Rare Dr. Cocktail Posted March 3, 2012 #1 Share Posted March 3, 2012 While I have sailed on Celebrity 30 times, I returned last week from my first cruise on Oceania on the Marina. We had sailed on Equinox 45 days earlier so it was interesting to compare the different products in such a tight time frame. My partner and I are both in our late 40’s. We sailed in a “B4” which is the lowest veranda category but offers huge extended verandas. Its direct equivalent on a Solstice Class ship would be an extended veranda category “1A”. The cost of Oceania was exactly $100 per person per day more than the Equinox sailing that same week. On Oceania, all coffees, specialty restaurants, soft drinks and water are included. Our first impressions on embarkation were underwhelming. There was one entertainment staff member to greet you and one staff person to direct you to the Terrace Café. One boards the ship directly into Marina’s two story large circular atrium. It is an odd space reminiscent of a private bank – lots of dark-coloured marble, lit Lalique panels on the front wall next to the glass elevators and twin curved staircases that meet in a central podium. The large chandelier and lit panels provide an unpleasant, ultra-white light making the space extremely over lit. The podium is raised a single step and is glaringly marked in yellow and black caution tape – really an accident waiting to happen. Each and every time we descended the stairs, we called out “step” to each other so as not to go face first onto the floor. We walked though the public areas on deck 6 and I started to get a sinking feeling as we explored Martinis (the central bar), the Casino and bar and The Grand Bar itself (but more on that later). We went upstairs to the Terrace Café (lido restaurant) and I immediately thought: “You’ve got to be kidding”. It is an amazingly low-ceilinged (we’re both 6 feet tall) and claustrophobic space with tables placed tightly together and a crowded buffet area that provides poor passenger flow. We went outside to a grey and windy Miami afternoon and easily got a table. The tables are set up for you with placemat (changed for each passenger), proper silverware and crystal glasses. The buffet had a limited selection of the usual suspects on the steam table areas but the grill had a good selection of meat and fish that was made to order. Ten minutes later as I was sitting eating a perfectly cooked steak that was better than any red meat that I had on Celebrity last year, I began to relax. I went back foraging for dessert and was greeted by an excellent selection of pastries and ship-made ice creams. I then found the cheese cart – a selection of French cheeses whose smell would knock you out at 20 feet. I paired it with some of the best baguette I’ve had in years (I live next to two competing patisseries) and had to get a crew member to wipe the smile off of my face. We were allowed into our cabins – “plush” and “luxurious” were the first words that came to mind. Thick carpeting, a sturdy and comfortable sofa, dark woods and excellent lighting. The bathroom is dripping in granite and has a separate full bath and glass enclosed shower stall. After enduring Celebrity’s Elizabethan Straw Mattresses for 38 days last year, the Oceania bed was a revelation. Four hundred pocket coils and memory foam, 1000 thread count embroidered linens with feather pillows and a down duvet – unbelievable. The lighting was also excellent with bedside lamps that had a separate goose-neck type pencil light to focus on your reading material. The cabin was about 240 square feet with a 100 square foot veranda with comfortable padded chairs. Storage was not great – while there was excellent hanging space with a light that came on automatically, the drawers were tiny, not full extension and hidden behind wood doors to make them more aesthetic and more awkward. Verandas are enclosed by railings – no dirty glass wall to drive you crazy. Discussing food in general is risky as my “incredibly bland” may be someone else’s “too spicy”. I will begin by speaking of the food in objective terms. All the meat is U.S.D.A. prime, the cheeses (for the most part) are non-pasteurized O.A.C. shipped directly from France, the complimentary coffees in Baristas are Illy from Italy, burger and hot dog buns are made on board, burgers are chopped steak (not frozen patties), lobster is generously available in all specialty restaurants and nightly in the Terrace Café, Orange juice is, well, orange juice and not some watered down product. You get the point. Subjectively, I thought that the food overall was superb and put Celebrity to shame (exceptions to follow!). The red meat onboard is of a quality that is simply not available on the main stream lines. I ate at all of the Specialty Restaurants on Equinox and Summit last year (including Blu) and nothing matched Oceania’s specialties. On Celebrity, I found the staff in the specialties simply pushing too hard – actually telling me that my meal was excellent when it certainly was not. The china, silver wear and stem wear were absolutely stunning. Different tablecloths and patterns and glass wear in each of the restaurants - Christofle, Versace, Riedel – you name it. I simply did not see a single water spot on any item in 10 days. I