Is Oceania Luxury?

[JimandStan]

As my grandmother used to say, "Only boring people get bored".

 

Now, "elbows off the table", and let's move on to more productive matters-

[pacheco18]

Isn't that exactly WHY we prefer open seating? I have to say that I cannot remember having disappointing dinner companions on Oceania, although we sure did on a few other lines. But after all, you don't have to ask to share. And I consider it worth the risk, which is why we prefer to share.

 

I won't deny that all dinner companions are not equal, and we have preferred some people to others, but we have never had a miserable meal either. (Of course, I have no idea what our dinner companions thought of US either!)

 

Mura

 

Even obnoxious folk can be entertaining --as long as it is just for one meal. Lol

[digtexas]

I am enjoying the casual dress. I did bring a blazer but have only worn it once.

However I do put on a nice shirt and slacks for dinner and must say that I am not all that fond of seeing people out and about on the ship at night in tee shirts and shorts. To each his or her own, but wearing beach clothes to Horizons or Martini Bar at night seems a little inappropriate to me.

[Oceans&Rivers]

I am enjoying the casual dress. I did bring a blazer but have only worn it once.

However I do put on a nice shirt and slacks for dinner and must say that I am not all that fond of seeing people out and about on the ship at night in tee shirts and shorts. To each his or her own, but wearing beach clothes to Horizons or Martini Bar at night seems a little inappropriate to me.

 

It does to me, too, and I am surprised. I think it could be related to the itinerary and/or the embarkation port, and probably both. (You are on a Miami round trip Caribbean itinerary, if I remember correctly.)

 

My husband and I did a 14-night Regatta Alaska cruise round trip from San Francisco in August, 2011 and saw no T-shirts or shorts in the evening. People were very well dressed.

[fairbourne]

I am enjoying the casual dress. I did bring a blazer but have only worn it once.

However I do put on a nice shirt and slacks for dinner and must say that I am not all that fond of seeing people out and about on the ship at night in tee shirts and shorts. To each his or her own, but wearing beach clothes to Horizons or Martini Bar at night seems a little inappropriate to me.

 

Hello Digtexas

 

I am particularly enjoying reading your current reviews and thoughts as we will be first time on Oceania later this year. I am a tiny bit concerned about some of your thoughts ie the service round the pool, t shirts and shorts in the evening - yikes! We too are used to exactly what you have been used to previously and have enjoyed very much that ambiance. None of this is a deal breaker as we are happy with our choice of itineraries and the ships do seem to be very well furnished and the suites well equipped, and another plus for us, as foodies, everyone praises the very high standards on Oceania.

 

We do like dressing up for dinner, and the ladies on Oceania have no idea what they will be missing in seeing my DH in his Highland dress! ;):D However as our cruise is to Alaska and is very port intensive, then after a busy day, it's maybe a blessing not to have to bother getting too dressed up. Hopefully it will be way too cold for T's and shirts to even be packed for Alaska in June! :eek: OK I do know they're wearing them inside, but I have usually found the AC to be far too cold to wear so little!

 

How have you found the dining options - I know it's all personal taste - and have you had to share tables - we don't mind sharing, but when we want to, however, reading some of the reviews it almost seems a given in some of the speciality restaurants?

 

Keep the reviews coming please! Thank you very much! :)

 

Jim and Stan - I think we all had wonderful grandmothers like yours! They just had the best turn of phrase ever and makes me smile and think of the glorious Dame Maggie Smith in Downton Abbey with her fabulous one liners!

[joysav]

As my grandmother used to say, "Only boring people get bored".

 

Now, "elbows off the table", and let's move on to more productive matters-

 

 

Yes - been flogged to death :cool:

 

still

" but wearing beach clothes to Horizons or Martini Bar at night seems a little inappropriate to me "

surely this can not be true :confused:

[bullshead]

Hello Digtexas

 

I am particularly enjoying reading your current reviews and thoughts as we will be first time on Oceania later this year. I am a tiny bit concerned about some of your thoughts ie the service round the pool, t shirts and shorts in the evening - yikes! We too are used to exactly what you have been used to previously and have enjoyed very much that ambiance. None of this is a deal breaker as we are happy with our choice of itineraries and the ships do seem to be very well furnished and the suites well equipped, and another plus for us, as foodies, everyone praises the very high standards on Oceania.

