NCL cruiser think of trying Oceania...

[LouBNYC]

Hi,

 

The wife and I have been NCL cruisers of late (Epic, Breakaway and Getaway) we really spend most of our time in the SPA, the private club Vibe and in the specially restaurants... We don't rock climb, walk the plank, not big show,/club people... We like to just chill !!

 

I normally bring a case of good vino on board to enjoy...

 

We are thinking maybe a March cruise probably from Miami (wish they had a NYC launch) When looking at what a NCL Ocean view would cost with flights and all the up sells I am thinking an Oceania cruise may not be much more expensive.

 

Can the folks here help give me the pros/cons and the warm and fuzzies ?

 

Thanks

Edited November 30, 2015 by LouBNYC

[hondorner]

Hi,

 

The wife and I have been NCL cruisers of late (Epic, Breakaway and Getaway) we really spend most of our time in the SPA, the private club Vibe and in the specially restaurants... We don't rock climb, walk the plank, not big show,/club people... We like to just chill !!

 

I normally bring a case of good vino on board to enjoy...

 

We are thinking maybe a March cruise probably from Miami (wish they had a NYC launch) When looking at what a NCL Ocean view would cost with flights and all the up sells I am thinking an Oceania cruise may not be much more expensive.

 

Can the folks here help give me the pros/cons and the warm and fuzzies ?

 

Thanks

Just returned about 4 hours ago from 11 days aboard NCL Pearl. What I missed from Oceania: free non-alcoholic drinks (soda, juice, bottled water, even virgin cocktails); free specialty restaurants (I won't pay for any -- we enjoyed the Asian restaurant now that it's complimentary, and enjoyed Moderno with friends using our NCL Platinum vouchers). A quiet pool deck -- on NCL, they had rock groups blasting loudly for several hours. A slightly larger cabin -- we were in a top deck 10 mid-ship veranda and it was much smaller than the smallest on Oceania. No photographers -- NCL photogs were insinuating themselves at every opportunity. We managed to get through the entire cruise without having our photos taken. No smoking in the casino, and in only one small corner of the pool deck. We forgot, and ended up sitting at a table in the smoking half of the NCL pool deck.

 

What we found the same -- service and a happy crew has always been a hallmark of Oceania, and the NCL crew were their equals. Everyone was smiling, helpful, and some of them were downright funny! Nearly the same -- the food. It is always fabulous on Oceania, and the quality can't be beat, but the NCL food was excellent and I couldn't find fault in anything but one tough steak. I'm afraid, however, that you won't find as much in the way of "comfort" food on Oceania -- everything is gourmet, sometimes too much so for me! I enjoyed spare ribs, a mixed BBQ Grill, meatloaf and a chicken pot pie for which to die, which won't normally be found on Oceania.

 

Surprisingly, there wasn't as much to do on NCL Pearl as there is on Oceania, unless you like rock climbing. On NCL, no lectures, lots of spa-related talks, jewelry talks, etc., all designed to separate you from your money. And, most surprisingly for NCL, they entertainment wasn't as good as most I've seen on Oceania. There were no ship singers and dancers, no production shows, one really unfunny comedian (he actually dragged out tired, 15 year-old Clinton jokes), a "Four Seasons" impersonation group that was OK the first night but tiresome and over-rehearsed the second, a comedy magician who was pretty good, a female comedian who made me laugh, and 3 "divas" singing for whom I didn't care.

 

We were traveling with another couple who have never experienced Oceania; we found ourselves being almost tiresome as we continually pointed out "we don't do this on Oceania" and "that is much better than Oceania". However, we did get 11 days in a balcony cabin for less than $200 per person, which you can't do on Oceania, and we had a good time.

 

It should be enough to add that our next cruise will be 180 days in an Ocean View cabin on Oceania Regatta.

