Oceania- NEVER AGAIN !!!

[pacheco18]

Seems to me the OP did not do her homework before she chose to cruise on O. Many of her "disappointments" could have been avoided had she been on these boards and found out about the cruise line. Obviously, O is not the right cruise line for her -- more staterooms for the rest of us!

[sailfar]

Try it all out and we think you will come to the conclusion we have: the food and service is top notch. Oceania is a small ship and doesn't offer the glitz of larger ships, but there are still great entertainers, ship events, and shore excursions. You get at least 4 speciality restaurant reservations if you are A3 or higher. It is also not an extra cost and you can get last minute reservations most nights.

 

We did three long Oceania cruises last year, so we have experience.

 

You get what you want in cruising. Just identify your cruising style and decide based on your needs. You are the captain.

You too, could post a positive cruise review as the person in charge of your destiny.

[Sue_n_Allan]

I appreciate OP’s post and frankly it has me a bit worried. Glad to read Andee and Friscoray’s replies, they are reassuring. DOJO466 makes several good points. OP’s comment regarding first posters should be noticed by all veterans. We all start somewhere, and if you do not encourage respectful comments this will soon become in inbred, self-congratulatory Board.

 

OP raises several concerns. Some are appropriate, other seem more related to taste and perceptions. The legitimate ones should be treated seriously. Oceania will respond to constructive criticisms and concerted efforts if they are to change standard operating procedures. If questions are not raised, nothing changes.

 

We are looking forward to our first Oceania cruise next May, and we hope these issues will be reviewed. I look forward to reading insightful replies to OP’s “facts.”

[Paulchili]

I appreciate OP’s post and frankly it has me a bit worried. .

We are looking forward to our first Oceania cruise next May, and we hope these issues will be reviewed. I look forward to reading insightful replies to OP’s “facts.”

 

 

I would not worry too much if I were you. Odds are very much in favor of you enjoying your first Oceania cruise, as just about everyone else does (and becomes addicted). Great majority of us had very difference experiences while cruising with Oceania from OP's.

I would love to hear your opinion after your first cruise - please post it.

Bon voyage!

[cruisingallthe time]

Hi All--

 

It's clear that many disagree with the things we found on Oceania; however, what we found is what we found. These are "our" opinions and findings and it certainly doesn't mean you all have to find the same things being important or unimportant to each one. While many of you don't care about the internet charges, there are many travellers that do need to stay in touch with their offices or ill family members and as such the internet IS a factor. It's not fun to spend $500 to use the internet on a ship. As for the laundry, obviously the $2 per machine is nothing. The point wasn't the amount of the charge, it was that a premiere cruise line really shouldn't be charging for something as insignificant as this. Use of the laundry machines should simply be an onboard amenity as it is with Crystal, for example.

 

Finally, and again- many of you may not "care" about entertainment, but then again there are many cruisers who DO enjoy a quality professional show after dinner such as a professional singer, or other form of entertainment, rather than a cruise staff member singing a few songs or playing trivia every single night.

 

One poster couldn't understand my complaint about the speciality restaurants being half empty while the dining room was jam packed and noisy. Let me explain. My point wasn't that the specialty restaurants were too quiet (hopefully you understood that). My point was that they will not make an effort to accomodate more people who want to eat in them and hold to their restrictions and allowance of "x" times per cabin per cruise. Why do they only take 40 people out of 100 seats for their 6:30 seating ? Is it possibly because the food in those restaurants (lobster, filet mignon, shrimp cocktails, etc) is more expensive than the pre-prepared plates in the main dining room ?

 

As I wrote earlier "there are different horses for different courses". No use beating this up any further. We have all been on many, many cruises and unfortunately we were simply very disappointed in this one for all the reasons stated. Nothing more- nothing less.

[pacmom]

Look what pops up when you have been gone for a month. Will only address the laundry issue. Princess also charges on their ships of the same size--same amount, but you need quarters. Have also been on Silversea and yes the laundry was "free", but evidently built in to the cost of the cruise. Happy sailing, looking forward to the Marina next August. Pat

[Wineart]

Sounds to me like this shows how important it is to do your own homework. I use travel agents to do bookings for me, but do my own research first. I would never book any trip relying solely on a TA recommendation. There are major differences between the various cruiselines, so it's important to identify what's important to you and find the lines that are the best fit.

