sonvoltken6 Posted March 17, 2013 #1 Share Posted March 17, 2013 My wife and I are avid cruisers in our late 40's. We have always done RCCI but have had questions about the service recently. We are planning a 2014 Europe trip and we are intrigued by the free airfare and all inclusive nature of Oceania. We are pretty laid back, we enjoy the shows trivia and just relaxing. Any thoughts on this? We would be looking at 7 days in May or June and probably the Riviera. Would we be the only folks our age? Would there be enough activities (non sports) to keep us busy? Any feedback would be appreciated. Ken and Rita Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dundeene Posted March 17, 2013 #2 Share Posted March 17, 2013 We are late 40s and have been on Marina in April, Riviera in October and have three more cruises booked. That tells you how much we like Oceania. Yes you are younger than most cruisers, but we met many active, well traveled people to share tours and conversation. A few were our age and a sprinkling of honeymooners. Almost no kids on European cruises in our experience. The food is excellent, the ships beautiful, well maintained and the service top-notch! The specialty restaurants are included as are nonalcoholic drinks. No persistent ship photographers following you around and no one seems to be on-board to see how much they can drink! The night life is pretty tame after 11 pm but the cruises are port intensive. You might want your rest after a 10 hr trip running around Rome or Florence. The ships have never seemed crowded and we never had to wait in long lines. Marina and Riviera may be the 1st choice for you. The three smaller ships attract a slightly older group who love the intimacy of a 650 person vessel. You will find this forum very helpful in answering any specific questions you have. Good luck with your planning. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JimandStan Posted March 17, 2013 #3 Share Posted March 17, 2013 We are late 40s and have been on Marina in April, Riviera in October and have three more cruises booked.That tells you how much we like Oceania. Yes you are younger than most cruisers, but we met many active, well traveled people to share tours and conversation. A few were our age and a sprinkling of honeymooners. Almost no kids on European cruises in our experience. The food is excellent, the ships beautiful, well maintained and the service top-notch! The specialty restaurants are included as are nonalcoholic drinks. No persistent ship photographers following you around and no one seems to be on-board to see how much they can drink! The night life is pretty tame after 11 pm but the cruises are port intensive. You might want your rest after a 10 hr trip running around Rome or Florence. The ships have never seemed crowded and we never had to wait in long lines. Marina and Riviera may be the 1st choice for you. The three smaller ships attract a slightly older group who love the intimacy of a 650 person vessel. You will find this forum very helpful in answering any specific questions you have. Good luck with your planning. +1 to all that Dundeene has said so well with the proviso that the 7 day cruises which the OP is asking about may well attract a younger demographic. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wendy The Wanderer Posted March 18, 2013 #4 Share Posted March 18, 2013 Just a comment--Oceania is not really considered "all-inclusive". Yes, basic airfare, soft drinks and coffee are included, and specialty restaurants do not carry a feed (generally), but tips, alcoholic beverages, laundry, things like that, are not. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
baldercash Posted March 18, 2013 #5 Share Posted March 18, 2013 You will love it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CruisinSinceAge5 Posted March 18, 2013 #6 Share Posted March 18, 2013 I'm 54 and we've been going on Oceania since its inception 10 years ago. Our daughter who is 24 has gone with us a number of times and she says that you don't go on Oceania for the nightlife (though in the summer time you will find families with "kids" in their 20s), that you go for the amazing itineraries. Ditto to all the previous comments - we always play trivia which we find lots of fun and we love the "country club" attire and no set dining time. We've done Baltics, Black Sea, Venice to Rome, one out of Barcelona, one other Med Sea one, and one in the Caribbean on Oceania. We're booked on an Alaska one in May of this year. You will love it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LoveVimto Posted March 18, 2013 #7 Share Posted March 18, 2013 I have never been on the Oceana so wont comment but I wanted to say there can be a lot of children on a European cruise, just avoid school holidays and you will be okay. Have a lovely vacation! Regards Lynn Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dorisis Posted March 18, 2013 #8 Share Posted March 18, 2013 We do like Oceania but prefer the smaller ships. For a truly "All Inclusive" cruise try Regent Seven Seas. ~Doris~ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LaCroisiereS'amuse Posted March 18, 2013 #9 Share Posted March 18, 2013 I have never been on the Oceana so wont comment but I wanted to say there can be a lot of children on a European cruise, just avoid school holidays and you will be okay. Have a lovely vacation! Regards Lynn It's rare to see kids on an Oceania Cruises ship....maybe you are referring to P&O's Oceana (Only Oriana & Adonia are adults only....)