vival Posted February 18, 2013 #1 Share Posted February 18, 2013 Hi I'm new to this forum and seriously considering booking an October cruise. We have sailed four times with Azamara and loved it. I'm sure from what we have read we will also enjoy Oceania. A few things we really like about Azamara and would love to know if Oceania is comparable in these areas. We love eating breakfast on the open deck outside the buffet can we do same on Oceania? What about coffee and pastries, are these available all day? Finally is there bottled water available to passengers as they leave ship to go ashore independently? I'm sure there are enough people who have sailed both lines that can answer my questions. Many thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare LHT28 Posted February 18, 2013 #2 Share Posted February 18, 2013 Hi I'm new to this forum and seriously considering booking an October cruise. We have sailed four times with Azamara and loved it. I'm sure from what we have read we will also enjoy Oceania. A few things we really like about Azamara and would love to know if Oceania is comparable in these areas. We love eating breakfast on the open deck outside the buffet can we do same on Oceania? YES What about coffee and pastries, are these available all day? If on the O class ships at Barristas the R-class you can get coffee in several locations but no pastries all day Finally is there bottled water available to passengers as they leave ship to go ashore independently? YES I'm sure there are enough people who have sailed both lines that can answer my questions. Many thanks Have not sail Azamara but hopefully someone will compare for you I am not sure there is a comparison between the O class ship & R-class ships of either line Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vival Posted February 18, 2013 Author #3 Share Posted February 18, 2013 Thanks LHT28 for your prompt reply. It is a R - class we are looking at. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Glenndale Posted February 18, 2013 #4 Share Posted February 18, 2013 You may not be able to get pastries all day but Oceania do a superb afternoon tea every day, and if you're desperate for a pastry you could always ring room service ;) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jancruz Posted February 18, 2013 #5 Share Posted February 18, 2013 It would have to be an R class ship to compare them and the answer is yes to all your questions..In addition Oceania does not charge for their specialty restaurants, Toscanna and Polo that are fabulous and the ships have been completely updated, unlike Azamara that are just starting a little at a time..the crew is just as wonderful and friendly although Captain Smith is alone in his availability to the passengers we love him!! I have been on Azamara 5 times and Oceania 17 times if you have any more questions.. Jancruz1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mikesms Posted February 18, 2013 #6 Share Posted February 18, 2013 We just returned from a 10-day cruise on the Riviera. Our last cruise before that was on the Journey. I can answer most of your questions - Yes, you can eat breakfast out on the Terraces (on the Riviera, and I believe the 'R' ships that Oceania owns are laid out just like the Quest and Journey - in fact, the lay out of the Riviera and Marina are very similar to the Journey). Coffee is available in Baristas all day, I believe (we didn't visit it, however) - but I'm not sure if they have pastries there all day or not ---- others who did make use of Baristas should be able to help. And Yes, you are provided with bottled water when leave at each port. I recently posted our review of the Riviera with a comparison to the Journey (and btw, we fell in love with the Journey), so that should give you our perspective of the two lines as well. Enjoy! Hi I'm new to this forum and seriously considering booking an October cruise. We have sailed four times with Azamara and loved it. I'm sure from what we have read we will also enjoy Oceania. A few things we really like about Azamara and would love to know if Oceania is comparable in these areas. We love eating breakfast on the open deck outside the buffet can we do same on Oceania? What about coffee and pastries, are these available all day? Finally is there bottled water available to passengers as they leave ship to go ashore independently? I'm sure there are enough people who have sailed both lines that can answer my questions. Many thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
triplestar Posted February 18, 2013 #7 Share Posted February 18, 2013 We have cruised on both lines & enjoyed both.Oceania doesn't have a cafe like the Mosiac, but it does have afternoon teas in Horizon which are to die for. I don' feel that one line is better than the other ,they just have different strengths & weaknesses. Enjoy your cruise Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paulchili Posted February 18, 2013 #8 Share Posted February 18, 2013 If you are familiar with the "search function" on these forums, do a search for Oceania vs Azamara (or v.v.) on oth forums (O & A). You will come up with many lengthy threads full of all sorts of information about the two lines. You may need many days to get through it ;) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jancruz Posted February 18, 2013 #9 Share Posted February 18, 2013 We just returned from a 10-day cruise on the Riviera. Our last cruise before that was on the Journey. I can answer most of your questions - Yes, you can eat breakfast out on the Terraces (on the Riviera, and I believe the 'R' ships that Oceania owns are laid out just like the Quest and Journey - in fact, the lay out of the Riviera and Marina are very similar to the Journey). Coffee is available in Baristas all day, I believe (we didn't visit it, however) - but I'm not sure if they have pastries there all day or not ---- others who did make use of Baristas should be able to help. And Yes, you are provided with bottled water when leave at each port. I recently posted our review of the Riviera with a comparison to the Journey (and btw, we fell in love with the Journey), so that should give you our perspective of the two lines as well. Enjoy! Mike, much better to compare R ship with R ship since that is what the OP is traveling on..tho the Marina and Riviera are fabulous they are very different from the R ships.. Jancruz1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CintiPam Posted February 19, 2013 #10 Share Posted February 19, 2013 There actually is more opportunity to breakfast on the open deck because the Oceania ships do not have that extremely large bar area taking up 1/2 the outdoor space like Quest does. However, you need to wait until the scrumptious 4 PM tea for pastries! Do not miss the scones with clotted cream.:) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Glenndale Posted February 19, 2013 #11 Share Posted February 19, 2013 Oceania don't serve wine with lunch and dinner (unless you pay for it) but the speciality restaurants are not charged for. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vival Posted February 19, 2013 Author #12 Share Posted February 19, 2013 Thank you all for your helpful replies. None of my questions would be deal breakers. I have read lots of comparisons between the two lines and am quite sure we will love the Oceania experience , we will miss the included wines and from what I've read wine on board can be expensive. I guess we will have to bring some on board at the various ports. The other thing we will miss will be Mosaic, on Azamara we tended to miss lunch and have a snack when we came back from sightseeing. We will just have to time our return for afternoon tea! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare LHT28 Posted February 19, 2013 #13 Share Posted February 19, 2013 Waves pool grill is open until 4pm but no pastries there You can always buy the wine/beer package for unlimited wine with meals I think it is $35 pp/pd incl gratuity There is always options ;) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mura Posted February 19, 2013 #14 Share Posted February 19, 2013 Vival, We often have lunch at Waves (by the pool, outside the Terrace Cafe) when we return from a tour after the restaurants are closed -- hamburgers, salads, etc. Open til 4, I think, but definitely until at least 3. Of course, if you do that you may not have room for tea ... Such problems! Mura Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jancruz Posted February 19, 2013 #15 Share Posted February 19, 2013 Thank you all for your helpful replies. None of my questions would be deal breakers. I have read lots of comparisons between the two lines and am quite sure we will love the Oceania experience , we will miss the included wines and from what I've read wine on board can be expensive. I guess we will have to bring some on board at the various ports. The other thing we will miss will be Mosaic, on Azamara we tended to miss lunch and have a snack when we came back from sightseeing. We will just have to time our return for afternoon tea! Waves, the restsurant on deck is open until 4pm with the most fabulous sandwiches you have ever tasted!! you will never go hungry on Oceania.. Jancruz1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TERRIER1 Posted February 19, 2013 #16 Share Posted February 19, 2013 For those off times between when the Waves grill closes at 4 pm, tea and dinner we order a cheese and antipasto platter from room service. Never thought to do this until a fellow cruiser told us. We eat late and often would come back from tours after tea and Waves closed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Balloon Man Posted February 19, 2013 #17 Share Posted February 19, 2013 Have sailed on R ships on both lines and I'd be equally happy to sail on either again. The itinerary would be the decider as they cater for the same type of discerning passenger. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vival Posted February 19, 2013 Author #18 Share Posted February 19, 2013 For those off times between when the Waves grill closes at 4 pm, tea and dinner we order a cheese and antipasto platter from room service. Never thought to do this until a fellow cruiser told us. We eat late and often would come back from tours after tea and Waves closed. Sounds lovely, with this and all the other suggestions we won't go hungry :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jancruz Posted February 19, 2013 #19 Share Posted February 19, 2013 How about every day ordering a shrimp cocktail from room service about 5pm to have with your cocktails..YUM Jancruz1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vival Posted April 2, 2013 Author #20 Share Posted April 2, 2013 Hi everyone, thanks for your help we have now booked our first Oceania cruise and are very much looking forward to it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pacheco18 Posted April 2, 2013 #21 Share Posted April 2, 2013 One thing I can tell you You will get much more balanced and objective answers to your questions here on the Oceania boards than on the Azamara boards Enjoy Oceania. You will love it Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lady Meer Posted April 2, 2013 #22 Share Posted April 2, 2013 Waves, the restsurant on deck is open until 4pm with the most fabulous sandwiches you have ever tasted!! you will never go hungry on Oceania..Jancruz1 Don't forget the ice-cream and milkshakes :D!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
azevedan Posted April 2, 2013 #23 Share Posted April 2, 2013 One thing I can tell youYou will get much more balanced and objective answers to your questions here on the Oceania boards than on the Azamara boards Yes - because over there, several Oceania-cruising Azamara-bashers seem to delight in attacking A on their boards. Don't know why some think it has to be an either/or ... enjoy whoever you cruise! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vival Posted April 2, 2013 Author #24 Share Posted April 2, 2013 Yes - because over there, several Oceania-cruising Azamara-bashers seem to delight in attacking A on their boards. Don't know why some think it has to be an either/or ... enjoy whoever you cruise! Couldn't agree more! I tend to follow the Azamara boards because we have had fabulous cruises with them. I have been following this board recently and have been surprised by some of comments. I was also concerned by the recent discussions about the rudeness of some passengers, I can honestly say we have never encountered rudeness in any form on Azamara! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
no fuss travel Posted April 2, 2013 #25 Share Posted April 2, 2013 Just avoid the rude passengers. I have sailed on numerous cruise lines and on all of the cruise lines, there has been rude passengers. Unfortunately in every nationality there are those who do not know how to mind their manners. You will find more polite passengers than rude. Enjoy your cruise. As far as cruise line bashing goes, it happens on all boards. Sour grapes to those who must bash. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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