 

We do like dressing up for dinner, and the ladies on Oceania have no idea what they will be missing in seeing my DH in his Highland dress! ;):D However as our cruise is to Alaska and is very port intensive, then after a busy day, it's maybe a blessing not to have to bother getting too dressed up. Hopefully it will be way too cold for T's and shirts to even be packed for Alaska in June! :eek: OK I do know they're wearing them inside, but I have usually found the AC to be far too cold to wear so little!

 

How have you found the dining options - I know it's all personal taste - and have you had to share tables - we don't mind sharing, but when we want to, however, reading some of the reviews it almost seems a given in some of the speciality restaurants?

 

Keep the reviews coming please! Thank you very much! :)

 

Jim and Stan - I think we all had wonderful grandmothers like yours! They just had the best turn of phrase ever and makes me smile and think of the glorious Dame Maggie Smith in Downton Abbey with her fabulous one liners!

 

Some feedback on attire and sharing on Oceania. After 11 cruises we can confirm that the 'country club casual' look is aimed squarely at the men: but if you go beyond a linen suit or a blazer with an open-necked shirt you will look over-the-top. I take a couple of ties every cruise and have virtually never worn them (Xmas Day was an exception). Don't even think about a DJ/tux; everyone I have seen in one has looked out of place/uncomfortable and not repeated the experiment. The ladies on the other hand can 'get away with' far more formal attire (but full-length is a step too far).

 

Sharing is most definitely NOT a given - in ANY of the restaurants. The point however that many people have already made is that if you DON'T share you are most likely missing out on some really good company/conversation/travel info/anecdotes/laughs.

 

People on our shared tables in the past have included:

* a US High Court judge from Texas

* a lawyer to the Hollywood stars

* 2 ladies from Huntsville who were prime movers in the US space programme

* a guy who invented some opthalmological breakthrough

* a gynaecologist from Michigan

 

and no, we don't think any of them were bulls***ters.

[digtexas]

So far we have dined in all of the specialty restaurants but for Red Ginger. The food has been very good and we have enjoyed the dining very much. We also dined one evening in La Reserve which was an excellent experience, especially if you are a wine drinker. As we have our own party of 6, we have not joined anyone for dinner so I do not know whether or not that works smoothly. If it was just my wife and me, we would try it. The GDR is also very beautiful and in my opinion the food is very good there as well. We have had no issues with food temperature.

[fairbourne]

Some feedback on attire and sharing on Oceania. After 11 cruises we can confirm that the 'country club casual' look is aimed squarely at the men: but if you go beyond a linen suit or a blazer with an open-necked shirt you will look over-the-top. I take a couple of ties every cruise and have virtually never worn them (Xmas Day was an exception). Don't even think about a DJ/tux; everyone I have seen in one has looked out of place/uncomfortable and not repeated the experiment. The ladies on the other hand can 'get away with' far more formal attire (but full-length is a step too far).

 

Sharing is most definitely NOT a given - in ANY of the restaurants. The point however that many people have already made is that if you DON'T share you are most likely missing out on some really good company/conversation/travel info/anecdotes/laughs.

 

People on our shared tables in the past have included:

* a US High Court judge from Texas

* a lawyer to the Hollywood stars

* 2 ladies from Huntsville who were prime movers in the US space programme

* a guy who invented some opthalmological breakthrough

* a gynaecologist from Michigan

 

and no, we don't think any of them were bulls***ters.

 

Thank you for this bullshead! Not sure what the asterix are for though but I can guess!!?? ;)

 

Yes I know you can meet some wonderful people and we have - and have made friends on every cruise, some of whom we have subsequently cruised again with and remain good friends even though we may be oceans, literally, apart! I think on re-reading my post what I should have said was if you were planning a romantic dinner for two, and then turned up to find you were then sharing a table, I would be a bit miffed! But I also know there are ways to guarantee that not happening. Some of the most wonderful dinners have been spontaneous sharing!

 

The DH was thinking sports jacket, linen etc., so he is on the right line, thank you! The formal wear is definitely not coming - I was jesting, as on the very first and every cruise since that the DH turns up in his Highland trews, the ladies ooh and aaah, especially our American friends! I almost need to put him on a leash! :eek: But I do find a room full of men in formal wear, just so, well dare I say, downright sexy!!! But we go to enough formal occasions at home, we won't miss out.