[lgcochran]

The speciality restaurants have reservations available at 6:30, 7:00, 7:30 and 8:00 for tables of 2,4 and more. If 100 seats were filled at 6:30, it would preclude accomodating guests who would like 7:00 or 7:30 reservations. It's a matter of managing the restaurant to provide top quality food and service. Oceania also does not charge extra for using these restaurants. We also found them very accomodating if you were flexible and asked for an additional reservation later in the cruise.

[orchestrapal]

Sounds to me like this shows how important it is to do your own homework. I use travel agents to do bookings for me, but do my own research first. I would never book any trip relying solely on a TA recommendation. There are major differences between the various cruiselines, so it's important to identify what's important to you and find the lines that are the best fit.

 

So very well said...Do your homework before :( you book!

[caribbeansun]

I think it's fair to comment on the specifics of the OP minus the excess verbiage.

 

IMO a $2 charge relative to the cost of the cruise isn't something to get too worked up about.

 

1. laundry room, you will pay $2 for both the washer and $2 for the dryer.

 

Internet costs and issues are well documented here - no further comment necessary

 

2. Internet- 95 cents a minute and 70 cents a minute if you pay at least $140.

This is well documented in the O literature as well as here. In regards to refusing to allow passengers to go more than their allotted number of times - not true. Do I agree with the policy of limiting the visits - actually no I don't.

 

3. Specialty restaurants were a constant fight to get into. They refuse to allow passengers to eat of the two restaurants more than once for a regular cabin, and no more than twice in each for penthouses.

Again, some pre-planning and a bit of research would have solved this issue

 

4. No shuttle service

Again, well documented on this site - some like it, some don't but most seem to agree that it's not a highlight of the cruise. There is indeed entertainment beyond trivia and bingo - whether or not you like it is a personal issue

 

5. Entertainment- Absolutely none! If you consider trivia and bingo every single day as entertainment, then this line is for you. But if you want nightime professional shows , forget it.

Noisy - I've not found it any more or less noisy than other restaurants I've been to. Pre-fixed plate - this hasn't been my experience - I've custom ordered many, many times. I've found service on O, regardless of venue to be outstanding and one of the biggest differentiators about the line.

 

6. Main Dining Room-VERY noisy. You get a pre-fixed plate, the waiters don't get to know you and could care less about service

 

No comment - if you saw it, then you saw it. I haven't observed it but that doesn't mean you didn't

 

7. Hygiene

If you are asking them to do something different than a stated policy I fail to see how you can be critical of them for abiding by those policies. Your own failure to understand those policies is not a reflection on those providing the service.

8. We tried diligently to discuss these concerns with the General Manager. Their only answers are always "Im sorry sir but this is our policy".

No comment - I haven't personally bothered with the spa

 

9. Spa- No dry sauna- only a steam room.

Factually inaccurate - the casino is very small but they do offer a couple varieties of table poker ie. 3 card something or other as well as roulette. I must admit though I don't know why there would be an expectation of a large casino on such a small ship in the first place.

 

10. Casino- 4 BJ tables and some slots. Nothing else.

It's a ship store - did you really have an expectation that the pricing would be comparable to Wally World? And again, is it really worth worrying about the $7.51 for the polish remover you had to have before getting to the next port?

 

11. Shopping- a total of 2 tiny shops with nothing but over priced items in there. For example- How many women pay $8.50 for a small nail polish remover ? We bought it on shore for 99 cents.

 

 

In conclusion, you do have some valid points although the manner in which you chose to express them detracted from your message. A number of your issues are well documented on this site and have been discussed a number of times.

 

Some of your observations are factually inaccurate as you seem to have embellished in an effort to make your point more forceful.

 

Complaining that a company won't break their published policies is a non-starter.

 

Now that you've found CC I suspect you'll do a bit more research beforehand going forward in order to be aware of possible shortcomings vs. your expectations or at least use this site to adjust your expectations so that they are more in line with what your experience will be.

