drhugs

D325  typo...thanks for all the comments...I am sharing my observations being on the Crown right now til jan 7...not merely rough seas, believe me.

C325..midship, M1 club class

Sadly, I am now writing ti you from the Crown Priness..16 day to Hawaii and back to San Francisco.   We have had 4 sleepless nights going and now the same returning.  Granted, very rocky, but the shaking in the cabins, and 20 seconds of engine straining noises is absolutely ridiculous.  It sounds like the ship is in dire need of repair, or there is something major with the stabilizers.  It goes off every 20 seconds or so. You CANNOT SLEEP OR REST!  Cancel your cruise if you can.  There are so many other disappointments..too numerous to mention here.  We are done with Princess.  You have so CHEAPENED your cruises..and we have been on over 30  cruises with you.  You have abandoned your loyal cruisers...we loved Princess for years..

Our favorite ship, the Pacific Princess, has been sold and will now be part of Azamara.  We always did the December Holiday cruise on the Love Boat, but now are checking out Crystal and Azamara.  We booked the Dec. 23 cruise on the Quest and would appreciate any comments or advice from those who have traveled Azamara previously.  We will sail on the Pacific as soon as Azamara renames it..I love the R class ships

Thanks for comments!

Geri and Vic/

Las Vegas/West Yorkshire, UK

I agree with most of these comments as well..we booked and loved the Pacific Princess for years..our go to will now be Crystal.. we dislikethemega ships..waste of time waiting and waiting...sorry, Princess, you are going to lose your base..

I read that 3 ships were possibly headed to depart the Princess Fleet.  Two of them, the Star and Sun, are leaving.  I am concerned the Pacific Princess could be next.  Any comments?

This is my favorite all time ship..xmas and new years will never be the same..sob..sob

Oceania Serena at Xmas--we booked back to back--LA to Rio and back to Ft Lauderdale--

The first 35 days were the most boring we have ever encountered--food mediocre, ghetto ports, little if any entertainment--the equivalent of a high school band-and that is a push. We spent most of our time in our mini suite--We jumped ship in Rio and flew Copa home--

I had 4 meetings with the General Manager....he was jumping ship in Rio as well, so he did not care. The cruise director is useless--her husband, the comedian, told poor, dated jokes, and then shamed the other cruise lines--not so funny, Oceania!!! You are living on your past reputation. When meeting with them armed with profuse notes, I got nowhere--unbelievable but true. What a terrible experience. One not to be repeated.

After spending nearly 50K with Oceania for 56 days over Xmas & New Years, one would think someone would have called. Never heard from them and probably won't. They will go the way of Royal Viking--their days are numbered, cater to a very senior, sleepy crowd, nothing special anymore with Oceania--what a pity!!!! I was told during the meeting that from their "exemplary" reviews, guests do not want entertainment--REALLY??? Xmas eve the 4 singers walked around the dining room ONCE with a Xmas carol...I could not believe the amateurish entertainers (And I used this term loosely)--what a joke!

We are Elite on Princess, and by the 4th meeting with the GM and Social Director, I let them know, in no uncertain terms, they can have our suite booked for the remainder 21 days. No one at Oceania cares any longer--it is all about the money--cut corners everywhere--if you are reading this, forget Oceania and what you have heard. They are no 5 star--not even close. Never again--At that level, Crystal Cruises--here we come--Oceania--you will be bankrupt in the next 5 years because you do not care about your passengers AT ALL!!!!!

Dear Susan,

I am Drhugs, and I have read most of these posts carefully. It seems there are alot of Oceania "Groupies" on this site whose experiences vastly differ from ours (and many of the other disappointing posts found here and in different categories). I have found the responses to be quite extreme--from reprimanding to hilarious--- so--lol. I found it unbelievable that some would check out my age (no, I am not a BARBIE doll running around the pool in a thong bikini-lol)--I am the same "average age" of many others on the ship. Again, I thank those who wrote their comments...both good and not so good--I really enjoyed these comments more than the actual cruise. Best wishes all and Bon Voyage.

Perhaps "floating nursing home" was a bit of an exaggeration as most nursing homes have better and varied entertainment and activities than this ship did. One of the most frustrating experiences was I had to suggest a movie in the afternoon, a little Karaoki, etc....something, please!!!!--many daily activities were either canyon ranch spa lectures (probably 50% or so), self directed-bridge, canasta, puzzles, etc in the card room, 20-30%), and an activity or two--bingo, shuffleboard (10%) or so, with very little going on. We did love when the cultures of the area came on board and entertained us with their varied and lively repertoires from their respective areas. In addition, the shipbuilding contest was fabulous..such creativity and originality--now, that was fun. I expected more "fun" type activites--no, this is not a Carnival Fun Ship, but we do not have one foot on a banana peel, either! lol

I am now home a couple of weeks, and deciding if my long missive to Oceania ready to email will do any good. I have compiled notes upon notes. After meeting with the general manager 4 times (he was leaving at the end in Rio, so you know he has checked out already). The cruise director never bothered to contact me during the entire time--not even a call, but did suddenly appear at meeting #4 and defensively stated "we have 105-110% positive evaluations--and proceeded to inform me that Frank Del Rio who started Oceania offered "Gourmet Dining, interesting and exclusive ports and NO entertainment at all). Sorry, I expect entertainment to be commensurate with what Oceania professes itself to be. One cruiser suggested I learn how to keep myself busy--lol lol lol lol...

