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What's the Class System Like on Oceania?


BBQ Lover
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We have grown tired of mass market cruising and have started to branch out towards the premium lines. Our last cruise was on Windstar and we really enjoyed it. One of the things we particularly enjoyed was that everybody on board was treated equally, no matter what state room they were in or how many past cruises they had done with Windstar. There was no special lines for "Suites and Elites", no restricted bars and lounges for "Diamonds and above". None of that that divisive class elitism. It was really nice.

 

I am getting so tired of going on vacation and being told that I can't have something because I don't have the proper rewards status. So much so, that we will no longer go to any Harrah's Casino property. The last straw came when we were told we couldn't have our crab heated in the buffet. Steamed crab was reserved for "Seven Stars and above members", while everybody else eats chilled crab. Stuff like that really irks me.

 

We are now looking at doing a cruise on Oceania next year. The ships look really nice. The food looks really nice. It really seems like Oceania is a good fit for us. The only thing we are really worried about is the class system, so..... What's the class system like on Oceania?

Edited by BBQ Lover
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I personally do not think there is a class system on O. I have sailed in standard balcony, & large suites and I believe we all get the same amenities. It may be easier to get an extra reservation in the Specialty restaurants when in a suite if available, but I have never been able to tell, nor do I care what type cabin someone is in.

 

I hope you enjoy your 1st O cruise.

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Once on board, everyone is treated alike. Only "privileges" come with booking a larger cabin/suite and all that gives you is a few days head start to book your dinner reservations. Sail O for the first time, book a suite, and you will have the same "privileges" as a long time Oceania Club member.

 

Many of us grew tired of the mass market lines also with their never ending cut backs in food quality and building ships with smaller and smaller cabins just to cram more people on board. You will not be disappointed in O.

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I also like how there are no special lines on the ship for suite level. No class system. Definitely sets Oceania apart from the mass market lines. Although in addition to being able to book more reservations in the specialty restaurants as mentioned, concierge level give you 500 minutes of free internet. A nice little perk.

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There are concierge and executive lounges on the O class ships. But, those are like the lounges found in hotels, with coffee, soft drinks and some snacks. All non alcoholic beverages are included for all cruisers so the same complimentary items can be found elsewhere on the ship.

 

One night there is a past cruiser event, but it's not very exclusive...one previous cruise gets you in.

 

The very few class differences are small and in no way even remotely similar to the ship within a ship concept some mass market cruise lines have implemented. There are no class segregated dining rooms, decks or bars on Oceania.

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If there is no class system on O -- then why are the key cards -- labeled White, Silver and Gold.

 

There is a pseudo class system where some passenger get extra perks like lounges, extra bookings in Specialty restaurants, ability to book these earlier, extra reservations, priority tenders, hot room service breakie (versus continental), priority wait list on shore excursions when sold out etc..

 

HOWEVER - we have done all classes and despite these minor items -- these are just extra perks based on fair paid. Certainly not like Cunard -- where you are segregated in the dining room

Edited by PaulMCO
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The above reports of total equality aren't quite accurate.

However, the "differences" are very minimal, and in general when wandering around on the ship, one is totally unaware of anyone else's "status", and isn't treated differently.

 

The few differences:

 

- Some cabin/suite categories get unlimited access to the spa deck. Others can pay for daily access (no idea if this has a limit or not).

 

- Suites have Butler service, and this includes ensuite dining from any of the Specialty restaurants on any evening, without regard to whether the official number of "reservations" have been used up or not.

 

- There is a "Concierge Lounge" and a slightly nicer "Executive Lounge" for passengers in certain categories.

Yes, these are key-card restricted, but the amenities in them are rather limited.

(Who *needs* extra cookies round the clock down the hall, when there is unlimited a few decks above? ;) )

 

The important point is that when one is on the ship, with the exception of the spa deck and those two small lounges, everyone has equal access to everything.

(Slight correction: Some higher suites get more guaranteed reservations to the Specialities than lower level suites/cabins. But one can request addition nights, subject to availability. As stated above, Suites can get served ensuite any evening.)

 

We had our first - and wonderful - Oceania trip on the Riviera, and found it up to all expectations.

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One addition is that the rooms embark and are ready from the top down. Suites usually are ready by noon or one, while the insides are available by three or so.

 

Another thing that Paulmco hinted at is that any cabin below concierge only gets continental breakfast for room service.

 

There are perks that repeaters get that first timers won't, but you probably won't know what you are missing.

 

I'm sure TC2 could probably tell us more.