 

 

 

[JimandStan]

Hi All--

 

It's clear that many disagree with the things we found on Oceania; however, what we found is what we found. These are "our" opinions and findings and it certainly doesn't mean you all have to find the same things being important or unimportant to each one. While many of you don't care about the Internet charges, there are many travelers that do need to stay in touch with their offices or ill family members and as such the Internet IS a factor. It's not fun to spend $500 to use the Internet on a ship. As for the laundry, obviously the $2 per machine is nothing. The point wasn't the amount of the charge, it was that a premiere cruise line really shouldn't be charging for something as insignificant as this. Use of the laundry machines should simply be an onboard amenity as it is with Crystal, for example.

 

Finally, and again- many of you may not "care" about entertainment, but then again there are many cruisers who DO enjoy a quality professional show after dinner such as a professional singer, or other form of entertainment, rather than a cruise staff member singing a few songs or playing trivia every single night.

 

One poster couldn't understand my complaint about the specialty restaurants being half empty while the dining room was jam packed and noisy. Let me explain. My point wasn't that the specialty restaurants were too quiet (hopefully you understood that). My point was that they will not make an effort to accommodate more people who want to eat in them and hold to their restrictions and allowance of "x" times per cabin per cruise. Why do they only take 40 people out of 100 seats for their 6:30 seating ? Is it possibly because the food in those restaurants (lobster, fillet mignon, shrimp cocktails, etc) is more expensive than the pre-prepared plates in the main dining room ?

 

As I wrote earlier "there are different horses for different courses". No use beating this up any further. We have all been on many, many cruises and unfortunately we were simply very disappointed in this one for all the reasons stated. Nothing more- nothing less.

 

 

I've read the original post several times and this comes across to me as a budget/value discussion more than anything else.

 

While it is completely possible to run a cruise line to the exacting standards that Cruisingallthe time expects, the fares would be more in line with Seabourn, Silversea or Regent, not with those of Oceania.

 

In a way, the giant success of the Oceania brand is biting itself in the foot in this area. The reviews have been so positive that people who are moving up from the mass market lines sometimes think that Oceania might magically be able to provide an Ultra Premium experience without those pesky ultra premium costs.

 

This is not the case. Where Oceania has the other guys beaten is not in their providing all things to all people, but in their finding the right compromises when it comes to ambience, service and food.

 

I'm sorry if you were disappointed, Cruisingallthe time, but dissecting the Oceania experience into which components added value for you and which didn't, is unrealistic.

[MightyQuinn]

<snip>.....The reviews have been so positive that people who are moving up from the mass market lines .....<snip>

And the reviews have been so positive that people are also moving DOWN from the luxury lines to Oceania!

[Marebear]

Perhaps the OP should get a new TA who will explain all of the facets of the various cruise lines so that they might make the right choice for them.

 

We love the Oceania Cruises especially for the relaxed clothing atmosphere, the dining schedule and the quiet entertainment at night. We have always had a PH and sometimes we have been able to get extra reservations in the speciality reataurants and other times not. But we have always had a good experience! Also I have never done our laundry = we send it to the ship to do and they do a superb job! My husband is hard of hearing - he doesn't like to wear his hearing aids - and he hears perfectly well in the dining rooms.

[frqttrvlr09]

My comments are similar to DOJO4036. Any cruiser is entitled to post their opinions on Cruise Critic, and as has been noted, come of the original poster's experiences and/or observations have been voiced by others on this site; in fact, if you look at the "Princess v. Oceania" or "Oceania v Regatta" threads you will see some similar comments. While it is perhaps pointless to write this considering the poster is NEVER AGAIN going on Oceania, and she/they are certainly entitled to NOT DO SO, I would like to register my comments for what it is worth.

 

It really comes down to what matters to you and what your expectations are for a cruise. I asked my TA a lot of questions, and read about Oceania on Cruise Critic and other travel publications, and so was fairly well informed about the line before I went on my first Oceania cruise(s) last fall.