ate twice in the Grand Dining Room on the Marina – the Captain’s Dinner was fabulous whereas dinner on the second last night was frankly wretched – below Royal Caribbean standards. Which begets the question: “what if most of my meals were in the GDR?” – I might have had a very different view of Oceania. I was also concerned that any fried item onboard (except “Waves” ‘ fries) was always tepid at best and that all “hot” items in the Terrace Café that weren’t made fresh for you were also thermally challenged. The pool deck provided comfortable padded chaise lounges with terry covers on them. Chair hogs, however, were out in full force and non-hogging rules were not enforced until the last day at sea. There is ample deck space on the upper pool deck – Oceania would solve this problem by simply buying some more chairs. I missed the covered solarium from Celebrity but there is a small but nice sheltered area on the upper pool deck. Pool towels were scarce after noon and you had to ask for them. The gym was well equipped. The staffs were generally superb. Bar staff cheerfully got soft drinks and water without any expectation of a tip. Waiters were professional and knowledgeable in advising you what to have and more importantly, being honest in telling you what not to have. Cabins were cleaned by the time we got back from breakfast at 8:30. The Cruise Director was the delightful Dottie Kullassa who personally handed out beach towels and water at every port at the gangway and had a kind/funny/warm word for everyone. Fellow passengers were frankly fantastic. It is the first cruise I’ve been on in a while where I didn’t want to kill anyone! You had to keep reminding yourself to say “hello” or “good morning” in elevators as most people were friendly, polite and eager to chat a bit. There are no annoying ship photographers onboard. The majority of my “problems” on Oceania relate to missed opportunities rather than things I particularly disliked. Entertainment was our main concern. I never go to the production shows but enjoy the many live music choices on Celebrity and HAL. It’s not as if they roll up the sidewalks on the Marina after six, they actually package and wrap them and throw them overboard! If you’re lucky, you may find one lounge that will have some live music. I really feel that an affluent and older crowd would appreciate dance music every night plus the some additional choices. Frankly, charge everyone an additional $10 per cruise (generating $1250) and hire an additional piano player and a small combo. Also, make the existing musicians work harder. Use the show band every night and have the production show singers do a few cabaret evenings. Now, as for the venue for pre and post-dinner drinks …. I don’t think you could have come up with a poorer layout and passenger flow than that of the lobby, Grand Bar (which is neither Grand nor has a bar), Casino and bar and Martinis. Martinis makes it impossible to see the piano from most of the seats. The overcrowded lounge should have stolen space from the funereal lobby which is too large for the purpose it serves. The garish Casino and bar are on the port side of the ship whereas the entrance to the Grand Dining Room is on the starboard. Thus, the Grand Bar is basically an over lit corridor where people are constantly walking by and talking as you are trying to listen to music. The spaces should have been reversed (or the dining room entrance reversed) so that people walked through the casino on their way to dinner but also had a quiet place to listen to music. Or an alternative arrangement. I’m not an architect but I’ve been on a lot of ships and what is there now doesn’t work But these are quibbles. Most reviews of Oceania have focused on the food and the experience is so much more than that. Oceania is indeed much more expensive than Celebrity on many different itineraries. But where the cost differences are minimal (as was present in our case), there is simply no comparison. While you don’t always get what you pay for in life, Oceania provides absolutely superb value. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
angelina46 Posted March 3, 2012 #2 Share Posted March 3, 2012 hi,an excellent review! am on the marina in may. am a bit concerned about the entertainment. is it very sedate? i do like to dance and have some fun! angelina46 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ebobh Posted March 3, 2012 #3 Share Posted March 3, 2012 Having sailed on the Marina on a 17-day, and the Regatta on a 26-day, with some other shorter cruises on Oceania (and 3 cruises on Celebrity in the past) my impression is that entertainment is the laggard in re onboard amenities. That said, we only attended the evening show twice on our Marina cruise, and only a few times on the Regatta (in part due to the quality, which was "adequate" but also because Oceania is port-intense, and we were generally worn out at day's end). We generally listened to the string quartet both before and after dinner, and occasionally went upstairs for some music if we were up late (with a sea day following so we could sleep in). Oceania is my default go-to line, primarily because of the quality of fellow passengers (upscale, unpretentious, successful but low key and friendly), the