What's the Class System Like on Oceania?

[pinotlover]

I think the issue for most isn't the Jeans that Fonda might wear. In fact, I have seen the maître de seat people on several occasions that were wearing really nice dress jeans. The fight becomes when the maître de says "No, those Lee Comfort Fit jeans are not dress jeans, you must go change", and the cruiser wants to argue that those jeans are dress jeans for THEM! Another poster and I, on the same cruise, both commented here once before about the number of times we witnessed the maître de turning people back because of the quality of jeans, and not once did the event go down without an argument by the cruiser. In all those cases, we both agreed that the jeans being worn were definitely NOT dress jeans, but very casual jeans, often the jeans they appeared to have worn all day out touring.

 

Now, I'll really cause trouble and ask if a pair of XXXL or waist size 50+ jeans with waist band ever be considered dress jeans? Some posters have suggested that body size and shape can never be considered in appropriateness of any apparel.

[Floridiana]

Boarding times, denim, age, body size ... What else can you guys come up with to fit under the headline of class system? :rolleyes:

[Sabbycat]

This entire topic reminds how often people book something and find out about the rules later and complain about them. Same holds true when folks buy homes with an HOA

 

Every cruise line has protocols. Guests need to find out what these are BEFORE they book. If you don't like the Oceania protocols book a line where you like the way they do things

 

If you like what Oceania has to offer otherwise then don't complain about no hot breakfast or boarding times or other protocols. It is THEIR business model. We vote with our wallets.

 

With all due respect, Oceania must make these "rules" available on their web site. I searched, no where does it state no hot breakfast for certain guests. No hot breakfast is not something one could predict. I agree, about finding out the rules, but where these rules are not listed the cruise line is amiss.

[JimandStan]

With all due respect, Oceania must make these "rules" available on their web site. I searched, no where does it state no hot breakfast for certain guests. No hot breakfast is not something one could predict. I agree, about finding out the rules, but where these rules are not listed the cruise line is amiss.

 

With added respect, the 'problem" seems to lie with passengers who make assumptions based on what other cruise lines are offering, without knowing, or asking, the particulars.

 

Let's face facts, base level Oceania cabins, by virtue of their being on an Oceania ship, operate in a completely different Universe than the Mass Market Lines, or so many disaffected Mass Market passengers would not be considering paying Oceania prices in the first place.

 

I say vive la différence!

[mauibabes]

I think the discussion hearkens back to what is provided for room service. My recollection is that B Staterooms can order Continental breakfasts but Full hot breakfasts are available for A, and above. We usually book Concierge level and I don't recall when they implemented the change to Continental Breakfast for B staterooms. I hate to say it but that is a question your Travel Agent should have been able to answer and brief any traveler on. if you booked directly with Oceania, your Specialist can help you with virtually anything. Just like Coke or Pepsi products. Coke is provided in all staterooms but the will provide Pepsi products on request.

If you are booked in B, and there are A rooms available prior to sailing, Oceania will put an email offer out, first come first served, to upgrade for a nominal fee.

We were on a trip on our way to Sorrento and weather forced us to Naples. We had Private tours set up and everyone was scrambling to queue up at the Destinations Desk to change excursions. We went to our Concierge in the Concierge Lounge and she called our prive tour company and made arrangements to have us picked up in Naples the next day. After that experience, we decided the Concierge level of service and attention was what we wanted and were willing to pay for. It is a Value issue and for new Oceania cruisers, believe me, it is worth it. We have picked up Upgrade offers as well by already being in Concierge level.

[mauibabes]

We have been on 10 O cruises and only a few occasions have we encountered boorish behavior. People love Countryclub Casual and the obnoxious set just don't gravitate to Oceania. The 55+ clientele guests for the most part are quite content with themselves.

One evening we had a shared table for about 10 of us. Wonderful people and two of them turned out to be Frank Del Rio's in laws. He is now Chairman of the board of NCL.

 

The jeans in the Grand Dining Room is another issue. You can wear them up in the Terrace Cafe Buffet and for the most part, the dining selections are the same as in the GDR. My wife has been questioned about her blingy dress sandals which her Dr. Recommended. Sometimes you just have to have some quiet conversations, the staff work very hard to do their jobs well and uphold the Oceania standards.

Jeans and buffet go hand in hand. Dress jeans with sparkles and such are always accepted.