 

The laundry issue is not new, this is just a different twist. But laundry problems aren't unique to Oceania; they exist on Regent and other lines as well. I would like to be able to "earn" free laundry service, as you can on Princess, after a number of cruises, but on Oceania you don't, and I don't need to deal with the aggravation of needing change or waiting in line, so I just don't let it affect my trip. I launder some stuff in my bathroom, tiny (my pet peeve) though it may be, and send the rest out. My experience with the main dining room has been different. I found the wait staff in the main dining room quite accommodating, actually, and did request and receive changes to what was on the menu. I was shocked by the cost of the services and the products in the spa in general, but was not with those in the gift shop, as their are to be expected. If I really needed some items then I would go to a store in port. Generally I tried to anticipate what I would need along the lines of e.g. nail polish remover, and bring it with me. I did run out of memory cards, and forgot an umbrella, and those were pricey or lacking, so I either sucked it up and paid or got them in a port. Except for the newer huge ships with the on board shopping malls, I have not been on a cruise ship yet that had great shopping or cheap necessaries, but then I know that in advance, and also, that's not why I am on a ship. If I want to shop, I can do so on shore.

 

The internet on board Oceania is pricey, and slow, but as has been oft repeated, WE ARE ON A SHIP IN THE OCEAN. I was aware of the cost in advance, and so planned accordingly, bringing along my Blackberry and getting an overseas plan. Some ports had internet cafes literally as soon as you got off the ship, for those that truly were addicted or didn't want to pay the cost, but also for the crew. I was on vacation and decided I didn't want to spend my time or money on the internet except to occasionally keep in touch. I received newspapers on my Kindle and together with the on board daily newsletter, kept abreast of events that way. Again, on Regent, I had free internet after so many days at sea, and I know that is also true on other lines. That would be a real nice beney for Oceania, but as of now, it's not the case.

 

The specialty restaurants do limit the number of times you can eat there. That did aggravate me, and it also annoyed me that often the restaurants were not full. However, I understand the reasoning. I learned people often do not show up; are frequently late; and that seatings are spaced to accommodate the kitchen and the servers. Unlike many other lines, the speciality restaurants on Oceania do not have an extra charge. I also began to join others, and, booked in advance. While I would have happily eaten ever dinner at Toscana, I knew that was not going to be possible.

 

One of the reasons I chose Oceania (and also Regent), as opposed to other lines I have been on or are available, is because of the lack of fixed seating times. I like the flexibility. Only once was a table not available when I went, and the wait was short. I also asked to be seated, whenever possible, in the same area at the same table, and that way I did get to know the servers. But also, in the course of the trip, the dining room is small enough that they all remember and get to know you anyway.

 

The entertainment was not the best, so I generally chose not to go. There were other things to do if I wanted to, but also movies to rent or view on TV; I also brought DVDs of my own, and anyway, most ships' entertainment is not that high quality, so my expectations weren't high.

 

So now I am about to take 3 BTB cruises on Oceania beginning this fall, on the newly refurbished Nautica, and I am very excited. Yes, I wish the bathrooms were larger, that there was a walk in closet, and that I could get hot breakfasts in my veranda room, but as Oceania says in its literature and others have commented, Oceania ships are like being with a family, and it is one I miss. That is not to say I won't travel on other lines in the future, if I want a particular itinerary or cost is an issue, but I know what I will be missing.

[frqttrvlr09]

I neglected to address the shuttle bus issue. This is not unique to Oceania, but I agree that shuttles in ports would be helpful. Taxis are not always available, and//or are not near the ship; the ship sometime docks far from a town;and often the taxis aren't willing to take you into town but rather, only on a long tour.

[Friscorays]

I neglected to address the shuttle bus issue. This is not unique to Oceania, but I agree that shuttles in ports would be helpful. Taxis are not always available, and//or are not near the ship; the ship sometime docks far from a town;and often the taxis aren't willing to take you into town but rather, only on a long tour.

 

....this comes across to me as a budget/value discussion more than anything else.

 

....The reviews have been so positive that people who are moving up from the mass market lines sometimes think that Oceania might magically be able to provide an Ultra Premium experience without those pesky ultra premium costs.

 

This is not the case. Where Oceania has the other guys beaten is not in their providing all things to all people, but in their finding the right compromises when it comes to ambience, service and food....

 

As JimandStan point out, shuttle service would not come for free. I would rather have the option of making my own arrangements than pay a higher fare for something that I may very well not make use of.

