Oceania tempts me

[Spursgirl]

I have sailed Azamara many times and am now tempted to sail on an Oceania ship.

 

However, I have heard from a few sources that passengers tend to retire early and consequently bars and public rooms are quite empty after dinner.

 

I enjoy the ambience of Azamara and the pleasant interaction with other guests so would be grateful if Oceania aficionados could advise me if we might be among the only night owls on the ship?

 

Thank you

[pinotlover]

Depends upon the cruise. Catch as catch can!

 

I've seen the casino going strong until 2-3 a.m. on some cruises, and Horizons and Martinis empty by 10:30-11:00 on other cruises.

 

Generally speaking, even though I love Oceania, I would not expect a vibrant nightlife on any of their ships. After the shows let out ~ 10:30, things can go very quiet. A lot of their cruisers don't even stay up for the shows, but disappear after dinner for the evening. What's hard for me to often grasp, is that this is the case, even on Baltic Cruises when it stays light to midnight and later outside, and the ship is passing through some beautiful scenery!

[StanandJim]

I have sailed Azamara many times and am now tempted to sail on an Oceania ship.

 

However, I have heard from a few sources that passengers tend to retire early and consequently bars and public rooms are quite empty after dinner.

 

I enjoy the ambience of Azamara and the pleasant interaction with other guests so would be grateful if Oceania aficionados could advise me if we might be among the only night owls on the ship?

 

Thank you

 

A lot depends on the itinerary, but in general, you'll find 6 or 8 compatriots in Martini's until midnight, and another four or six who prefer the bar in Horizons.

There is a burst of action in all of the bars after the showroom lets out, but everything is generally all wound up by 1AM, no matter where you are on the ship.

[LHT28]

I guess it depends when they finish dinner ;)

We are usually up until 11 pm sometimes in the lounge or bar area some go to the show which finishes about 10:30 pm

sometimes we find someone we like to sit & chat with in a quiet area

Then some people go to bed early if they are up early the next day for a tour

I have met some 75+ old people that run rings around us :D

 

Not sure what happens on Azamara after dinner so cannot comment

 

I guess it is a personal choice if you decide to try Oceania or stick with what you know

 

enjoy whatever cruise you choose

[beachmudhut]

I have sailed Azamara many times and am now tempted to sail on an Oceania ship.

 

However, I have heard from a few sources that passengers tend to retire early and consequently bars and public rooms are quite empty after dinner.

 

I enjoy the ambience of Azamara and the pleasant interaction with other guests so would be grateful if Oceania aficionados could advise me if we might be among the only night owls on the ship?

 

Thank you

 

I have sailed on both lines and can confirm that Azamara is livelier at night and generally a more sociable experience. We sailed with Oceania five times last year and on most of these cruises the bars were almost empty by 9.00pm. The only exception was the cruise that had all drinks included when some people stayed up until 10.30! We really enjoy the Oceania experience but if you want nightlife you might find it disappointing.

[PSULion]

I just got off O in December after three A cruises. Regarding nightlife, there is really no comparison, at least on this Regatta Caribbean cruise. I think it largely has to do with the included drinks on A, because the few people that were up late on this O cruise were mostly drinkers that had the drinks package and were enjoying cocktails in the bar areas. The average age on A versus O probably lends to a more active nightlife as well.

 

Unless you really enjoy an active nightlife on ship, I would not let this issue dissuade you from trying O.

 

John

Edited January 14, 2016 by PSULion

[JPR]

Riviera or Marina in a PH3. Do it. Otherwise, you will be disappointed...

Edited January 14, 2016 by JPR

[Spursgirl]

Riviera or Marina in a PH3. Do it. Otherwise, you will be disappointed...

 

Thank you everyone for your advice. Riviera and Marina look beautiful ships.

 

I like to cruise the med which tend to be port intensive cruises so I understand why lots of guests retire early if they are touring the next day. We are fortunate to have visited the majority of ports in this region so tend to do our own thing these days.

 

Am not a huge drinker but like sociable company in the evening.

 

Guess the answer might be to try a 7 night cruise going to some of my favourite spots to see for myself

[CintiPam]

I just got off O in December after three A cruises. Regarding nightlife, there is really no comparison, at least on this Regatta Caribbean cruise. I think it largely has to do with the included drinks on A, because the few people that were up late on this O cruise were mostly drinkers that had the drinks package and were enjoying cocktails in the bar areas. The average age on A versus O probably lends to a more active nightlife as well.

 

Unless you really enjoy an active nightlife on ship, I would not let this issue dissuade you from trying O.

 

John

 

I definitely concur with these comments.

 

That being said, the atmosphere certainly changed in the 11 months between our two Azamara cruises when mixed drinks at any time were added to the formerly included wine only with meals, some evenings to the detriment IMO when the frat atmosphere became a little much. We will see this summer when we return for an Azamara Quest cruise up the coast of Norway.

Edited January 16, 2016 by CintiPam

[Zoey1]

Riviera or Marina in a PH3. Do it. Otherwise, you will be disappointed...

 

I agree, location was the reason that we took a PH3 on on the Marina

[RJB]

I agree, location was the reason that we took a PH3 on on the Marina

And what was that location? Front or back?

[ShopperfiendTO]

We were recently on Az in the Mediterranean and the night life at the bars was about the same as on our O cruises in the Mediterranean.

 

There was a bit more activity around the Mosaic cafe, and perhaps due to the snacks available there :p , but that was about it.