Another quick Celebrity vs. Oceania price comparison (suite)

[Oville]

Cruised once on O and never again.  The entertainment was pretty awful, the Penthouse cabins not to our liking (think seating at the bottom of the bed), casino extremely small and hated the buffet.  It was on one of the bigger ships, but on a positive note I will say the specialty dining was very good.

[TMaine]

7 hours ago, SSFrance69 said:

I sailed on O in March and can confirm the food is much better (I'm comparing to Celebrity 5 years ago when the food was supposedly better and before cutbacks)... Oceana's food is better across the board, whether in the main dining room, buffet or specialties. No charge for specialty dining. They also have a very nice afternoon tea every day. Room service is free and plenty (though we only ordered breakfast once). We were on Riviera in a standard verandah and the bathroom and shower were huge (another bonus for me). You get free soft drinks at any bar and also stocked in your mini fridge. Also get free Vero still or sparkling water in your room every day. The water was very good and I'm picky about my water. Specialty coffee also included. I enjoyed the entertainment, but it's not nearly as sophisticated as Celebrity's. Night life is more quiet on O, no disco but nice live music in the evenings, such as a piano player in the martini bar. The crew is warm and very accommodating. They make you feel like family. Even the entertainers can be found around the ship performing other duties, such as the muster drill and were very friendly and we got to know them, which was nice. I should add that the Waves grill has VERY good burgers and they also have surf and turf on the menu that you can order every day (filet mignon and lobster). I had the Texan burger and it was honestly the best burger I've ever had on land or sea. In the evening Waves grill turns into a nice pizza cafe, with toppings like burrata and prosciutto and was wonderful. Waves menu attached. This is probably more than you needed to know, but I wanted give you a good idea of what it's like. Hope it helps. One thing to note, the smaller older ships on O, don't have as many of the restaurants and don't have the large bathrooms. Stick with Riviera, Marina, or the brand new Vista for the best experience.

Thank you for the information! 

[SSFrance69]

4 hours ago, Ex-Airbalancer said:

Our TA in November is a t $131-CAD, ( $98 USD )

per night with always include for a balcony with all taxes and fees 

and that is with about $700 OBC , when I send in for our SHC 

Sorry I find “O” to pricey for me and we are usually traveling with friends and we can had over 10 people for dinner 😁

For is Celebrity has be very good bang for our $ 

 

 

 

Wow that's a really great deal! I hope to try a TA one day. What does SHC mean? Have a wonderful cruise!

[Ken the cruiser]

We’ve been on 10 cruises between 2015 and 2018 with Oceania and if you enjoy a smaller ship ambience, I highly recommend giving them a try, especially if it’s a cruise with a unique itinerary. Not sure we’d book a PH suite right off the bat as the Concierge balcony cabins with their included perks were enough for us. 
 

For us after those 10 O cruises, we were ready to get back to cruising with Celebrity, Princess, and occasionally NCL if the itinerary is just right. We simply found going on smaller cruise ships just wasn’t for us anymore. 

[Ex-Airbalancer]

8 hours ago, SSFrance69 said:

Wow that's a really great deal! I hope to try a TA one day. What does SHC mean? Have a wonderful cruise!

Share holder credit , if you own 100 shares of RCG , on a 14 + cruise you get $250 OBC 

[Nachosdelux]

12 hours ago, Oville said:

Cruised once on O and never again.  The entertainment was pretty awful, the Penthouse cabins not to our liking (think seating at the bottom of the bed), casino extremely small and hated the buffet.  It was on one of the bigger ships, but on a positive note I will say the specialty dining was very good.

 

Sailed twice on the Riviera. Prettiest ship I have been on.  Agree that the entertainment was mediocre and the seating area in the PH was not great.  Thought the buffet was the best at sea - appreciate that no passengers handle the utensils.  (every ship should be this way, IMO).  Specialty restaurants good to outstanding. Service seemed not as personal as on Celebrity. I would cruise O again - it is comparable to Celebrity suites.  I have not looked at their (O's) new all-inclusive pricing to see how it compares.

 

 

[Lastdance]

17 hours ago, Oville said:

Cruised once on O and never again.  The entertainment was pretty awful, the Penthouse cabins not to our liking (think seating at the bottom of the bed), casino extremely small and hated the buffet.  It was on one of the bigger ships, but on a positive note I will say the specialty dining was very good.

Please share the date and ship’s name.  I believe what you are describing is an older ship that has been remodeled, but really cannot know for sure without the name of ship.   Thanks!  

Edited July 10, 2023 by Lastdance

[RichYak]

17 hours ago, Oville said:

It was on one of the bigger ships

 

6 minutes ago, Lastdance said:

I believe what you are describing is an older ship

Is it even possible for both of these to be true on Oceania?