[wripro]

I have always been an advocate for anyone posting whatever he/she feels about a cruise without retribution from the other CC members. There are far too many partisans on each cruise line board who will not tolerate any negative posting. In this case I see several valid points but I think most of the disappointments come from lack of research and knowledge of what Oceania supplies to its passengers.

 

Yes, reservations are limited in specialty restaurants. For a reason....they are complimentary. Would the OP prefer to pay $20 or $30 a meal? if so I'm sure it would be much easier to get in as often as one likes. Silversea charges $200 for a meal at Le Champagne with wines and guess what? You can get in any time you like.

 

Yes, shuttle buses would be nice but would add to the price of the cruise. If I had to choose I'd rather keep the price lower and take a taxi.

 

Entertainment is a subjective issue but Oceania is known for not having production shows. The OP's travel agent should have informed him of this and he wouldn't have been so disappointed.

 

As for laundry only the true luxury lines offer free laundry rooms. Again, this should have been known about in advance. And it's such a small thing imo. AS for internet I agree that O overcharges. Even on Seabourn the rates are much lower for packages. Hey, it's a business!!!!

[brian_uk]

I do not agree with what you have to say, but I'll defend to the death your right to say it.

Voltaire

 

I may not agree with a load of what the OP said but I agree with Voltaire.

 

and to add a second quote

 

"Frankly, my dear, I don't give a damn" a line from the 1939 film Gone with the Wind starring Clark Gable and Vivien Leigh.

 

They are more than welcome to say what they like and as usual the " DEFENDERS " jump in and ridicule everything line by line..........

 

Brian

[potterhill]

We have cruised three times, all on "O" and have two more booked. We liked it so much that we are afraid to try another line.....well, not really, but....

 

I never thought twice about the cost of the laundry. The only place I've ever had free laundry is at home, and even there it is not free. On our next cruise I intend to pack fairly light and will either do it in the room ( have done this before, and then used the irons.....no line-ups there!) or send it out. This will be factored in as the cost of not dealing with large and heavy bags.

 

We have always eaten upstairs more than our allotted two times and we usually have an inside cabin. One evening we wanted to dine there with friends and they kept us posted all day long and finally got the four os us in as part of a larger group. Can't ask for more than that.

 

We have always had good food/service in the Grand Dining Room with the exception of one evening on our last cruise. They cooked my friend's steak three times and still didn't get it right. She wanted it well done and all three times it was medium rare. Unacceptable. After the third time she gave up on dinner. While you can debate the merits of a well done steak, the fact remains that that was the way she wanted it. On the other hand we have changed meals and they were quite obliging.

 

We have had some great entertainment, and some not so great. We actually enjoy dinner more than the entertainment and often prefer to linger over dinner than to rush and eat early in order to get to the show. In fact, on our last cruise I never went to the entertainment once. Yes I know you can rush to dinner at 6:30 and then rush to the entertainment but we are there for relaxation and prefer to dine a little later.

 

Shuttle buses would be nice but then I hate lines.....and waiting...We just usually do our own thing, whatever that turns out to be.

 

We have always boarded early, and the only lines we have encountered were at and after the Captain's reception, the life boat drill and disembarking in Miami. THAT was bad! At no other time have we encountered lineups/cattle herding.

 

When you consider that I spent my first five days on a cruiseship telling everyone I met that it was my first and last cruise, that's quite a turnaround! I found it took a while to get the cruise mentality. Do I want to cruise for all my vacations? Absolutely not! After all, most of the world is inland, not on the seacoast.

 

I do think Oceania has problems with customer service when one has to deal with head office. Fortunately we have never had to, but they have been quite unresponsive to friends of ours.

 

I am not trying to defend Oceania, just tell my/our experience. I do laugh at those for whom O can do no wrong. They are not perfect, but for now they make us happy. Can't wait to see the changes Marina brings and to have breakfast outside on the terrace....

 

Mo

[DOJO466]

I do not agree with what you have to say, but I'll defend to the death your right to say it.

Voltaire

 

I may not agree with a load of what the OP said but I agree with Voltaire.

