Top Ratings for Oceania??!!

From the London/UK Daily Mail travel section this morning, they have this headline: “Oceania Cruises comes top of the ranking” with these highlights: “Oceania sails to destinations across the globe but on smaller ships carrying no more than 1,250 cruise-goers. The company scored five stars out of five across many of the categories, including the crucial passenger-to-space rating.”

We are getting ready for our first sailing with Oceania. Nice to read these details. Their test grouping did not include some higher-end, more costly cruise lines such as Crystal, Silversea, Seabourn, Regent, etc. This story also noted: "many of the passenger praised the quality of the food available on board as well as the facilities such as the spa, fitness centres and sauna. The only downside is the entertainment, for which the study only awarded three stars, but overall it says the experience justifies the high price tag."

Added reactions and thoughts from experienced Oceania customers? Full story at:

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/travel/travel_news/article-5246927/The-best-worst-cruise-lines-2018-named.html

THANKS! Enjoy! Terry in Ohio

Lisbon, NWSpain, Bordeaux/Brittany: Just finished June 2017 sailing from Portugal to France along the scenic Atlantic Coast, plus great pre- and post-cruise experiences. Many interesting pictures and details on history, food, culture, etc., from my live/blog at:

www.boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2511358

Here is the chart from the Daily Mail that summarizes the details/comparison from this research.:

(Open your screen/viewer wider to see these pictures larger!)

Looks like they got it right in most areas. Nice to see

I love unnamed consumer groups. Must be something that the O marketing department dreamed up.

As Terry pointed out several cruise lines not included like RSSC, Crystal, Silversea. Seabourn, Azamara...

I love unnamed consumer groups. Must be something that the O marketing department dreamed up.

As Terry pointed out several cruise lines not included like RSSC, Crystal, Silversea. Seabourn, Azamara...

This survey was carried out by ‘Which’ a UK consumer group magazine, certainly not affiliated to Oceania.

This survey was carried out by ‘Which’ a UK consumer group magazine, certainly not affiliated to Oceania.

Still rather useless. Like comparing a Skoda to a Mercedes.

Why is "port excursions" blank for Oceania? Is it because of the ridiculous price they charge?

Still rather useless. Like comparing a Skoda to a Mercedes.

Yes, they’re both used extensively as taxis worldwide!

Still rather useless. Like comparing a Skoda to a Mercedes.

Are you saying that this is a bogus review? Does not look like that to me but I am not familiar with UK magazines.

Are you saying that this is a bogus review? Does not look like that to me but I am not familiar with UK magazines.

Which? Is one of the UK’s foremost independent comparison sites. They’ve been around for 40 years +

Which? Is one of the UK’s foremost independent comparison sites. They’ve been around for 40 years +

Good to know. I agree with just about everything they say in this review and am glad that they are getting some press time here. I will Google them and see what else I can learn from their reporting.

Appreciate these excellent follow-ups by all of the posters. Such surveys are not "perfect", but they give you a sense for the areas where Oceania does much better than average. Very helpful and interesting. Am copying some of this info to my laptop computer file for this later 2018 first trip with Oceania.

Things are getting closer for our first trip to Southeast Asia. Just a little over a week till we depart on Jan. 21. Bad, cold weather is coming this weekend to Ohio, the Midwest, NE USA, etc. Some temperatures in the 88F range will be a nice and improved change. while in Bangkok, Ho Chi Minh City, etc.

THANKS! Enjoy! Terry in Ohio

Enjoyed a 14-day, Jan. 20-Feb. 3, 2014, Sydney to Auckland adventure, getting a big sampling for the wonders of "down under” before and after this cruise. Go to:

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1974139

for more info and many pictures of these amazing sights in this great part of the world. Now at 193,522 views for this posting.

As you get familiar with Oceania the first thing you'll notice: lack of facilities.

So if you see 5* for the facilities on Oceania (no promenade deck, no forward viewing deck, no proper spa, no separate pool for adults, no proper theater - even on the best ship!) in this survey.... yes, it's a bogus review, of course.

Giving the same score for entertainment to NCL and Fred Olsen is absurd.

Another absurd is giving the same score for food to Holland America and Cruise and Maritime.

I checked out your video of the full review for top 6 ships.

It struck me that the criteria were intended more for the mass market lines.

Very few Oceania cruisers care about "separate pools for adults, basketball courts, casinos" or many of the things that your survey values highly. I think most people are fine with the forward viewing from the lounge and the spa on O class ships as it is and don't want a double-decker theater (not that the sight-lines couldn't have been better on O class ships).

It's just a different market with different needs and preferences.

I checked out your video of the full review for top 6 ships.

