Oceania or Windstar?

I'm looking at a cruise from Rome to Athens next year. Windstar and Oceania have roughly parallel itineraries, and I'm interested in both lines.

- I don't mind cleaning up for dinner, but I do not participate in formal nights.

- I prefer more lectures on the history of the ports and countries we visit, and fewer production shows.

- I do enjoy a good bar, and good live music.

- I am comfortable with making my own way around ports and booking my own excursions.

- I will most likely be traveling solo.

- I've sailed with Lindblad, Celebrity, Princess, and NCL. And one amazing cruise on the Sea Cloud II. I vastly prefer the smaller ship experience.

- I'm knocking on 50's door.

So... For those who have sailed both lines... Go with the romantic looking sailing yacht? Or choose Oceania? Is one better for a solo passenger than the other?

You may also want to post this on the Oceania and Windstar Boards.

Please be sure to study the ships as Windstar ships are a lot smaller. I have sailed them when they were part of Seabourn.

We loved the size but they are not for everyone.

Keith

The smaller size is actually one of the things that attracts me to Windstar. I have read through both the Oceania and Windstar boards until my eyes bleed. Both lines sound great!

Oceania have no formal night but are a bit larger than Windstar

sailing vessel is totally different experience than a cruise ship

so that would be a personal preferance

I have found Oceania do not have many port lectures just do your research ahead of time

I am sure either line would work for you

Enjoy whatever cruise you choose

love WINDSTAR but as mentioned they are small .... no formal nites but also no lectures IME, tiny pool, tiny casino, no balcony rooms, no entertainment to speak of ... but good food and we always met people we enjoyed being with

Never sailed Oceana so you might say I'm not qualified to comment

given the two you are looking at, have you looked at VIKING OCEAN ??? It is bigger but very nice from what I've read ......

Windstar is as close you'll get to Sea Cloud for this trip I suspect!

I have been looking at Viking Ocean as well. I thoroughly enjoyed the Viking river cruise I took. It's sure worth taking another look at them while I'm in the "thinking about it" stage.

The Sea Cloud II actually does have itineraries in that area. Just, I could go to Antarctica for that kind of money. She sure is a beautiful ship, though!

On Windstar, there will be a talk in the lounge, that discusses the next day’s port.

Just, I could go to Antarctica for that kind of money.[/color]]

And Antarctica is well worth it.

Antarctica is on my list - for my 50th birthday. Probably on Hurtigruten's Fram, so the cost isn't quite so prohibitive. The full deal - peninsula, S. Georgia Island, and The Falklands.

But that will be in 2020.

You will love it!

Of the lines you listed, I would choose in this order - Viking Ocean, Windstar, Oceania. I’ve cruised all 3. Loved Viking Ocean and really liked Windstar. My Oceania experiences haven’t been all that great.

Thanks, everybody, for your input. I really appreciate it!

I think it'll be Windstar on this trip.