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Aruba76
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My husband and I are loyal Celebrity suite cruisers but decided to try something new. We are sailing on the Marina from Rome to Monte Carlo in November, in a PH 2 suite. Is there anyone who has sailed both cruise lines who can give us some information about what differences we can expect? How do the ships compare? Level of service? Food? Any information will be greatly appreciated. Thank you.

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I'll reply just concerning the food .... best of any cruise line in my opinion. Try using your butler for some meals ... very elegant.

 

We found this, en suite dining, to be among the "best" perks of the suite/butler services.

It was great to have a nice hot breakfast brought in at a time of our choosing. Wonderful way to wake up.

 

And best of all, if we couldn't get extra reservations at our favorite specialty restaurants, we could eat the same preferred choices en suite, and served by course.

(We found the food in the specialties to be better than in the MDR.)

 

GC

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Oceania is a country club and Celebrity is the local mall essentially.

Oceania is more "traditional" focused versus Celebrity that is trending towards a Las Vegas hotel/casino/mall.

 

Oceania versus Celebrity from my perspective:

 

* No class segmentation like on Celebrity, other than concierge/suites have a separate lounge - meaning, everyone has run of the ship and mingle and eat together - like a country club

* Higher quality food - the ingredients/presentation/taste - but there can be a poor dish here or there

* Specialty restaurants are enjoyed by everyone included in price

* High tea in the front observation lounge - oh my, enjoyed by everyone

* Staff service levels - this blew us away versus Celebrity - many staff, efficient and classy - in the Terrace cafe staff carry your tray to your table (Celebrity used to do that)

* Limited to no consumerism - no shrilling for sales, loud techno music in shop area no harrassment to purchase stuff while eating a meal like on Celebrity

* Guests - more travelled, dress golf country club, more well mannered

* No fixation on booze and no antisocial behavior

* Smaller sized ships - easy on and off

* Itineraries - Oceania has far more innovative itineraries, often departure and arrival ports are different

* Elegant music, strings before dinner versus loud techno music on Celebrity

* Less "professional" big show entertainment - Oceania's guest speakers are excellent

* Guests are rather self entertaining

* Sorbet delivered around the pool on sea days (used to do that on Celebrity)

 

The 2 cruise lines are very different by philosophy and that has influenced the ship design and on board experience.

 

We totally enjoy Oceania and do not miss Celebrity in any way.

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On Sirena for our first O cruise. Can't believe how small the bathroom and shower are. The worst of any modern ship. Only the Norway was as bad. The food and drinks are fine but charging $12 for a vodka and cranberry is outrageous. Never more than $7 on HAL. The balcony cabin is a bit small but ok. Lots of choices for TV with 3 movie channels and several news choices. Just off Great Stirup Kay but many tours cancelled due to weather. Very overcast. Will send more later.

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* Staff service levels - this blew us away versus Celebrity - many staff, efficient and classy - in the Terrace cafe staff carry your tray to your table (Celebrity used to do that)

* Sorbet delivered around the pool on sea days (used to do that on Celebrity)

Is this something new to Oceania ???

 

I have never seen trays in the Terrace

 

Never had sorbet brought around the pool deck & we were on Riviera in Dec

They usually bring water or Lemonade around to keep people hydrated

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On Sirena for our first O cruise. Can't believe how small the bathroom and shower are. The worst of any modern ship. Only the Norway was as bad. The food and drinks are fine but charging $12 for a vodka and cranberry is outrageous. Never more than $7 on HAL.

Yes DH had a G & T on HAL he said he could not taste any gin in it

 

The Rum & coke was the same

 

At least on O you get better quality booze

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Is this something new to Oceania ???

 

I have never seen trays in the Terrace

 

Never had sorbet brought around the pool deck & we were on Riviera in Dec

They usually bring water or Lemonade around to keep people hydrated

 

Recently on Marina, no trays but Terrace staff was positioned to carry plates to the table. If you didn’t have a table they found one. Very prompt beverage service with frequent refills. Excellent service throughout the ship but especially in Terrace.

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Recently on Marina, no trays but Terrace staff was positioned to carry plates to the table..

They have always done that at least since 2004 on our 1st cruise with O

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Oceania is a country club and Celebrity is the local mall essentially.

Oceania is more "traditional" focused versus Celebrity that is trending towards a Las Vegas hotel/casino/mall.

 

Oceania versus Celebrity from my perspective:

 

* No class segmentation like on Celebrity, other than concierge/suites have a separate lounge - meaning, everyone has run of the ship and mingle and eat together - like a country club

* Higher quality food - the ingredients/presentation/taste - but there can be a poor dish here or there

* Specialty restaurants are enjoyed by everyone included in price

* High tea in the front observation lounge - oh my, enjoyed by everyone

* Staff service levels - this blew us away versus Celebrity - many staff, efficient and classy - in the Terrace cafe staff carry your tray to your table (Celebrity used to do that)

* Limited to no consumerism - no shrilling for sales, loud techno music in shop area no harrassment to purchase stuff while eating a meal like on Celebrity

* Guests - more travelled, dress golf country club, more well mannered

* No fixation on booze and no antisocial behavior

* Smaller sized ships - easy on and off

* Itineraries - Oceania has far more innovative itineraries, often departure and arrival ports are different

* Elegant music, strings before dinner versus loud techno music on Celebrity

* Less "professional" big show entertainment - Oceania's guest speakers are excellent

* Guests are rather self entertaining

* Sorbet delivered around the pool on sea days (used to do that on Celebrity)

 

The 2 cruise lines are very different by philosophy and that has influenced the ship design and on board experience.

 

We totally enjoy Oceania and do not miss Celebrity in any way.