 

and to add a second quote

 

"Frankly, my dear, I don't give a damn" a line from the 1939 film Gone with the Wind starring Clark Gable and Vivien Leigh.

 

They are more than welcome to say what they like and as usual the " DEFENDERS " jump in and ridicule everything line by line..........

 

Brian

Gee, and I alwys thought it was "frankly scallop, I could give a clam":D

[happy cruzer]

The following is a statement of our opinion of the Oceania Cruise we just took. Others may feel differently; but this is what we observed and our opnion of the cruise we just took. We have been on many, many cruises (over 60) with various cruise lines. We just took our first on Oceania Regatta and it was BY FAR the worst cruise we ever took. The ports were fine, but the ship was not. Whether you stay in an inside cabin, or a penthouse, we were treated like cattle. To keep this brief, I will use points :

 

1. If you want to use the laundry room, you will pay $2 for both the washer and $2 for the dryer. I don't know of any other "premiere" cruise lines that charge for this.

 

2. Internet- try 95 cents a minute and 70 cents a minute if you pay at least $140. This is double the other cruise lines we have been on.

 

3. Specialty restaurants were a constant fight to get into. Each one seats 100 people but in spite of seating room for 100 they will only take 40 for 6:30, and then 20 for 7:30, 8:00 and 8:30. In other words, more than half the seating in each specialty restaurant is always empty. They refuse to allow passengers to eat of the two restaurants more than once for a regular cabin, and no more than twice in each for penthouses. Isn't this ridiculous ?

 

4. No shuttle service in ANY ports we visited provided by Oceania. Most other cruise lines always provide the short bus ride shuttle into the towns complimentary. Oceania - none. They dumped the passengers at these strange ports and then you're on your own.

 

5. Entertainment- Absolutely none- zero ! If you consider trivia and bingo every single day as entertainment, then this line is for you. But if you want nightime professional shows , forget it. They take a girl from the cruise staff, stick a black dress on her and she is the "star of the show".

 

6. Main Dining Room- packed in like sardines. VERY noisy. Food is totally inflexible. You get a pre-fixed plate exactly as you would at any caffeteria. And because you don't have assigned tables, the waiters don't get to know you and could care less about service since the tips are automatically added onto your account anyway- and they all know it. How is 2 hours for scrambled eggs and toast ?

 

7. Hygiene- In the upstairs buffet, they have a guy making pizza. Not once, but TWICE we found him preparing pizza without wearing gloves and on one occassion actually sneezed into his hands and wiped it on his sleeve. Sound tempting ?

 

8. We tried diligently to discuss these concerns with the General Manager (he's actually the hotel manager but calls himself the GM) , and the restaurant manager-- all to no avail. We'd may as well have been speaking to Donald Duck. Their only answers are always "Im sorry sir but this is our policy". I can't tell you how many times we heard that same line during this cruise.

 

9. Spa- No dry sauna- only a steam room.

 

10. Casino- 4 BJ tables and some slots. Nothing else.

 

11. Shopping- a total of 2 tiny shops with nothing but over priced items in there. For example- How many women pay $8.50 for a small nail polish remover ? We bought it on shore for 99 cents.

 

The bottom line is this : If you like halibut soup for lunch, a dining room so noisy that you have to yell at each other, zero professional entertainment, and paying double or extra for absolutely everything-- even to use a clothes dryer- than this is the cruise line for you. But if you're looking for first rate food, entertainment, and a premiere cruise line that takes care of their passengers as we were, you may want to reconsider.

 

1. You expected laundry to be free. Perhaps that is a reasonable expectation?? maybe not?? Laundry has been discussed many times as in that the machines are never available without a long wait, which may be why a cost is added? Who knows but your observations is well take for new to O folks.

 

2. Internet is expensive and slow. It happens on alot of ships. You did not expect this either. Your observation is accurate.

 

3. How did you get the details on number of people allowed in each seating? It seems like the hotel manager must have given you info. I can see how you might not like that when current marketing lists the restaurants as open seating. If no one such as you TA told you expect that there was a good chance that you would only get your alloted reservations that are discribed on the website only, then your expectations would have been falsely set.

