"R" Class Vista Suite Question

[smoothsailors]

Our first Oceania cruise will be in September on Insignia. We originally booked VS6002 as that was the only one open...today our TA was able to switch us into VS7004 (which had been our first choice). It seemed to us that the Deck 7 location might be quieter although the deck plan diagrams indicate that the verandah space will be narrower.

 

We feel fortunate to be in any VS, and don't think we could have really made a wrong choice but would appreciate any input from those who have stayed in 7004?

 

Thank you!

[StanandJim]

Our first Oceania cruise will be in September on Insignia. We originally booked VS6002 as that was the only one open...today our TA was able to switch us into VS7004 (which had been our first choice). It seemed to us that the Deck 7 location might be quieter although the deck plan diagrams indicate that the verandah space will be narrower.

 

We feel fortunate to be in any VS, and don't think we could have really made a wrong choice but would appreciate any input from those who have stayed in 7004?

 

Thank you!

 

Deck 7 is the preferred location. The veranda's on 7 are indeed narrower, but because of the angle of the railings, the extra space on Deck 6 isn't significant.

This early promotional photo may show you what I mean:

[smoothsailors]

So appreciate your prompt reply and reassuring answer...Deck 7 had been our original thought so we're now even more excited about our first O adventure! We have realistic expectations, thanks to all the generous CC posters, and selected this sailing for the uncommon departure port, the VS accomodations and less formal dress code...paired with an upbeat outlook, we intend to love every minute!

[RJB]

Our first Oceania cruise will be in September on Insignia. We originally booked VS6002 as that was the only one open...today our TA was able to switch us into VS7004 (which had been our first choice). It seemed to us that the Deck 7 location might be quieter although the deck plan diagrams indicate that the verandah space will be narrower.

 

We feel fortunate to be in any VS, and don't think we could have really made a wrong choice but would appreciate any input from those who have stayed in 7004?

 

Thank you!

7004 is the right one. We stayed in 6002 and it was great but the 7th floor is not as noisy in the morning when docking.

[smoothsailors]

Thanks so much! As I said, we'd have been happy in either but this change worked out well for us.

 

Did the butler explain about needing to keep the drapes closed at night or is there a note left in the VS staterooms?

[newlondon]

Stan and Jim, Would you please comment on wind on R class vista suite verandahs. We turned one down because we felt that at 18 knots + wind force the effect might make the verandah unusable. In an OS the wind is not a factor to the same extent.

[TrulyBlonde]

Stan and Jim, Would you please comment on wind on R class vista suite verandahs. We turned one down because we felt that at 18 knots + wind force the effect might make the verandah unusable. In an OS the wind is not a factor to the same extent.

 

We had the VS on 6 (Regatta) for Alaska. They do tie down the deck furniture and it was chilly so did not use it often except for viewing. We have already booked it again on Insignia for S. America. The views and extra interior space are why we love it. Being on 6, there can be some noise from the stage when rehearsals are going on, a bit more motion in rough seas, but the benefits outweigh the negatives. In a warm and mild climate even more spectacular.

[StanandJim]

Stan and Jim, Would you please comment on wind on R class vista suite verandahs. We turned one down because we felt that at 18 knots + wind force the effect might make the verandah unusable. In an OS the wind is not a factor to the same extent.

It's true, the wind almost always prohibits the use of a Vista Suite Veranda, on any Oceania ship, when the ship is sailing full out.

 

The trick is to get a Vista on a port intensive cruise, when there is a lot of sailing in and out of harbors. Then, the view from a Vista Suite is truly incomparable.

...and with the ship sailing along at 4 or 5 knots, the perfect place for a cocktail party!

[newlondon]

Thanks to you both. Confirmed my concern.

[RJB]

It's true, the wind almost always prohibits the use of a Vista Suite Veranda, on any Oceania ship, when the ship is sailing full out.

 

The trick is to get a Vista on a port intensive cruise, when there is a lot of sailing in and out of harbors. Then, the view from a Vista Suite is truly incomparable.

...and with the ship sailing along at 4 or 5 knots, the perfect place for a cocktail party!

I could not say it any better.

[haskinskj]

[sorry for copies.

Edited January 9, 2016 by haskinskj
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[haskinskj]

delete extra copies

Edited January 9, 2016 by haskinskj
delete extra copies

[haskinskj]

So appreciate your prompt reply and reassuring answer...Deck 7 had been our original thought so we're now even more excited about our first O adventure! We have realistic expectations, thanks to all the generous CC posters, and selected this sailing for the uncommon departure port, the VS accomodations and less formal dress code...paired with an upbeat outlook, we intend to love every minute!

