Oceanic Transatlantic cruise activities

[barracruiser]

My husband and I are thinking on going on the transatlantic cruise from Miami to Barcelona. What are some of the activities on board? We are wondering if there is enough going on to keep us busy for the 7 days that we are crossing the Atlantic. This will be our 9th cruise . Eight were on much bigger ships, one was on the R-5. We loved the Thermal suite on the Oosterdam. Is there anything like that on board?

[Paris182]

I have taken two TA cruises on Oceania, both going from Europe to USA and felt that for me there was plenty to do, but that said if you are used to the never-ending activities on the bigger cruise ships you might be disappointed. There were excellent lectures, bridge lessons and duplicate bridge, and in the afternoon a well attended team trivia. In the evening there are some game type things as well as shows and kareoke contests, although as this a more sedate crowd Kareoke was generally somewhat sparsely attended, until the final "sing-off" as it were. There is an excellent library as well as some other competitions that seemed rather summer camp like and less than inspired. As I generally am looking to relax when I cruise all this was enough for me, but if you are interested in rock walls, hairy chest contests etc...Oceania is definately not for you

Paris182

[paulista1950]

"as well as some other competitions "

 

Examples, please.

[debsjc]

On our recent South American cruise there were also shuffleboard and table tennis tournaments, 'obstacle' golf putting, bingo, vegtable carving demos, tango dance classes and Spanish lessons. Also they put on a 'Winter Fest' where each department had a stand with games and fun things to do.

 

One evening there was a 'Ready, Steady Cook' cook off challange between the French chef and one of the Italian chefs (very entertaining) and another night there was a 'Deal or no Deal' game show set up.

 

I'm not sure how many of those activities would be on the TA cruise - probably not the Tango lessons or Spanish classes!

 

We found there was plenty to do on sea days

[zoncom]

Did 2 Oceania TAs in 07. Fabulous lecture series on the Ocean by Dr. Bruce( cannot remember last name), of U of Miami. Seems like there was afternoon lecture also.

[HBINDC]

I've been on four Oceania transatlantic trips, and for me and I think for most people there was plenty enough to do. There are quite a few things scheduled throughout the day including:

 

At no extra charge:

 

1. Participation events such as ping pong, golf putting, team trivia, arts and crafts classes, bridge classes. Each of these occur daily, each activity ocurring pretty much at the same time each day (e.g. ping pong tourney at 10 am)

 

2. Lectures - one two trips there was one guest lecturer who spoke 3 or 4 times. On the other two trips, there were two lecturers, each of which spoke 3 or 4 times.

 

3. There were several one or two time only events such as cooking demos, napkin folding, and ice carvings

 

4. Afternoon tea with live music

 

5. Movies in one of the lounges - maybe 3 or 4 times per trip

 

At no extra charge but designed to sell something:

 

1. Art auctions - held a few times per trip

 

2. Some "spa-related" talks e.g. hair care tips

 

Extra charge items

 

1. Bingo

 

2. Casino

 

3. Spa

 

Free or extra charge, depending on the specific event:

 

1. Gym classes (of course the gym is available all day for general use)

 

2. Computer classes

 

 

If you are not interested in any or few of the above items, you could get bored. At times, I felt myself somewhat over-scheduled (as a result of my own doing of course) since I participated in ping pong, golf (some days), trivia every day, maybe on average one other orgainzed thing per day...plus a bunch of scrabble games.