Some information I learned about Oceania today

[ORV]

Not to get WAY off topic any further

There are several threads on the dress code just put that in the "search this forum" top right

No jackets required

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=929024&highlight=dress

 

Now what was the original topic here? ;)

[LHT28]

Now what was the original topic here? ;)

I forget:D

 

A good source of information is Oceania FAQ section on their website

https://www.oceaniacruises.com/T_MainContentPage.aspx?PageUID=f8b9388d-59ce-4f66-b6e2-739f92bff86c&Secure=True

[Huddler]

We did a two week cruise from Barcelona to Athens on Oceania. It was fantastic and exceeded my every expectation. We have both cruised numerous times on a number of different lines. O was clearly above lines like Princess, RCCL, etc, no comparison really. I brought a sport coat but not sure I ever wore it. I cant believe anyone would ever have anything negative to say about Oceania at all. They do an exceptional job. We are taking a Disney Cruise with the kids this summer, but next summer we are going to do a Baltic Cruise by ourselves. I have already booked a Veranda cabin on Celebrity, but will DEFINITELY compare it to the Oceania itineraries when they come out. If Oceania has the ports/times/price that we want, I wont hesitate to cancel my Celebrity Cruise and go with O again. We exceed the $150k per year income but not greatly. So, I am just waiting for their brochures to be published. Ok, I found a complaint: They are TOO SLOW in getting their itineraries for 2010 published!!! Everything else is off the charts.

[Tenngal]

Thanks to all those who responded to my inquiry about lecturers and port experts. The info was very helpful.

 

CintiPam,

I've even printed your review of your Ist-Ath cruise! It gives an excellent overview of what I can expect. We appear to have similar interests about what to see at the ports of call. Like you, I like to do independent tours. However, there is not enough activity yet on the roll call to warrant my making any such arrangements yet. I'm doing this cruise solo (which I LOVE to do) and don't want to end up booking an independent tour without assurance that others are also with me on it. So, it may end up that I'll be doing some of O's excursions. I'll survive. Plus, it looks like most ports are easily doable without any prearranged tours--like I can rent a car, hook up with a tour at the dock, or simply walk to the points of interest!

I booked this cruise in particular because it includes Crete. I had previously avoided booking a Greek Isles cruise because none that appealed to me went to Crete. I really want to see the Minoan sites, and didn't want to go all the way over there without seeing that place as well.

[Huddler]

Thanks to all those who responded to my inquiry about lecturers and port experts. The info was very helpful.

 

CintiPam,

I've even printed your review of your Ist-Ath cruise! It gives an excellent overview of what I can expect. We appear to have similar interests about what to see at the ports of call. Like you, I like to do independent tours. However, there is not enough activity yet on the roll call to warrant my making any such arrangements yet. I'm doing this cruise solo (which I LOVE to do) and don't want to end up booking an independent tour without assurance that others are also with me on it. So, it may end up that I'll be doing some of O's excursions. I'll survive. Plus, it looks like most ports are easily doable without any prearranged tours--like I can rent a car, hook up with a tour at the dock, or simply walk to the points of interest!

I booked this cruise in particular because it includes Crete. I had previously avoided booking a Greek Isles cruise because none that appealed to me went to Crete. I really want to see the Minoan sites, and didn't want to go all the way over there without seeing that place as well.

Hi Tenngal! I am a native Tennessean and live in Franklin!

[Tenngal]

Huddler,

Franklin's lovely! I love the downtown area!

I live in Knoxville.

[Huddler]

Huddler,

Franklin's lovely! I love the downtown area!

I live in Knoxville.

Very cool, except my beloved Vols got knocked out in the 1st round of the NCAA Tournament! Glad to know another Oceania fan in the state!!

[CintiPam]

Thanks to all those who responded to my inquiry about lecturers and port experts. The info was very helpful.

 

CintiPam,

I've even printed your review of your Ist-Ath cruise! It gives an excellent overview of what I can expect. We appear to have similar interests about what to see at the ports of call. Like you, I like to do independent tours. However, there is not enough activity yet on the roll call to warrant my making any such arrangements yet. I'm doing this cruise solo (which I LOVE to do) and don't want to end up booking an independent tour without assurance that others are also with me on it. So, it may end up that I'll be doing some of O's excursions. I'll survive. Plus, it looks like most ports are easily doable without any prearranged tours--like I can rent a car, hook up with a tour at the dock, or simply walk to the points of interest!

