Administrators Rare LauraS Posted February 9, 2012 Administrators #1 Share Posted February 9, 2012 Here's a link to my Marina review from the Fall; I apologize for the delay (lots of life issues going on upon my return). Once in a Lifetime? I Hope Not by LauraS Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paulchili Posted February 9, 2012 #2 Share Posted February 9, 2012 Here's a link to my Marina review from the Fall; I apologize for the delay (lots of life issues going on upon my return). Once in a Lifetime? I Hope Not by LauraS LauraS, Thank you for this comprehensive review. I am very much in agreement with your assessment of Marina,with a minor difference of opinion (I felt the storage space in the cabin was inadequate, as I don't hang most of my things). I like your comment about the chairs; in fact I stated in one of my posts that the large white leather chairs in the lobby reminded me of "Edith Ann" (Lilly Tomlin's character). Everybody loves the design and the food of the Marina. The interesting question would be how it compares to the R ships in your opinion (after you try one of them). Paul Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kimstew49 Posted February 10, 2012 #3 Share Posted February 10, 2012 Laura, Congrats on your 30th anniversary, I am celebrating mine this August. I really enjoyed your review of the Marina and am struggling with a tough decision between the Marina and Symphony. Did you consider any other ships before deciding on the Marina? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JimandStan Posted February 10, 2012 #4 Share Posted February 10, 2012 Wow, Laura, I guess that you liked the Marina! :D It is ages since I've read such a rave on Cruise Critic, and you should certainly know what you are talking about. It is not in my nature to say "I told you so",...... but.........., well............I DID! :rolleyes: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RetiredFL Posted February 10, 2012 #5 Share Posted February 10, 2012 Laura, We are both 6 foot and found the chairs uncomfortable. They seemed to have chosen looks over comfort. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rubysue Posted February 10, 2012 #6 Share Posted February 10, 2012 Hi, Laura - I believe you were on the cruise right before ours (did you end in Venice?). We embarked on Marina in Venice (to Istanbul) on September 7. Great review! I had very similar observations in my review. We can't wait for our cruise this September from London to Barcelona. Happy 30th! We celebrate our 33rd anniversary this year. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
janmitch Posted February 10, 2012 #7 Share Posted February 10, 2012 Thanks so much for the wonderful review of the Marina. We're sailing in 2 months and I can hardly wait! This will be our first Oceania cruise (but, hopefully, not our last!) Jan :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jakes47 Posted February 10, 2012 #8 Share Posted February 10, 2012 Thanks for the great, comprehensive review Laura. You have pushed my excitement to new heights as we look forward to our cruises in April/May. :) Bev Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JimandStan Posted February 10, 2012 #9 Share Posted February 10, 2012 Laura,We are both 6 foot and found the chairs uncomfortable. They seemed to have chosen looks over comfort. Yes, when we were on the Marina it was the taller people who didn't like the chairs -and the older people who said that they could not get up out of them. Oddly enough, I was just reading this weekend about how everyone hated the First Class dining room chairs on the SS France, and she became a classic, so maybe form is sometimes more important. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare LHT28 Posted February 10, 2012 #10 Share Posted February 10, 2012 I am only 5'4" & found the chairs really uncomfortably low especially the ones outside La Reserve Not sure who was the person choosing those chairs but they must have been under 5 ' if they found them comfortable:eek: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Occy Posted February 10, 2012 #11 Share Posted February 10, 2012 Here's a link to my Marina review from the Fall; I apologize for the delay (lots of life issues going on upon my return). Once in a Lifetime? I Hope Not by LauraS I really enjoyed reading your review and it definitely has me looking forward to our first Oceania cruise, on the Marina, in 3 weeks time. It's a special cruise, celebrating our 50th anniversary and it sounds as if we have selected the right ship for a "once in a lifetime" cruise. I agree with you regarding the Roll Call. We have met some great people in the past during our "M & G's" and it has always added to the fun of the trip. Thx. for sharing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