It struck me that the criteria were intended more for the mass market lines.

Very few Oceania cruisers care about "separate pools for adults, basketball courts, casinos" or many of the things that your survey values highly. I think most people are fine with the forward viewing from the lounge and the spa on O class ships as it is and don't want a double-decker theater (not that the sight-lines couldn't have been better on O class ships).

It's just a different market.

What Paul said.

I thank you for taking time and looking at the review.

It focused on the cruise ships.

The rating reflects the following concept: a cruise ship is a resort cruise ship.

I put aside the price aspects, specific markets, so-called "luxury" ships, so-called "mass market" ships.

A comfortable resort ship must include certain facilities to qualify for this category.

There may be small 5* resort ships, medium size 5* ships, large 5* resort ships.

 

For example, a proper promenade deck is a luxury feature. So lacking what I called ABC of a proper ship automatically puts Riviera (4*) off the top list.

Viking ships have proper promenades, most HAL ships have them, etc.

What is the reason why the Riviera is lacking a promenade?

There is no reasons to justify that for a ship claiming any high position in the rating.

But here is the "reason". Cabins and suite verandas occupy the space that it supposed to have been a promenade. Just take a look at the ship.

So.... one "star" is off instantly.

Another thing.

A proper spa.

Why such an expensive ship has no proper spa?

You may ask me: "Why do you think a proper spa must be on Oceania?"

The answer in on the surface.

Because HAL, Cunard, NCL... offer proper spa, so there is nothing to justify the lack of proper spa on Oceania.

I understand that clients of the small expensive ships may care less about let's say.. a sports court or a pool.

But nevertheless we (as reviewers) have to document that what I call "well-being at sea" has been compromised on this ship because pools and sport facilities are luxury feauture as well as good food and bedding.

So such a nice and expensive "high end" ship like Siversea Cloud will never get 5*. It's too small to be a resort ship. It gets about 3.5*.

The Riviera isn't too small, but it's the cruise line that decided that she ship would lack such and such intrinsic features.

We have 3.5* Silversea, and we have 3.5* Anthem of the Seas.

Surprising?

For the first glance yes. This is why I invite everyone to watch the video.

Now back to the "different market" remark.

The Cloud and the Anthem are both 3.5*, but they are for different market. That's it.

They get 3.5* just for what they are. It does not mean that they are similar.

They differ like day and night.

However they have have their own sets of faults that resulted in the same number of stars.

Prices are so different because markets are different, I'm with you here.

 

 

Enjoy your cruises!

 

BTW I did not mention casinos as a plus.

The two of the six winners has no casino (Vikings, Mein Schiffs - actually a small invisible room).

You do realize this is your opinion, and not necessarily held by others, or correct?

I imagine some might care about a “proper promenade”.

Personally, there many other things that I look for on a cruise ship that are much higher on my list. Actually, I must be a new age cruiser...a Promenade or not is not even on a list of what I would look for in a choice of a cruise ship.

You do realize this is your opinion, and not necessarily held by others, or correct?

+1

Criteria like these are quite subjective and we each choose a ship that suits us by what we use and need and not by what others might like or by stars. I'll take a 3.5* Silver Cloud or Riviera over any higher star HAL, NCL or Cunard any day. Did 7 days on QM2 last year - the one that rates highest in your survey - no plans to book it again regardless of it's highest ranking (though it was OK).

I'll take the extra space in my cabin in place of a promenade - one star added for me instantly :D

I've never used the spa even though we get 2 free ones every cruise - so obviously it is not even a consideration for me. DW uses it and has never complained about it not being proper enough - good enough for what we want or need.

As always - different strokes.....

Yes, of course.

But please note that I have done a certian research (first hand experience - the video review) to fortify my opinion. :)

You have.

But so has everyone else who has cruised on multiple ships and multiple cruise lines (even if it is without the video).

For all of us it is all about first hand experiences and preferences - which will vary from person to person and there are no universal truths on this matter.

That is exactly what it is - your opinion (your words - highlighted by me) and we each have our own :)

In fact, one could reasonably argue that the survey posted by OP is more credible than yours as it represents the opinion of many people rather than just yours in your review :)

Again, an absolutely valid opinion that I share as a subjective consumer.

But I see cruise ships from two different points of view: as a subjective consumer (different strokes) and as an obective reviewer (all things taken together).

To be understood right, I did a special remark in the video and gave an example.

By coincidence it was about the Riviera.

I have underlined it, that the Riviera scores higher than NCL Getaway (that is my evaluaiton), but I would rather take a cruise on the Getaway if the itinerary is the same (that is my preference).

If someone asks me which of them is closer to the "perfect" cruise ships, I will say Riviera.

