How is Oceania compared to Princess or HAL

[Kamloops50]

To Oceania Cruisers

 

I get flyers from Oceania . I look at the pictures of passengers and get the feeling that you have to dress up every night of the cruise .

Some prices seem comparable to Princess or HAL but have more things included in the price.

[Mura]

There are many threads along these lines -- I suggest you do a search.

 

However, to relieve on of your concerns -- there are NO formal nights on Oceania. The clothing standard is "country club casual" which means dress nicely but it doesn't have to be THAT nice! Breakfast and lunch are more casual, even in the main dining room. Dinner time forbids jeans, sandals (on the order of flip flops), t-shirts ... But it is not overly dressy at all.

 

Mura

[Floridiana]

Oh yes, the models in the brochures ;)

Trim bodies, great and abundant hair, classy clothing, don't we all wish. :rolleyes:

[Paulchili]

Here are a few threads comparing Oceania to HAL:

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2331393&highlight=oceania+vs+hal

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2171176&highlight=oceania+vs+hal

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1793059&highlight=oceania+vs+hal

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1768331&highlight=oceania+vs+hal

 

plus others

 

Comparing O to Princess:

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2158911&highlight=oceania+vs+princess

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1704434&highlight=oceania+vs+princess

 

You can do the search to compare O to Celebrity as well.

To answer your original question - the reason we chose Oceania many years ago WAS the casual dress code and have never looked back. Everything else (great food, nice fellow passengers, great crew) were just added bonuses.

Ignore the catalog pictures - just dress for dinner as you would at home for a nice dinner out.

Edited April 7, 2016 by Paulchili

[no fuss travel]

IMO food is way better on Oceania. No picture taking, No art auctions. No formal or semi-formal nights, for the men, no need to bring a jacket or tie if you don't want to wear one

[Barrheadlass]

There was recently a thread comparing O to HAL, and in my humble opinion it turned into an insulting rant about HAL cruisers being beyond tacky people. I am someone who has enjoyed 4 HAL cruises, and then tried Oceania. My husband and I decided we absolutely loved O and would probably not return to HAL. That said, my husband no longer travels and I've returned to hAL as O was just too expensive for me to travel solo. Agree with what above posters said...no formal nights, free beverages except alcohol...no nickel and dining. Food is terrific, specialty restaurants included in the fare. Yes, the price is higher, but worth it in our view.

Edited April 7, 2016 by Barrheadlass

[buggins0402]

O's itineraries tend to be very port intensive, so you might not miss the evening entertainment. I also love the different point to point cruises found on many O itineraries, allowing one to explore two major or regions in more depth, before and after the cruise.

[iamkingofall]

Oh yes, the models in the brochures ;)

Trim bodies, great and abundant hair, classy clothing, don't we all wish. :rolleyes:

 

yeah the brochure . I look like them . In my flippin dreams .:cool:

[Classiccruiser777]

O food is outstanding. HAL food ranges from very good to fair. O has smaller ships, includes more in the base fare, has superior beds and bed linens. We like and sail both lines as well as Cunard and love O.