Edited by ORV
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There are some differences depending on the cabin level you book

yes if you book a higher level cabin you get more amenities with the price

isn't the way with most cruise lines

If you pay for an OS you would expect more service than in an inside

I never look at people's room card so who cares what colour it is

 

once out of the cabin you can get the same things as everyone else

Book an R ship no worries about the special lounges for Concierge or top suites ..they do not have them

 

Oh yes the suites get to board early then the PH then Concierge level then the peons ..not a big deal to most people

 

YMMV

 

Everyone can have lobster every day if they want etc...

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We are also bottom feeders who select the cheapest cabin available. The important perk we don't get that would be nice is the opportunity to get early reservations in the specialty restaurants. We always end up sharing to get a favored time but that's fun too.

 

Oceania will permit you to order a steak dinner in your cabin at 7am but not scrambled eggs if you have a low level cabin. A very minor issue for us because we probably wouldn't eat breakfast in our cabin anyway.

 

So far, we have showed up at the dock when it was convenient for us and never had a problem getting onboard early. Since times are allotted on the hour, showing up a bit later probably helps. The suite people have priority but there always seem to be sufficient staff to take care of everybody in a timely manner. We turn over everything but essentials to the porters and have a relaxing lunch onboard. Then we explore the ship or sit on deck and read until our cabin is ready. We have seen people dragging heavy carryons, purses, jackets, etc. onboard with them and they look very unhappy with their piles of stuff waiting for their cabin.

 

Mary

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Thanks for the info. It looks like Oceania will be a god fit for us. People in suites pay more and should get extra perks commensurate with the extra money that they spend. We don't mind if they get perks that we don't, as long as their perks don't impinge on our ability to enjoy our vacation. It just burns me up to be standing in a line for half an hour while watching suite and elite people cut in front of everybody. BTW, another thing we liked about Windstar is that we didn't stand in line once the entire cruise. What are lines like on Oceania ships?

 

Also, we don't mind about not being able to use the concierge or executive lounges. if we wanted to use them, then we could have paid more money for the access. What irked me was when I got kicked out of what looked like any other bar in a public area on a Royal Caribbean cruise. I was told the bar was for diamond and above only, and that I was not welcome no matter how much money I was willing to spend. Things like that irk me, but the bartender probably did me a favor. He saved me from hanging out with people that were elitist enough to hang out at such a bar.

 

Sent from my XT1575 using Tapatalk

Edited by BBQ Lover
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BTW, another thing we liked about Windstar is that we didn't stand in line once the entire cruise. What are lines like on Oceania ships?

 

 

When there is a line it does move fairly quickly

usually 6:30 pm for the GDR ;)

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I do feel that there is a "class system" on Oceania but less than on main stream cruise lines. We are not concerned about benefits afforded to passengers in upper suites - only in things that are visible to other passengers.

 

Before even arriving at the ship we knew that there were different boarding times based on your stateroom/suite. While some people have boarded the ship before their assigned time, I cannot understand why there needs to be early boarding at all. Note: I understand that this is not necessarily "visible" to other passengers...... unless there are people sitting and waiting and you get to bypass them because of your status. When you arrive to board the ship there are separate lines for different categories. IMO, boarding should be first come, first served.

 

The lounges are clearly another indicator of "differences". The lounges have glass doors so people look into where they cannot enter.

 

The card key to your room is another indicator. Anyone that swipes your card knows the type of stateroom/suite you are in. I am not saying that this will affect the way you are treated, however, I question the necessity of everyone knowing this information in the first place.

 

Despite the above, we have had two very good cruises on Oceania and would pick Oceania over the competition (Azamara and Viking Ocean).

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Thanks for the info. It looks like Oceania will be a god fit for us. People in suites pay more and should get extra perks commensurate with the extra money that they spend. We don't mind if they get perks that we don't, as long as their perks don't impinge on our ability to enjoy our vacation. It just burns me up to be standing in a line for half an hour while watching suite and elite people cut in front of everybody. BTW, another thing we liked about Windstar is that we didn't stand in line once the entire cruise. What are lines like on Oceania ships?

 

Also, we don't mind about not being able to use the concierge or executive lounges. if we wanted to use them, then we could have paid more money for the access. What irked me was when I got kicked out of what looked like any other bar in a public area on a Royal Caribbean cruise. I was told the bar was for diamond and above only, and that I was not welcome no matter how much money I was willing to spend. Things like that irk me, but the bartender probably did me a favor. He saved me from hanging out with people that were elitist enough to hang out at such a bar.

 

Sent from my XT1575 using Tapatalk

 

I really have never seen a line... in 7 cruises.. There is no one wearing and talking about their being an elite, captain 12 star king of the sea member....