 

4. You expected shuttles, not sure why?? But you are accurate.

 

5. Are you saying that there was not enrichment lectures, computer classes, crafts classes, etc. on your cruise??? Was there not a professinal classical musician on your cruise? Ususally these are all available.

 

6. Many have noted that the main dining room can be noisy and inflexible regarding special requests. It can be a negative but normally functions better most of the time.

 

7. Nothing is perfect. Only reporting the observation gets it stopped.

 

8. Well, if that is what happened and how you left feeling, I certainly understand your views on O.

 

9. etc. are part of being on a smaller, older ship.

 

I think the responces that you are recievin from O fans is in two categories. One they did not have your experience or two they don'tcare about the things that you do. But I hazard that noone can deny your experience and how you felt about it.

 

I do think that O does not match what you enjoy. And may not match alot of experienced cruisers preferance and it is a service to let people know what to expect.

 

Thanks for posting and taking alot of heat.

[lunarella]

We have sailed on Oceania twice and have a very different view! We also diesmbarked the Regatta, on June 30th, so this information is current.

 

1. If you want to use the laundry room, you will pay $2 for both the washer and $2 for the dryer. I don't know of any other "premiere" cruise lines that charge for this.

After paying $$$$$'s for a cruise I have trouble understanding complaints about a $2 fee for the washer (includes soap!) and $2 for the dryer. Really now....

 

2. Internet- try 95 cents a minute and 70 cents a minute if you pay at least $140. This is double the other cruise lines we have been on.

We used Oceania's $2 per email received or sent policy and, when necessary, accessed WiFi in ports. We are still working and needed to keep in touch. Wasn't a problem for us.

 

3. Specialty restaurants were a constant fight to get into. Each one seats 100 people but in spite of seating room for 100 they will only take 40 for 6:30, and then 20 for 7:30, 8:00 and 8:30. In other words, more than half the seating in each specialty restaurant is always empty. They refuse to allow passengers to eat of the two restaurants more than once for a regular cabin, and no more than twice in each for penthouses. Isn't this ridiculous ?

Specialty restaurants are FREE on Oceania unlike other ships that charge a fee. Those who pay for a more expensive cabin get two extra reservations. They don't refuse to allow extra seatings for the other cabins, rather you need to ask, politely, in the morning, to see if there is space available. We got extra reservations on our June cruise, one in each restaurant. And we were on the 4th deck.

 

4. No shuttle service in ANY ports we visited provided by Oceania. Most other cruise lines always provide the short bus ride shuttle into the towns complimentary. Oceania - none. They dumped the passengers at these strange ports and then you're on your own.

Dumped at the strange ports.

They have someone on the 4th deck handing out maps and information, the ports on the Scandinavian Splendor cruise were usually right in town so no transportation worries for us. I wouldn't mind some Oceania transportation sometimes, but not if they increase the fare to pay for it.

 

5. Entertainment- Absolutely none- zero ! If you consider trivia and bingo every single day as entertainment, then this line is for you. But if you want nightime professional shows , forget it. They take a girl from the cruise staff, stick a black dress on her and she is the "star of the show".

Cabaret acts are what they advertise and what they deliver. If you want big time entertainment you probably need to go on a big ship.

 

6. Main Dining Room- packed in like sardines. VERY noisy. Food is totally inflexible. You get a pre-fixed plate exactly as you would at any caffeteria. And because you don't have assigned tables, the waiters don't get to know you and could care less about service since the tips are automatically added onto your account anyway- and they all know it. How is 2 hours for scrambled eggs and toast ?

If you are talking about the Grand Dining Room, wow, after two 14 day cruise on Oceania I can say that our experience has always been very different than that. You can ask to be seated in a particular area or with a particular waiter if you wish. The Grand has a new comprehensive menu every night of the cruise, and we have always had great service--we bought something extra in port for the waiter we had most often this time because he was so wonderful to us. We have never had problems talking with people at our table or, when we sat in deuces, with the people to our left or right. And we love the open seating policy and would never want to sail on a cruiseline with assigned seating or seating times. Sometimes we meet friends for dinner, sometimes not. Sometimes we meet new people at a large table, sometimes we eat alone at a deuce. We eat whenever we want to eat. It couldn't be better in my view.