 

Thank you Bullshead, I appreciate your comments :).

[fairbourne]

So far we have dined in all of the specialty restaurants but for Red Ginger. The food has been very good and we have enjoyed the dining very much. We also dined one evening in La Reserve which was an excellent experience, especially if you are a wine drinker. As we have our own party of 6, we have not joined anyone for dinner so I do not know whether or not that works smoothly. If it was just my wife and me, we would try it. The GDR is also very beautiful and in my opinion the food is very good there as well. We have had no issues with food temperature.

 

Thank you for that and sounds like we will enjoy the dining very much! :D

[bullshead]

fairbourne:, you're welcome. nothing sinister about the asterisks, they're just bullets!

digtexas: in Red Ginger, one of you needs to try the sea bass and you should share the duck & watermelon salad (which is virtually a main)

[Mura]

I think on re-reading my post what I should have said was if you were planning a romantic dinner for two, and then turned up to find you were then sharing a table, I would be a bit miffed!

 

 

In re-reading YOUR post (and a few others) it strikes me that some people who haven't yet sailed on Oceania may be thinking that they must share a table ... which is far from the case. You have to tell the maitre d' if you would like to share.

 

There have been times when we wanted to share a table but couldn't because none were available at the time. They like to fill up a table quickly so that everyone is at the same point in the meal as everyone else. If there are larger tables but you are the only people in line, the odds are that you will end up at a table for two.

 

But you would never have to share a table if you don't want to. My recollection of cruise lines that have assigned seating is similar in that we were always asked how large a table we wanted to be at, and whether we wanted the early or late seating (not that you are guaranteed of getting this wish granted). We never had to sit at a table for 4, 6 or 8 unless we wanted to.

 

Mura

[LHT28]

Yes I know you can meet some wonderful people and we have - and have made friends on every cruise, some of whom we have subsequently cruised again with and remain good friends even though we may be oceans, literally, apart! I think on re-reading my post what I should have said was if you were planning a romantic dinner for two, and then turned up to find you were then sharing a table, I would be a bit miffed! But I also know there are ways to guarantee that not happening. Some of the most wonderful dinners have been spontaneous sharing!

 

If you want a table on your own just tell the Maitre'd as you enter the GDR & ask for one away from the other people ..some are close together it feels like you are sharing

When you book the specialty restaurants just make sure it says the NO next to SHARING box

You will get your table for 2

In the Terrace you will have to seek out a 2 top but there are several

 

We have been on several warm weather cruise & very seldom see people in beach attire in the evenings but then times are changing & some people do not know what Country Club casual means on Oceania

It is NOT your after golf attire in the evenings

Most men were a nice polo or collared shirt & dockers or a dress pant

Women were nice slacks or silky dress pants , skirts & dresses are also seen

 

Hope you enjoy your cruise

[roothy123]

Staff members, especially servers, may not gush over you on Marina, and personally, I don't want them to. I don't want to talk about myself all the time, and I don't want to be asked if I want a drink every 10 minutes if I'm at the pool.

 

I CAN, however, tell you that at least some of them remember you if they see you on another cruise. I was once walking down the corridor when I heard someone call after me, "Good to see you again!" It was the assistant to a cabin stewardess we had for our inside cabin a year ago on one of the smaller ships. My husband has also been greeted by one of the restaurant managers and one of the casino employees who recognized him from past cruises. They may not remember our names, but they remember our faces!

[fairbourne]

Thank you both Mura and LHT28 for your reassurances also! I'm sure we will have a lovely cruise and enjoy our dining with or without new friends! :)

 

I find the whole world is getting very casual and I'm not sure I like it too much, especially when you are in lovely surroundings, it's nice to dress up a bit. We do understand "country casual" as we travel frequently to the US and have many US friends - but yes some think it means "come as you are" and if that means straight from the beach or pool bar and wearing shorts and t shirts to dinner, or even to the bar - thats a no, no, no!

 

I think the best term to describe "country casual" in the UK would be "smart casual".

 

Oh dear I hope I haven't opened a can of worms! :eek:

[LHT28]

I think the best term to describe "country casual" in the UK would be "smart casual".

