Disenchanted HAL Cruiser Seeking Oceania Advice

[Tarpeian Rock]

Having experienced increasing HAL cutbacks and "rough edges" in a relatively few years cruising with them, my wife and I got some Oceania literature and are intrigued by both their really interesting itineraries and how they describe their "style" -- as well as some really glowing reports here.

 

We're in our early 60's and prefer peace, quiet, understated elegance, and quality meals and presentation. The price jump over HAL isn't a big issue, and we'll survive the lack of a full-ship promenade. All of that said, no cruise line lives up 100% to their publicity -- so we'd appreciate some thoughts from Oceania veterans as to maybe a couple of "reality checks," advice on selecting an initial Oceania cruise, and especially -- thoughts from any HAL veterans who have "gone over." Thanks so much!

[LHT28]

It is easier to ask specific questions

I am sure all your questions can be answered if you use the search feature

 

I have not been on HAL since 1990 before Carnivaliation but others here can compare more recent cruises with the Oceania experience

[Earl Rosebery]

We're in our early 60's and prefer peace, quiet, understated elegance, and quality meals and presentation.

 

You will enjoy Oceania immensely. It is all of the above.

[winegirl]

We sailed on Oceania's smaller ship "Insignia" in Europe in 2010.

Also sailed on HAL Westerdam in Alaska. Decided on HAL because my brother used them multiple times and recommended it. And we were sailing with our adult daughter and buying two cabins so budget was also a consideration.

 

HAL had nice cabins (we had a suite type cabin with balcony.) Our Oceania balcony cabin was about 170 sq ft, about half the size of the HAL cabin. So you can buy a nicer cabin on HAL for a lot less money. The Oceania cabin had everything we needed though, and we ordered room service hot breakfast (concierge level) every day. I dislike dealing with chaotic breakfast buffets so that was a big plus for us.

 

Aside from the cabin differences, Oceania was 1000% better. First of all, the passenger count of 700 on the Insignia vs 2,000 on Westerdam was a noticeable difference. While both felt like "big ships" to us, Oceania was a "smaller" big ship. HAL was a big, impersonal chaotic cattle call.

 

The typical Oceania cruise is longer than HAL's, and the typical Oceania passenger is a professional, business owner or retiree with money. People didn't flaunt their money but from conversations related to lifestyle and preferences, you knew it was there. Dress was casual but "country club casual," in other words, very, very nice. There were few to no passengers under the age of 40 so I didn't see a lot of jeans, t-shirts, and such. No kids programs. Families are not their target market. That lent a certain calmness to the environment on Oceania. We met really great people on Oceania, even before the cruise, by posting to share tours in the Roll Calls. Oceania people tend to be independent tour afficianados and you will find many willing to share tours. That saves you money and gives you a better tour than a ship tour for the most part.

 

Oceania dining was the best we've had on a ship. The main dining room and specialty dining venues were equally good. Very creative menus, lots of choices. Dine when you wish, with whom you wish. No assigned tables. Specialty dining is included in your fare, you are alloted X number of slots in the specialty restaurants, and can often score additional reservations, depending on the demand in the MDR.

 

Very little smoke on Oceania (I think they have a tiny smoking corner somewhere.) I recall lots of smoke on HAL Westerdam as you walked through certain areas. It reeked!

 

No photographers in your face, no "art auctions," or other revenue getting opportunities to bother the passengers like HAL. Can't speak for the casino, shows, etc, since we did not use those. The library on Oceania ships is special though! Oceania internet is slow and expensive. Can't speak for HAL.

 

If you can afford Oceania, there is no comparison IMO. Try it!

[LHT28]

No photographers in your face, no "art auctions," or other revenue getting opportunities to bother the passengers like HAL.

recent reports are that the Art auctions are back :(

[Paulchili]

recent reports are that the Art auctions are back :(

 

But Mona Lisa is already sold - no longer available :mad: :D

[vrogers]

In the past year have cruised HAL, Cunard and my pick is still Oceania. Foodies delight on Oceania, no smoking policy all bonuses. HAL entertainment we preferred but on port intensive cruises we are usually in our cabin by 9pm as we are just tired and falling into those beds is just divine (we actually purchased a goose down doona on our return to Oz as we fell in love with ours on Marina). You will not be disappointed with Oceania give them a try. Nothing to loose and everything to gain.

[HeatherInFlorida]

The art auctions are definitely 'back', but easily avoided :).

 

We've cruised HAL many times though I think our most recent is a few years ago. We, too, became more disenchanted each time. We moved to Celebrity, but like you when we received an enticing brochure from Oceania, we decided to bump it up a notch. We were not disappointed; in fact we literally fell in love with cruising all over again ... as if it were our first.

 

You may be interested in my recent review and I also have photos of our Riviera cruise this past January linked in my signature.

 

Given what you've said, I am almost positive you can't possibly be disappointed.

[LHT28]

But Mona Lisa is already sold - no longer available :mad: :D

Did you buy it afterall:D

[LHT28]

In the past year have cruised HAL, Cunard and my pick is still Oceania. Foodies delight on Oceania, no smoking policy all bonuses. .