 

7. Hygiene- In the upstairs buffet, they have a guy making pizza. Not once, but TWICE we found him preparing pizza without wearing gloves and on one occassion actually sneezed into his hands and wiped it on his sleeve. Sound tempting ?

Never saw that after two Oceania cruises but I suppose there could be a lemon on any ship. Oceania has never had a Noro Virus outbreak, though, so the general hygiene must be quite good.

 

8. We tried diligently to discuss these concerns with the General Manager (he's actually the hotel manager but calls himself the GM) , and the restaurant manager-- all to no avail. We'd may as well have been speaking to Donald Duck. Their only answers are always "Im sorry sir but this is our policy". I can't tell you how many times we heard that same line during this cruise.

Why didn't you research the cruise line before you sailed? Their policies are clearly stated and these policies are what those of us who sail on Oceania like.

 

9. Spa- No dry sauna- only a steam room.

We have never used the Canyon Ranch Spa onboard so cannot comment.

 

10. Casino- 4 BJ tables and some slots. Nothing else.

Once again, if a cruiser wants to do a bit of gambling, wouldn't he pick another cruiseline. Oceania does not purport to have a big casino with craps or whatever. I would prefer that there was NO casino myself as I don't use it at all.

[yorkiemomjn]

Hi All--

 

It's clear that many disagree with the things we found on Oceania; however, what we found is what we found. These are "our" opinions and findings and it certainly doesn't mean you all have to find the same things being important or unimportant to each one. While many of you don't care about the internet charges, there are many travellers that do need to stay in touch with their offices or ill family members and as such the internet IS a factor. It's not fun to spend $500 to use the internet on a ship. As for the laundry, obviously the $2 per machine is nothing. The point wasn't the amount of the charge, it was that a premiere cruise line really shouldn't be charging for something as insignificant as this. Use of the laundry machines should simply be an onboard amenity as it is with Crystal, for example.

 

Finally, and again- many of you may not "care" about entertainment, but then again there are many cruisers who DO enjoy a quality professional show after dinner such as a professional singer, or other form of entertainment, rather than a cruise staff member singing a few songs or playing trivia every single night.

 

One poster couldn't understand my complaint about the speciality restaurants being half empty while the dining room was jam packed and noisy. Let me explain. My point wasn't that the specialty restaurants were too quiet (hopefully you understood that). My point was that they will not make an effort to accomodate more people who want to eat in them and hold to their restrictions and allowance of "x" times per cabin per cruise. Why do they only take 40 people out of 100 seats for their 6:30 seating ? Is it possibly because the food in those restaurants (lobster, filet mignon, shrimp cocktails, etc) is more expensive than the pre-prepared plates in the main dining room ?

 

As I wrote earlier "there are different horses for different courses". No use beating this up any further. We have all been on many, many cruises and unfortunately we were simply very disappointed in this one for all the reasons stated. Nothing more- nothing less.

 

Sounds like you just need to go back to Crystal with their free washing machines, inexpensive internet charges, formal nights, celebrity entertainers and leave O for the rest of us. Oh, BTW, our first night, we went to make some changes to our reservations in the speciality restaurants (2 nights in each), and they told us they had openings in Polo that night and so we actually had 3 nights in the Polo..........

I feel like Friscorays, I really can't believe that we are talking about the same cruise line............................... Our experiences were so completely opposite!!! :confused:

[gillianrose]

If you want to use the laundry room, you will pay $2 for both the washer and $2 for the dryer. I don't know of any other "premiere" cruise lines that charge for this.

After paying $$$$$'s for a cruise I have trouble understanding complaints about a $2 fee for the washer (includes soap!) and $2 for the dryer. Really now....

 

Oceania's closest competitor, Azamara Club Cruises, now includes complimentary, unlimited use of the laundry room(s) onboard, according to Larry Pimental, President & CEO. He did a Q&A on Cruise Critic this past February.

 

Crystal Cruises offers the same free laundry, has many laundry rooms onboard, but then Crystal is a luxury cruise line, not "deluxe" or "premier".

[SeaCCruiser]

there are limited laundry facilities on-board. The nominal charge might discourage overuse (which is human nature when things are free) and thus increase machine availability

 

I agree