 

We are booked into Vista Cabin 7004 on Insignia for the Northern Crossings July 1 - 19, 2016, from Miami to Iceland and I am getting very excited about it! I was delighted to see this thread and wonder if anyone has photos of the interiors of the cabin 7004 (or any Vista Suite on the R ships), on Insignia especially, since the fire a year or two ago. I can see the floor plans on the website but they use only drawings, not photos, for the pictures.

 

We have sailed on Oceania before, on the Marina in a vista suite cabin for three weeks around South American two years ago. We loved the line, loved the cabin, loved the people we met and the loved the service people who were just awesome! We previously had sailed three times on Regent's Voyager so were looking to try the R ships on Oceania as we really enjoyed the smaller size of the Voyager. And I, more than my husband, love sea days and there are 8 on the upcoming cruise.

 

Thanks for any help anyone can provide with pictures of the Vista suite interiors on the R ships.

[LHT28]

on Insignia especially, since the fire a year or two ago. I can see the floor plans on the website but they use only drawings, not photos, for the pictures.

 

not sure what the fire would have to do with the photos :confused:

The fire was in the engine room no damage to cabins or other decks

 

The photos on the website are pretty accurate

be sure to compare the size listed for the VS against what you are used to on Regent

The VS on R-ships will be half the size of the Marina suites so be prepared for a smaller living space

Edited January 9, 2016 by LHT28

[StanandJim]

The photo's with the red rugs are from the Insignia, because some of the other R ships still have the Blue rugs, I've included both color schemes. All of the sofas are now of the sectional type, and the bathrooms in the Vista and Owners Suites all of the R ships now have oversized walk in showers in place of the former Jacuzzi style tubs.

.

 

[smoothsailors]

We found a video of Insignia Vista Suite 6002 that was posted on YouTube in December 2014 that was helpful in gauging the size of the suite...believe that it was taken after the redo judging by the bathroom shower.

 

Hope this link works:

(or it's the only video of "Insignia Vista Suite 6002" that pops up on Google)

 

Actually this video, which shows the proximity of 6002 to the open deck below, is why we were happy to make the switch to 7004!

 

Your South America trip sounds heavenly and, yes, the VS suites on the R ships are smaller...but we thought that with the extra powder room we'd be quite comfortable for 17 days. And we love Sea Days, too!

 

Have a wonderful cruise this summer and please post your experience in 7004!

[GeezerCouple]

The photo's with the red rugs are from the Insignia, because some of the other R ships still have the Blue rugs, I've included both color schemes. All of the sofas are now of the sectional type, and the bathrooms in the Vista and Owners Suites all of the R ships now have oversized walk in showers in place of the former Jacuzzi style tubs.

.

 

 

Thanks so much for these phots.

 

I have a question about whether the floor plan & photo on the website is inaccurate (not a huge surprise, but want to know "what is really where").

 

The website floor plan & photo:

 

https://www.oceaniacruises.com/ships/insignia/suites-staterooms/vista-suite/

 

definitely seems to show that the orientation of the bed is *not* facing the front/glass doors, but is facing slightly angled toward the back of the room.

 

It also seems clear from photos above vs. floor plans that the Vista Suite deck plan isn't correct, especially with respect to the balcony.

Looking at the front of the ship, it just doesn't seem possible that there is really an "open" deck with glass panels all the way around.

Am I missing something here?

 

Our O rep was also confused, and he's been with O for quite a number of years (and all of his other information has been spot on thus far).

 

It always makes a huge difference to us if we can "see" a/the nice view from bed.

 

Many thanks!

 

By the way, we just returned from our first O cruise over the holidays, on the Riviera.

We loved all the photos and comments here on CruiseCritic - *very* helpful indeed.

That all left us with very high expectations, and those were - as customer services like to phrase it - "exceeded".

Just WONDERFUL!

[orchestrapal]

Owners suite bed faces the window and vista suite faces away from Windows.

The red carpet photo is of an owners suite and blue carpet of a vista.

Edited January 9, 2016 by orchestrapal

[GeezerCouple]

Owners suite bed faces the window and vista suite faces away from Windows.

The red carpet photo is of an owners suite and blue carpet of a vista.

 

Thanks very much.

 

The size differential between the O class and R class PH suites is considerable.

The use of space in the O class PH suites was really remarkable.

(Too bad there's nothing "in between" PH and V suites on the R class, like the OC suites on the O class ships.)

 

The R class ships really have some very interesting itineraries.

 

We definitely got "hooked" immediately, almost within minutes of stepping onto the Riviera last month.

