CanadaTraveller Posted January 11, 2013 #1 Share Posted January 11, 2013 Hi all, We are new to cruising, but have embraced it fully. We have chosen our cruises for itinerary, except the Caribbean, which was just for fun. We locked on to NCL for the freestyle concept and have enjoyed both of our cruises. We have just booked Oceania Nautica, in an A1 Concierge Veranda. Oceania caught our eye for the itinerary in China and its relaxed atmosphere. In addition, it has such a strong reputation for food. We are very much looking forward to this trip. Will a couple of early 50 year old males fit in on this 21 day cruise? Any guidance would be greatly appreciated. Many thanks. Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare LHT28 Posted January 11, 2013 #2 Share Posted January 11, 2013 If you like NCL you will love Oceania ;) It is a bit more upscale food wise Enjoy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
geomac53 Posted January 11, 2013 #3 Share Posted January 11, 2013 We took a Cruise on the Marina in September and was a little let down with talk of all the great food. The Food in the main dining room was not bad it just lacked something. The 4 special dinning rooms are really good but you only can make x amount of reservations. We did find the (buffet) terrace very good but for me the last call for food at 9:30 was more than a little annoying ( but you can order room service) One of the perks is special coffee and pop was free. we do not drink. enjoy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spindrift Posted January 11, 2013 #4 Share Posted January 11, 2013 You have made a very, very good choice. We have done China, Australia, New Zealand, Sydney to Bangkok, etc. etc. and each trip was outstanding. Food is one's individual taste, but I have yet to have a bad meal on Oceania. Your selections are varied and many. You will feel so welcome, and you get to know the crew and staff as opposed to the mass market lines. You are treated so well. Good for you--you made a great choice, and I hope you enjoy them as much as we do. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mura Posted January 11, 2013 #5 Share Posted January 11, 2013 It's always difficult to tell someone you've never met that they'll love a particular cruise line. Look at Geomac's comments and the tag line saying "never on O again". Clearly they weren't happy with their one cruise on O. But plenty of people in your demographic have enjoyed O very much. There's only one way to test the waters ... Mura Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tanny18 Posted January 11, 2013 #6 Share Posted January 11, 2013 We were on the Marina with Geomac and I can tell you that we had very good meals in the GDR - wide selection and you can always have steak, chicken, poached salmon and a veggie special every night. I know you can't please everyone, but Oceania has pleased us 15 times and we are going back for more. As far as the speciality restaurants, you can always ask if there is room on any night and most probably you will be accommodated. Arlene;) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LaCroisiereS'amuse Posted January 11, 2013 #7 Share Posted January 11, 2013 Will a couple of early 50 year old males fit in on this 21 day cruise? Any guidance would be greatly appreciated. Plenty of guys traveling together on Oceania, from late 30's up. My partner & I have done both crossings and Med cruises on O, and we've always found a sizeable number of men traveling together, usually around 5-10%, although on Regatta back in September it was more like 15%. As with all cruises you get all sorts, so you will socialise with some and not others. :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wripro Posted January 11, 2013 #8 Share Posted January 11, 2013 Agree with the above post. A very good number of guys traveling together on all the O cruises I have been on, and most were very friendly. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CanadaTraveller Posted January 11, 2013 Author #9 Share Posted January 11, 2013 Thank you all for your feedback. The itinerary looks so amazing, and I have such a good feeling that O will do it well. We really have lucked out with really good service on NCL, so we figured we would be over the moon with Oceania. And to hear from someone who has cruised with O in Asia is very helpful. Dan Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Darrell6t Posted January 12, 2013 #10 Share Posted January 12, 2013 My partner and I did the Beijing to Hong Kong in 2009 on the Nautica. We are a bit older than you. Except for one older man who would not even acknowledge a cheery "Good morning", we met only nice people. The cruise itself was excellent. The food so much better than on either of the NCL ships we have been on. You should have a great time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mountain53 Posted January 12, 2013 #11 Share Posted January 12, 2013 We took a Cruise on the Marina in September and was a little let down with talk of all the great food. The Food in the main dining room was not bad it just lacked something. The 4 special dinning rooms are really good but you only can make x amount of reservations. We did find the (buffet) terrace very good but for me the last call for food at 9:30 was more than a little annoying ( but you can order room service) One of the perks is special coffee and pop was free. we do not drink. enjoy I have to say I agree with the above. We found the food and the Cruiseline in general over hyped and were very disappointed ( we were also on the Marina in September ) The food was often served not hot and I ended up sending back food on more than once, overall no better than NCL . It seemed to my wife and I they are aimed at an older crowd than us (we're mid 50s) which means everything is catered to an over 70's age group including tours that moved at a snails pace, bland not hot food as well as entertainment. One of the first things we did on arriving home was to contact Oceania to have our names removed from any further promotions as we will never use them in the future. Also the menus are the same on every cruise so if your expecting to experience South Pacific you will be disappointed it is the same as if you took an Olive Garden or Red Lobster and put it on the ship, it is the same cuisine you would get anywhere in the US and that seems to be what their target market wants. I jokingly said to one American "All we need is a Cheesecake Factory " to which he replied how great an idea that was. