"O" Fans Please do your thing and comment!

[MEFIowa]

57 minutes ago, Snaefell3 said:

...  With two years without any chance of a contract, many (most?) of the folks that knew what they were doing are now doing something else and Oceania's training curve is higher than most.

That's hard to say. While on Sirena 11/2022 I ran into Stephen (from India), who had been our room steward on Riviera (12/2021). He was getting ready to go back to India for his "vacation" once the cruise was over. He'd been with O before COVID and was with them again "after". He was quite good. Surprised I remember him when I happen to run across him one day on Deck 4.

[Queen of DaNile]

19 hours ago, Hlitner said:

So folks, where am I going wrong?

 

Hank

Sounds like you want to be talked into trying Oceania which is a no win situation.

Cruising is not like it used to be so perhaps a lot of folks are disappointed with what they are now experincing on a LOT of lines, hence the negative reviews.

We've done six cruises on three lines post Covid. The most consistent with food and service was Viking Rivier. HAL crew was friendly and sweet but incrediblly inept and the only truly decent food in 40 days on two different ships was in a specialty (Westerdam was particularly abysmal). Good food on Seabourn but it was obvious there was a lot of (very) new staff and service was not as it had been in the past. Riviera was closest to how we remembered things. 

Good luck with whatever you decide.

[Flatbush Flyer]

17 hours ago, Hlitner said:

ROFL.  You should add, "come back and report your experience only if it is all good!"

 

🙂

Shame on you- You’ve not been reading all of my posts regarding Oceania. When there is something wrong or unacceptable, I post about it. Recently, I especially have been critical of one onboard Destination Services team and a particularly terrible Cruise Director. And, in general, I’m the first to admit that O’s policies regarding O Life, sales, combinable discounts etc. can be quite confusing to passengers (even some “regulars”).

O has its own occasional problems (like any other cruise line or hospitality centered business. But, one thing is certain: if you’ve got a reasonable concern when you’re onboard AND you bring it to the attention of an appropriate crew member, s/he will do their best to remedy the situation.

[ak1004]

We are currently on the Riviera. 

 

Service and food are outstanding. Didn't notice any change from previous sailings. 

 

Our friends who are Celebrity refugees are very impressed too.

[Hlitner]

3 hours ago, Flatbush Flyer said:

Shame on you- You’ve not been reading all of my posts regarding Oceania. When there is something wrong or unacceptable, I post about it. Recently, I especially have been critical of one onboard Destination Services team and a particularly terrible Cruise Director. And, in general, I’m the first to admit that O’s policies regarding O Life, sales, combinable discounts etc. can be quite confusing to passengers (even some “regulars”).

O has its own occasional problems (like any other cruise line or hospitality centered business. But, one thing is certain: if you’ve got a reasonable concern when you’re onboard AND you bring it to the attention of an appropriate crew member, s/he will do their best to remedy the situation.

Interesting about the tour desk thing.  Many cruise lines quietly use a third party company to staff that task.  I do not know if this is the case with "O", but just fruit for thought.  Many folks are not aware of the extent some lines go to outsource various onboard specialty functions such as photographers, shop staff, casinos, excursion desk, etc.

 

Hank

[Ride-The-Waves]

21 hours ago, Hlitner said:

Perhaps I am being a bit anal about my concerns/critiques, but the entire travel/cruise industry has changed...post Covid.  In fact, we now ignore most reviews/comments from folks who base their posts upon pre-COVID trips/cruises.  Post COVID we have done a significant amount of cruising on Seabourn, MSC (Yacht Club), Princess and HAL (with upcoming cruises on the new Explora Journeys and Princess).  With the exception of Seabourn (which we found was quite similar to what we experienced pre-Covid) the other lines have changed....and not in a positive way.   My reading of "O" reviews and posts give me a lot of concern that "O" has also changed (in a negative way).

 

We think that the huge amount of debt accumulated by CCL, NCLH, and RCI are like a huge weight bringing down the quality of these 3 huge companies.  They must somehow generate enough revenue to make huge debt-service payments while also dealing with high fuel prices, ridiculous food prices, etc.  The reality is that MSC, and its new Explora Journeys luxury spin off, are the only major cruise line companies not being dragged down by debt service issues.  Perhaps the revamped Crystal Cruises (now owned by the A&K folks) is also in a good position (time will tell).  Lots of tough planning decisions for we frequent cruisers/travelers.