 

Oh dear I hope I haven't opened a can of worms! :eek:

 

Come with an open mind Oceania is NOT Carnival or NCL

No ripped shorts & tank tops anytime that I have seen

 

Most people dress to impress but in an elegant casual way ;)

No ballgowns but they are well dressed in the evening

 

We are not rich & hoity toity but we do clean up nicely;)

 

Enjoy

[roothy123]

Thank you both Mura and LHT28 for your reassurances also! I'm sure we will have a lovely cruise and enjoy our dining with or without new friends! :)

 

I find the whole world is getting very casual and I'm not sure I like it too much, especially when you are in lovely surroundings, it's nice to dress up a bit. We do understand "country casual" as we travel frequently to the US and have many US friends - but yes some think it means "come as you are" and if that means straight from the beach or pool bar and wearing shorts and t shirts to dinner, or even to the bar - thats a no, no, no!

 

I think the best term to describe "country casual" in the UK would be "smart casual".

 

Oh dear I hope I haven't opened a can of worms! :eek:

 

Nope, no can of worms, but you're right - Americans tend to dress pretty casually! My husband HATES to dress up, but even HE changes to at least a Polo shirt and nice pair of khakis before dinner - even if we're cruising in the Caribbean, and even if we're just going to his favorite place, which is outside on the Terrace for dinner (and lunch). I have only seen shorts a few times on the Terrace for dinner, and that was in the Caribbean.

 

Feel free to dress up as much as you want! I'll stick to my casual stuff, though - but no, that does not include shorts and t-shirts at lunch or dinner, except perhaps at Waves for lunch....

 

This discussion reminds me of my ill-fated attempt to dress up to fit in better with the Parisians while on a river cruise. All I'll say is that I got the hugest, most painful, most plentiful blisters I have ever gotten in my life! So much for trying to look un-American!

 

Ruth

[fairbourne]

Nope, no can of worms, but you're right - Americans tend to dress pretty casually! My husband HATES to dress up, but even HE changes to at least a Polo shirt and nice pair of khakis before dinner - even if we're cruising in the Caribbean, and even if we're just going to his favorite place, which is outside on the Terrace for dinner (and lunch). I have only seen shorts a few times on the Terrace for dinner, and that was in the Caribbean.

 

Feel free to dress up as much as you want! I'll stick to my casual stuff, though - but no, that does not include shorts and t-shirts at lunch or dinner, except perhaps at Waves for lunch....

 

This discussion reminds me of my ill-fated attempt to dress up to fit in better with the Parisians while on a river cruise. All I'll say is that I got the hugest, most painful, most plentiful blisters I have ever gotten in my life! So much for trying to look un-American!

 

Ruth

 

Ruth - been there with those shoes too! LOL! I don't think anyone can quite do it the way those Frenchwomen can - they are just so blooming chic! But that's not to say we can't try! ;). But the way I look at it, the book is always much more interesting than the cover! :D

 

Thanks for your reply - I am so looking forward to my first time on Oceania - Alaska here we come! :D.

[roothy123]

Ruth - been there with those shoes too! LOL! I don't think anyone can quite do it the way those Frenchwomen can - they are just so blooming chic! But that's not to say we can't try! ;). But the way I look at it, the book is always much more interesting than the cover! :D

 

Thanks for your reply - I am so looking forward to my first time on Oceania - Alaska here we come! :D.

 

Ooh, Alaska. I loved Alaska. We had to go there on the Princess Cruise Line, though, as that was before Oceania started going there. It was the same-sized ship as Oceania used at the time (less than 700 passengers) but the whole cruise experience was a little different. (Not awful, but not fantastic either!)

 

It's funny - you're headed towards snow in the U.S. and I'm headed (in early August) to (hopefully) see a little snow in the far reaches of Norway. Before that we will be in Scotland (Edinburgh, Invergordon and Lerwick) plus north & south Ireland and a short bit in England. I just had to refresh myself as to what the "United Kingdom" consisted of - a bit confusing at first. I took out a library booked called "Britain" thinking it just covered England, only to find it covered the whole UK!

 

Now I'm trying to keep straight what currency I'll need - British/Irish pounds for this part of Ireland and euros for that part of Ireland, etc. Whew! It will be almost as confusing as when we went on our Baltic cruise. I think the countries we visited used 5 different currencies, and we probably went through as many time changes in that 10 day cruise!

[fairbourne]

Here is the difference -

 

Great Britain - Scotland, England and Wales.