[lorimay]

Oceania had the two larger ships, Marina and Riviera, and now has the even larger Vista. The others are the smaller "R" ships.

 

We did two cruises on Oceania, one in a Penthouse in the Marina in Europe and one in a regular veranda cabin in the Riviera in the Caribbean. 

 

To us, the PH was not worth it. The cabin was large, but a little tired. The bathroom was incredible, though. It was huge and the walk in closet was very nice. The butler service was worthless for us. Our butler was awful and we didn't even get daily ice. Others on our cruise had better service. The cabin layout is a little strange with the table and two chairs at the end of the bed, but there's also a couch and coffee table. The balcony is very large. One wall of the cabin has a makeup vanity with a pop up mirror that seems like wasted space.

 

The regular veranda cabin still has a large bathroom (separate tub with shower and a shower stall). It was still a large cabin and we didn't miss the extra space from the PH.

 

The real difference between Oceania and Celebrity is that everyone gets treated equally no matter what type of cabin you have. The service is great. It reminded me of the old days on Celebrity where someone took your tray and walked you to a table in the buffet. That type of service was everywhere.

 

Oceania is all about the food. And the food in very, very good. The buffet is tiny compared to Celebrity, but they have a made to order grill where you can get lobster tail (unlimited), steak, fish, lamb chops, shrimp etc. Just walk up and ask for it. The salad bar was small. Hardly any desserts. But both Marina and Riviera have a great outdoor eating area just off the buffet that is incredible. The free specialty restaurants are great. Everyone gets one reservation in each one. Extra reservations can be hard to get. We didn't find the main dining room food that much above Celebrity and it's a little stuffy in atmosphere. Country club casual everywhere - no real dressing up. The afternoon tea was great - white tablecloths, very traditional, nice music.

 

As I said, Oceania is all about the food. The entertainment, what there is of it, is just ok. One show a night at 9 or 9:30. Very talented singers and dancers, but very limited shows. The venue is small. Sometimes another show at 10:30 in the big lounge. A piano player in one bar and a string trio in another. Trivia is fun (and very serious) but not a lot else to do (ping pong, golf tournaments, etc.) The enrichment programs on our two cruises were just ok.

 

The big issue for us is that the crowd was so much older and not very active. There was not much going on after 9 pm. We are not partiers (don't drink) but we like to be out and about after dinner. The ships are so small that there isn't a lot of variety in places to go. Compare that to our European cruise on Beyond - there was just so much energy on the ship.

 

For us, Oceania was better for our Europe cruise where we were off the shop most days. While we had a great time on the Caribbean one, there wasn't a lot to do during sea days. To us it was like Holland America - we're not young, but a lot of the other passengers are OLD.

[Lastdance]

2 hours ago, RichYak said:

 

Is it even possible for both of these to be true on Oceania?

I meant (older ship meaning not the new Vista)but those that had chairs by the end of the bed.  Yes, their ships are much smaller; I believe Vista has 1,250.  She came out this year, so have done research and booked her TA.

Edited July 10, 2023 by Lastdance

[Nachosdelux]

2 hours ago, Lastdance said:

Please share the date and ship’s name.  I believe what you are describing is an older ship that has been remodeled, but really cannot know for sure without the name of ship.   Thanks!  

 

 

both times on the Riviera - Feb 2019 and Feb 2020.   Like the previous poster, our butler was pretty much worthless.  We've had much better butlers on Celebrity and Crystal.  The officers on O seemed to be distant and uninterested.  Exact opposite of Celebrity.  O had some of the best food (specifically the French and Asian).  Steakhouse ok, Italian decent.  Would do O again in a PH-  I prefer all-inclusive so am looking forward to the new pricing structure.  

[WrittenOnYourHeart]

6 hours ago, Nachosdelux said:

Thought the buffet was the best at sea - appreciate that no passengers handle the utensils.

 

Can we please stop calling a setting in which crew is doing all the serving a buffet?? It turns it into a cafeteria.

 

Buffet, by definition, means people are serving themselves.

 

Buffet

noun

1.  

   • a variety of dishes presented in a line, from which diners in a restaurant serve themselves, usually at a fixed price regardless of how much one eats: The lavish all-you-can-eat buffet delivered a feast of salads, curries, pasta dishes, and sumptuous desserts for $40.

   • a restaurant where food is presented in this way: They own one of the best high-end buffets in the country.

2. a meal laid out on one or more tables so that guests may serve themselves.

 

adjective

consisting of food, refreshments, etc., laid out on tables or buffets from which guests or customers serve themselves:

[Lastdance]

22 minutes ago, Nachosdelux said:

 

 

both times on the Riviera - Feb 2019 and Feb 2020.   Like the previous poster, our butler was pretty much worthless.  We've had much better butlers on Celebrity and Crystal.  The officers on O seemed to be distant and uninterested.  Exact opposite of Celebrity.  O had some of the best food (specifically the French and Asian).  Steakhouse ok, Italian decent.  Would do O again in a PH-  I prefer all-inclusive so am looking forward to the new pricing structure.  