[LHT28]

. He is now Chairman of the board of NCL.

 

.

he is actually president and chief executive officer of Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd.,

[tinkr2]

Do any other cruse lines have assigned boarding times?

 

I have sailed on many cruises and the only time I saw different boarding times for different classes ("class" defined one's accommodations/deck/dining room/amenities, etc.) was on the Liberte, a French ship built for crossing the Atlantic.

 

Dinosaurs were in the hold.

I have been shopping Oceania for awhile as it is my mothers cruise line of choice. We liked Azamara but missed the activities on the larger ships. As for staggered boarding times, Carnival and Norwegian have assigned boarding times. As for the scandal of no hot breakfast, it is no longer available on RCCL or NCL without a charge, 7.95 I believe.

As for class system, when you board on NCL Haven, a gentleman holding a sign escorts you past the throngs of waiting guests. It generates much scowling and snide comments as you pass. While I did not enjoy the production, I did enjoy the prompt boarding and escort. It is clearly a class system , not earned but purchased.

The important thing I have learned from this thread, there are always people who disagree and others who think they are correct... no matter what.

I can not wait to meet some of the O regulars when I book for next year:D

[bitob]

I think the discussion hearkens back to what is provided for room service. My recollection is that B Staterooms can order Continental breakfasts but Full hot breakfasts are available for A, and above. We usually book Concierge level and I don't recall when they implemented the change to Continental Breakfast for B staterooms. I hate to say it but that is a question your Travel Agent should have been able to answer and brief any traveler on. if you booked directly with Oceania, your Specialist can help you with virtually anything. Just like Coke or Pepsi products. Coke is provided in all staterooms but the will provide Pepsi products on request.

 

If you are booked in B, and there are A rooms available prior to sailing, Oceania will put an email offer out, first come first served, to upgrade for a nominal fee.

 

We were on a trip on our way to Sorrento and weather forced us to Naples. We had Private tours set up and everyone was scrambling to queue up at the Destinations Desk to change excursions. We went to our Concierge in the Concierge Lounge and she called our prive tour company and made arrangements to have us picked up in Naples the next day. After that experience, we decided the Concierge level of service and attention was what we wanted and were willing to pay for. It is a Value issue and for new Oceania cruisers, believe me, it is worth it. We have picked up Upgrade offers as well by already being in Concierge level.

 

 

You don't have to be in concierge level to get that service. The main concierge will provide that same service to anyone in any cabin

[Spursgirl]

I think the discussion hearkens back to what is provided for room service. My recollection is that B Staterooms can order Continental breakfasts but Full hot breakfasts are available for A, and above. We usually book Concierge level and I don't recall when they implemented the change to Continental Breakfast for B staterooms. I hate to say it but that is a question your Travel Agent should have been able to answer and brief any traveler on. if you booked directly with Oceania, your Specialist can help you with virtually anything. Just like Coke or Pepsi products. Coke is provided in all staterooms but the will provide Pepsi products on request.

If you are booked in B, and there are A rooms available prior to sailing, Oceania will put an email offer out, first come first served, to upgrade for a nominal fee.

We were on a trip on our way to Sorrento and weather forced us to Naples. We had Private tours set up and everyone was scrambling to queue up at the Destinations Desk to change excursions. We went to our Concierge in the Concierge Lounge and she called our prive tour company and made arrangements to have us picked up in Naples the next day. After that experience, we decided the Concierge level of service and attention was what we wanted and were willing to pay for. It is a Value issue and for new Oceania cruisers, believe me, it is worth it. We have picked up Upgrade offers as well by already being in Concierge level.

 

Appreciate that this is a totally unimportant issue but much prefer Pepsi to Coca Cola.

 

Am looking forward to my first Oceania cruise on Marina so thank you very much for the tip

Edited July 23, 2016 by Spursgirl

[Sabbycat]

With added respect, the 'problem" seems to lie with passengers who make assumptions based on what other cruise lines are offering, without knowing, or asking, the particulars.

 

Let's face facts, base level Oceania cabins, by virtue of their being on an Oceania ship, operate in a completely different Universe than the Mass Market Lines, or so many disaffected Mass Market passengers would not be considering paying Oceania prices in the first place.

 

I say vive la différence!

