Land & Sea - LIVE from Spain as we sail & compare HAL to Oceania

[Cruzin Terri]

Jacqui,

Somehow, don't know how, I missed this thread.

Anyway, glad you made it to Bilbao and wish you a wonderful journey.

 

I am really interested in the comparison as we are doing 19 days on O next August if all is well for us. I am hoping that I will be well enough by that time.

We are in the same category cabin as you so the comparison will be especially good for us.

 

Have fun and I will read your comments and comparisons with great interest.

Terri

[kazu]

So glad to hear you finally made it to your destination without any disruptions.

 

Beautiful day at home today. 13c and calm. :)

 

beautiful day in Bilbao as well :) - around 16c - supposed to be warmer tomorrow. thanks :)

 

Well, Jacqui, how's this for a headline:

Lufthansa: Airline Cancels 930 Flights on Wednesday After Failing to Stop Flight Attendant Strike

 

I guess timing is everything - certainly glad you and Jose made the trip when you did!

 

Smooth Sailing ! :) :) :)

Gerry

 

Oh my Gerry, more strikes! What a shame. We did dodge a bullet because if the planes don't go out they can't get back.

 

I am glad we left when we did and that karma & God were smiling on us.

[Lizzie68]

I just caught up with Jacqui's thread on the "O" board and there are some fabulous photos on there, and great food porn if anyone is interested.:D Hoping once she boards the Riviera we will see some reports of the life onboard there compared to HAL.

[1of4]

Bon Voyage tomorrow Kazu and Kazu's DH!! We are anxiously awaiting your thoughts!!

 

Stay safe and enjoy.

[CowPrincess]

I just caught up with Jacqui's thread on the "O" board and there are some fabulous photos on there, and great food porn if anyone is interested.:D Hoping once she boards the Riviera we will see some reports of the life onboard there compared to HAL.

 

Thanks for the reminder, I had completely forgotten about the thread on the "O" board!

[LHT28]

Have a great cruise

I can tell you after getting off the Eurodam last week the food on Oceania is MUCH better maybe not as many choices as HAL

 

Do not forget afternoon tea try it at least once early in the cruise

 

happy sailing

Lyn

[serendipity1499]

Jacqui hope you & Jose have a wonderful cruise on "O".. I've been following your thread since we have been delayed for a week as John ended up in the Hospital on Sat A.M...They took all kinds of tests but we have an OK from our MD to go this Sunday for one week.. Our MD. & we are convinced that it was acute indigestion due to eating several York mints just before he hit the sack at midnight.. Chocolate is a NO NO especially when one is on a 6 weeks regimen of Nexium, which he is.. But to be sure, we have an appointment mid Dec for further tests..

 

So happy you were able to get out before the LH strike..Hope all is better later..Will check out your "O" thread too. Again Happy Cruising.. Enjoy your PH & your Butler!

 

Take care & stay well..

 

Betty

 

P.S. As you know, we've been on two "O" Cruises, & they were A +_+..Would love to take more..

Edited November 19, 2015 by serendipity1499

[kazu]

Hi everyone,

 

We boarded yesterday and I wasted far too much time trying to post and am now way behind on my live thread too. Internet has been a struggle to say the least. I had to go see the internet guy to see what was going on and he put an app on my ipad since the login wasn't coming up. GRRRR.

 

I am NOT the only one with issues. We are still in Spain so I dread to see what will happen when we cross the ocean.

 

Last time we crossed we were on the Prinsendam and we had internet the whole way through.

 

very slow and I am afraid I will not be able to load pics until we are in Malaga.

 

We boarded yesterday and embarkation was quite smooth. Different from HAL - we each had to complete a health card and the security/xray was different.

 

O is keeping our passports until Miami and that's o.k.,but they don't give receipts. huh? I'm used to getting a receipt when I hand over my passport.

 

Our PS is very pretty. Very high quality bedding and quite well laid out. DH likes the sofa, but it is hard.

 

They have some nice touches - a light for reading at night, an alarm clock, a light in the closet that turns on automatically when you open the door, a greeen light in the bathroom that makes things easy to find in the middle of the night and (just discovered today) a table where the top lifts up and it turns into a total vanity.

 

Tons of storage space with a walk in closet similar to the Prinsendam (IMO) - not quite as large but more than adequate, spacious, well laid out and lots of hangers :) and places to hang a LOT of stuff.

 

oodles of storage space, no problem at all and a lovely table at the bed that is laid with a tablecloth when you order room service.

 

The Terrace Grill (similar to the Lido) was less crowded on embarkation day than the Lido on HAL. Simple reason for this is everyone is not allowed to board at the same time. The upper suites board at 11, the PS and Concierge at noon and the others come on later.

 

Rooms aren't ready when you board but again they are ready depending upon category - so you do have to take your carry on's with you.

