbeau said:

This was what led Crystal to institute a small booking fee after the first reservation at each specialty.  Insured that everyone got one, and that only those who really wanted a return visit would book again.  But you should have heard the howls!!!

The odd thing is they have had a system that has worked fine for years. I don't understand why it's messing up now. 

[PaulMCO]

And Jacques was quite empty last night at the 630pm seating -- perhaps it was because New Years eve. So go figure..  Meal was disappointing - had the pork rack which was tough and tasted like a slab of Virginia Ham (salty)

 

We have Toscana 4X already 2 in restaurant on 2 in the suite.  Most consistent of the specialties.  Polo bad both times -- I really do not understand the meat issue.  Texas Roadhouse has better steaks.

 

 

9 hours ago, Host Jazzbeau said:

This was what led Crystal to institute a small booking fee after the first reservation at each specialty.  Insured that everyone got one, and that only those who really wanted a return visit would book again.  But you should have heard the howls!!!

 

As a Crystal regular, yes the howls initially, but they sort of died out after it was implemented as on the longer cruises you would get 2 reservations per.  Then of course $60 for two at Nobu is a bargain compared to the price he charges in Vegas (at Caesars)

Edited January 1, 2023 by PaulMCO

[Jancruz]

6 hours ago, PaulMCO said:

And Jacques was quite empty last night at the 630pm seating -- perhaps it was because New Years eve. So go figure..  Meal was disappointing - had the pork rack which was tough and tasted like a slab of Virginia Ham (salty)

 

We have Toscana 4X already 2 in restaurant on 2 in the suite.  Most consistent of the specialties.  Polo bad both times -- I really do not understand the meat issue.  Texas Roadhouse has better steaks.

 

 

 

As a Crystal regular, yes the howls initially, but they sort of died out after it was implemented as on the longer cruises you would get 2 reservations per.  Then of course $60 for two at Nobu is a bargain compared to the price he charges in Vegas (at Caesars)

and where is Crystal now??

Jancruz1

[Redtravel]

Thinking about our recent Marina trip.  The food was good, but not as good as we remembered from before the pandemic.  The specialty restaurants used to be better than the other venues.  Sadly, we found specialty dining to be hit or miss.  We ate at Jacques twice.  First time everything was excellent.  Next time, it was not as good. Polo was so bad, we canceled our next reservation.  Steak was tough. Service was awful. Red Ginger was excellent.  Toscana was good. Service was very slow.    Most of the time, we ate well.   We enjoyed the cruise.  

[janecambridge]

Strange how diners vary. We love Jacques and it used be our least favourite. Polo is good and Toscana is a bit chaotic but good food. Red Ginger- 2 sittings and not going back. Hubby had crispy ginger chicken and full of fat laid on a couple  lettuce  leaves. I had Asian greens with satay and it was kos  lettuce. We mentioned we didn’t want the beans to start and got a grilling of questions as to why not. Husband ordered broccoli which came with shiitake mushrooms. He asked to not have mushrooms. It arrived with mushrooms and again a grilling as to why he didn’t want them. It feels very disorganised there when we go in at 7.30pm. Non crispy non ginger chicken: 

[pinotlover]

1 hour ago, Redtravel said:

Thinking about our recent Marina trip.  The food was good, but not as good as we remembered from before the pandemic.  The specialty restaurants used to be better than the other venues.  Sadly, we found specialty dining to be hit or miss.  We ate at Jacques twice.  First time everything was excellent.  Next time, it was not as good. Polo was so bad, we canceled our next reservation.  Steak was tough. Service was awful. Red Ginger was excellent.  Toscana was good. Service was very slow.    Most of the time, we ate well.   We enjoyed the cruise.  

Redtravel;

 

I believe your comments echo what myself and others have been saying. Inconsistency is the primary issue today, more so than last decade! We had some great meals, a couple poor meals, and many just OK meals. Didn’t go hungry, but that’s not the issue.

[susiesan]

1 hour ago, Redtravel said:

Thinking about our recent Marina trip.  The food was good, but not as good as we remembered from before the pandemic.  The specialty restaurants used to be better than the other venues.  Sadly, we found specialty dining to be hit or miss.  We ate at Jacques twice.  First time everything was excellent.  Next time, it was not as good. Polo was so bad, we canceled our next reservation.  Steak was tough. Service was awful. Red Ginger was excellent.  Toscana was good. Service was very slow.    Most of the time, we ate well.   We enjoyed the cruise.  

Agree with you from the same Dec. 4 Marina sailing. Myprior O cruise was Jan. 2020 and my memory of the food overall was that it was much better in the past. But as compared to my last 2 cruises on other lines, NCL in Aug. 2022 and Celebrity in Dec. 2021, O food is way better than on those 2 lines IMO.