 

Hank

Astute observation.  The "luxury" lines appear to be doing well - passengers with no concerns over cost are well cared for.  From there on down the economic scale, and that includes Oceania, is a different story and cruise lines are struggling to balance the books and will be struggling for some time.  The nickel and diming has really gotten outrageous.  Pricing for basic fares as well.  Cutting corners can only go so far before the roof falls in.  Spouse has us booked on an RCI transatlantic in the Fall - not my choice.  I've long outgrown plastic party ships, but she has friends who convinced her to go.  Everything is extra and expensive.  Sad that many lines view this is the new norm.  Possibly in the end we will end up with high-end cruising and mass market party ships...

[Snaefell3]

1 hour ago, Ride-The-Waves said:

Astute observation.  The "luxury" lines appear to be doing well - passengers with no concerns over cost are well cared for.  From there on down the economic scale, and that includes Oceania, is a different story and cruise lines are struggling to balance the books and will be struggling for some time.  The nickel and diming has really gotten outrageous.  Pricing for basic fares as well.  Cutting corners can only go so far before the roof falls in.  Spouse has us booked on an RCI transatlantic in the Fall - not my choice.  I've long outgrown plastic party ships, but she has friends who convinced her to go.  Everything is extra and expensive.  Sad that many lines view this is the new norm.  Possibly in the end we will end up with high-end cruising and mass market party ships...

Remember:  Silversea and RCI share nickles and dimes; so too, Regent and NCL (and Oceania)l; and so too, Carnival and Seabourn.

[jonthomas]

5 hours ago, ak1004 said:

We are currently on the Riviera. 

 

Service and food are outstanding. Didn't notice any change from previous sailings. 

 

Our friends who are Celebrity refugees are very impressed too.

Excellent to hear. Enjoy all of it.  We are booked on all other O ships. Regatta 27 days coming up in Sept,  sadly the reviews are poor but hope by then, the staff are more experienced and the food improves.

Edited May 23, 2023 by jonthomas

[basor]

9 minutes ago, jonthomas said:

Excellent to hear. Enjoy all of it.  We are booked on all other O ships. Regatta 27 days coming up in Sept,  sadly the reviews are poor but hope by then, the staff are more experienced and the food improves.

I find the reviews for the short 7 day cruises tend to be more negative than the longer ones - perhaps because more new to O cruises are testing the waters and have high expectation. . 

[Flatbush Flyer]

10 minutes ago, jonthomas said:

Excellent to hear. Enjoy all of it.  We are booked on all other O ships. Regatta 27 days coming up in Sept,  sadly the reviews are poor but hope by then, the staff are more experienced and the food improves.

As aforementioned, we earlier this year spent about a month on Regatta (OZ, NZ, Polynesia). Other than a few Cyclone related itinerary changes, it was great. We’ll be back on her this coming August/September.

[Flatbush Flyer]

3 minutes ago, basor said:

I find the reviews for the short 7 day cruises tend to be more negative than the longer ones - perhaps because more new to O cruises are testing the waters and have high expectation. . 

This is very true. Perhaps if O advertised them as the “boat rides” that they are, their expectations would be more realistic.😎

[BWV]

While we are not as experienced in cruise travel as some  people here, we have done 6-7 cruises on HAL which we certainly enjoyed (preCOVID). We decided to try Oceania last May for a retirement congratulations cruise (Marina -Rome-London), and we fell in love with Oceania - to us, no comparison with HAL in food. Yes, there have been a few items that might have been better, but overall the quality is excellent in our estimation.

The size of the ship also (granted, a partially-full 1200 vs. over 2000) was good also.

My sons upgraded us to a penthouse, so perhaps our first experience was a bit different, but the food and ambiance didn't change when we did our second on Riviera in March in a Concierge Veranda (yes, we were on the cruise that didn't stop in Bermuda). We were disappointed, but we felt that it was not their fault. After a nicely-worded note to Oceania stating our concern, we were offered some credit toward a future cruise.