I am happy for those who perceive Oceana for being 5 star. It is not and will never be again...in my opinion. After all, this is Cruise Critic--where opinions and critiques are in the forefront. It is so obvious the big "O" has cut corners, so know this ahead of time and do your "due diligence" I am a world traveler and love cruising--I cruised Oceania in 2008, and it was simply wonderful and the best! So sad to see what has happened to this cruise line in the past 10 years...:( :(

So, to those of you who love Oceania~~~~ continue to love it and all it has to offer. As for me and many others, we will bid Oceania Adieu--and hope it takes these reviews and evaluations seriously. Remember, Royal Viking??? It did not change with the times, and I foresee Oceania continuing to struggle to attract new guests.

Thanks, again, especially, to Susan--

We just returned home from a 34 day Oceania cruise on the Regatta. We had the worst cruise ever and wanted to jump ship several times. I can say your comments are completely accurate. There was one disappointment after another. I actually don’t believe the ship is safe and will look into reporting that to the proper authorities. Oceania has gone down hill in a short period of time. The food which I thought was excellent on previous cruises was average at best. It was a cruise from hell. I am still waiting to hear from the company. I sent a long email documenting the issues and still have not heard back- the email was sent 2 weeks ago.

Thank you so very much..we are well seasoned travelers and expected more. Apparently, as i have been told repeatedly, there are over 500 "club" members who keep returning (quote the general manager and cruise director). I am in the minority, so be it.

The evaluation will be scathing, disappointing, and list the numerous items where Oceania dropped the ball. Again, thank you and hope you have a safe flight home.

If I understand drhugs correctly, fellow passengers are old, entertainment is lacking and ports have 'ghetto' quality. drhugs, I am sorry that your expectations were not met.

You and I must be in different dimensions..i am on this cruise, and it has been the most disappointing cruise I have ever had the misfortune of booking.

I have sailed Crystal, Celebrity, RCI, HAL, Carnival and a now defunct cruise-line called Seawind. I just posted some questions on the Azamara board as we we going to book the Rio holiday cruise-but the price was 3 times as much as the Oceania price, so we decided to go for the Oceania one.

 

We booked a Caribbean cruise in January which visits many new islands for us: St Lucia, St Barts, Antigua, the Bahamas, San Juan, and St. Marteen. Have you been to any of these ports...any suggestions on nice things to do?

 

What would you say is your favorite and least favorite thing about Oceania?

 

Thanks again for the review and wonderful photos! It has been a pleasure reading!!

:loudcry::loudcry: I am posting this in hopes of dissuading those contemplating an Oceania Sirena Cruise.

Currently on the 35 day Oceania Sirena San Diego to Rio..sounds great, doesn't it??? Cruising the Amazon..great, huh???

Not so fast, dear readers....never again..

the most boring, worst entertainment..if any..

food above average, staff incredible and wonderful..

We are in a PH1...most expensive penthouse suite..have met with general manager..4x..i have profuse notes about the myriad of disappointments..if you are seeking anything close to the deceptive brochures, you may be in for a shock..more coming on this board when I can finally depart in Rio...dumped us in ghetto ports and more..so sorry I ever booked Oceania..they are riding on a reputation no longer deserved..5 star..in their dreams.:loudcry::loudcry: we booked back to back and jumping ship..cannot bear 21 more daysfrom Rio to Miami..flying home.

Let's see how 5 star Oceania handles my concerns when I call them next week. Many unhappy passengers here who will never return...:eek:will keep you posted with the details...

We will be on the Oceania sirena back to back..dec 20 til Feb 10..we are going to hire Gus tours in Rio either Jan. 19, 20, 21..not sure yet..rated top 10 ...

any other guests interested??? Contact me at gerihugs@gmail.com...

Geri and Vic Warren

no problem--will be on the ocean princess for 2 weeks-Xmas and NYE

what exactly do you want??

geri and Vic

las vegas/chgo/U.K.

DO NOT BOOK L102--

the pounding of the gym overhead can drive you crazy! I just spent 29 days on the Crown (sister ship)---will never book that cabin again!!

:)

L

Just assigned L102 for next week. Put in the search locator and found it has a metal rail instead of glass. Have to stand to see anything. Was upgraded from a IS GTY so can't complain. Will report back after return on 11/8. Stormy

Traveling solo on the crown princess, out. 18 to Hawaii and Tahiti...would love to meet other solo travelers...:)

Hi fellow solos,

I will be on the crown princess oct.18 for 28 days round trip out of long beach, ca...

Anyone here going???

Geri

:)

Crown princess..October. 18..

Any other singles going?? Would love to meet and greet!

I am Geri from Chicago/Las Vegas...email me at drglitz @ aol.