 

We are still figuring things out and lucky to have some experience roll call members giving us tips and helping out.

 

My first comparison is that there is definitely a lot more choices in the Terrace Grill than there is in the Lido both at luch and at dinner. LOTS of choices including lobster at dinner (but it is Florida lobster - the good lobster is in Polo I believe ;)) There were escargots (for ou escargot fans), freshly carved food, food grilled to order - a multitude of choices, the list goes on.

 

We were in Cartagena all day today and then to Red Ginger today and finally internet seems to be working a bit but it's very slow...so I will take the Ipad to Malaga tomorrow and see if I can update more.

[Vict0riann]

Thanks for keeping in touch, through all your (internet) trials and tribulations. Remember the days when all we could do was send postcards?:eek:

[LHT28]

Jacqui

try going to the pool deck to post the wifi might be better there

or next to Barristas

I never get a good connection in the cabin

 

enjoy the cruise

 

lyn

[CruiserTarheel]

The first thing we noticed after boarding Riviera after several HAL cruises:

 

No photographers!:)

Edited November 19, 2015 by CruiserTarheel

[Lizzie68]

The first thing we noticed after boarding Riviera after several HAL cruises:

 

No photographers!:)

 

Well, that's a plus for starters.:D

[kazu]

The first thing we noticed after boarding Riviera after several HAL cruises:

 

No photographers!:)

 

DH just realized that tonight when he asked where all the photographers were - LOL.

 

He didn't seem too upset by it at all ;)

[LHT28]

DH just realized that tonight when he asked where all the photographers were - LOL.

 

He didn't seem too upset by it at all ;)

it is the little things Oceania does that get my vote ;)

 

It is so nice not to have to stop & pose when getting on/off the ship each time

[kazu]

Jacqui

try going to the pool deck to post the wifi might be better there

or next to Barristas

I never get a good connection in the cabin

 

enjoy the cruise

 

lyn

 

thanks - I will try that toorrow. I have spent over an hour trying to read this and my live thread and do a couple of measly posts. Thank heavens I don't have the "by the inute" package.

[kazu]

YAY, Internet!!!!

 

Now I can try to catch up. It is slow so it takes a while to get things to post and quite a while to upload pics so I am going step by step and hope to be up to date by tomorrow with some luck. I thought today, but it is taking about 15 minutes to load one post with pics in it!

 

So this is my first comparison to HAL.

 

Right now from what I can see HAL wins hands down on internet.

 

I've done several TA's on HAL (Prinsendam) and her internet was far superior.

 

I didn't have to leave my room to post.

 

Here you do. Now if things change I will let you all know, but now that I have discovered a couple of spots, I am hoping to be able to post on a more regular basis (internet permitting).

 

Internet is a bit strange too. It tells you that you are on, the counter is working but it drops without telling you and the counter is still going!

[kazu]

Now, this is a tough one. When I think in terms of comparisons, I think mainly in terms of the Prisendam as that is our ship of choice that we have done several of our TA's on. But most applies to the other ships we have been on too.

 

When I priced our O cruise and figured costs - I comparison priced it to the Prinsendam so fair is fair.

 

The Terrace Grill has oodles of choices for lunch and dinner. Freshly carved meats, all kinds of variety and specials. quite nice. For food choice and quality it beats the Lido hands down IMO (and DH's) for lunch and dinner.

 

For breakfast though, HAL wins. The back bacon is better, the eggs benedict are MUCh better with more choices, etc.

 

One thing I didn't like was that a lot of the tables are too close together and you can get "bumped" constantly as people walk by.

 

DH and I have gotten wiser and asked for a particular table if it is empty and hasn't been re-set rather than get bumped.

 

We also do breakfast in Waves sometimes as there are few people there and it is easy to nip into the Terrace Grill through the door if you want something from there instead of Waves.

 

Service is also much better at Waves.

 

One nice touch in the Terrace Grill is that the waiters get you your coffee, water, juice. Definitely a plus over HAL as long as they see you and serve you ;)

 

I have taken pics of the Terrace Grill buffet which I will post on the live thread (probably tomorrow at the rate it takes to post pics) to give you an idea of the astronomical number of choices, carvings, etc. available. I think there is always something to appeal to anyone and that is why it is so appealing to so many on the ship.

 

One thing that strikes me is it seems noisier to me (again I am comparing to Prinsendam). The ceilings are quite low and I think this is the reason.

 

A very nice venue that is extremely popular and I can understand why.

[cbr663]

Comparing the Prisendam to the Riveria is an unfair comparison, imo.

 

The Prisendam is 38,100 tonnes, 674.2 ft long, 91.8 ft beam, 23.6 ft draft, has 9 passenger decks, 443 crew, 915 passengers, and passenger space ratio of 41.6.

