Oceania vs Princess "Little Sisters"

[AJs Grandpa]

We are Platinum Princess cruisers and have been very satisfied with the product, value, etc. We have only been on the large ships and are thinking of "going smaller." Viewing the Oceania website tells me some of the obvious differences, e.g., no traditional dining and no formal nights. While not deal-breakers, we like those Princess features and would consider those to be "cons" of switching to Oceania.

 

That said, what do those of you who have sailed both lines consider to be the "pros" of Oceania vs. the Princess small ships?

 

Also, I expect Oceania would be more expensive for roughly similar itineraries. True? If so, what is an estimate...10%? 20%? 30? Other???

 

I welcome all opinions.

[LHT28]

While we have not sailed on Princess's small ships the cons for us would be formal nights, set dining, charges for the specialty restaurants, extra fees for cappuccino (need my daily hit), bottled water & sodas, smoking policy.

On the larger princess ship the constant announcements were annoying.

 

As for price you would have to compare the bottom line of the same itinerary just remember the pricing on O includes airfare so you need to find out how much it is without the air

 

Everyone has different wants/needs to enjoy their cruise you just need to decide what works best for you ;)

 

Lyn

[gnld]

Our personal taste is we greatly prefer "anytime dining" on Oceania (and Azamara -- same ships) to fixed early/late on the small Princess ships. This is based on being on the Royal Princess (Amazon cruise) and twice each on Oceania and Azamara -- and we're on Oceania again in March. With fixed dining, we found long lines in the evening for people waiting for dinner and waiting for the shows. You don't get this on O and A. Alternate dining venues always busy on O and A, but not Royal Princess -- I guess Princess people didn't want to pay the extra fare.

I talked with the future cruise sales rep and he said Princess does not plan to offer anytime dining on their small ships, even as an option (as they do on their large ships). So that's a show stopper for us.

We also found food quality and service better on O and A. We'll stick with Oceania and Azamara, even tho they are more expensive than the small Princess ships.

[aohkay]

You will find Oceania crusiers are VEY passionate about their cruiseline:)

Here is a good thread titled Oceania VS other lines and you will find many more if you do a search on the Oceania board. http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1309744

I have not been on a lot of cruises, but having been on one Oceania cruise, I will find it VERY difficult to go back to the mainsteam lines.

I love Oceania because of the:

• Excellent food
  
• Incomparable service
  
• Smoking policy
  
• Elegant decor
  
• Demographics of quests
  

[White Cat]

We have sailed Oceania multiple times as well as several cruises on the Ocean Princess, a comparable R ship. We found, as noted above, the food on Oceania to be much better. We also like Oceania's flexible dining and lack of formal nights. We prefer Oceania's upstairs dining venue, Horizons for breakfast and lunch and Tapas on the Terrace for dinner, to the Princess upstairs buffet.

 

We also have found service on both lines to be excellent.

 

That being said, we choose our cruises based on itinerary and would not hesitate to book a Princess cruise on a small ship if it offers ports we are seeking.

[SunDapple]

While we have not sailed on Princess's small ships the cons for us would be formal nights, set dining, charges for the specialty restaurants, extra fees for cappuccino (need my daily hit), bottled water & sodas, smoking policy.

On the larger princess ship the constant announcements were annoying.

Lyn

 

 

We've been on the Tahitian Princess twice, for the itinerary, and that's where we learned to love the small "R" ships. The smoking policy is the deal breaker for us. My hubby misses wearing his tux on the formal nights and I don't mind formals, we do them here at home too. The food and service on O are very much better, although I have to say that one of the best dining room waiters we ever had was on a Royal Caribbean cruise. Good service can be found on mass lines, but you're pretty much guaranteed you won't have to go looking for it on Oceania. They are superb in that arena.

 

We have also sailed with Azamara but to be fair it was only the 6th sailing as the Azamara Quest since it's acquisition, and everything on that sailing was spotty or out right missing. We've heard that they have since gotten their act together, but it's too late for us, unless the itinerary is amazing and can't be matched. Oceania is our first choice for many of the reasons Lyn has noted, especially those annoying announcements. :)

[AJs Grandpa]

Thanks everyone.

 

Looks like the key "pro" from our perspective would be the quality of food all of you cite.

 

I can see where Oceania service may have an edge if the outstanding service is universally found at every venue/meal. In our seven Princess cruises we've never had bad service from our steward or our waitstaff in traditional dining--almost always excellent/outstanding. Dining room service for lunch and breakfast has ranged from satisfactory to good, so there is room for improvement there.

