What to expect?

[waterbug123]

As you can see from my signature we have many cruises under our belt, but will be taking our first on Oceania (Nautica) in June. Most prior cruises have been on Royal or Celebrity.

I am well aware that this will be a different experience, just wondering about a few things so that my expectations can be set accordingly.

 

1. What's the average demographic? This will be a summer cruise around the Iberian peninsula.

 

2. Is there much activity after dinner, particularly around the casino and martini bar area? And speaking of the casino, what are the usual table minimums for blackjack?

 

3. While we'll be going ashore every day we're in port, we will probably head up to the pool deck once we're back on board late afternoon. Is it generally crowded or will we likely find plenty of available seating?

 

4. I know there are no formal nights, and everything I've read says men are fine in a collared shirt, but it also seems to indicate that some may wear jackets. My significant other doesn't mind wearing a sport coat at all, so just wondering what the typical percentage is of men who do wear a jacket on any given night vs. those who do not. I'm sure he'll wear a jacket some, and go without some, just trying to get a feel for how many men typically wear one to dinner. It may affect whether he takes just one to wear a couple of nights, or whether he packs a 2nd one.

 

5. What time can we board on embarkation day and when are actual cabins ready? On mass market lines, the official boarding time is something liek 2:00, but everyone knows you can actually start boarding around 10:30/11:00, although cabins aren't accessible til 1:00. Same or different on O?

 

Thanks for your input! :)

[pacheco18]

As you can see from my signature we have many cruises under our belt, but will be taking our first on Oceania (Nautica) in June. Most prior cruises have been on Royal or Celebrity.

I am well aware that this will be a different experience, just wondering about a few things so that my expectations can be set accordingly.

 

1. What's the average demographic? This will be a summer cruise around the Iberian peninsula.

 

60 plus. Could be older.

 

2. Is there much activity after dinner, particularly around the casino and martini bar area? And speaking of the casino, what are the usual table minimums for blackjack?

 

Very little activity. A few stalwart drinkers in the bar. Some fools at the slots. LOL

 

No idea about the minimums.

 

3. While we'll be going ashore every day we're in port, we will probably head up to the pool deck once we're back on board late afternoon. Is it generally crowded or will we likely find plenty of available seating?

 

Ample seating except in the shaded areas under the overhangs. Those fill up first and there are plenty of chair hogs.

 

4. I know there are no formal nights, and everything I've read says men are fine in a collared shirt, but it also seems to indicate that some may wear jackets. My significant other doesn't mind wearing a sport coat at all, so just wondering what the typical percentage is of men who do wear a jacket on any given night vs. those who do not. I'm sure he'll wear a jacket some, and go without some, just trying to get a feel for how many men typically wear one to dinner. It may affect whether he takes just one to wear a couple of nights, or whether he packs a 2nd one.

 

One is more than enough. My husband does not take a jacket. I would guess the average is less than 25% but it could be more on certain cruises.

 

5. What time can we board on embarkation day and when are actual cabins ready? On mass market lines, the official boarding time is something liek 2:00, but everyone knows you can actually start boarding around 10:30/11:00, although cabins aren't accessible til 1:00. Same or different on O?

 

That information will be in your welcome booklet. Cabins are ready in order of cost. Suites ready first. All cabins are usually ready no later than 3 but you can have a sumptuous lunch and meet fellow cruisers while you wait.

 

Thanks for your input! :)

 

 

I hope that answers your questions

Edited December 2, 2013 by pacheco18

[LHT28]

Questions 1-4

it will depend on who books the cruise, it will vary from cruise to cruise

 

We have been on cruises where the casino is full every night & the following cruise there is no one there

Same goes for the pool deck

I have not witnessed many "chair hogs" on O ...it does happen but a quick word in the ear of the pool deck attendant & their belonging are removed

 

I would not show up until after NOON unless you are in a top suite

 

Enjoy

Lyn

[pacheco18]

My experience has been that you get considerably older passengers on the cruises that are least port intensive (less strenuous), longer (retired folks who can take time off) and more "exotic" (because those folks have probably been everywhere else).

 

As for the chair hogs -- just move the stuff yourself LOL

[orchestrapal]

Summer European cruises will probably have a more diversified group both in age and where they are from. Expect some children!

[hondorner]

Oceania's "target" demographic is 50 to 70. Children are allowed but not encouraged; there are no children's programs except a limited number of cruises including Alaska and around the Christmas holidays. I've never seen ill-behaved children on an Oceania cruise.

