LIVE Insignia NY to Bermuda 9/6-9/13

[rxlowry]

Finished up the blog and I'll give some closing thoughts.

 

We both really enjoyed our first Oceania experience and we would sail with them again for sure. 

 

Food:

I'll start here since Oceania makes this their claim to fame.  With such a bold statement, "finest at sea", I wanted to really analyze this and maybe nitpick.  I was pretty dismayed with the reviews about subpar food but I have to admit, Oceania excels in the quality of items.  True, there were a few technique issues.  I had only one less than impressive entree and the chicken was still nice quality, the dish was just so bland.  I do feel that Oceania plays it safe as most dishes are not super flavorful.  I think to attract the Gen X foodie, they need to up the game with seasoning (I don't mean heat level although some dishes could use a tad more and I am not a fan of crazy hot),  I appreciated the creativity of the plant based options though.  Desserts as a whole, probably the best I've had at sea with the excpetion of the horrible molten cake which is shocking for them to execute a basic dish so poorly.  The 25th anniversary dessert was Michelin worthy in my opinion.  The Waves Grill wins for best poolside grill of any ship I've been on.  

 

Cockails and Wine:

A solid choice for both.  Bartenders were great at making the classics we enjoy. It was nice not having to explain how to make a Stinger.  Had a really nice pinot blanc the last night.  We tried a few of the specialty drinks which were more skewed to a sweet palate but had nice freshness.  

 

Service: 

The service unfortunately does not meet the quality of food.  Very slow, especially Polo Grill where it was truly ridiculous and not what I'd expect from any cruiseline's speciality dining.  Not much service poolside or in other venues.  It is more proactive than reactive service.  For example, after waiting until half way through my food at Waves, I walked over to get a water from the ice cream stand.  As soon as I returned, I was asked if I wanted anything.  The level of service is the main difference in lumping O as a premium vs luxury line.  

 

Entertainment:

The most low-key of all cruises I have ever been on including luxury.  If you are the type that needs to be entertained, I'd think of other options.  The day time offering on the sports deck were the same each day.  Trivia most days with Name that Tune twice.  Two nights it was only a movie in the theater which might be a cutback to save some money.  The headliner was excellent though.  Not much live music, I think they could have used a duo to round it out.  The show band did a one hour set most nights after dinner and sometimes pre dinner.  There is one pianist and a string quartet which I think is great for tea time but not my cup of tea after dinner.  All three luxury lines I have tried far surpasses O in entertainment.  

 

Cabin:

We had an inside cabin on deck six.  Very nice amount of space, amazing bed.  Loved the water provided.  The shower is crazy small but we heard it is the same size in veranda cabins as well.  It wasn't an issue for us but definitely could be for some.  

 

Destination:

One of the main reasons we booked was  the ship is small enough to dock in St. George's.  Bermuda is always a delight to visit and St. George's is the best part of the island to me!

 

Passengers:

For the most part, super friendly and well traveled.  It could be hard to get a table for two at times and we enjoyed our dinners with fellow guests.  Unfortunately it was also filled with so many chair hogs who couldn't read the signs posted on each pole or hear the cruise director's announcements.  The situation to me was worse and more blatantly abused than on NCL or Carnival!  To put down waterbottles and go on a glass bottom boat....truly disgusting.  Maybe it was more first timers to Oceania and premium/luxury who are used to the nonsense of those lines?

 

I think Oceania was a great choice for non-drinkers who do not want to pay the premiums of the luxury line for something in which they do not partake.  I know that will be changing so we will see how that works out.  I think it's a solid choice for a cruiser making the jump to premium or maybe I'd call it "luxury light"  I do enjoy the fact that everyone is treated the same outside of the suite like the luxury lines.  

 

Someday, we hope to do a World Cruise and Oceania has made the list of contenders.  I think I would avoid Oceania for a Caribbean cruise and stick to a more port intensive one due to lack of activities and the crowdedness of the pool.

[bob brown]

5 hours ago, rxlowry said:

Wonder if your friends were on my team???

?

Bill and Arlene ("Books4U")...

[rxlowry]

11 hours ago, bob brown said:

?

Bill and Arlene ("Books4U")...

No, they were not my team mates.  It is a shame though to ruin the fun of trivia.  I’m all about the fun..my daughter and I played daily on Celebrity for zero prizes!  Well I guess there was the possible engagement “prize” the host offered for a perfect score but he always included a tough question to assure it wouldn’t happen!