We had already booked a Baltic cruise on Marina for this July with our daughter and granddaughter, so we happily applied the credit to this. On board booking and the Memorial Day sale allowed us to book a penthouse for us and veranda for them.

We are older and enjoy being on the ship, relaxing, reading, meeting other people. Earlier, we both explored ashore, but now I explore occasionally as my husband has mobility challenges. 

We have a QM2 crossing booked for next May which we'll enjoy, but I know we'll miss the Oceania food and ambiance. 

Others have had different experiences, but ours have been wonderful.

[Croooser]

Well... this is all subjective and some of the comments here reflect that.

 

We have no experience on HAL.

 

We spent 10 days on Sky Princess (one of several sailings we have done on that class of ship) in December and we are pretty much done with Princess. It was that bad.

 

We just returned from a 15 day TA on Celebrity Apex (maybe our 15th Celebrity cruise) and it was better food and service than Sky Princess but overcrowded in all of the public spaces. We are probably Celebrity refugees at this point. We would be remiss if we did not mention that the Eden restaurant is the best food that we have ever had at sea - even better than the specialties on O which we generally think are great.

 

In early February we spent 10 days on Riviera (our 3rd cruise on her). We thought hat the service was outstanding with the exception of Polo which was, IMO, very poorly managed. We thought that the food in the rest of the venues was OK to excellent, if not quite up to prepandemic standards, and far better than Sky Princess and somewhat better than Apex. 

 

If you take a look at the archives of this board, you will find many comparisons of O vs Celebrity and some of O vs Princess. It seems to us that the broad consensus is that Food and service on O is better, that activities and entertainment are better on the mainstream lines and that O is much more laid back and less crowded. That is our take anyway, and our recent experience.

 

If my assessment is accurate, some people will prefer O and some Princess, HAL or Celebrity.

 

Time to read those tea leaves and decide.

 

Edited May 23, 2023 by Croooser

[mauibabes]

I would rather forget the tea leaves and suggest any cruiser take the trips that they want to and make up their own minds. 
We have been on Princess a number of times but moved on based on the degradation of the overall product and the quantity of passengers on the ships. 

Celebrity, a step up from P but still far too many passengers and not much of an improvement in cuisine and service.
Oceania, we just found a niche that made us feel comfortable with smaller passenger numbers. The service and cuisine is superior, even if some of the staff are somewhat new to the hospitality or cruise industry. We have tested lines and made our decision, forget the commentary and experiences expressed by CC posters. The only decision that matters to us is what WE think because it is our money and we will spend it where we feel we are getting the best cruise value. As we cruise and meet new guests on board Oceania,  I know our niche is quite inviting because we are meeting more and more P and C refugees. 
Make your own decisions, but make them on your own experiences, not some posters rants. JMHO. 😇👍🙏

Good luck and Enjoy your cruise.

Mauibabes 

[Rumpledbumskin]

Hank:

I thought I’d add my two cents (They are Canadian cents, so about 1.5 US). 

I cruise for the croissants. I dream about the croissants on Oceania. Best I’ve ever had. Having said that, I’ve never had a bad meal on Oceania but I’ve only had two cruises with them.  All meals were good and I include all the venues.  Some were outstanding. I recall a pasta Cacio e Pepe on Riviera last summer that was a religious experience.  Just a little dish, but perfect.

 

But, as several have said, food is subjective.  I think you’ll enjoy it.

 

I took the time to read your thread on a recent HAL cruise and one theme stood out: entertainment.  You often commented that the ship closed down at 10:30 and that no venues were open much later.  I think you might find a similar vibe on Oceania although perhaps not that bad.  I recall things getting pretty quiet after the shows.  And the shows were decent, nothing earth shattering or stand up ovation worthy.  One thing about Oceania is that a lot of the cruisers are port oriented and get to bed early so they can get up early and off to their excursions. 

