Oceania to Alaska...what to expect, coming from Celebrity?

Hi everyone,

Looking way ahead to June 2017 for a special anniversary trip. I have been researching a cruise to French Polynesia on Paul Gauguin (which husband feels is too far and he isn't really interested in another tropical vacation).

He is interested in Alaska...but I don't want to do the mainstream lines for this trip. Looking for better service, MUCH smaller crowds, good food. Sort of like Paul Gauguin, only in Alaska!

So, coming from Celebrity, what can we expect? Thanks!

One other question: are there any CC members who do awesome photo reviews of Oceania? I love a good review to check things out. Thanks in advance!

RE: Alaska on O. I just returned home from our Alaska cruise on the beautiful Regatta. The ship is immaculate, food wonderful, and service was excellent. We were fortunate and had great weather the whole way. It is one of our favorite cruises along with French Polynesia on the Paul Gaugin and funny you mentioned doing both.

We chose to take O tours due to the fact we were in Alaska vs. the Med where we sometimes take ship tours but mainly do our own. The Taku Lodge floatplane, Misty Fjords by floatplane, and Whale and Otter by boat is what we chose. All remarkable and so scenic, they take your breath away. Our day visiting Hubbard Glacier was also one that will stick in my memory forever. Those icebergs are beautiful and gigantic and the Captain got us very close to capture all of it.

One thing I would do differently if doing this cruise again, would be to embark out of Seattle or Vancouver. We left out of San Francisco and you spend 2 days in quite rough seas prior to getting to Astoria. My understanding is that this is common and nothing I care to repeat and we handle the seas quite well. If you give me your email, I have some wonderful photos I will send you. I have not figured out how to put them on CC yet. Another possibility is Stan and Jim who have a ton of pics relating to O cruises.

A forum member who goes by"MVPinBoynton" does fabulous photo narratives/reviews. Website is thepreismans dot com

Many here reference their site frequently!

Good luck

Donna

Its night and day different

Your on a med size ship with 1/5 the,passengers no lines650 with astaff of 400.. outstanding, smooth service

the décor is refined and subtle

cabins have outstanding bedding madeup 2 x perday

All your speciality restraunts are included, as well as coffee and soft drinks

No formal dressing...all country club casual yet luxurious on a level far beyond anything Celeb can muster.

Open seating and the finest cuisine afloat... ( ya like lobster? served every day in every dining venue...even the poo lgrill) 4 different choices to dine...

NO kids or kids programs...adult atmosphere for low key adults .

Well traveled well mannered fellow passengers

no nickel-dime

Low key entertainment not las vegas hype...

huge libiary and classy public rooms.

Dan, I may be wrong, but I thought I read that O had introduced a young travellers' program on certain Alaska cruises.

If anyone has experienced this I'd be interested to read about it.

Dan, I may be wrong, but I thought I read that O had introduced a young travellers' program on certain Alaska cruises.

 

If anyone has experienced this I'd be interested to read about it.

Last year they has a "kids sail program. .However, this year, in reviewing the Alaska sailings...I could see none. Perhaps that's because they are using the 680 pax ships not the 1100 that was the case when the ran Marina to Alaska. I have seen some in mention for the med.. but that it

Too, I think that a lot of the passengers who booked because of the lack of kids gave a lot of feedback that they were not happy. Money talks, as it always has since the dawn of time. Its a business and Oceania has built its business plan to attract passengers seeking an adult atmosphere. Too, the line attracts older customers who have no younger kids or the ones they did have are adult kids in their late 20 and 30's

Personaly, I think Oceania is a poor place to take kids... thrusting them in to an adult dominated/oriented atmosphere. Reality being that kids want to be kids not little adults. Kids will go and will try to please their parents pretend to go with the parents wishes. After all growing up in todays world happens all too fast...why accelerate it??? Don't cheat them out of their youth!!

According to the Oceania 2016 Summer Collection booklet, the program is designed for youths age 5 to 12 and is featured on many of the June and July Alaska cruises. Believe they started the program as early as 2014 or perhaps even earlier? It was not in existence on our 2011 Alaska Vancouver to Anchorage.