 

Except they say 24 hour room service. They do not qualify that in anyway, thereby the reader would not expect restrictions on the room service. If the 24 hour room service has restrictions they should note this..at least in the fine print - they do neither.

 

Therefore, given the above any individual reading the amenities would not, and should not expect restrictions on this specific amenity given the lack or restrictions and or qualifiers.

 

This is not a c'est la Vie issue but rather one of transparent marketing to ensure your cutomer is clear on what they are getting. A company should at all times ensure they are not falsely raising a clients' expectations.

[Travelcat2]

Agree with most of Sabbycat's observations but want to add that it seems as if passengers coming from mainstream and premium cruise line backgrounds do not find Oceania to have a "class" system while luxury cruisers like myself are of a different mindset.

 

While I have no issue with extra benefits that are given to passengers in higher category cabins (except that the hot food breakfast thing is, IMO, ridiculous), I do have an issue with the boarding process and the Concierge and Executive lounges.

 

Now that this thread has resurfaced, it would be nice if posters new to Oceania were allowed to give opinions without a lot of argument. After all, they are opinions and all of us have them.

[Paulchili]

While I have no issue with extra benefits that are given to passengers in higher category cabins (except that the hot food breakfast thing is, IMO, ridiculous), I do have an issue with the boarding process and the Concierge and Executive lounges.

Now that this thread has resurfaced, it would be nice if posters new to Oceania were allowed to give opinions without a lot of argument. After all, they are opinions and all of us have them.

 

Do you mean no arguments except from you? :D

Edited July 23, 2016 by Paulchili

[pinotlover]

The continual comments about Oceania's boarding process brings back memories of a hilarious conversation my wife and I had a couple of years ago with one of our very talkative room stewards. He had us in tears laughing! :p

 

We were discussing the entire embarkment process for them and everything that had to be done. To put the story in further clarity we were in a Concierge Cabin. The room stewards would all greatly prefer changing the boarding process and having a single boarding time for everyone. He believed that if O did so, they could turn the ship around perhaps an hour or more faster for everyone. In doing so, however, no one would board the ship until 2-2:30 at the earliest.

 

His stories (and complaints) came from the multitude of boarding passengers that go to their rooms before their floors/decks have been called and clutter up the room. He told stories about going into rooms with half unpacked suitcases scattered across the room and on the beds. People that have taken showers and thrashed the already cleaned bathrooms, all of which had to be totally redone for final room inspection. The funniest story of all was him telling of walking in on this couple going frantically at it in bed! (He hadn't even gotten the new sheets on the bed yet). They started screaming at him because he hadn't knocked and/or announced himself.

 

Staggered he replied "No one is supposed to be in these rooms yet!"

She responded " If they didn't want us in the rooms, they wouldn't have given us keys that open the doors!"

 

He says he now knocks on all doors before entering! :D

 

I have witnessed multiple guests doing the same thing. Going to their cabins and dropping off the carryons before coming back for lunch, long before their cabins/decks are called. When questioned the reply is typical "Why not, the key works?" The reason why not , is because it does slow the process down for everyone. Therefore, I believe that O should do one of two things, either:

 

1. Do as the mass market lines do and have one mass boarding time. This would make those thin skinned worried about a class system happy, or;

 

2. Invest in a security system wherein the cabin doors won't open, by cruiser keys, until they (Oceania staff) announce and release that deck for occupation. This would speed up the process for all.

[orchestrapal]

If Oceania make boarding the same as the mass market lines they would loose a lot of very loyal clients. However, if those that have a later boarding time would board at the correct times there would be no problems with cabins not being ready. They treat people like adults which obvisually some passengers are not.

Edited July 23, 2016 by orchestrapal

[gdlamberth]

In the "FWIW category:" A recent Princess Cruise we were on had staggered Boarding times. Boarding was by deck in 5 groups, albeit for me and about 3,000 of my closest friends:rolleyes:. I assume (only assume) that the room readying was prioritized by the order in which decks were boarding. When asked "Why?" Princess reps said that it was to upgrade the client's experience by eliminating (or at least reducing) the time a guest spends standing in line. I asked if they denied boarding "until your group is called" like on airlines. they said, "Rarely." They seem to believe that people will be people: some will ignore the rules because the rules don't apply to them (see previous post):D; and, some will follow the rules. Apparently enough follow the rule to provide Princess Check in folks the flow they can handle while minimizing wait times. We were in the 4th group to board and never stood in a line. Princess embarked 3,000 pax in just under 3 hours; smoothest embark (for us) EVER.