 

So, my recommendation is that you look at the boards to see comments on the entertainment and how lively the bars are. I think the rest of the amenities on Oceania will fulfill your expectations

 

Jim

[Ride-The-Waves]

Agree that food is subjective.  We are NOT foodies by any stretch of the imagination.  What we do expect is a nice ambiance contributing to "fine dinning."  Did not find that on Marina.  Table in the specialty restaurants were so close together it was difficult to get to your chair.  The noise levels were so high that we could not hear each other sitting across the table.  Not enjoyable.  I wont mention the well lubricated couples next to us...   Similar experience in the buffet - tables so close to each other it was a challenge to carry food from the serving line to the table.  Crew was very helpful in helping carry items.  

[MEFIowa]

1 hour ago, Ride-The-Waves said:

What we do expect is a nice ambiance contributing to "fine dinning."  Did not find that on Marina.  Table in the specialty restaurants were so close together it was difficult to get to your chair.  The noise levels were so high that we could not hear each other sitting across the table.  Not enjoyable. ... Similar experience in the buffet - tables so close to each other it was a challenge to carry food from the serving line to the table.  Crew was very helpful in helping carry items.  

We sailed Riviera (12/2021, 719 passengers) and Sirena (11/2022, 630 passengers). We're in our mid-late 50s and healthy (no walkers, etc.).

 

Sirena: Tables nicely spread out at the two (2) specialty restaurants. The Terrace Cafe could get a bit crowded, esp. when there were multiple cruisers with walkers right in the middle of the food serving area. The starboard sliding door to the outside area was broken for 3 or 4 days, and when someone would bring their motorized scooter they'd back people up trying to get outside thru the one working doo.

 

Riviera: Of the four (4) specialty restaurants, we only found the tables at Red Ginger to be too close together. Wasn't the case at Jacques, Polo or Tuscana. The Terrace Cafe much more SPACIOUS than on Sirena. Could get a bit crowded right in the middle of the serving areas, but quite manageable.

 

We have never eaten at the GDR. (Walked thru it on both ships just to see what it was like.) Always prefer TC. Eating under the stars.

 

NO problem at Waves on either ship. Eat breakfast there every morning, along the starboard railing looking over the water. And had a couple of afternoon meals around 3 pm. Quite easy to get around.

[ak1004]

On 5/23/2023 at 3:08 PM, Ride-The-Waves said:

Astute observation.  The "luxury" lines appear to be doing well - passengers with no concerns over cost are well cared for.  From there on down the economic scale, and that includes Oceania, is a different story and cruise lines are struggling to balance the books and will be struggling for some time.  The nickel and diming has really gotten outrageous.  Pricing for basic fares as well.  Cutting corners can only go so far before the roof falls in.  Spouse has us booked on an RCI transatlantic in the Fall - not my choice.  I've long outgrown plastic party ships, but she has friends who convinced her to go.  Everything is extra and expensive.  Sad that many lines view this is the new norm.  Possibly in the end we will end up with high-end cruising and mass market party ships...

We are currently on our third post Covid O cruise, and I did not notice any significant changes. Food and service is as good as ever. I really don’t understand those negative reviews. In fact, on our cruise on SS last December food and service were comparable to O, despite SS being considered an ultra luxury line.

[JRIH]

17 hours ago, mauibabes said:

We have been on Princess a number of times but moved on based on the degradation of the overall product and the quantity of passengers on the ships. 

 

Princess is owned by Carnival.  Enough said.

[RJB]

On 5/22/2023 at 8:23 AM, Ride-The-Waves said:

Recently cruised Oceania Marina (Transatlantic) and HAL Zaandam (Panama Canal), ships about the same passenger capacity.  No comparison.  The Zaandam cuisine was better, cabin nicer, public spaces more inviting, ship more spacious, the crew more inviting, especially the officers.  Remember, "the best cuisine at sea" is a trade mark, not a factual statement.  My experience?  First cruise as a youngster was 1949 and in the 1950s on SS United States, SS America, America Lines ships, and a host of HAL ships.  More recently Celebrity, Hurtigruten, Princess, Azamara (a favorite) and Royal.

 

We will not sail on Oceania again.  Over priced, snooty fellow passengers and crew.

We have sailed on all the ships,   except the vista which we have booked for Nov.   Our feelings are the complete other war from this poster.  Loved every trip.  Food great and ships were in tip top shape.  Can't wait for Nov.