port-intense itinerary, and the quality and variety of food (the specialty restaurants, the Terrace Cafe - especially on Marina with the grill - and the afternoon tea. I concur the MDR on Marina has spotty service; good one night and less so the next. Those looking for Vegas shows should consider others, as should those looking for a more high-energy onboard experience (instead of the Country Manor ambiance). Certainly, many of us expressed concerns about the layout of the Library on Marina, the infamous showers (due for retrofit), Internet rates and other trivialities. None bother me to any extent, although the compiled list of desired amenities may move someone to another line, which is great. I'm always glad people enjoy different things; keeps all of them from being where I want to be... Regards, Bob H Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
loum140 Posted March 3, 2012 #4 Share Posted March 3, 2012 hi,an excellent review! am on the marina in may. am a bit concerned about the entertainment. is it very sedate? i do like to dance and have some fun! angelina46 Hi. Have not sailed on Marina yet (first will be in a few weeks) but have enjoyed a number of cruises on Insignia and Regatta. It has been our experience that there is post-dinner/pre-show dancing in the lounge every night with the orchestra, and post-show dancing in Horizons with a DJ. Dr. Cocktail -- enjoyed your review of Marina. Very detailed and thoughtful. Having taken only one cruise on Celebrity, I laughed out loud at your description of the mattress. I had the same experience. Just love the Oceania beds! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scottygirl1 Posted March 4, 2012 #5 Share Posted March 4, 2012 Dr Cocktail, wonderful review!! I have only sailed once before and that was on Celebrity Summit around the Med in 2009. For the very reasons you have stated, we are trying Oceania next. There were many occasions I too wanted to kill fellow passengers on Celebrity!! And that damned photographer was everywhere driving us crazy. I hated the fixed dining (that has changed now) and the crowds. I did actually book a cruise on Celebrity the other week but cancelled it because I just could not face 3000 passengers!! I am looking forward to every aspect of our Oceania cruise - the architecture of the ship will not faze me too much, nor will the lack of too much evening entertainment. As long as there is a bar or two open to chat with friends I will be fine. Thanks for the time you took to write this review. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bar_20 Posted March 4, 2012 #6 Share Posted March 4, 2012 Thanks for the nice review. When I first started reading it I went Oh! Oh! another all negative, nothing went right, I'll never sail with this cruise line again review. Fortunately you were objective. Are you an interior designer by chance? If you got only one bad meal in the MDR you were lucky. On my one and only Celebrity cruise it seemed to happen every other night with constant apoliges from the maitre d'. I am happy to hear the quality of the meat was of the very finest quality on Oceania ships. BTW how is the fish? We don't ge to see many live shows on land so if the performers have a heart beat, my wife and I are usually happy.:) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sammyboots Posted March 4, 2012 #7 Share Posted March 4, 2012 Thanks for a great review, it was objective but entertaining! :) We are due to sail on the Marina in two weeks and are very much looking forward to it. We also like Celebrity but have sailed with them only once previously and are due to cruise again on the Century in May. The differences in entertainment we have also experienced however, for us, this isn't such an issue as we prefer a long, slow service dinner chatting with friends and often tend to miss the shows anyway! Really good to hear about the positives and the negatives for a change, it makes it so much more credible. :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rubysue Posted March 4, 2012 #8 Share Posted March 4, 2012 This was a very nice review, with excellent observations. We are doing our third Oceania cruise in September (second on Marina) and can certainly agree with many of your comments. We are usually "entertainment adverse", preferring lingering over dinner or having a drink in a quiet corner of Horizons or on our veranda; believe it or not, we have yet to see any shows on Oceania, although we will listen to a band. We have not yet cruised on Celebrity, so the comparisons are useful as we are considering them as one if the options for a cruise in late 2013. Thanks for posting! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