 

Greg

[Paulchili]

This was our experience on Princess as well - staggered boarding by decks.

Works very well to reduce lines.

Based on that Princess must have a "class system" as well :D

[bitob]

The continual comments about Oceania's boarding process brings back memories of a hilarious conversation my wife and I had a couple of years ago with one of our very talkative room stewards. He had us in tears laughing! :p

 

 

 

We were discussing the entire embarkment process for them and everything that had to be done. To put the story in further clarity we were in a Concierge Cabin. The room stewards would all greatly prefer changing the boarding process and having a single boarding time for everyone. He believed that if O did so, they could turn the ship around perhaps an hour or more faster for everyone. In doing so, however, no one would board the ship until 2-2:30 at the earliest.

 

 

 

His stories (and complaints) came from the multitude of boarding passengers that go to their rooms before their floors/decks have been called and clutter up the room. He told stories about going into rooms with half unpacked suitcases scattered across the room and on the beds. People that have taken showers and thrashed the already cleaned bathrooms, all of which had to be totally redone for final room inspection. The funniest story of all was him telling of walking in on this couple going frantically at it in bed! (He hadn't even gotten the new sheets on the bed yet). They started screaming at him because he hadn't knocked and/or announced himself.

 

 

 

Staggered he replied "No one is supposed to be in these rooms yet!"

 

She responded " If they didn't want us in the rooms, they wouldn't have given us keys that open the doors!"

 

 

 

He says he now knocks on all doors before entering! :D

 

 

 

I have witnessed multiple guests doing the same thing. Going to their cabins and dropping off the carryons before coming back for lunch, long before their cabins/decks are called. When questioned the reply is typical "Why not, the key works?" The reason why not , is because it does slow the process down for everyone. Therefore, I believe that O should do one of two things, either:

 

 

 

1. Do as the mass market lines do and have one mass boarding time. This would make those thin skinned worried about a class system happy, or;

 

 

 

2. Invest in a security system wherein the cabin doors won't open, by cruiser keys, until they (Oceania staff) announce and release that deck for occupation. This would speed up the process for all.

 

 

Obviously the problem is not Oceania's policy. The problem is the passengers. There are always few who think the rules don t apply to them.

[Travelcat2]

I understand staggered boarding for large ships but Oceania has small ships (compared to Princess for instance). On Oceania's sister cruise line Regent(same size ships as four of the Oceania ships) boarding is first come - first served. Everyone knows that you can board at noon if you wish to, have lunch, sit by the pool or whatever. Suites will not be ready until 2:30 p.m. Some passengers choose to board a bit later. It is easy and not a problem on such small ships.

 

Mainly, (and I am particularly addressing those that continue to make unkind remarks about those of us that disagree with their opinion) it bothered me to be in a line to board the Riviera that clearly stated that we were in one of the upper suites. Another line indicated that you were in a Penthouse or concierge or ??? (Do not remember the specific designations). Maybe a passenger prefers that others not know that they are in a top suite or an inside stateroom. We prefer not talking about the suite category we are in (unless specifically asked). On Oceania, even the servers and bartenders know your stateroom/suite category if you order a cocktail .... what is the purpose of that?

 

Maybe "class system" is too politically incorrect nowadays - but there certainly is a visible distinction between those passengers in upper, middle and lower categories. I am not going to belittle anyone that disagrees with me but it was something that made me uncomfortable on our two Oceania cruises. Perhaps I am too used to sailing on luxury cruise lines where the distinction is much less obvious.

Edited July 23, 2016 by Travelcat2

[Mura]

In August '12 we were in a PH on Regatta (which on average has been our usual accommodation over the years)/ Our other most recent cruises have been on Marina: VS in Oct '11 and May 14, OC in Nov '13 and a PH last year.

 

This time we took a "downgrade" because the offer from O was too good to refuse and were in a plain old veranda cabin on Deck 6. In the past the lowest cabin we've ever been in was a concierge, although of course we've been in the same size cabin, both on O and Renaissance.