Thanks, so on older ships that were refurbished.  We are not foodies, but the food choices onboard seem quite good.  Interested in the spa(outdoors, especially)along with a new ship and disembarking in Lisbon.  We will be using the gym each day and enjoying a much quieter environment, along with a small ship compared to Celebrity.  We have her booked again with Beyond, Ascent and Edge!   Oceania’s prices have really gone up since our first booking in a PH.

Edited July 10, 2023 by Lastdance

[Nachosdelux]

35 minutes ago, WrittenOnYourHeart said:

 

Can we please stop calling a setting in which crew is doing all the serving a buffet?? 

 

semantics. WGAS frankly. Everyone knows what I mean, sorry it bothers you. It is O’s version of the buffet, if that makes you feel better.

 

FYI on O’s website they list a sample menu and it refers to “cold buffet” and “hot buffet” so I stand by my terminology

Edited July 10, 2023 by Nachosdelux

[Silkroad]

2 hours ago, lorimay said:

Oceania is all about the food. And the food in very, very good. The buffet is tiny compared to Celebrity, but they have a made to order grill where you can get lobster tail (unlimited), steak, fish, lamb chops, shrimp etc. Just walk up and ask for it. The salad bar was small. Hardly any desserts. But both Marina and Riviera have a great outdoor eating area just off the buffet that is incredible. The free specialty restaurants are great. Everyone gets one reservation in each one. Extra reservations can be hard to get. We didn't find the main dining room food that much above Celebrity and it's a little stuffy in atmosphere. Country club casual everywhere - no real dressing up. The afternoon tea was great - white tablecloths, very traditional, nice music.

I've recently seen several descriptions of the buffet that were similar to yours. I love fish, shrimp, and the occasional steak, but I do wonder if Oceania has heard of vegetables. Are there also plenty of vegetable and fruit choices? The specialty restaurants do sound good. I don't care for "stuffy" dining rooms so this gives me pause. I do appreciate a nice afternoon tea. Ironically, due to recent actions taken by Celebrity, we'd begun to consider Oceania just in time to learn about the new "Simply More" program. Not being a fan of cruise line shore excursions, this is a negative for us. It will be interesting to see how well the program is received by O's regulars.

Edited July 10, 2023 by Silkroad

[CruisinShips]

1 hour ago, WrittenOnYourHeart said:

 

Can we please stop calling a setting in which crew is doing all the serving a buffet?? It turns it into a cafeteria.

 

Buffet, by definition, means people are serving themselves.

 

Buffet

noun

1.  

   • a variety of dishes presented in a line, from which diners in a restaurant serve themselves, usually at a fixed price regardless of how much one eats: The lavish all-you-can-eat buffet delivered a feast of salads, curries, pasta dishes, and sumptuous desserts for $40.

   • a restaurant where food is presented in this way: They own one of the best high-end buffets in the country.

2. a meal laid out on one or more tables so that guests may serve themselves.

 

adjective

consisting of food, refreshments, etc., laid out on tables or buffets from which guests or customers serve themselves:

I think the term "buffet" as it relates to a cruise ship can safely be modified post-Covid so as to read:

"a variety of dishes presented in a line, from which diners in a restaurant can stuff their faces with as much mass produced food as they wish, without having to share the same serving utensils as the rest of the unwashed masses, usually at a fixed price regardless of how much one over-indulges."

Edited July 10, 2023 by CruisinShips

[WrittenOnYourHeart]

1 minute ago, CruisinShips said:

I think the term "buffet" as it relates to a cruise ship can safely be modified post-Covid so as to read:

"a variety of dishes presented in a line, from which diners in a restaurant can stuff their faces with as much mass produced food as they wish, without having to share the same serving utensils as the rest of the unwashed masses, usually at a fixed price regardless of how much one over-indulges."

 

Or they can just change it to what it is - a cafeteria.

 

That's probably too plebian for most people though...they wouldn't think "cafeteria" is fancy enough. Or they'd admit that's what it is when crew is serving you from a line.

[CruisinShips]

22 minutes ago, WrittenOnYourHeart said:

 

Or they can just change it to what it is - a cafeteria.

 

That's probably too plebian for most people though...they wouldn't think "cafeteria" is fancy enough. Or they'd admit that's what it is when crew is serving you from a line.

This sounds like a very serious matter to you!  By all means call it whatever makes you feel best!

 

[Mark_K]

57 minutes ago, WrittenOnYourHeart said:

 

Or they can just change it to what it is - a cafeteria.

 

That's probably too plebian for most people though...they wouldn't think "cafeteria" is fancy enough. Or they'd admit that's what it is when crew is serving you from a line.