....Perhaps that's because they are using the 680 pax ships not the 1100 that was the case when the ran Marina to Alaska...

I always stand ready to be corrected, but I don't recall Marina ever having been used in Alaska. Their "maiden" year in Alaska was 2011 on Regatta, they skipped 2012 -- no cruises to Alaska, in 2013 I sailed Regatta in Alaska for Oceania's 10th anniversary, in May, 2014 (the beginning of the Alaska season) I was aboard Marina on the way to London, repositioning there for the season, so it must have been Regatta in Alaska, and it's Regatta this year.

There was no kid's program in 2011, and I don't recall if it was available in 2013 when we were aboard (FDR was there with his grandchildren, so there was something available for kids, but I don't know how formalized it was). So, I agree with 2014...

Its night and day different

Your on a med size ship with 1/5 the,passengers no lines650 with astaff of 400.. outstanding, smooth service

the décor is refined and subtle

cabins have outstanding bedding madeup 2 x perday

 

All your speciality restraunts are included, as well as coffee and soft drinks

No formal dressing...all country club casual yet luxurious on a level far beyond anything Celeb can muster.

 

Open seating and the finest cuisine afloat... ( ya like lobster? served every day in every dining venue...even the poo lgrill) 4 different choices to dine...

 

NO kids or kids programs...adult atmosphere for low key adults .

Well traveled well mannered fellow passengers

no nickel-dime

Low key entertainment not las vegas hype...

huge libiary and classy public rooms.

Okay...this sounds EXACTLY like what we're looking for!

Casino? What about smoking onboard? We enjoy a little blackjack and detest smoke.

Dan, I may be wrong, but I thought I read that O had introduced a young travellers' program on certain Alaska cruises.

 

If anyone has experienced this I'd be interested to read about it.

Well I hope not! We're leaving our "young travellers" at home! ;)

I have kids, I love kids, I work with kids...but for a more expensive special occasion cruise, I prefer not to see kids! :)

From the Oceania website:

For guests who travel with children, our Alaska Explorer Youth Program offers the opportunity for everyone to experience the excitement of exploring the Northwest Coast and Alaska in a meaningful, enriching way. Designed for age groups between 5 and 12, the program is supervised by experienced and enthusiastic youth counselors and include games, activities and Alaska-inspired special events.

Not listed on all the Alaska cruises for this year, check your specific date.

We sailed last June on Regatta when they had the "Explorer program". There were not many children at all. In fact, no more than we have seen on other O cruises. Those we did see were teens who were quiet, respectful and mature wanting to enjoy the beauty of Alaska. We have no children and are not averse to having well behaved children travel with us. Sometimes they behave a lot better than some of the "seasoned cruisers".

There is no smoking in the Casino, only in 2 dedicated areas of the ship, one being out by the pool, the other an enclosed area inside at Horizons.

I do think you might really like the O Alaska trip. We usually do not repeat a cruise as there are so many places we want to see but we booked this second cruise almost immediately after debarking last year.

Again no worries about the kids. Deb

Okay...this sounds EXACTLY like what we're looking for!

 

Casino? What about smoking onboard? We enjoy a little blackjack and detest smoke.

Then you're okay ... there IS a casino (a small one, we've never used it ourselves so cannot speak more than to say it exists) and smoking is extremely limited. There are two smoking areas permitted -- but not in cabins or on verandas.

Mura

Regatta has a small Monte Carlo style casino. Passengers on our trip to Brazil seldom used. Two or three blackjack tables, ( only one used when aboard) three card poker and one roulette wheel. The slot machines were very tight . Have to say the Food and service was excellent .

I do have a question for recent travelers. I did the Alaska cruise on a line other than O in 2008. O was still young then. We did the cruise in early July which is the height of the season. What we noticed most in major port towns such as Juneau, Ket, etc. was that other cruise line docked in those cities and O was most often anchored and their guests had to portage in. Not the convenient way of doing things. Is this still the case during high season. I know that O, with its smaller ships, seems to regularly take the less attractive docking places at many locales. Part of this is also an issue of seniority. Just wondering if anyone has any update on this recently, especially during high season.