??? :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sonvoltken6 Posted March 18, 2013 Author #10 Share Posted March 18, 2013 We are late 40s and have been on Marina in April, Riviera in October and have three more cruises booked.That tells you how much we like Oceania. Yes you are younger than most cruisers, but we met many active, well traveled people to share tours and conversation. A few were our age and a sprinkling of honeymooners. Almost no kids on European cruises in our experience. The food is excellent, the ships beautiful, well maintained and the service top-notch! The specialty restaurants are included as are nonalcoholic drinks. No persistent ship photographers following you around and no one seems to be on-board to see how much they can drink! The night life is pretty tame after 11 pm but the cruises are port intensive. You might want your rest after a 10 hr trip running around Rome or Florence. The ships have never seemed crowded and we never had to wait in long lines. Marina and Riviera may be the 1st choice for you. The three smaller ships attract a slightly older group who love the intimacy of a 650 person vessel. You will find this forum very helpful in answering any specific questions you have. Good luck with your planning. Thanks so much - this is very good info. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paulchili Posted March 18, 2013 #11 Share Posted March 18, 2013 Just a word about free airfare. It's not really free - it is included. If you can do better on your own or have miles to fly with, you will get credit back for the airfare. These days the credit is not very high and it is hard to do better on your own unless you have miles. Other than that I think you will enjoy Oceania - especially if you are looking to "upgrade" from RCCL. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FlipperRae Posted March 18, 2013 #12 Share Posted March 18, 2013 We are in our early forties (well, 40) and did a 10- day med cruise on Riviera on October. We loved it and can't wait for our next one. We didn't feel out of place and met many people close to our age. You will love Oceania but be forewarned...it will ruin you for other lines. We are being "forced" to cruise Princess this summer and the little things really add up (free soda, bottled water, mocktails, milkshakes, brewed coffee, specialty restaurants...not to mention happy hour and "drinks of the day")...I am dreading the pesky photographer already! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hawaiidan Posted March 19, 2013 #13 Share Posted March 19, 2013 Just a word about free airfare. It's not really free - it is included. If you can do better on your own or have miles to fly with, you will get credit back for the airfare. These days the credit is not very high and it is hard to do better on your own unless you have miles.Other than that I think you will enjoy Oceania - especially if you are looking to "upgrade" from RCCL. Even using miles ( which you actualy paid for and have $value) I have never been able to beat the Oceaina deal for Air/ I mean $450 Honolulu to London one way... Thats over $1000 cheaper than using miles! and for coach its $4300 for business ! one way!!! Oceaina is to me, and maybe others too, a refuge from the hype and insanity that is so prevelant on all the mass market ships that are 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7,000 people like rats in a box.:eek: It is what the concept of relaxing on an ocean voyage with other other like minded souls. I place where you create your entertainment and can rather than be entertained. A place to experience yourself and discover the enrichment of the journey Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sonvoltken6 Posted March 19, 2013 Author #14 Share Posted March 19, 2013 I appreciate all the comments and information. One last question - what would a typical evening on the ship look like? We are used to doing the show, maybe doing one of the activities (trivia, etc), maybe grabbing a snack and a soda (or decaf) and just relaxing. Are there similar activities going on in the evenings? I understand that it is usually quiet around 11, which is fine by me since I turn in around then. Just curious what a typical evening after dinner would be like. Thanks again! Ken Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paulchili Posted March 19, 2013 #15 Share Posted March 19, 2013 Even using miles ( which you actualy paid for and have $value) I have never been able to beat the Oceaina deal for Air/ I mean $450 Honolulu to London one way... Thats over $1000 cheaper than using miles! and for coach its $4300 for business ! one way!!! Except when you get miles for free (as I always do) and fly long distances in business/first for free :D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare LHT28 Posted March 19, 2013 #16 Share Posted March 19, 2013 I appreciate all the comments and information. One last question - what would a typical evening on the ship look like? We are used to doing the show, maybe doing one of the activities (trivia, etc), maybe grabbing a snack and a soda (or decaf) and just relaxing. Are there similar activities going on in the evenings? I understand that it is usually quiet around 