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Floridiana Posted January 12, 2013 #12 Share Posted January 12, 2013 Mountain53, Have you ever eaten on a South Pacific Island and experienced the food firsthand? What were your favorite dishes? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
potterhill Posted January 12, 2013 #13 Share Posted January 12, 2013 We have had cruises on O with great food and one in particular where it was bordering on mediocre. Just like restaurants it all depends on who is in the kitchen. We like everything else, O suits us, so we keep coming back. Funnily enough, on our first few cruises we never really cared for Toscana. On our last 3, including 2 on Marina, it was our favourite dining venue. Mo Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RetiredFL Posted January 12, 2013 #14 Share Posted January 12, 2013 We have always enjoyed Oceania which should be obvious by the fact we are just about to go on our 12th cruise. We have done NCL, Royal Carib, Holland, etc and have always found Oceania superior in every aspect althought not perfect. We are glass half full types rather than glass half empty and if you have the same outlook you will have a great time. We have always met friends on board and, in fact, stay in contact with several and have planned cruises with them again. The ship is small enough that FOD, etc are almost not needed. Most passengers are well traveled and like to be friendly. We have always enjoyed the food although, as others have stated, taste is subjective. We have done the Beijing to Hong Kong cruise as we leave in a few weeks for the lower half, Singapore to Hong Kong on Nautica. Not sure exactly which cruise you are on but if you want recommendations let me know using the e-mail contact under my signature. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Darrell6t Posted January 13, 2013 #15 Share Posted January 13, 2013 We were on the Marina in September 2012. In general the food was pretty good, IMHO. But we had a few dinners that were not that great. And our meal in Jacque's was not good at all except dessert. The food on the Nautica in 2009 was noticeably better than on the Marina in the dining room. But the food in the buffet was better on the Marina. But compared to my memories of the food on the NCL ships, both ships were far better. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spideman Posted January 13, 2013 #16 Share Posted January 13, 2013 We wre in the concierge level suites last march for a trip in Asia and had a great time. people are great and accomodations superb. You will have a great time. One third of the passengers were Canadian Hi all, We are new to cruising, but have embraced it fully. We have chosen our cruises for itinerary, except the Caribbean, which was just for fun. We locked on to NCL for the freestyle concept and have enjoyed both of our cruises. We have just booked Oceania Nautica, in an A1 Concierge Veranda. Oceania caught our eye for the itinerary in China and its relaxed atmosphere. In addition, it has such a strong reputation for food. We are very much looking forward to this trip. Will a couple of early 50 year old males fit in on this 21 day cruise? Any guidance would be greatly appreciated. Many thanks. Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CanadaTraveller Posted January 15, 2013 Author #17 Share Posted January 15, 2013 Again, many thanks for your comments. I think it will be a great cruise. Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spideman Posted January 16, 2013 #18 Share Posted January 16, 2013 this will be our third cruise. Acommodations are fine are fine, butlear on concierge deck really is helpful, not only bringing things to the room but also getting reservations, etc. Food is by and large good but not great. since we are on the ship 25 days there will be both high and low points. No complaints from me Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JimandStan Posted January 16, 2013 #19 Share Posted January 16, 2013 butlear on concierge deck really is helpful, not only bringing things to the room but also getting reservations, etc. Not sure of what you are trying to say here, as Concierge cabins are not served by Butlers, and the cabins are placed on the ship in such a way that none of the decks could be specifically designated as "Concierge". Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare LHT28 Posted January 16, 2013 #20 Share Posted January 16, 2013 Not sure of what you are trying to say here, as Concierge cabins are not served by Butlers, and the cabins are placed on the ship in such a way that none of the decks could be specifically designated as "Concierge". maybe they are in the OS, VS or the aft PH on the Concierge deck 9 or even on deck 10 It is unclear what they mean Lyn Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yorkiemomjn Posted January 16, 2013 #21 Share Posted January 16, 2013 Since our May cruise will be our first time to be in a PH. What are some things our butler can help us with? If someone does not mind sharing, I would love to have suggestions. Thank you! Judy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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