Can past cruisers please comment on the ports of call and tours. I would love to take this August's Vancouver to Vancouver cruise, but the O tours are so costly. If anyone has done this one how wonderful and scenic is it? It would be our 7th Oceania so we adore food, cocktail, pool, beds, staff, etc. I just need a little more info to interest my husband in dropping $'s along our own Province and Alaska. Thanks

For Pinotlover and Lola...I just came off Regatta Alaska. Just Do It!! It is so amazingly beautiful, just breathtaking. We chose May because I had read that there is less rain, no crowds, and no children. All true..we had beautiful weather, the only place we tendered was Sitka and we were docked in Ketchikan and Juneau in a most favorable spot. One day we were wedged between Princess and a Very large HAL ship. We looked so cute and little sitting between the two other ships. That was exactly what we wanted (small and intimate) On the other hand, as it approaches Summer, not sure what you can expect because in Ketchikan we overheard a local telling us that up to 12,000 persons will visit daily. Yikes...we did not want Disney and Alaska at the same time, so pick your month carefully.

We did the O tours because it was Alaska and a bit pricier (not much more) than do it on your own. But..we felt very safe and they used the best as far as we could see and enjoyed our tours immensely. We must have lucked out because no rain, sunny or partly cloudy skies, and not overwhelmed with tourists.

You probably will not be able to gamble off Alaska. I may have skipped someone telling you that. Never in American ports to my knowledge.

I do have a question for recent travelers. I did the Alaska cruise on a line other than O in 2008. O was still young then. We did the cruise in early July which is the height of the season. What we noticed most in major port towns such as Juneau, Ket, etc. was that other cruise line docked in those cities and O was most often anchored and their guests had to portage in. Not the convenient way of doing things. Is this still the case during high season. I know that O, with its smaller ships, seems to regularly take the less attractive docking places at many locales. Part of this is also an issue of seniority. Just wondering if anyone has any update on this recently, especially during high season.

First, not sure who you saw in 2008, but it wasn't Oceania -- they made their very first cruise in Alaska in 2011. I know, because Oceania held an itinerary contest in 2010 for suggestions for new itineraries, and I won one of the prizes for my Alaska itinerary.

We sailed my winner's cruise in June and July of 2011, from Anchorage to Vancouver, including Homer, Seward, College Fjords, Juneau, Icy Point, Hubbard Glacier, Haines, Wrangell, Sitka and Ketchikan. We docked everywhere except Sitka (and obviously the fjords and glaciers, where no one got off), and ALL cruise ships tender to Sitka -- there are no docks.

We also sailed Oceania's 10th Anniversary cruise from Seattle to Juneau, Ketchikan and Prince Rupert, in July, 2013, and docked in all.

For Pinotlover and Lola...I just came off Regatta Alaska. Just Do It!! It is so amazingly beautiful, just breathtaking. We chose May because I had read that there is less rain, no crowds, and no children. All true..we had beautiful weather, the only place we tendered was Sitka and we were docked in Ketchikan and Juneau in a most favorable spot. One day we were wedged between Princess and a Very large HAL ship. We looked so cute and little sitting between the two other ships. That was exactly what we wanted (small and intimate) On the other hand, as it approaches Summer, not sure what you can expect because in Ketchikan we overheard a local telling us that up to 12,000 persons will visit daily. Yikes...we did not want Disney and Alaska at the same time, so pick your month carefully.

We did the O tours because it was Alaska and a bit pricier (not much more) than do it on your own. But..we felt very safe and they used the best as far as we could see and enjoyed our tours immensely. We must have lucked out because no rain, sunny or partly cloudy skies, and not overwhelmed with tourists.

+1

We were on the same cruise and the weather was perfect.

Sitting in LA airport waiting for a 13 hour flight home:eek:

+1

We were on the same cruise and the weather was perfect.

Sitting in LA airport waiting for a 13 hour flight home:eek:

Safe travels. We will be heading your way to OZ and NZ on a b2b this Oct 2015 but on Solstice for almost a month. That is one long flight from LA and our 1st to Australia.

I am the blonde with long hair and DH has longer hair and a mustache and not sure if we met or took any tours together? Yes, it was a wonderful cruise :)

OP here...thank you for all the informative replies!