As you have experienced on the mass market ships there is always the selling of you becoming an elite, royal, member They encourage the practice of letting you show off your special status Holland possibly the worst... RCCL, Celeb, all a carnival of "when you take your ego to sea"

 

From my experience, I have yet to see anyone overtly treated or recognized and any different than any other passenger. More important I have yet to see any passenger flaunting themselves, their cabin type or special things they get.

 

Welcome to a whole new world

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BBQ Lover, there is no real class system, as I understand it, on Oceania at all, apart from the repeater's cocktail party. In everything else it's you get what you pay for, not what your status entitles you to.

 

We came to Oceania from Windstar, which we loved. We moved because O sails on longer trips and has more interesting itineraries. There's a much wider variety of cabin choices on O but I've never had anyone pull rank on either line.

 

You correctly identified the difference between perks and entitlement. I can't imagine worrying for one minute about the colour of my keycard. In fact I didn't even know there were different colours. (How do people find these things out?) We just enjoy the experience.

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In everything else it's you get what you pay for, not what your status entitles you to.

 

An important distinction.

To OP - the only possible significant "line" (or waiting) you will see is in the lounge waiting for your excursion to be called (not a class distinction) and at some disembarkations (like Miami) when people ignore their color of tags for organized disembarkation (again - nothing to do with class - more like "no class" :D)

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I never have seen distinct class situations on O, and until I read this thread, I didn't even realize that there were different color room cards.

 

If you want to avoid a class system and treatment, avoid the world cruises or world cruise segments on Crystal. If you're not a full world cruiser, despite what the Crystal cheerleaders say, you're treated very differently. Plus, the full worlders don't seem to want to hang with the segmenters. While I understand that those on the full cruise pay lots, to even have separate evening entertainment for the full worlders just isn't what I care to see.

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Before even arriving at the ship we knew that there were different boarding times based on your stateroom/suite. While some people have boarded the ship before their assigned time, I cannot understand why there needs to be early boarding at all. Note: I understand that this is not necessarily "visible" to other passengers...... unless there are people sitting and waiting and you get to bypass them because of your status. When you arrive to board the ship there are separate lines for different categories. IMO, boarding should be first come, first served.

 

But don't you think that this is potentially for everyone's benefit?

If all (or most) passengers arrived at the same time, there would be much longer waits then if the boarding is staggered.

One only has to respect their posted boarding time instead of ignoring it and there would be little waiting.

If one arrives earlier than their posted time - for whatever reason (like early flights) - and there are few others waiting, then one can board earlier without having to wait for their assigned boarding times. Personally, I don't mind arriving when I am told to arrive and thus minimize my waiting time.

BTW, do you think that check in at airports should be first come - first served as well? No separate line for First/Business class passengers; and that these passengers should not have lounge access at the airport and wait in the general boarding area? I don't - regardless of what class I am flying in :) These passengers have paid for it (or earned it) and so can I if I want to.

Edited by Paulchili
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I do feel that there is a "class system" on Oceania but less than on main stream cruise lines. We are not concerned about benefits afforded to passengers in upper suites - only in things that are visible to other passengers.

 

Before even arriving at the ship we knew that there were different boarding times based on your stateroom/suite. While some people have boarded the ship before their assigned time, I cannot understand why there needs to be early boarding at all. Note: I understand that this is not necessarily "visible" to other passengers...... unless there are people sitting and waiting and you get to bypass them because of your status. When you arrive to board the ship there are separate lines for different categories. IMO, boarding should be first come, first served.

 

The lounges are clearly another indicator of "differences". The lounges have glass doors so people look into where they cannot enter.

The card key to your room is another indicator. Anyone that swipes your card knows the type of stateroom/suite you are in. I am not saying that this will affect the way you are treated, however, I question the necessity of everyone knowing this information in the first place.

 

Despite the above, we have had two very good cruises on Oceania and would pick Oceania over the competition (Azamara and Viking Ocean).

 

Jackie,

We just came back from a ten night Alaskan cruise on Regent Seven Seas (Mariner) and there was quite a line to board in San Francisco and we were the only ship at this pier.

 

Spacing out the boarding makes more sense to me and it is not a class thing....just prevents long lines.

 

In regards to the two lounges on the Riviera/Marina....anyone not staying on those two decks would have no reason to pass the lounges.

 

Since you are a frequent Regent cruiser....maybe you know the answer....why the need to always ask our suite numbers when going to any of the dinner venues on board the Mariner? We and the party we were traveling with were both in a Penthouse A suites and always seemed to get good tables for the four of us. I got the impression that they put you in certain areas depending on your suite location.

 

All the key cards are not the same color either on Regent.

 

Even on luxury lines...the more you pay the more amenities you get.