[RJB]

Hi,

 

The wife and I have been NCL cruisers of late (Epic, Breakaway and Getaway) we really spend most of our time in the SPA, the private club Vibe and in the specially restaurants... We don't rock climb, walk the plank, not big show,/club people... We like to just chill !!

 

I normally bring a case of good vino on board to enjoy...

 

We are thinking maybe a March cruise probably from Miami (wish they had a NYC launch) When looking at what a NCL Ocean view would cost with flights and all the up sells I am thinking an Oceania cruise may not be much more expensive.

 

Can the folks here help give me the pros/cons and the warm and fuzzies ?

 

Thanks

 

We have been very happy with Oceania for the last 10 years or so. Nothing perfect, but have found the food, the suites and everything about Oceania great for us. This includes Crystal and Silversea. Try it, you will like it.

[KT Freeman]

I have been on only one NCL cruise and was not impressed. The buffet was mediocre with not enough tables, the casino smoky, and the extra charge for the specialty restaurants was not worth it. I have been on only Oceania cruise and we're hooked. There is no comparison.

[hypercafe]

Sounds like you would like Oceania, you pay more and more is included. The ships you speak of are maga ships and the Oceania ships are 650 or 1250 passangers so much smaller. From what you say the big difference is the age group, Oceania mostly 60+ from my trips out of Miami and the ship is much more laid back. Give it a shot, you might not love it but you will not hate it.

 

Sent from my SM-T320 using Forums mobile app

[Flatbush Flyer]

Sounds like you would like Oceania, you pay more and more is included. The ships you speak of are maga ships and the Oceania ships are 650 or 1250 passangers so much smaller. From what you say the big difference is the age group, Oceania mostly 60+ from my trips out of Miami and the ship is much more laid back. Give it a shot, you might not love it but you will not hate it.

 

Sent from my SM-T320 using Forums mobile app

 

 

Our last two summer trips on O (Alaska 2014 and Med 2015) had a much varied age demographic including quite a few tong families with kids. The main O commonality appears to be well educated and/or well traveled folks regardless of age.

[LouBNYC]

We are in our early 50s.... Fairly well traveled (Europe, Africa various US spots). We try to do two vacations a year one photo related and one totally chill... Was looking at something short 7ish days as a winter break. Will do some more exploring of the itineraries.

 

Wish they took the NCL cruise credits we bought ;)

 

Thanks

Lou

[hypercafe]

From your name I assume you are in the NYC area. Since you are used to mega ships give RCCL new ship a try. I believe it's in NJ.

[LouBNYC]

Yup, NY.. Honestly we hide in secluded places on the mega ships hence looking for more intimate focused on what we do.. Eat, drink, chill

[computerworks]

Yup, NY.. Honestly we hide in secluded places on the mega ships hence looking for more intimate focused on what we do.. Eat, drink, chill

 

Then.... Oceania? "...it's a bingo!"

 

You will fit right in.

[hypercafe]

Yup, NY.. Honestly we hide in secluded places on the mega ships hence looking for more intimate focused on what we do.. Eat, drink, chill

 

Oceania would fit you well except you might be the youngest on the ship if that matters. Crystal might be better as they have more going on however it's fixed dinning. The Gem is also great and you can use your future cruise deal. During the summer the Summit in NJ is also great. Oceania is hard for us because we are sick of flying and only the small ships come here. Have taken the Rivera out of Miami a few times and its OK, give it a shot. We took the train down, fun experience.

[TIMAS]

NCL vs. Oceania is like a Schwinn Bike to a Mercedes.

[LHT28]

We have met many age ranges of people on our cruises

some people gravitate to those of their own age but we enjoy all people over the age of 25 ;)

 

You will not know if any cruise line is for you unless you try it for yourself

 

YMMV

[Mura]

Oceania is hard for us because we are sick of flying and only the small ships come here. Have taken the Rivera out of Miami a few times and its OK, give it a shot. We took the train down, fun experience.