 

As I posted earlier, the lack of formal nights and fixed dining are moderate "cons" for us.

 

I don't know about lots of irritating announcements--we haven't experienced more than one or two a day--maybe because we spend lots of time on our balcony with our traveling companions and not out on deck . (And believe me, I hate listening to a lot of happy talk or "salesy" announcements wheter it is on a cruise or at the local grocery store!:eek:)

 

Also, we are non-smokers but--except for rare occasions in the casino--have never been bothered by the smoking of others. It's just not a significant factor.

 

I'm trying to read between the lines on comments here and on a couple of other threads about the different demographic. Are posters generally referring to the relative lack of kids? Or, are they referring to "other." (I have a hunch what "other" may be. I don't want this thread to go off on a tangent that could get ugly and insulting, so just saying "other" will answer my question:rolleyes:)

 

Thanks again for the responses. I welcome more--especially as it refers to the demographic.

[gillianrose]

I welcome more--especially as it refers to the demographic.

 

The demographic?

 

The crew?

 

The passengers?

[AJs Grandpa]

Some posters assert the passenger demographic is better.

[LHT28]

 

I'm trying to read between the lines on comments here and on a couple of other threads about the different demographic. Are posters generally referring to the relative lack of kids? Or, are they referring to "other." (I have a hunch what "other" may be. I don't want this thread to go off on a tangent that could get ugly and insulting, so just saying "other" will answer my question:rolleyes:)

 

Thanks again for the responses. I welcome more--especially as it refers to the demographic.

 

You can dress formally if you wish it is just not required as on some other lines.

Not sure what "other" refers to :confused:

There are no childrens programs but occasionally there are children onboard but usually well behaved compared to the mass market ships we have been on

 

There are no longer photographers or art auctions on Oceania which is also an annoyance to us

 

You have to decide if Oceania would work for you.

 

Lyn

[AJs Grandpa]

[

You have to decide if Oceania would work for you.

 

Lyn

 

We have two Princess cruises booked now...one to the Caribbean in two weeks and one to the Med in May. We don't anticipate changing them, but we (DH, travelling companions and yours truly) are beginning to plan for 2012. That's why I am seeking facts and opinions re Oceania.

 

I really appreciate your time and input.

[gillianrose]

Some posters assert the passenger demographic is better.

 

What does "better" mean to you?

 

Close to your own age range (whatever that is)? If so, when you move from a larger Princess ship to a smaller ship (even Princess' smaller ships, if they are doing longer or more unusual itineraries), you are likely to encounter an older demographic. Neither age demographic is "better," but you may be more comfortable with one group versus the other.

[CintiPam]

The demographic on our June cruise was noticeably significantly younger and more diverse age-wise than those on our September and April/May cruises, with a fair sprinkling of three-generation families with teenagers and some couples in their 30's and 40's. The other two cruises the passengers were active people in their 60' and 70's for the most part and no children at all.

[Mura]

Grandpa, I'm not at all sure what you mean by the "other" comments. I went through this thread twice and found no such references, then saw that you were referring to different threads.

 

It is true that in general children are no on board oceania cruises, unless it is a school vacation cruise ... and it's also true that lots of us prefer a cruise without children (I include myself).

 

But if "other" goes further than that -- well, I don't think it does. If you are guessing at a kind of prejudice -- I don't think that flies.

 

As to your preferences for formal evenings -- you are still free to dress up if you wish! I've seen a number of passengers (even going back to Renaissance days) where some people dressed formally. It's just that many of us prefer not to have to pack the extra outfits, that's all. And I as a woman really appreciate not having to pack half a dozen pair of shoes to match various outfits!

 

I remain puzzled as to why Princess uses "R" ships that were intended for open seating but continues to have assigned seating on those ships. Especially when they have open seating on the larger ships. Why does Princess find it so impossible to do what the design of the smaller ships intended?

 

That's the main reason why I won't consider returning to Princess. (We sailed on Princess many years ago before we discovered the pleasures of "freestyle" dining to adopt NCL's phrase. And since smoking does bother us, we'll continue to stick with Oceania.)

 

I definitely would reconsider my position if Princess would use the main dining rooms as they were originally planned, and if the smoking policy were one that wouldn't bother me ... But as it is, I have a choice to use Oceania, Azamara, etc. And YOU have a choice to stick with Princess!

 

Regarding smoking: we have travelled in recent years on Cunard and NCL that had smoking policies that were more "liberal" than we like, but we were okay with them. However, if we have our druthers, the less smoking that is permitted, the better. I know, of course, that smokers will disagree! That is one good reason for appreciating that some lines are better for passengers than others ... if you smoke, avoid Oceania ... if you do, there are plenty of choices.