I can explain why I prefer Getaway (different strokes), but as a reviewer I must be above my own preferences. So my answer is Riviera.

I'm truly not trying to be argumentative, and in full disclosure I did not watch your video. But here's the way I see it.

This statement

"For example, a proper promenade deck is a luxury feature. So lacking what I called ABC of a proper ship automatically puts Riviera (4*) off the top list.

Viking ships have proper promenades, most HAL ships have them, etc.

What is the reason why the Riviera is lacking a promenade?

There is no reasons to justify that for a ship claiming any high position in the rating.

But here is the "reason". Cabins and suite verandas occupy the space that it supposed to have been a promenade. Just take a look at the ship.

So.... one "star" is off instantly."

is all pretty much a subjective opinion, but as you stated in the first post I quoted you feel it's an objective statement of fact.

Here's the way I see it, saying Riviera has no promenade is an objective statement, to add that the lack of having one somehow makes it less luxury or less enjoyable is subjective.

Of course many people prefer them, others could care less and hardly make it to any other decks other than the pool deck and restaurants.

We must all realize any review, whether it's cruise ships, movies, books etc., is only the opinion of the reviewer, no matter how educated or experienced.

We must all realize any review, whether it's cruise ships, movies, books etc., is only the opinion of the reviewer, no matter how educated or experienced.

I agree. One thing I wish that those who ask for comparisons between lines is for them to state what is important to them.

The reason my wife and I are enthusiastic customers of O is because the ships are small, we find the food to be excellent and prefer the ability to get into less frequented ports. Not important to us is entertainment, new builds, all inclusivity, photographers, water slides and other such attractions.

When people ask me about cruise lines the first thing I say is that they are different and then ask them what is important to them.

I have watched some of the video, and I would take exception to the assertion that the evaluations are objective. They are based on criteria that you personally have chosen as being important or necessary, ergo they are subjective. This doesn't make them the right criteria for all people or all ships or for all occasions.

As everyone else seems to be pointing out we all have things that are of greater or lesser importance to us, the only commonality is the enjoyment of cruising.

Does this difference make a ship more/less luxury ar more/less enjoyable.

 

I believe the difference is visible and should be reflected in the ships rating.

Is it subjective?

 

Underlined section ...... yup it is subjective. I will Be not politically correct here, and say, who cares! I could not care if a Line has an outside promenade deck, it’s not important to me...Your opinion, is just that, YOURS.

Only I know what suits ME, and how I rate cruise lines or vacation places. You know what they say about assuming. Your review (which I didn’t view), is just that; Your review, and how you see things. This discussion was held on the Luxury board several months ago, with the same assumption...one person thought they spoke for all in deciding how to review luxury ships. We need well balanced, for and against debates and personal experience to form individual informed opinions. Yours is just one, in a long list.

I agree. One thing I wish that those who ask for comparisons between lines is for them to state what is important to them. The reason my wife and I are enthusiastic customers of O is because the ships are small, we find the food to be excellent and prefer the ability to get into less frequented ports. Not important to us is entertainment, new builds, all inclusivity, photographers, water slides and other such attractions. When people ask me about cruise lines the first thing I say is that they are different and then ask them what is important to them.

Agree strongly with the above comments and insights from our State of Washington, western neighbor. It's all personal priorities and preferences!! For us, the itineraries are THE key factor. That's number one. Getting into smaller, less frequented ports can work well for us. Being in a giant Caribbean port with seven other ships and 20,000 other passengers is what we work hard to avoid. Not fun or need for our interests. Seeing a bunch of boring tee-shirt and jewelry shops does not "float out boat". Nothing wrong for those who seek that type of experience. We desire more of nature, scenery, history, culture, architecture, etc.

I do look through the video suggested by ronbe65. It was very, very long!! And that person said up-front what his priorities were. BUT, what he wanted was much different than for my personal interests. Good discussion and comments.

THANKS! Enjoy! Terry in Ohio

Enjoyed a 14-day, Jan. 20-Feb. 3, 2014, Sydney to Auckland adventure, getting a big sampling for the wonders of "down under” before and after this cruise. Go to:

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1974139

for more info and many pictures of these amazing sights in this great part of the world. Now at 193,829 views for this posting.

Let me encourge you to take a moment and watch this review that is just one in a long, long list of similar reviews!

Thank you in advance.

 

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Trying to make dollars from clicks? Won’t bite on that.

Trying to make dollars from clicks? Won’t bite on that.

Bingo!

Trying to make dollars from clicks? Won’t bite on that.

YUP! That was my original thought....I personally thought it was $$$ for clicks also. Let’s let this fade away.