 

Martinis Lounge is popular after dinner; on some cruises an evening Trivia is held there. The casino is small, and while I see activity there, it's a much different experience than on a larger, more mainstream cruise line. I personally have not spent more than 10 minutes there. There is a show of some sort every evening, and while Oceania does not have a reputation for fantastic shows, I personally find them enjoyable and mostly on a par with what I've seen on Celebrity. After the show, which ends around 10:30, it seems like the "sidewalks get rolled up" and most guests retire for the evening.

 

I've never had a problem getting a lounge on the pool deck.

 

I typically bring one jacket and wear it occasionally, generally on the evening of the Captain's party, if invited to dine with an officer, and when I feel like it. However, that's because I never get to wear one at home and enjoy wearing one from time. I have sailed on Oceania without one, as have many of our cruise friends, and have never been the least uncomfortable. The Chairman of the cruise line is famously reported as having said, "Anyone wearing a Tux is likely to be mistaken for a maitre 'd", and he deliberately left out tie racks in the design of Marina and Riviera.

 

I think if you gear your boarding time towards Noon or a little later, and expect to have your cabin cleared for use by 3 pm, you'll be most comfortable. It may happen faster, especially if you have a Penthouse Suite or above. It's doubtful you'll be allowed to board at 10:30 or 11:00 am. The staff does a really fabulous job of cleaning and setting up the ship for the turnover.

[PaulMCO]

BJ minimum on our last Riviera cruise was $10 - but have seen it as high as $25.

[waterbug123]

Questions 1-4

 

I would not show up until after NOON unless you are in a top suite

 

We have a concierge veranda, so I guess it will be among neither the first or the last cabins to be ready. I forgot we are doing a pre-cruise tour that morning so I doubt we'll be there before 1:00 or so anyway now that I think about it.

 

My experience has been that you get considerably older passengers on the cruises that are least port intensive (less strenuous), longer (retired folks who can take time off) and more "exotic" (because those folks have probably been everywhere else).

 

This one is pretty port intensive...only 1 sea day, although it's just 7 nights. I know there is no way to know for sure, but sounds like a bit older than we are used to. That's fine though. One of us is nearing 50 and the other one (who shall remain nameless but is not me!) is nearing 60, so we aren't exactly college kids, LOL.

[waterbug123]

Oceania's "target" demographic is 50 to 70. Children are allowed but not encouraged; there are no children's programs

 

Martinis Lounge is popular after dinner; ..... After the show, which ends around 10:30, it seems like the "sidewalks get rolled up" and most guests retire for the evening.

 

I've never had a problem getting a lounge on the pool deck.

 

I typically bring one jacket and wear it occasionally

 

We are not bringing kids, so no issues with lack of children's program.

 

We will probably be among the last ones standing each night; we tend to be night owls on cruises. We can always enjoy a night cap on our balcony if the sidewalk rolls up too early. By the way, what is Oceania's policy on bringing wine aboard? Royal and Celeb allow 2 per cabin, but I haven't come aross O's policy yet.

 

Thanks for the add'l input on pool chairs and jackets.

 

BJ minimum on our last Riviera cruise was $10 - but have seen it as high as $25.

 

Thanks, I can play longer if it's $10. :D

[waterbug123]

I hope that answers your questions

 

Yes, thank you very much! :)

[no fuss travel]

No restrictions on wine and you an also bring hard liquor on board as well. You just have to drink in your cabin or pay a corkage fee.

[LHT28]

On a shorter cruise you may find the age range is younger

Us old folks (over 60 ) prefer longer cruises ;)

 

Enjoy

 

Lyn

[no fuss travel]

Lyn, you are only as old as you act. Numbers don't mean a thing. I know some 20 year olds who behave and act as if they were 100, so don't classify yourself as old:D

[LHT28]

Lyn, you are only as old as you act. Numbers don't mean a thing. I know some 20 year olds who behave and act as if they were 100, so don't classify yourself as old:D

:D

You are right

This past few months I feel old & DH is falling apart :eek:

 

I need a cruise NOW :D

 

Lyn

[waterbug123]

No restrictions on wine and you an also bring hard liquor on board as well. You just have to drink in your cabin or pay a corkage fee.

 

Perfect, thank you!

[Host Jazzbeau]

I always bring a sport coat (or the jacket from my "formal night" blue suit, which then looks like a blazer, on other cruise lines) to dinner -- in case the dining room is cold or drafty. Worn over a short-sleeve golf shirt it fits the "country club casual" motif on the outside while still being comfy casual on the inside. ;)