COMMERCIAL BUFFETS

You pick up a plate, and walk past the array of foods being offered.

If there are servers dishing out the food, it is called a “staffed buffet.” This is more common at catered events, as it gives a buffet a more formal touch, and also helps to control the food costs which will likely have been agreed upon in advance per head. Even unstaffed buffets, though, f something such as roast beef is being served, will usually have one staff person at the “beef station” to carve the beef.

[SSFrance69]

3 hours ago, WrittenOnYourHeart said:

 

Or they can just change it to what it is - a cafeteria.

 

That's probably too plebian for most people though...they wouldn't think "cafeteria" is fancy enough. Or they'd admit that's what it is when crew is serving you from a line.

Since Oceania calls it a buffet right on their menu, I am fine calling it a buffet. Or if you want to be really specific, call it the "Terrace Cafe", which is the name of the venue. Also see the post above this one with a proper definition broken out. 😉 

 

[goofysmom99]

51 minutes ago, SSFrance69 said:

. 

I'm hungry.

Edited July 10, 2023 by goofysmom99

[Ken the cruiser]

What kept us coming back for awhile with Oceania was their itineraries. Our first 2 cruises were Caribbean cruises. The first one was awesome, as got upgraded from a regular veranda to a concierge cabin for $100 pp. However, on the second one we were in a Code Red lockdown situation for the last 10 days of a 12-day cruise due to a norovirus outbreak. We still made the best of it, and that BTW was where I learned the art of washing my hands regularly. Something my DW had been trying to teach me ever since we started cruising. I know, who knew you could vastly improve your chances of not getting sick on a cruise simply by washing your hands and staying out of the public bathrooms! 😂

 

Then when Cuba opened up, we booked a 16-day B2B cruise around the island on the Sirena in an aft-facing concierge veranda cabin. Believe it or not, we were the only people doing a Cuba B2B on that set of cruises.

 

Then we went on a 30-day B2B to a variety of Baltic countries, to include 2 days docked in downtown St Petersburg, as well as going to Iceland, Greenland, and then to the UK.

 

Finally, we went on a 45-day B4B, which probably was a little overkill, cruising extensively around the Med before heading back on a TA to Miami.

 

I guess my point is if you really want to experience what O has to over, you need to book one of their 3-5 week itineraries to really appreciate what a small-ship itinerary can offer, to include stopping at some more boutique ports bigger ships can’t.
 

As far as dining goes, we ate most of our meals, rain or shine except when we went to our allotted number of specialty restaurants, outside on the Terrace Cafe’s aft-facing covered balcony. What we found fascinating is that what was offered on the GDR menu back in 2016-2018 was also available for the most part up at the buffet in the Terrace Cafe.

 

Anyway, that’s my extra 2-cents on the subject. 😁

 

[lexmiller]

On 7/9/2023 at 2:01 PM, NMTraveller said:

The entertainment is at best B grade shows on Celebrity.  I would not miss them.

 

This weekend we saw Shin Lim.  Typical entertainment that I would actually go see.

We have found the production shows on the Edge Class ships to be EXCEPTIONAL!  As in, wow!  When I say entertainment, yes, the various guest acts can be catch as catch can, very subjective as to one's likes or dislikes - one person may love the comedy acts, one may love the xylo-synth guy (OMG, NOT ME!!!!!), one may love the Elton John homage guy etc etc.  But the production casts throughout the fleet, those kids have talent - and the best casts have been channelled to the Edge Class ships, and with the new 3 story electronic wrap around stages oh man, really terrific.  From our trip on the Beyond last fall, I even said, "I would get right back on this ship for the next cruise if only for the reason to see the production shows again."

[mac_tlc]

2 hours ago, lexmiller said:

We have found the production shows on the Edge Class ships to be EXCEPTIONAL!  As in, wow!  When I say entertainment, yes, the various guest acts can be catch as catch can, very subjective as to one's likes or dislikes - one person may love the comedy acts, one may love the xylo-synth guy (OMG, NOT ME!!!!!), one may love the Elton John homage guy etc etc.  But the production casts throughout the fleet, those kids have talent - and the best casts have been channelled to the Edge Class ships, and with the new 3 story electronic wrap around stages oh man, really terrific.  From our trip on the Beyond last fall, I even said, "I would get right back on this ship for the next cruise if only for the reason to see the production shows again."

Couldn’t agree more about E-class entertainment, hardly a “B at best”

 

 

 

 

Edited July 11, 2023 by mac_tlc

[Oville]

On 7/10/2023 at 11:07 AM, Lastdance said:

Please share the date and ship’s name.  I believe what you are describing is an older ship that has been remodeled, but really cannot know for sure without the name of ship.   Thanks!  

Riviera pre-Covid