 

I love your descriptions and laughed at the mall and shilling references on Celebrity. You have captured the O life beautifully.

We have done quite a few Oceania Cruise. We just got off Marina and I was struck by the loveliest music. We would sit in Horizons listening to the band. Then we would go to dinner and walking to the GDR we would hear the loveliest piano man music, then the loveliest music from the string quartet. After dinner we often go back to Horizons to hear more music and watch sunsets. What a life!

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My husband and I are loyal Celebrity suite cruisers but decided to try something new. We are sailing on the Marina from Rome to Monte Carlo in November, in a PH 2 suite. Is there anyone who has sailed both cruise lines who can give us some information about what differences we can expect? How do the ships compare? Level of service? Food? Any information will be greatly appreciated. Thank you.

 

Come and join us on the roll call:

https://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2423710

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N

Oceania is a country club and Celebrity is the local mall essentially.

Oceania is more "traditional" focused versus Celebrity that is trending towards a Las Vegas hotel/casino/mall.

 

Oceania versus Celebrity from my perspective:

 

* No class segmentation like on Celebrity, other than concierge/suites have a separate lounge - meaning, everyone has run of the ship and mingle and eat together - like a country club

* Higher quality food - the ingredients/presentation/taste - but there can be a poor dish here or there

* Specialty restaurants are enjoyed by everyone included in price

* High tea in the front observation lounge - oh my, enjoyed by everyone

* Staff service levels - this blew us away versus Celebrity - many staff, efficient and classy - in the Terrace cafe staff carry your tray to your table (Celebrity used to do that)

* Limited to no consumerism - no shrilling for sales, loud techno music in shop area no harrassment to purchase stuff while eating a meal like on Celebrity

* Guests - more travelled, dress golf country club, more well mannered

* No fixation on booze and no antisocial behavior

* Smaller sized ships - easy on and off

* Itineraries - Oceania has far more innovative itineraries, often departure and arrival ports are different

* Elegant music, strings before dinner versus loud techno music on Celebrity

* Less "professional" big show entertainment - Oceania's guest speakers are excellent

* Guests are rather self entertaining

* Sorbet delivered around the pool on sea days (used to do that on Celebrity)

 

The 2 cruise lines are very different by philosophy and that has influenced the ship design and on board experience.

 

We totally enjoy Oceania and do not miss Celebrity in any way.

 

 

Great comparison! Only "pro Celebrity" point I would add is that Oceania cruise directors are growing more and more noisy on the PA system hyping events which can easily be read in daily programs. Celebrity remains comparatively announcement free.

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N

 

 

Great comparison! Only "pro Celebrity" point I would add is that Oceania cruise directors are growing more and more noisy on the PA system hyping events which can easily be read in daily programs. Celebrity remains comparatively announcement free.

I noticed several of the new CD's are previous Princess CD's that may have something to do with more chatter on the loudspeakers

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N

 

 

Great comparison! Only "pro Celebrity" point I would add is that Oceania cruise directors are growing more and more noisy on the PA system hyping events which can easily be read in daily programs. Celebrity remains comparatively announcement free.

 

I've noticed that also, as have some others here. Why do you think it's changed on Oceania? I really don't think the CD's are doing it on their own. I believe it's direction from the home office, but I believe it's the wrong direction.

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They have always done that at least since 2004 on our 1st cruise with O

 

You are correct, carrying plates is not new. But on our recent sailing they had more crew members in Terrace and more positioned to help. Many times I declined but always appreciated help finding a table.

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Marina, Baltic, September 2017. Trays were available in a small corner of the Terrace, not everyone used them. I noted the more elderly folks used them.

 

Staff frankly insisted they carry their trays and staff insisted on carrying plates for everyone else - first class Oceania.

 

We had 3 different flavours of sorbet available on 2 sea days - they were carried by the staff around the pool area. In the Baltic it is never hot, but we had 2 lovely warmish days and the sorbet was available around 2-3 each afternoon.

 

This level of service and amenity is available for everyone on Oceania ship's, something that used to happen on Celebrity of old.

 

It is the level and graciousness of service, that really separated Oceania from Celebrity in our mind - a high level of basic service that is available to everyone on the ship.

 

One other thing that is very different from Celebrity - is Oceania's "build your own cruise product" model - you can customize your experience - cruise only, cruise with air, cruise with air and OLife, cruise with air and OLife and beverage package.

 

Oceania feels like the Celebrity of old - pre 2014/15, when Celebrity made its mark as the highest ranking of the mass cruise lines.

 

Happy sailing to all.

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>I found the insistence on taking the plate off me was a complete pain in the neck! They should just help people with walking sticks and the like.

 

Ditto.

 

However, I have given up fighting with them.

 

Am I getting old?

 

Ira

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Marina, Baltic, September 2017. Trays were available in a small corner of the Terrace, not everyone used them. I noted the more elderly folks used them.

I can honestly say I have never seen trays for use of passenger in the Terrace after several cruises

will have to check on our next cruise

We had 3 different flavours of sorbet available on 2 sea days - they were carried by the staff around the pool area.

 

Well you would think they would serve it in the hotter climates ...have not seen that either

 

 

Thanks for sharing

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I found the insistence on taking the plate off me was a complete pain in the neck! They should just help people with walking sticks and the like.

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Forums

At first it was a pain

now I just go with the flow

 

faster than arguing with them :halo:

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so I wonder what ship ABOATNERD was on that they had trays in the Terrace & sorbet by the pool???

 

As I don't hang out by the pool I can understand why I've never seen the sorbet. But the trays must be a new thing. I was on Marina in Dec for 14 nights, ate in the Terrace quite a bit and didn't see trays. Sometimes we don't notice things a new set of eyes might.

 

I don't even remember an area that would hold trays.

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