X vs Oceania

[sealover155]

We too have looked at Oceania but the few or no sea days on the itineraries we checked is a deal breaker for us. The lure of those relaxing, dreamy port-free days are one of the reasons we cruise.

 

In addition, the tiny staterooms and bathrooms on the original 3 ships are a concern. Somehow we find nice meals on all of our X cruises. Buying premium non-alcoholic packages solves the issue of free sodas/water etc. offered by O.

[rebeccalouiseagain]

One thing I want to point out that may apply to alot of people considering Oceania. It is really not wheelchair friendly. First, there are heavy doors that do not have automatic hinges and were hard for me to open- these were by the library and specialty restaurants. I notice that there are fire doors in the hallways and there is a little threshold that you have to cross from the hallway to the elevators. I noticed this because I thought of my grandmother and made a mental note that Oceania would not have worked for her.

 

Also for anyone that gets motion sick- this is not the line for you. I felt motion and I am not prone to seasickness. It made it difficult to walk in heels most nights.

[Wineart]

Have cruised multiple times with all 3 lines (Oceania, Azamara, and Celebrity). Celebrity is very different from Oceania & Azamara. Other posters have detailed the differences extensively, so I'll just comment that there are many different cruiselines, and the trick is to figure out what's important to you and to match that to the cruiseline as well as the individual ship within the cruiseline. If nightlife is important or if you're travelling with children, Oceania & Azamara are not the best choices. Oceania & Azamara have the edge in food, but I was on a Solstice cruise in January and thought that Blu and the specialty restaurants matched O & A.

[SusieV]

It sounds like Oceania will not be a good fit for us. We don't plan to bring our son on future cruises because we like to have a romantic trip and it's hard to do that being Mommy and Daddy all day long!

 

But even aside from that; we love formal night, we love fixed dining, and we spend most of our time in the casino. If it's quiet there, it doesn't sound like it would be much fun.

 

We would save money on specialty dining but I think the premium to move up to Oceania would eat that up and then some. We just wanted to get better food but it sounds like a lot of negatives come with it. Azamara doesn't interest us because we knew about the country club casual and open seating- didn't realize Oceania was the same. I thought the luxury lines were more formal than the mainstream ones.

 

Thanks for all the info, everyone!

[Cruise Junky]

But even aside from that; we love formal night, we love fixed dining, and we spend most of our time in the casino. If it's quiet there, it doesn't sound like it would be much fun.

 

I thought the luxury lines were more formal than the mainstream ones.

 

Thanks for all the info, everyone!

 

With the exception of Cunard and Crystal most are now Country Club Casual every night or Formal Optional evenings.

[SusieV]

With the exception of Cunard and Crystal most are now Country Club Casual every night or Formal Optional evenings.

 

That is disappointing. One of our favourite aspects of cruising is walking around dressed to the nines and seeing everyone else dressed the same. Plus, my husband looks like James Bond in the casino :D

[kelmac]

That is disappointing. One of our favourite aspects of cruising is walking around dressed to the nines and seeing everyone else dressed the same. Plus, my husband looks like James Bond in the casino :D

 

Susie,

 

Check out a Cunard cruise. We did a 15 night cruise on the QM 2 during the holidays and it was very nice. Five formal nights; four informal nights; and six casual evenings. The MDR food was as good as Celebrity and there are some real interesting things going on (ie -- the Planetarium, lecturers...,).

Could be a nice match?

 

Enjoy!

Kel:)

[SusieV]

Susie,

 

Check out a Cunard cruise. We did a 15 night cruise on the QM 2 during the holidays and it was very nice. Five formal nights; four informal nights; and six casual evenings. The MDR food was as good as Celebrity and there are some real interesting things going on (ie -- the Planetarium, lecturers...,).

Could be a nice match?

 

Enjoy!

Kel:)

 

Thank you for the suggestion- I'll have to check them out! Five formal nights sounds awesome. And I need some new clothes/dresses anyway now that my clothes are all too big for me!