traveler916 Posted March 4, 2012 #9 Share Posted March 4, 2012 Thanks for a great review, it was objective but entertaining! :) We are due to sail on the Marina in two weeks and are very much looking forward to it. We also like Celebrity but have sailed with them only once previously and are due to cruise again on the Century in May. The differences in entertainment we have also experienced however, for us, this isn't such an issue as we prefer a long, slow service dinner chatting with friends and often tend to miss the shows anyway! Really good to hear about the positives and the negatives for a change, it makes it so much more credible. :) Who neeeds entertainment? I think Oak is going to tell stories at dinner to entertain us :) We are so excited about this, our first Oceania cruise... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cruise47 Posted March 4, 2012 #10 Share Posted March 4, 2012 A very candid review. Thanks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VIRGINIA ARTIE Posted March 4, 2012 #11 Share Posted March 4, 2012 We cruised the Marina in January. I only eat seafood on the cruise, and it is superb !! Chef Pepin has a signature salmon that is always available. The sea bass is one of my favorites. Try the grilled mahi mahi at lunch at Waves, and also the grilled lobster tails. No watery tasteless fish. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nedward Posted March 4, 2012 #12 Share Posted March 4, 2012 Thank you for your review as we will be on the Riviera for the January 3rd sailing. We too have sailed many times on Celebrity most recently on the Summit, Feb. 11 th sailing. We have also booked the B4 extended veranda cabin and are really looking forward to this cruise. Again, thanks for your review. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kelmac Posted March 4, 2012 #13 Share Posted March 4, 2012 I've only sailed Oceania once, the Regatta, and Celebrity 18 times. Here is my take: Oceania gives you: --outstanding cuisine in all areas --almost a non-smoking environment --adult atmosphere, with upper middle class passengers --casual, but refined --quiet couples that can entertain themselves --well traveled passengers --port intensive experiences Celebrity gives you: --good MDR/Buffet cuisine, and great alternative restaurants --small, outside only smoking areas --premium cruise experience at half the cost --full spectrum of passengers, with families and all ages --mix of formal and casual evenings --ship is the "destination" feel -- so, lacks imaginative itineraries --full range of entertainment --pretty good past passenger program (Elite Captain's Club) --many onboard options We had the Marina booked for last December, but had to switch to HAL/Celebrity because of a change in my wife's teaching calendar. Oceania had the best food we have experienced in 40 cruises and we would love to try them again. Just have to wait for a deal to come along. In the mean time, Celebrity is a great alternative! Enjoy! Kel:) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wripro Posted March 4, 2012 #14 Share Posted March 4, 2012 Dr. Cocktail, Thanks for the extensive review. You have confirmed my feeling that the GDR on Marina is way below the level of the specialty restaurants. Next time I sail I will try to avoid it completely. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bbwex Posted March 4, 2012 #15 Share Posted March 4, 2012 I see that there are several people who posted on this thread who are about to go on their first O cruise, and the review was very helpful. I would note a couple of things: the high tea in Horizons every afternoon --- fantastic; and if you are back early, the sandwiches at Waves are great afternoon fare. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Dr. Cocktail Posted March 4, 2012 Author #16 Share Posted March 4, 2012 Thanks all for your positive comments. I tried to give a balanced review - I'm glad it was received in that manner. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cathy Maneri Posted March 4, 2012 #17 Share Posted March 4, 2012 Thanks for your comparison. I have been an avid Celebrity cruiser (Elite status) and I switched over to Celebrity from Royal Caribbean when I found Celebrity's food and service to be much better. I've sailed on all the Millenium Class ships and the Solstice Class ships. I am now taking it up another notch and sailing my first cruise on Oceania this Wednesday on the Marina (12nights) and I'm very excited to try this line. I enjoy good food and like the fact that Oceania is bringing what the cruising experience should be. No nickel and diming...no announcements...no formal nights...no roving photographers. I have even booked the Riviera for next March as well, anticipating that I will enjoy the Oceania experience. I'm not saying I don't like Celebrity, but they have changed over the 10 years I've cruised with them. I have a 4nighter booked on the Constellation next January to see if the Millenium Class...still has the "Class" it once had. I will give you my thoughts when I return. PS: I tried Holland this past December and I thought their food and service was awful. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NancyJewel92 Posted March 8, 2012 #18 Share Posted March 8, 2012 Dr. Cocktail, your review was a delight to read. Thanks for posting! :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