I booked this cruise in particular because it includes Crete. I had previously avoided booking a Greek Isles cruise because none that appealed to me went to Crete. I really want to see the Minoan sites, and didn't want to go all the way over there without seeing that place as well.

 

Tenngal, you have an excellent itinerary, and you are right that one of the delights is that you easily can do a lot of your sightseeing on your own because the ports are located right near the main sights you want to see rather than more than an hour away as is the case with so many of the ports in Italy.

 

If you have the time, add some extra days in Istanbul, a truly fabulous place to visit for several days due to its natural beauty, its abundance of interesting historic sights and museums, and the friendliness of the people. Also, prices in Turkey still are more reasonable than those in Greece. Also, be sure to tour the Terrace Houses when you visit Ephesus.

 

Have a great vacation!

[velotaco]

Steve, please re-read my first line. And, I agree about the income. I'm sure it is self-reported and yes, I'd say $150,000+ isn't that unusual in So. Cal. I thought it was interesting that they came right out and said that. I guess we have been cruising on the wrong lines up to now.

 

My disclaimer :D - This is information I was given directly from Oceania. I haven't made it up - it's what they said. I don't know where they got their information, I am only passing it on to newbies to the cruise line because I thought it was interesting.

 

Also, they may be looking at household income. $150 K is not that much for a two income family.

[velotaco]

I'm new to Oceania and did a training class today. I thought other newbies to the line might be interested to read some facts that I learned:

 

The 3 Oceania ships are regularly dry-docked every 12-14 months. This is quite unusual. Most cruise lines wait quite a bit longer than that.

 

Dining is what Oceania considers to be it's hallmark.

 

There are no surcharges for any of the 4 restaurants onboard.

 

Oceania spends much more on food costs (buying higher quality foods) than the other cruise lines.

 

They place themselves a step above Princess, HAL and Celebrity, but not quite at the luxury level.

 

There is no formal attire required, but passengers can dress up if they so chose. The majority of passengers chose to dress in resort-casual attire for dinner.

 

They schedule at least 3 lecturers per sailing.

 

They have 12-piece orchestras, but no broadway-type shows. (more caberet-type instead).

 

They are on their 5th generation of memory foam mattresses since the company began 5 years ago.

 

On most cruises, the average passenger age is 68-69 years old. Overall, the average passenger age range is 55+ yrs. old.

 

The average passenger income is $150,000+ and most are urban dwellers.

 

The average passenger is well-educated, has traveled the world and been on many cruises including those on HAL, Princess, Celebrity and Crystal.

 

Lately, Oceania has been getting a lot of Princess suite passengers switching over to Oceania. (I thought this was very accurate of what I've seen too.)

 

Oceania says their ships are not kid-friendly. There are no dedicated children's programs, no dedicated childrens or teens areas.

 

The Marina is still due out in Sept. of 2010 and will start it's itineraries in Europe, then will likely be sent to the Caribbean for the winter of 2010-2011. It will have 6 main restaurants, a culinary school, 1252 pasengers and a staff of 780.

 

New schedules come out on April 1st.

 

:)

 

And this is why Oceania has become my line of choice. The food is superb, the atmosphere is laid back, the other passengers are so down to earth, you are never “nickel and dimed” nor bombarded with announcements, and the service is top notch and genuine.

Maybe it was that we were on an Antarctic cruise, but the median age seemed more mid-fifties. My wife and I are early forties, late thirties and many other passengers in our age bracket were on board. We certainly weren’t the “Kids”.

[Andee]

I googled around looking for census data related to income, and it looks to me like, a few years ago, the top 5% of the population, by income, was households making over $157,176. The median US income in 2006, according to the Census Bureau, was $48,201.

 

So, most people (by a lot) are managing on less than $150K, and half of the people in the US manage on less than $50K.

[meow!]

... you are never “nickel and dimed” ...

You are charged tips, all drinks including bottled water, and a rather high "corkage" fee.

[ORV]

You are charged tips, all drinks including bottled water, and a rather high "corkage" fee.

 

 

I would be curious what Velotaco considers "nickeled & dimed"

 

In the future will Regent customers consider charges for excursions on other lines as being "nickeled & dimed"?

[hondorner]

You are charged tips, all drinks including bottled water, and a rather high "corkage" fee.

All of which are optional (or, at least theoretically so regarding tips), and therefore, in my opinion, should never be spread out amojng all passengers regardless of whether they indulge. Drinks and corkage fees are best if like Spa treatments, art purchases and casino wagers -- paid for by the users.