I hadn't thought of crowds...we'd be going the first week of June. I guess I'd have to check cruise cal to see what other ships are in port.

How about dining? How does that work on Oceania? Set times, open dining? Do you have the same tablemates/staff each night?

Thanks!

How about dining? How does that work on Oceania? Set times, open dining? Do you have the same tablemates/staff each night?

Open dining in every restaurant, you'll eat where, when and with whom you please, but you will need to make reservations in the various Specialty Restaurants.

The number of Specialty Restaurant visits which you will be guaranteed, as well as how far in advance of the Cruise you may reserve them, are based on the type of accommodations booked.

OP here...thank you for all the informative replies!

 

I hadn't thought of crowds...we'd be going the first week of June. I guess I'd have to check cruise cal to see what other ships are in port.

 

How about dining? How does that work on Oceania? Set times, open dining? Do you have the same tablemates/staff each night?

 

Thanks!

To me, this is one of the best parts of the Oceania experience (unless you happen to love traditional fixed dining ;)). Your dining choices in the evening are the Terrace buffet, the Grand Dining Room, the steak house Polo and the northern Italian themed Toscana.

Polo and Toscana are specialty restaurants seating only about 90 guests each. They are free of charge, but do require reservations. You are guaranteed reservations in each based on your cabin category --concierge (category A) and above are guaranteed 2 reservations in each, those in lower categories (B and below) are guaranteed 1 each. You choose your dining time and table size (2 or sharing). Most folks do it ahead of the cruise. It's sometimes possible to get additional reservations once on board; see the Maitre'd at a podium just inside the Terrace Buffet in the mornings.

All the restaurants open at 6:30pm and seat folks until 9:00 or so. At the Terrace or GDR, you just show up when, and with whom, you like.

At the Terrace, you choose your own table, either for 2, or if you see empty seats at a larger table, ask if they'd like to share. The Terrace also has outdoor seating, weather permitting. You do not serve yourself at the buffet; servers behind the counter will plate your choices cheerfully, don't be shy in telling them "more" or "less". The Terrace also has a grill-to-order station with fabulous choices -- steak, chops, lobster, for example. Servers will bring your drinks and will carry hot plates if you seem to need assistance.

At the Grand Dining Room, show up during the opening hours and the maitre'd will ask your seating preference -- for 2, or sharing. If you arrive with friends, they'll find a table to accommodate you (although none larger than 8 except the Captain's table, which can be set for 12). The maitre'd will assign a table captain to escort you to the table. There are really no bad tables, although the tables near the stern windows are often favored by many. Service will be elegant; some think it's too slow, but we have always been pleased -- we prefer the GDR to all others. We like to share; it's a great way to meet fellow guests, but we prefer a table for 4 because I have don't enjoy cross conversations at a larger table. Occasionally there is a short wait for a table for 2; we like to dine early and often arrive as the doors open, so we've never had a problem getting the table we like.

There is also no-fee room service, however in cabins below penthouse level the menu is rather prosaic. If you are fortunate enough to be in a penthouse suite or above (owners or vista suites), you may ask your butler to serve you from any of the restaurants including specialty restaurants (during regular dining hours); let him know earlier and he will supply menus. Usually you must order from just one of the restaurants, but ask your butler if you wish to mix and match, he may accommodate you if he's not too busy (he is serving other suites). If he's not too swamped, he may serve you course-by-course if you wish. He will set up the table in a penthouse; owners and vista suites have dining tables.

Menus in the Grand Dining Room vary each evening. The entrees in the GDR, especially any carvings, will be available in the Terrace as well, plus the Terrace has the grill and additional appetizers (I think including sushi, but I don't eat the stuff and don't know for certain). The menus in Polo and Toscana are the same every evening (and have been largely the same since I started cruising with Oceania in 2006; we no longer really care if we dine in them more than once in a cruise).

Oceania is considered a foodie lover's ship; it has the reputation as among the best cuisine at sea; I know they spend more per passenger for food than most other cruise lines. Much of it is the best they can get, such as the Iberico pork (yum).