11, which is fine by me since I turn in around then. Just curious what a typical evening after dinner would be like. Thanks again! Ken Not sure what is typical... but for us it is a walk on deck then go to the show if it appeals then to the casino, sometimes DH will go to Horizons to see what is happening there (music, games) Sometimes we skip the show & chat with new/old friends Sometime we will go to the cabin & watch a movie (get DVD from reception) You can do as much or as little as you like On port intensive cruises we turn in early so we can get up and going early ;) Enjoy the cruise Lyn Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rprbp24 Posted March 19, 2013 #17 Share Posted March 19, 2013 I appreciate all the comments and information. One last question - what would a typical evening on the ship look like? We are used to doing the show, maybe doing one of the activities (trivia, etc), maybe grabbing a snack and a soda (or decaf) and just relaxing. Are there similar activities going on in the evenings? I understand that it is usually quiet around 11, which is fine by me since I turn in around then. Just curious what a typical evening after dinner would be like. Thanks again! Ken We just got off Riveria on 2/22. Yes, there is trivia mid to late afternoon, one night we did karoke, there is a show each night. The shows are not AWESOME but entertaining none the less. At times, after the shows some people go to the piano bar and listen to music, and one or 2 evenings they put a movie out by the pool. However, there were only like 6 of us watching the movie by the pool. We are 50 and 54, and LOVED this ship/cruise. If it wasn't for the money we would go back in a heart beat. Sadly, probably once in a lifetime for us...it will be back to the other lines at least until we retire.:( Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hawaiidan Posted March 19, 2013 #18 Share Posted March 19, 2013 Except when you get miles for free (as I always do) and fly long distances in business/first for free :D I have always earned my miles through award, purchase or even being given a paid ticket from work. No matter how you got the miles they. however have an intrinsic cash value. That is if you had to purchase them they will cost you real money. No mile is issued by the airline for free. Thats how I see my milage... as a $ value per mile and I am very careful as to how I spend those $ I have been given. If I had $3000 and spent it all on a timex or for the same price bought a rolex, which would be the better value? Makes no difference if it was your savings, you found the money in the gutter or uncle Harry gave it to you. So it is too, In my eyes, it is, important to get the best value for my money/miles When I fly First or Business I use miles and pay nothing ...but it still costs me becaues I have miles meaning $ deducted from my account. However, someone, somewhere paid many thousands of dollars for those miles. Remember , heat rises, water runs down hill and there is no free lunch ( or miles):o no matter what you think... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paulchili Posted March 19, 2013 #19 Share Posted March 19, 2013 However, someone, somewhere paid many thousands of dollars for those miles. Remember , heat rises, water runs down hill and there is no free lunch ( or miles):o no matter what you think... I don't know about "someone, somewhere" but I do know about me. My miles ARE FREE. One special day alone we (the 2 of us) earned 300,000 AA miles from Citibank - 150,000 miles/pp. That was for opening 2 credit cards for each of us. Yes, there was a minimum spend required over 3 or 6 months. This was EASILY met by NORMAL daily expenses/purchases using these CCs (not to mention that this expense would be easily met by paying for a cruise). All these expenses were NORMAL expenses that we would otherwise make - no extra purchases were required. Thus the miles gotten were truly FREE for ME (maybe not for the airline or bank but that's their problem). Thus I did have a "free lunch" (or a free business/first flight, as the case may be :D). Often the first year CC fee is waived as well (or card cancelled after 1 year before fee is due). This is the only way I have acquired miles over the years and have acquired well over 2 million AA miles over the years this way (along with a lifetime Platinum status with AA/OW Sapphire); not to mention BA and UA miles the same way, though not as many :(. But we are OT now :). YMMV :D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hawaiidan Posted March 19, 2013 #20 Share Posted March 19, 2013 Oceana just gave me a free 2 month cruise.... and all I did was spend on my credit card normaly as I do.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paulchili Posted March 20, 2013 #21 Share Posted March 20, 2013 Oceana just gave me a free 2 month cruise.... and all I did was spend on my credit card normaly as I do.... :confused: Are we both speaking English? Because I don't understand your answer. Are you not familiar with CC companies offering airline miles for opening an account? Because that is what I am referring to - not using the credit card to buy airline tickets (or cruises). Please explain your Oceania "free cruise trick" as I am not familiar with that one :D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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