findacruise Posted February 10, 2012 #12 Share Posted February 10, 2012 Thanks for your comprehensive review. We are looking forrward to being back on the Marina next week. The often cited "shortcomings" aside, we loved our TA cruise last March and are escaping the cold for B2B in the Caribbean. To your comments about CC - I found it invaluable for learning about things before we sailed to new places and on a new cruise line. The people we met have been wonderful and I had never had enough nerve to do shore excursions on our own before finding CC. Thanks. Joanna Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rjrcm Posted February 10, 2012 #13 Share Posted February 10, 2012 Great review! We were likely disembarking in Civitavecchia the day you embarked, completing our London to Rome trip last August. That was our 25th anniversary cruise, which we greatly enjoyed. Loved the PH suite we had. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wripro Posted February 10, 2012 #14 Share Posted February 10, 2012 Thanks for the great review, Laura. And congratulations on your thirtieth!!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Administrators Rare LauraS Posted February 10, 2012 Author Administrators #15 Share Posted February 10, 2012 Laura, Congrats on your 30th anniversary, I am celebrating mine this August. I really enjoyed your review of the Marina and am struggling with a tough decision between the Marina and Symphony. Did you consider any other ships before deciding on the Marina? I actually did compare other ships, but mostly I was looking at itineraries and ports. Which is how I made my final decision. Laura Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Administrators Rare LauraS Posted February 10, 2012 Author Administrators #16 Share Posted February 10, 2012 Thanks for your kind words, everyone. Yes, we embarked in Rome on Aug 26, debarked in Venice on Sept 7th. I did some googling, and found that it is the seat DEPTH I had an issue with, essentially because I'm a very short person. If I sat back all the way on most of these chairs, as someone mentioned, I would look like that Lily Tomlin character. Seriously, not a big issue. I ended up sitting on one of my legs (not good for the circulation) but short people know exactly what I'm talking about. I was telling hubby that I finally finished my review, and he started reminiscing about all the great food and experiences we had. Happy anniversary to everyone who'll be celebrating on board an Oceania sailing! Laura Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mountain grandma Posted February 10, 2012 #17 Share Posted February 10, 2012 Thanks for your kind words, everyone. Yes, we embarked in Rome on Aug 26, debarked in Venice on Sept 7th. I did some googling, and found that it is the seat DEPTH I had an issue with, essentially because I'm a very short person. If I sat back all the way on most of these chairs, as someone mentioned, I would look like that Lily Tomlin character. Seriously, not a big issue. I ended up sitting on one of my legs (not good for the circulation) but short people know exactly what I'm talking about. I was telling hubby that I finally finished my review, and he started reminiscing about all the great food and experiences we had. Happy anniversary to everyone who'll be celebrating on board an Oceania sailing! Laura Happy Anniversary to you and great job with the review. I just wanted to let you know that I am 5'6" tall and I hated the seating in the public lounges (especially near the Reception Area on deck 5). The only size person that felt comfortable in them was a man 6' or taller! I thought they were extremely uncomfortable (and not much to look at either) especially compared to the "R" ships. So my feeling is that a man picked out the chairs/couches in the lounge areas and a very short man or woman designed the showers. :D Even feeling the way I do about the decor on Marina, we are booked to sail on her again in September, 2012. It is still a fabulous ship and you can't beat Oceania's food and service. Billie Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MightyQuinn Posted February 10, 2012 #18 Share Posted February 10, 2012 Thanks for a good read, Laura. Your review made Marina come alive. We'll be aboard Riviera later this year and it just happens to coincide with our 30th anniversary. Maybe Oceania will have sourced different chairs by then! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ancientmariner Posted February 11, 2012 #19 Share Posted February 11, 2012 I have heard that the Culinary Classes are very popular, and there are no sea days on the cruise I've booked. Were you able to pre-book prior to embarkation, or did you book a place on board? Trudi Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare LHT28 Posted February 11, 2012 #20 Share Posted February 11, 2012 I have heard that the Culinary Classes are very popular, and there are no sea days on the cruise I've booked. Were you able to pre-book prior to embarkation, or did you book a place on board? Trudi Not Laura But you can pre book you just have to pay at the time of booking If you think the classes will be popular & you really want to do a specific one then book now Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SG Guy Posted February 12, 2012 #21 Share Posted February 12, 2012 I just finished the Pearls of the Caribbean last weekend on the Marina and also was on the first Caribbean cruise on the Marina in March 2011. The review is excellent and just as accurate now as even though it is from a cruise last year. My wife and I noticed one big change when comparing basically identical cruises albeit almost a year apart. This year the crew was much more pleasant, smiled more and more at ease preforming their tasks. They truly made us feel welcome as their honored guest, not just passengers. We found this year's cruise more enjoyable as a result. Our only criticism was delayed and fragmented service in Toscano, but that was made up with impeccable service the other 11 nights at the other food venues. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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