Now the problem is... having DH find more time off for longer cruises.

 

Thanks again.

[StanandJim]

It always makes a huge difference to us if we can "see" a/the nice view from bed.

You cannot "see the sea" from the bed in a vista Suite, although the desk in the bedroom has a superb view through that oversize porthole..

This diagram is very accurate, and is actually fairly easy to read if you know that the front door to the suite is pictured at the lower right corner of the image. One enters into a small foyer, with the guest bathroom on the right and walks into the living/Dining room. The bedroom is separated from the living room only by curtains, and the Master Bath is off that bedroom.

It should be noted that the Deck 6 Vista Suites (R ships only) offer the ability of adding an adjoining category C cabin as a second bedroom. This arrangement is slightly awkward, because the adjoining door is in the Bedroom of the Suite, so occupants of one bedroom must walk through the other in order to get to the Veranda or Living areas.

 

The forward facing fenestration on a Vista Suite is best illustrated by the bleu carpet photo of the living room in my earlier post, and that window is precisely where the diagram says that it should be.

 

Edited January 9, 2016 by StanandJim

[GeezerCouple]

You cannot "see the sea" from the bed in a vista Suite, although the desk in the bedroom has a superb view through that oversize porthole..

This diagram is very accurate, and is actually fairly easy to read if you know that the front door to the suite is pictured at the lower right corner of the image. One enters into a small foyer, with the guest bathroom on the right and walks into the living/Dining room. The bedroom is separated from the living room only by curtains, and the Master Bath is off that bedroom.

It should be noted that the Deck 6 Vista Suites (R ships only) offer the ability of adding an adjoining category C cabin as a second bedroom.

 

The forward facing fenestration on a Vista Suite is best illustrated by the bleu carpet photo of the living room in my earlier post, and that window is precisely where the diagram says that it should be.

 

 

Thanks very much.

 

The "confusion" was from the photos of the blue and red bedrooms above.

 

But the "inaccuracy" I'm referring to is with respect to the "open" balcony.

If one looks at the front of the R-class ships, those forward balconies are - for lack of a better/more accurate term - "hull balconies".

That is, they are set inside the hull, and have an enclosed feel.

 

Also, one of the photos above apparently shows a group of people with the "end" of the balcony behind them (two women smiling in the front of the photo).

It seems pretty clear that one can not look down fully "over the side", whereas on the R class ships it seems quite easy.

It seems that the Vista balconies on the O ships are rather different, and more "open", and also (most?) also wrap a bit more around the sides for a better side view.

(We were thinking of this specifically with respect to a Panama canal transit.)

 

That's what our O rep didn't initially understand until he inquired further.

it should be clear from looking at photos of the ship, showing the front.

 

BTW, StanandJim, thanks very much for some older photos, of a couple of really special hotels on St. Lucia. We made a point of visiting them during a port stop there a year ago. Nice! :)

We're always on the lookout for land-based destinations, too.

[RJB]

Photo of bedroom in Vista Suite looks a little old. I remember it as being a little more updated like the picture you have of the living room.

[StanandJim]

Photo of bedroom in Vista Suite looks a little old. I remember it as being a little more updated like the picture you have of the living room.

It's difficult to say what you saw because, unlike the big Suite Bathrooms which were all spruced up in 2015, the soft furnishings and finishes in the Vista Suites are updated as they find the time and opportunity.

 

Insignia and now Sirena have also spent time with other folks in charge of their decor, so it will be some time before everything is uniform fleet wide again.

 

As regards that specific photo, the rug is certainly an older pattern, but the bedding is supposedly the new stuff (i.e. the match the Marina update).

[RJB]

It's difficult to say what you saw because, unlike the big Suite Bathrooms which were all spruced up in 2015, the soft furnishings and finishes in the Vista Suites are updated as they find the time and opportunity.

 

Insignia and now Sirena have also spent time with other folks in charge of their decor, so it will be some time before everything is uniform fleet wide again.

 

As regards that specific photo, the rug is certainly an older pattern, but the bedding is supposedly the new stuff (i.e. the match the Marina update).

I thought that the Vista Suites were big suites. We were in 6002 on Nautica a few years ago and think the bedrooms were updated from those pictures. Not very important, just saying what I remembered. Or think I did.

[Mura]

Only addressing the issue of Vistas on the "R" ships being "big suites" -- they are. But 900 sf or so is much less than you find on the "O" ships in the "big suites". We thought it was great our first time (also our last time on an "R" ship) compared to a PH. It was about twice the size, plus that extra half bath was a real pleasure.

 

Mura