 

That's not quite true. We've left and arrived from NYC several times on Marina. Obviously not as many departures from NY as from Miami but they do exist. We're doing a TA in April 2017 that leaves from Barcelona to NYC. And we did the NYC-Dover cruise in 2014. Last spring after the Lima-NYC cruise on Marina, the ship went to Montreal and then across to Southampton.

 

Mura

[Hawaiidan]

Hi,

 

The wife and I have been NCL cruisers of late (Epic, Breakaway and Getaway) we really spend most of our time in the SPA, the private club Vibe and in the specially restaurants... We don't rock climb, walk the plank, not big show,/club people... We like to just chill !!

 

I normally bring a case of good vino on board to enjoy...

 

We are thinking maybe a March cruise probably from Miami (wish they had a NYC launch) When looking at what a NCL Ocean view would cost with flights and all the up sells I am thinking an Oceania cruise may not be much more expensive.

 

Can the folks here help give me the pros/cons and the warm and fuzzies ?

 

Thanks

 

Let me tellyou some very basis differences

First : the ship looks and feels like a sleek ocean going vessel not a floating mall and amusement park...

 

Second :décor and furnishings are classy and very high quality...no garrish paint carpets and plastic. the ship feels like a up scale british club with wood paneling and leather chairs...

 

third: Your fellow passengers will be for the most part, polite low key well traveled and well mannered

there will be thousands less people of the crowds you experience. on NCL..no lines no buffet bunnies..gold chain...crowds of unruly children of all ages

 

fourth: no one will be hyping you, hitting on you to buy this or that no blaring rock bands... every dining venue is top class and no charge...

 

Fifth: Food... the best at sea and on many land places... like lobster? you can have it every meal every venue every day...even the poolgrill has lobster and filet sandwiches.... no charge

 

Sixth: No garish las vegas reviews, pool games, kids programs, photographers, art auctions... in their place beautiful public rooms huge libraries well stocked,great opportunities to just converse with interesting people....

 

Its a place for adults to enjoy subtile pleasures of ocean travel and enjoy serenity rather than a a floating six flags and coney island. Fine dining with a country club dress code not the faux dress up and snooty play....

 

So over all yes your right the over all cost will be equal to the NCL carnival and all the chicken-upselling for second rate service , third rate food and bottom of the barrel ambiance.....I have 5 more cruises booked after taking 4.

My wife and I feel that Oceania offers us a true luxury product in a luxury atmosphere with wonderful people and no kids programs... We likeyou don't see shows, entertain our selves and love meeting interesting well traveled people who are not ovelyi mpressed with them selves...... The ultimate chill in the ultimate environment for us... just haut enough..... without pretention.

[wally_bushy]

Yup, NY.. Honestly we hide in secluded places on the mega ships hence looking for more intimate focused on what we do.. Eat, drink, chill

 

Hmmmmm, that sounds like Oceania:)

[sammiedawg]

Hi,

 

The wife and I have been NCL cruisers of late (Epic, Breakaway and Getaway) we really spend most of our time in the SPA, the private club Vibe and in the specially restaurants... We don't rock climb, walk the plank, not big show,/club people... We like to just chill !!

 

I normally bring a case of good vino on board to enjoy...

 

We are thinking maybe a March cruise probably from Miami (wish they had a NYC launch) When looking at what a NCL Ocean view would cost with flights and all the up sells I am thinking an Oceania cruise may not be much more expensive.

 

Can the folks here help give me the pros/cons and the warm and fuzzies ?

 

Thanks

 

I've never been on NCL so cannot compare. I agree with previous comments to try it. Don't be afraid to try something new and hopefully you will enjoy. I wouldn't spend too much time comparing one cruise line with another, some people do that to death, comparing and ranking the littlest feature.

I am pretty sure O will be more expensive but value is a lot more than the dollar difference.

[LouBNYC]

Thanks all.. I think it will come down to if the wife wants to jump on a flight or not...