[ORV]

4 hours ago, RJB said:

We have sailed on all the ships,   except the vista which we have booked for Nov.   Our feelings are the complete other war from this poster.  Loved every trip.  Food great and ships were in tip top shape.  Can't wait for Nov.

That poster was determined to trash Oceania before they ever set foot on it. I don't know why they wasted their money and went on the cruise. 

[LabMom57]

On 5/21/2023 at 4:17 PM, Hlitner said:

So folks, where am I going wrong?

 

Hi Hank,

 

Your posts from your Japan cruise gave me pause about our HAL Japan cruise next year. 

 

We went on the Regatta in April (South Pacific). We have previously cruised O on the Sirena. I noted they ran out of the Chardonnay by the glass we had been enjoying, which was shocking to me for Oceania. The food was mostly very good with a couple of not great entrees in the main dining room. One thing I noticed was the service in the bars wasn't great. I spoke to the bar manager about it (after lodging a complaint) and he said they have a lot of new staff, which is unusual for O. I think much of the industry has been having issues. We are booked on O again for December and will see if things have improved.

 

As far as Marina, I'd say it is likely dated due to the delayed upgrade. The ships that have been upgraded are very nice. However, if one were judging an Oceania ship against a Celebrity Edge class, they all look dated due to the difference in style. Just my thoughts there.

 

We personally are moving our new bookings to Celebrity for a bit, also to try something new!

[Hlitner]

54 minutes ago, LabMom57 said:

 

Hi Hank,

 

Your posts from your Japan cruise gave me pause about our HAL Japan cruise next year. 

 

We went on the Regatta in April (South Pacific). We have previously cruised O on the Sirena. I noted they ran out of the Chardonnay by the glass we had been enjoying, which was shocking to me for Oceania. The food was mostly very good with a couple of not great entrees in the main dining room. One thing I noticed was the service in the bars wasn't great. I spoke to the bar manager about it (after lodging a complaint) and he said they have a lot of new staff, which is unusual for O. I think much of the industry has been having issues. We are booked on O again for December and will see if things have improved.

 

As far as Marina, I'd say it is likely dated due to the delayed upgrade. The ships that have been upgraded are very nice. However, if one were judging an Oceania ship against a Celebrity Edge class, they all look dated due to the difference in style. Just my thoughts there.

 

We personally are moving our new bookings to Celebrity for a bit, also to try something new!

We used to do a lot of cruising on Celebrity, but that ended when Lisa Lutoff-Perlo became their CEO and decided that Celebrity was giving too much for too little and decided it was fine to cut-back (mostly little things) while increasing prices.  When we look at the newer Celebrity Edge Class ships, we have no interest in their Infinity Cabins (essentially a window that opens) and would be happy to cruise in one of their "retreat" eligible suites.  But those are often priced at around $1000 per passenger day which we think is ridiculous for a mass market line.  Perhaps the good news is that Lutoff-Perlo has been kicked upstairs (I think Vice Chairman of the Board) and there is another CEO.  That being said, as long as X can sell those suites at ridiculous prices (more than most luxury lines) there is no incentive for them to adjust prices.

 

DW and I have really been debating booking one of two O cruises (either the Marina or a longer Vista cruise) because we like trying different lines.  Explora Journeys will be our 17th cruise line and if we do O it would be the 18th :).  I am still trying to convince myself that "O" is worth the premium prices.  

 

Hank

[1985rz1]

1 hour ago, Hlitner said:

DW and I have really been debating booking one of two O cruises (either the Marina or a longer Vista cruise) because we like trying different lines.  Explora Journeys will be our 17th cruise line and if we do O it would be the 18th :).  I am still trying to convince myself that "O" is worth the premium prices.  

In reality, you wouldn't really know until you try one cruise. What folks value in a cruise is really a subjective matter.  

[LHT28]

1 hour ago, Hlitner said:

I am still trying to convince myself that "O" is worth the premium prices.  

 

Hank

I would say if you have to convince yourself  that hard   it is probably not for you

 

Didn't  you already cancel an Oceania cruise  because you were not happy about the pricing or something??

 

As I said  before

this thread is  a wind up 🤔