 

The Riveria is 66,048 tonnes, 776.5 ft long, 105.3 ft beam, 24.2 ft draft, has 11 passenger decks, 800 crew, 1258 passengers, and a passenger space ratio of 51.6.

 

HAL's Volendam is actually fairly close in size to the Riveria. The Volendam is 61,214 tonnes, 781 ft long, 105.8 ft beam, 25.5 ft draft, has 10 passenger decks, 561 crew, 1850 passengers, and a passenger space ratio of 33.0.

[RuthC]

Comparing the Prisendam to the Riveria is an unfair comparison, imo.

Size isn't the only basis of comparison.

 

Food, service, entertainment, and overall atmosphere can be compared fairly.

I have sailed both ships, and agree with Jacqui that the Terrace Grill and Waves are superb casual dining spots, especially for lunch and dinner.

 

However, no dining venue could ever get bacon right. Not once---no matter how much I told them how I wanted it. :mad:

[Lizzie68]

Comparing the Prisendam to the Riveria is an unfair comparison, imo.

 

The Prisendam is 38,100 tonnes, 674.2 ft long, 91.8 ft beam, 23.6 ft draft, has 9 passenger decks, 443 crew, 915 passengers, and passenger space ratio of 41.6.

 

The Riveria is 66,048 tonnes, 776.5 ft long, 105.3 ft beam, 24.2 ft draft, has 11 passenger decks, 800 crew, 1258 passengers, and a passenger space ratio of 51.6.

 

HAL's Volendam is actually fairly close in size to the Riveria. The Volendam is 61,214 tonnes, 781 ft long, 105.8 ft beam, 25.5 ft draft, has 10 passenger decks, 561 crew, 1850 passengers, and a passenger space ratio of 33.0.

 

(I think Kazu's intention is to compare food, services and entertainment, not the actual logistics of thre ships).

 

Very glad you were able to connect, it's good to hear from you and to get some comparisons. I gather the Terrace Grill is the equivalent to the Lido Buffet, and it's nice that you get drinks service there rather than having to hop up and down to get coffee, etc. and refills. Looking forward to some food porn, so will go check the thread on the O board soon! Happy sailing.:)

[LHT28]

Yes the Terrace is the buffet on Oceania most of it is NOT self serve

You are served from the staff I think the only self serve section is the bread/rolls

You can get made to order eggs at the egg station

 

WAVES grill (Outside) also serves a smaller version of breakfast & much later than the Terrace for those that like to sleep in ;)

Edited November 23, 2015 by LHT28

[RuthC]

...it's nice that you get drinks service there rather than having to hop up and down to get coffee, etc. and refills.

It's nice if the steward actually understands and gets you what you want. Don't count on it, though. Ask for a glass of chocolate milk at lunch, and place your bets on what is served to you. :rolleyes:

Edited November 23, 2015 by RuthC

[kazu]

It's nice if the steward actually understands and gets you what you want. Don't count on it, though. Ask for a glass of chocolate milk at lunch, and place your bets on what is served to you. :rolleyes:

 

 

ha! ha! RuthC,

 

I went to Waves today for a hamburger and order the Texan one and requested it without bacon. I got a hamburger with bacon and no bun! I had to request it be fixed. LOL.

[RuthC]

ha! ha! RuthC,

 

I went to Waves today for a hamburger and order the Texan one and requested it without bacon. I got a hamburger with bacon and no bun! I had to request it be fixed. LOL.

Which I'm sure they happily did. Too bad you had to wait twice, though.

Still, it's a shame that a line known for excellent service can't get something so simple right the first time.

 

But those burgers sure are good! :)

[kazu]

(I think Kazu's intention is to compare food, services and entertainment, not the actual logistics of thre ships).

 

Very glad you were able to connect, it's good to hear from you and to get some comparisons. I gather the Terrace Grill is the equivalent to the Lido Buffet, and it's nice that you get drinks service there rather than having to hop up and down to get coffee, etc. and refills. Looking forward to some food porn, so will go check the thread on the O board soon! Happy sailing.:)

 

thanks - you got it :) that is my intention.

 

Yes the Terrace is the buffet on Oceania most of it is NOT self serve

You are served from the staff I think the only self serve section is the bread/rolls

You can get made to order eggs at the egg station

 

WAVES grill (Outside) also serves a smaller version of breakfast & much later than the Terrace for those that like to sleep in ;)

 

I just want to clarify this for the HAL forum if you don't mind.

 

The water, coffee, drinks are DELIVERED to your table and served to you.

 

For the rest of the Terrace Grill, you still line up, buffet style. The staff serve you (as in they put it on your plate). But you still have to get in line and order.

 

Think in terms of code orange on HAL - more elegant than that of course, but my best equivalent in HAL terms ;)

 

Yes, you can help yourself to the bread and rolls. Everything else they must put on your plate for you, pass it to you and then you take it back to your table.