firefly9 Posted May 7, 2012 #19 Share Posted May 7, 2012 A balanced view of Marina. This will be our 2nd cruise on Marina (inaugural and now Rome to London, May 22/12) and then Rome to Rio Nov 2012. If we werent dining in a specialty restaurant we dined at the Horizons for the grilled lobster, grilled filets and grilled lamb chops served nightly. The dining room maitre d' insisted in placing us with others when after a long day ashore, we just wanted a quiet dinner alone.... so we avoided the dining room...besides I didnt like the rather steep downhill entrance and conversely the uphill exit...did that bother anyone else??? firefly9. How did you meet other Cruise Critic members? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare LHT28 Posted May 8, 2012 #20 Share Posted May 8, 2012 If we werent dining in a specialty restaurant we dined at the Horizons for the grilled lobster, grilled filets and grilled lamb chops served nightly. The dining room maitre d' insisted in placing us with others when after a long day ashore, we just wanted a quiet dinner alone.... so we avoided the dining room...besides I didnt like the rather steep downhill entrance and conversely the uphill exit...did that bother anyone else???firefly9. How did you meet other Cruise Critic members? I think you mean the Terrace there is no restaurant in Horizons If you wanted to be alone for dinner just be specific & say you want a table for 2. They usually ask "sharing" or "no sharing" We would ask for one of the tables at the front of the entrance to avoid the incline Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paulchili Posted May 8, 2012 #21 Share Posted May 8, 2012 I am now taking it up another notch and sailing my first cruise on Oceania this Wednesday on the Marina (12nights) and I'm very excited to try this line. I enjoy good food and like the fact that Oceania is bringing what the cruising experience should be. No nickel and diming...no announcements...no formal nights...no roving photographers. I have even booked the Riviera for next March as well, anticipating that I will enjoy the Oceania experience. I will give you my thoughts when I return. PS: I tried Holland this past December and I thought their food and service was awful. Well, how was your first Oceania cruise on the Marina? Please let us know. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mura Posted May 8, 2012 #22 Share Posted May 8, 2012 The dining room maitre d' insisted in placing us with others when after a long day ashore, we just wanted a quiet dinner alone.... so we avoided the dining room...besides I didnt like the rather steep downhill entrance and conversely the uphill exit I'm amused (maybe also bemused) because my husband and I like to SHARE at dinner and more often than we like we haven't been able to. We just showed up at the wrong time -- either too late or too early, I guess. They fill a table as quickly as they can so as to avoid some people arriving well after the others have started. But as Lyn says, all you have to do is be clear that you don't want to share a table. I never heard of anyone being told they MUST share! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
caribbeansun Posted May 8, 2012 #23 Share Posted May 8, 2012 Good review. I did find the comment about red meat interesting as our experience has been the exact opposite so clearly it's a your mileage may vary thing - some of our worst meals at sea have been in Polo, our best thus far was in Tuscan Grille on X. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Dr. Cocktail Posted May 8, 2012 Author #24 Share Posted May 8, 2012 Good review. I did find the comment about red meat interesting as our experience has been the exact opposite so clearly it's a your mileage may vary thing - some of our worst meals at sea have been in Polo, our best thus far was in Tuscan Grille on X. So much depends on a particular cruise and even a particular meal. I sailed on Equinox three times last year and I found the food in the specialty restaurants progressively worse on each sailing. In fact, our meals were so poor in Tuscan Grille and Murano on our last cruise , we left before the end of dinner at Murano (a first for us). Without asking, both meals were refunded. On Marina, I only ate at Polo once and found it to be fine - it didn't really leave a lasting impression. The beef was spectacular in Red Ginger and in Jacques. I was also impressed that you could get a decent steak at the buffet or even on the Surf & Turf sandwich at Waves. I have not been on Celebrity since the new menus were introduced in the last few months. With all the downward price pressures on fares, I am interested (scared?) to see what happens in the food department on Celebrity. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tansy Mews Posted May 9, 2012 #25 Share Posted May 9, 2012 I liked the food in the MDR. Had consommé several times and it was excellent. I liked that there was the spa (lighter) options available too. Fabulous Kobe beef burger at the outside bar (Waves?) Afternoon tea the first day was a trifle disorganized but very nice after that. I was on the Marina last winter and the Solstice this January. The Celebrity ship had horrible weak coffee, steak was overdone even when I asked for rare. It seems that nothing was prepared to order. Tables in the MDR were too close together and the chairs were too heavy. As for cost, yes, the Marina is more expensive but there are no extra fees for the specialty restaurants whereas they are fairly pricey on the Celebrity ship. I do agree the entertainment on the Solstice was superb though. (At least I thought so!) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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