 

As I look at what I have written, I may have read more into your comments than is justified. If so, my apologies!

[gillianrose]

Wow, after reading the following thread by the OP (AJs Grandpa) in Princess, I wouldn't even think of suggesting Oceania or Azamara due to the importance to the poster of traditional, fixed dining:

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showpost.php?p=26875128&postcount=1

[LHT28]

We prefer Oceania's upstairs dining venue, Horizons for breakfast and lunch and Tapas on the Terrace for dinner, to the Princess upstairs buffet.

 

.

 

Just a quick correction to your post

Horizons do not serve Breakfast & Lunch the buffet restaurant is called Terrace Cafe

Just so new people do not go looking for meals in Horizons

Horizons do however have coffee & pastries until 11am & afternoon tea at 4 pm

[MightyQuinn]

That said, what do those of you who have sailed both lines consider to be the "pros" of Oceania vs. the Princess small ships?

Hi Grandpa! Here's a recent thread that discusses the "R" ships of Princess compared to Oceania. There are some interesting tidbits from those who have sailed both lines. Hope it helps with your comparison!

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1281710

[gillianrose]

ust so new people do not go looking for meals in Horizons. Horizons do however have coffee & pastries until 11am & afternoon tea at 4 pm

 

Does the afternoon tea include savories/sandwiches as well as sweets?

[gillianrose]

Hi Grandpa! Here's a recent thread that discusses the "R" ships of Princess compared to Oceania. There are some interesting tidbits from those who have sailed both lines. Hope it helps with your comparison!

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1281710

 

Thanks. Some very ugly photos there. Disgusting. :(

[LHT28]

Does the afternoon tea include savories/sandwiches as well as sweets?

They have little sandwiches, cakes, cookies, scones with clotted cream/jam, sometimes bananas foster

[gillianrose]

They have little sandwiches, cakes, cookies, scones with clotted cream/jam, sometimes bananas foster

 

Thank you. I'm glad they have something other than just sweets.

 

Is the Horizon Lounge where trivia is held, too?

[CintiPam]

Thank you. I'm glad they have something other than just sweets.

 

Is the Horizon Lounge where trivia is held, too?

 

On my three cruises, afternoon trivia was held in the Nautica/Regatta Lounge on Deck 5 fore, where the 9:30 PM show takes place. Afternoon tea lasted from 4 to 5 PM in Horizons aft and trivia started in the middle of that time (4:30 PM I believe), so a conflict between stomach and intellect!;)

 

Evening trivia was held in Martinis at 9 PM, and I personally enjoy it more because the crowd there is much less serious about the whole thing, probably because we are "well-watered" by then. Afternoon trivia, depending on the passengers, of course, can be very, very serious.

 

On my first cruise, I never was on board in late afternoon, so never played it; on my second, friends of ours met on cruisecritic were way too intense about it so after attending just one time, I never went again; on the last cruise, it was the perfect balance for me, and we had a lot of fun playing afternoon and evening depending on the weather!:)

[neepawa]

Trivia is usually held in the Lounge on Deck 5 Forward

 

Don

[umtali]

We have sailed on extended trans-ocean cruises on both Princess and Oceania. Give us Oceania anytime (though that would depend on itinerary). We found that the fixed dining on Princess very restrictive, not being able to mix 'n match as you meet and make friends during the cruise.

 

The practice of having a surcharge, and only having each open on alternate evenings for the alternative dining makes people reluctant to use these, thus making fixed dining a necessity on the Princess small ships. We did find that the buffet was an alternative to the fixed dining. Unfortunately, Toscana and Polo on Oceania are without peer within the cruising fraternity.

 

If smoking is a problem, forget Princess, you will find most of the smokers are crew on Deck 5 in particular, where the casino staff and boutique staff took their regular fix.

 

Service on Princess, overall, is not as good as you would receive on Oceania. Particularly from the British crew members.

[AJs Grandpa]

As I look at what I have written, I may have read more into your comments than is justified. If so, my apologies!

 

Yes, I you may have read more in than I meant, and I accept your apology.

 

I am not in the habit of asuming I know the feelings of folks--especially those who are only names in cyberspace. However, I have sometimes seen "unfortunate" threads on CC. (In fact, there is active one on another board right now disparaging an entire ethnic group based on the behavior of a few.) I was simply trying to avoid having this thread head into that direction by referring to "other."

 

I apologize for not being more clear and thank you for pointing out the erroneous message I may have conveyed.