[wripro]

You are not charged for ALL drinks. Iced tea, lemonade, capuccinos, expresso are all free. If one does not require carbonated sugared beverages the above should be sufficient. However, bottled water is charged.

[candlewick]

I googled around looking for census data related to income, and it looks to me like, a few years ago, the top 5% of the population, by income, was households making over $157,176. The median US income in 2006, according to the Census Bureau, was $48,201.

 

So, most people (by a lot) are managing on less than $150K, and half of the people in the US manage on less than $50K.

 

I'm glad I found your info I was beginng to feel out of place.

We are one of those that live on less than $50,000. We just budget well & SKI (Spending Kids Inheritance)so we can go on cruises. We are both retiried. I guess by reading all the info it sounds like it will be the best cruise that we have been on. We will be sailing on the Insignia on Oct 22nd. Just how much is the corkage or other drinks?

[StanandJim]

Just how much is the corkage

 

The corkage fee is $20, and is primarily a guard against those who would bring in wines to undercut Oceania.

 

If you typically patronize the Oceania cellars, you build a relationship with the Sommelier, and there will not be any fee if you bring a special bottle in.

 

Cocktals are in the $8 (house wines) to $15 (top shelf Martini's) range.

 

;) It will be the best cruise that you've ever been on

[Leonid]

Actually house wines are $5.95. On the cruise we just completed, the house wine was a very acceptable Italian Orvieto. Couple that with the 2 for 1 in Martinis and the Horizon Lounge between 5:00 & 6:00 pm and one gets a good deal.

[CintiPam]

Because I would rather "eat" my calories than "drink" my calories, I appreciate the way Oceania handles the entire beverage issue. (BTW, the iced tea is excellent.) Also, if you do not finish your dinner bottle of wine in one evening, Oceania will store it with your cabin number and bring it out again whenever your want.

 

This system proved a huge positive to my Oceania travel experience with my spouse because he really appreciates a nice bottle of red wine, and often I will imbibe only one glass. If he tries to finish the bottle off himself, the next morning he is not a happy camper!

[hondorner]

That works very well for us, also, as we are in the "one glass of red wine plus almonds and a little dark chocolate because it's good for you" category. We find we easily get two meals from one bottle of wine. I generally order in the $29 to $34 range (which comes out to $34 to $40 with the 18% gratuity) and have found several that we like. When we returned, I looked in the wine shops and found the same brands in the $11 to $15 range plus tax, so essentially it's close to the same price if we had bought our own and paid the corkage fee.

 

The house wine at $5.95 per glass is around $7 after the gratuity is added; 4 glasses of that would be $28, which is a little less than the bottles we purchase -- but I have found the house wine varies. We traded our welcome bottle of champagne for a bottle of house red, and it was not so good. I forget what it was (I pushed it out of my mind :)), but it wasn't the one Len mentioned.

 

We don't order wine with every meal; we also bring our own wine to drink in the cabin. I've been experimenting with wines in a box for everyday consumption, and have found a couple that are decent -- the most recent was a Turning Leaf Pinot Noir that was pretty good. On our next cruise, I will bring a box for the fridge; it's less likely to break during travel.

[meow!]

All of which are optional (or, at least theoretically so regarding tips)...

Knowing that (unlike the luxury lines) the tips comprise a major portion of the crew's regular income, it will be unconscienable, not optional, not to pay the prescribed tips, after being served so well. So it is an extra charge like most mass market lines. As for the drinks, we consider bottled water an essential, and this item is nickel and dimed!

[wripro]

I disagree that bottled water is an essential on Oceania. The ice water is perfectly drinkable in the restaurants and if one chooses to brush one's teeth with bottled water it's a choice, not a necessity.

[meow!]

Can you take glasses of ice water from the restaurants to your cabin? Perhaps you can, but it looks odd!

[StanandJim]

Can you take glasses of ice water from the restaurants to your cabin? Perhaps you can, but it looks odd!

 

Don't be obtuse.

There is a sink with potable running water in your cabin

If you're offended by the cost of the bottled water, refill the bottles in your bathroom.

[LHT28]

As for the drinks, we consider bottled water an essential, and this item is nickel and dimed!

 

We take our sports bottle with us & have it refilled at the Terrace or WAVES .

They perfectly good water on the ship ..probably better than some bottled water.

 

Lyn