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As someone who is usually in a suite (most likely a PH) but who just accepted an offer we couldn't refuse for a downgrade for megabucks, I have to say that, yes, there are benefits that suite passengers get that others don't.

 

But there is NO difference in treatment from staff that I have ever seen. And for me that is the crucial point.

 

Am I going to miss the butler since now we won't have one? Yes. And that surprises me because when butlers first came on the scene on Oceania, I figured we'd never use him. Does this lack now ruin our experience? Nope! He is a nice convenience but certainly not an essential.

 

The benefit that we will miss most will probably be the hot breakfast in the room on port days. SO, we will get up earlier to go to Terrace or the GDR. Not a great sacrifice in the end. We also have liked the opportunity to order dinner in from a specialty restaurant after a long port visit ... but if we don't feel like changing out of our grungy clothes, dinner in Terrace will be fine.

 

Again, not a terrible sacrifice.

 

When you are on board, I don't think you will notice a "class" difference. You won't be treated differently.

 

Mura

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But don't you think that this is potentially for everyone's benefit?

If all (or most) passengers arrived at the same time, there would be much longer waits then if the boarding is staggered.

One only has to respect their posted boarding time instead of ignoring it and there would be little waiting.

If one arrives earlier than their posted time - for whatever reason (like early flights) - and there are few others waiting, then one can board earlier without having to wait for their assigned boarding times. Personally, I don't mind arriving when I am told to arrive and thus minimize my waiting time.

BTW, do you think that check in at airports should be first come - first served as well? No separate line for First/Business class passengers; and that these passengers should not have lounge access at the airport and wait in the general boarding area? I don't - regardless of what class I am flying in :) These passengers have paid for it (or earned it) and so can I if I want to.

 

Hi - I am responding to both you and juli2020.

 

In our close to 30 cruises on Oceania, Regent and Silversea, the only time we saw different boarding times was on Oceania. On Regent and Silversea, it is first come, first served and we have not had difficulty with long lines. Having said that, however, I now hear that there was a 3 hour wait to board in Vancouver, B.C. this month due to enhanced security issues. Apparently passengers on both HAL and Regent were boarding at the same time.

 

On Regent and Silversea, everyone knows the boarding time and it is up to them if they want to board as soon as boarding begins (this requires arriving early and possibly waiting in line) or a couple hours later when there is likely to be less lines. We have boarded all over the world and have only had difficulty in New York, Miami and a couple of ports in South Africa.

 

Note: I cannot compare airlines or hotels with a cruise ship because it does not make sense to me. IMO, there is no comparison between boarding an aircraft and boarding a ship. The airlines do what they need to do to board everyone in a short amount of time - with limited space in the isles. This is not an issue on cruise lines.

 

Juli - the issue in S.F. is the same as in Vancouver - immigration is holding up the boarding process dramatically.

 

The different colors of key cards on Regent indicate how many nights you have sailed on Regent - not what suite category you are in. The only time anyone even sees the cards is when you board or disembark the ship or if you purchase something in the boutique. The key cards on Oceania indicate your stateroom/suite category and if you have purchased the "drink package". Also, those cards need to be shown whenever you want to purchase a drink - whether you have the package or not.

 

You asked why your suite number needs to be given when you book a specialty restaurant on Regent (it works the same on Silversea). The reason is twofold: First, they need to know how to reach you if there is an issue with your reservation (they could look it up on the computer but it is easier to know your suite # so they can quickly call you). Second, the cruise line wants to make sure that everyone has the opportunity to dine in the specialty restaurants at least once so they do need to check to see if you have dined in the restaurant previously. On short itineraries, it is unlikely that you can get more than one specialty restaurant reservation since there are only one or two specialty restaurants on the ship (one on the Navigator and two on the Voyager and Mariner).

 

IMO, it is important to note that people that have sailed main stream and premium cruise lines will find Oceania a big step up from what they are used to (in all ways). However, with ever-rising prices on luxury lines, there are many people trying out Oceania for the first time. They are the ones that may find Oceania a bit too "class oriented" (or not). Again, this is my opinion and others may feel differently.

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Other than the extra specialty restaurant reservations, early embarkation and the 2 lounges, there is no difference once you are onboard.

 

No special lounges for elites. No special tables or special dining rooms. Those of you who know me know we don't enjoy the GDR, and the Terrace Grill is where we eat more our our meals. There are not usually lines there, except for the grill station where they cook to order, and nobody gets to cut the line because of status. When we were on NCL in a suite we had a special dining room with special food. On O there is none of that.

 

The people are what make O special. We stay in suites and have met others that stay in suites and others that don't and it never mattered what room you were in or how many cruises you had taken. People are simply people!

 

I am sure you will enjoy your cruise on O

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