Not to give the wrong idea but it is limited smoking not No smoking

There are 2 small places for smokers but also easily avoided if need be

[Paulchili]

Did you buy it afterall:D

 

Unfortunately, I was too late :mad: :D

Had just the right place at home picked out for her :)

[LHT28]

Unfortunately, I was too late :mad: :D

DARN the bad luck

 

Hope you and Marsha are enjoying the cruise

 

We leave soon for the Riveria ..cannot wait too get away from the cold here

 

 

Lyn

[HeatherInFlorida]

In the past year have cruised HAL, Cunard and my pick is still Oceania. Foodies delight on Oceania, no smoking policy all bonuses. HAL entertainment we preferred but on port intensive cruises we are usually in our cabin by 9pm as we are just tired and falling into those beds is just divine (we actually purchased a goose down doona on our return to Oz as we fell in love with ours on Marina). You will not be disappointed with Oceania give them a try. Nothing to loose and everything to gain.

 

Speaking of "those beds":) (my bold), I loved them so much I came home and bought a memory foam with gel bed topper to try to re-create sleeping on my Riviera bed ... and it worked!!! I'm not at sea, but I can dream:)

[airheadfan]

I am not a veteran HAL cruiser nor a veteran Oceania cruiser, but I can compare a cruise on the Zuiderdam with one recent one on the Marina. I will not use HAL again due to their smoking policy, and would be reluctant to use them even if the policy changed due to a serious problem with their customer service. I tried Oceania largely because of the limited smoking and the relaxed dress code, and found that they live up to their advertising. Beautiful cabin, superb service, excellent food, interesting itinerary - and no smoke on the veranda!!

 

The demographic is more senior in years but not in spirit or actions, although it does get quiet early. The shows are nothing special, but I found the same on HAL.

 

Try Oceania and I think you will be hooked - I booked second cruise while on Board, which is a good measure of my satisfaction.

[Paulchili]

DARN the bad luck

 

Hope you and Marsha are enjoying the cruise

 

We leave soon for the Riveria ..cannot wait too get away from the cold here

 

 

Lyn

 

Lyn,

We did indeed enjoy our cruise - we fly home tomorrow from Rio.

We wish you and Michael a great trip on the Riviera - let us know how she compares to the Marina.

Bon Voyage!

[bbwex]

We had sailed on Oceania before we sailed on HAL, and we used HAL because we were going to Alaska and Oceania wasn't going there that year and because HAL does have such a great reputation in Alaska.

 

We too had a mini-suite on HAL so the cabin size was much bigger than the PHs on the O class ships (Riviera and Marina). But size isn't everything!

 

The service on HAL was good in the mini-suite, but the service in all Oceania cabins is far superior. The cabins are checked about four times a day, and sometimes it seems as if wet towels are replaced before they hit the floor! There is also an issue of attitude. Not that the stewards on HAL had a bad attitude, but the stewards on Oceania try harder to please and make sure everything is perfect.

 

That attitude is constant throughout Oceania -- all of the staff are super friendly, and try to please all the time.

 

The food, although I know it is subjective, is so much better on Oceania that it is like comparing apples and oranges. The MDR food is better than any food on HAL, and the specialty restaurants really are special -- the food is awesome. The smaller R ships have two specialty restaurants, and the newer O ships have four. You will get one reservation in each, and then you can often get more reservations on cruises of 14 days or longer. (On shorter cruises, they are often booked since everyone is going through their initial allotment.)

 

We have liked both sizes of Oceania ships. The R ships are really small and intimate, but we did not feel as if the larger O ships were all that big, though the passageways are clearly longer.

 

Entertainment is clearly different as HAL has better and bigger productions. The R ships have lounge-type entertainment, some good, some fair. The O ships have much better facilities, and put on real shows which were quite decent, just not the level of production that the big auditorium on a HAL ship permits. But as has been said, Oceania cruises are really port-intensive and most people don't want that much of a show at night.

 

I know that Carnival likes to portray HAL as a premium line, but once you sail on Oceania, you are more likely to classify HAL as a mass market line.

[Arusha]

I took my first cruise on Oceania Regatta last October and didn't hesitate to book an Alaska cruise for May 2013 on the same ship. Wonderful attentive staff and awesome food in all venues. I felt very comfortable. No fussy "formal nights." Plenty of peace and quiet...

 

I had considered HAL before booking my first cruise with Oceania, but several posts here changed my mind.

[Hawaiidan]

I count the cost of a cruise from the time I lock the front door till I return.

 

Given that Oceania is pretty all inclusive except for liquor and Holland is not I find the cost of Oceania to be hundreds of dollars a day less expensive than a similiar Holland America cruise! In many cases Holland ships are even more expensive than all inclusive Regent!

 

Example: in a basic Veranda cabin 280 sq ft, sailing for 40 days, counting Airfare, tips, restauraunts and all extras I found the Holland America ship was $291 a day more expensive than the Oceaina, !

That is not factoring in the intangible value of half the passengers, open seating in all 5 no charge stunning restauraunts, vs 2 pay extra average ones on Holland... and few if any kids ( both adult and child) and no formal nights.

 

Holland I cruised on for years no more because compared to Oceaina HAL ships are obscenely priced and a very poor value.

 

It is like staying at the Holiday inn but Paying Ritz Carlton rates to cruise on Holland America. Even if you book a Suite on Holland, outside the cabin your still on a mass market ship with a massive cross section of humanity and the tinlkel of gold chains and nickels and dime up charges.