 

United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland - Scotland, England, Wales and Northern Ireland.

 

Southern Ireland is the Republic of Ireland.

 

Don't you worry, we Scots will take your money whatever the currency! LOL!

 

Invergordon is correct - the stop for cruise ships for visiting Inverness and the Highlands - i have a photo somewhere of the SB Odyssey in there last year, I will dig it out and post it for you to see - the scenery up there is simply stunning and if you're lucky you will have dolphins for company in and around the coast there. Invergordon itself is a small, very busy town with not much for the tourist really but they have deep water berths which the North Sea oil rigs come into for maintenance. In saying that, their presence doesn't affect the natural beauty of the place.

 

Are you visiting the Tattoo whilst you're in Edinburgh? Someone over on the Princess boards wrote a fabulous review of her cruise around the British Isles last summer - I will have a look and try and find you the link.

[roothy123]

Here is the difference -

 

Great Britain - Scotland, England and Wales.

 

United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland - Scotland, England, Wales and Northern Ireland.

 

Southern Ireland is the Republic of Ireland.

 

Don't you worry, we Scots will take your money whatever the currency! LOL!

 

Invergordon is correct - the stop for cruise ships for visiting Inverness and the Highlands - i have a photo somewhere of the SB Odyssey in there last year, I will dig it out and post it for you to see - the scenery up there is simply stunning and if you're lucky you will have dolphins for company in and around the coast there. Invergordon itself is a small, very busy town with not much for the tourist really but they have deep water berths which the North Sea oil rigs come into for maintenance. In saying that, their presence doesn't affect the natural beauty of the place.

 

Are you visiting the Tattoo whilst you're in Edinburgh? Someone over on the Princess boards wrote a fabulous review of her cruise around the British Isles last summer - I will have a look and try and find you the link.

 

Well, the authors of the travel book "Let's Go Britain" have chosen to cover what you have identified as the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. I know that Northern Ireland is completely different from the Republic of Ireland, but when I picked up a book on "Britain" I wasn't exactly expecting to see ANY of Ireland!

 

I feel almost as clueless as the Verizon (phone and internet) person who once tried to help me when my internet service went down after a huge storm in the Washington DC area. I told her about the storm here and she said she'd look to see if repairs were being made in my area. Then she said, "Please don't laugh at me, but I have to ask you: Where is Washington, DC? Is it in Virginia or what? I've lived in Oklahoma all my life and I don't know much about the East."

 

Unfortunately, we will be a week too early for the Military Tattoo, and also for the International Festival in Edinburgh! I guess next time I need to research the best time to go on a cruise before I book a specific date!

[Floridiana]

To come back to Red Ginger: Although the Chilean Seabass is one of its most popular dishes, it was the only one I did not care for, much too sweet. I loved everything else, including the cripsy duck and watermelon salad.

[digtexas]

To come back to Red Ginger: Although the Chilean Seabass is one of its most popular dishes, it was the only one I did not care for, much too sweet. I loved everything else, including the cripsy duck and watermelon salad.

 

We enjoyed Red Ginger last night. My wife (who loves Nobu's miso cod) loved the Miso glazed sea bass but I found it a little too sweet for my taste. Amazingly, last night I did not see any of the beach wear folks out and about for the first time.

I don't hang out at the pool. Even if I wanted to I don't feel like competing with the chair hogs, so I haven't paid much attention to the pool staff this week.

I will say that now that we have been here 8 days and dined in all of the venues, we are beginning to recognize and know some of the staff and vice-versa, which I like whether they know my name or not. Actually we were invited to dine one evening with the asst. cruise director and he knows our name.

In any case, we have had a very nice cruise and are enjoying our last two days.

I never miss trivia and we never miss afternoon tea!

[LHT28]

I don't hang out at the pool. Even if I wanted to I don't feel like competing with the chair hogs, so I haven't paid much attention to the pool staff this week.

Chair hogs :eek:

 

If you want to sit out then ask the crew to move the stuff on the chairs if left longer than 45 min

There are lots of chairs/loungers around the decks I am surprised there are none available

[Paulchili]

I never miss trivia and we never miss afternoon tea!

 

Lucky you! How do you manage that?

Our tea is at 4PM and trivia at 4:30 - not really possible to "enjoy" tea without missing trivia. Maybe just a "quickie tea" at best :D

What are your times?