 

I noticed no difference in treatment. Yes, we didn't board as early and we had to wait longer for our room to be ready for occupancy. Yes, we didn't get our hot breakfast on tour days -- although to the poster who thinks you don't get room service in these category rooms you DO. Just not the hot breakfast which is another matter ... it's been suggested by others that you could order your hot breakfast from the room service menu but we didn't try that. Going to the GDR or Terrace for our breakfast on tour days worked out absolutely fine. We were never rushed for time.

 

We thought the smaller room would bother us more since most recently we've been in some rather large suites. It didn't. I knew the shower size would bother me because it always has, but that actually bothered me less than the bathroom itself. I have finally decided that the bathrooms in rooms below the PH on the "R" ships are really the size of a nice walk-in shower! I handled the shower better than I did trying to dry off afterwards in such a tight space.

 

We had more than enough storage room although we didn't have the "extra" room the bigger suites give us. Check-in time was minimal.

 

DH and I both agreed that the space was fine and we didn't miss the larger space as much as we had anticipated. We had the same treatment we've always had from the room stewards and when I gave the wine steward our room number not one of them blanched in horror.

 

There was only one problem because of the lack of space and that was when my husband tripped on the bedding dragging on the floor -- in a larger cabin it wouldn't have happened. But there was just no extra room.

 

All in all it was much better than our hotel rooms in Copenhagen and London!

 

So we remain convinced that the "class system" on Oceania is pretty much egalitarian. You will find what you want to find, or what you expect, I suspect.

 

Our next two booked cruises are "upstairs" but based on our recent experience on Nautica we might well book another non-concierge room in the future. As has been said, that pays for more cruises ...

 

Sorry to go on so long but I wanted to provide some context.

 

Mura

[tinkr2]

I am so confused by pinotlovers statement of mass market boarding times of late afternoon. As someone who has cruised all the mass market lines, I can assure you, none of them board in that manner. They used to board in a whenever you show up to port, you get on system. Most of them now have assigned boarding times which everyone disregards because it is a new system. If there is any wait to check in, those in suites and high loyalty status skip the line. I do not think I have ever had to board past 12:00. This has nothing to do with your cabins readiness, which may be MUCH later.

[SellaVee]

Agree with most of Sabbycat's observations but want to add that it seems as if passengers coming from mainstream and premium cruise line backgrounds do not find Oceania to have a "class" system while luxury cruisers like myself are of a different mindset.

 

Maybe "class system" is too politically incorrect nowadays - but there certainly is a visible distinction between those passengers in upper, middle and lower categories. I am not going to belittle anyone that disagrees with me but it was something that made me uncomfortable on our two Oceania cruises. Perhaps I am too used to sailing on luxury cruise lines where the distinction is much less obvious.

 

You say you do not wish people to make unkind remarks but you seem perfectly happy to make remarks yourself which come over as incredibly patronising to those of us who are contentedly sailing Oceania quite unconcerned by any class system which, of course, you imply we are too unsophisticated to appreciate. I find that rather unkind. I'm sorry if that hurts your feelings.

[Travelcat2]

You say you do not wish people to make unkind remarks but you seem perfectly happy to make remarks yourself which come over as incredibly patronising to those of us who are contentedly sailing Oceania quite unconcerned by any class system which, of course, you imply we are too unsophisticated to appreciate. I find that rather unkind. I'm sorry if that hurts your feelings.

 

I appreciate your comments and you did not hurt my feelings. Thank you for explaining that my posts are not coming across the way I intend them. I definitely do not feel that Oceania passengers (or passengers from other cruise lines) are unsophisticated or that luxury cruise passengers are more sophisticated. In our years of travel, we have stayed at budget hotels/resorts as well as luxury ones and everything in the middle. We find good and not so good people at all levels - it is the individual that counts - not how much money they have or spend on vacations.

 

In terms of the "class" system, I sometimes wonder how it all started on cruise ships. I suspect it was with ships like the Queen Elizabeth I (hope I have the right ship). My DH sailed "steerage" when he moved from the U.K. to the U.S. There was a definite class system on that ship. One could not get near the upper class areas. The conditions for steerage passengers was very poor. It seems that cruise lines adopted some of the policies set up by what is now Cunard (and still has a class system). So, where you felt I thought that some cruisers were unsophisticated, it is actually that they became accustomed to how various cruise lines separate different levels of passengers.

 

Until we began luxury cruising, we had not experienced a cruise line where everyone was treated the same - no special menu's or special areas for only some passengers. No one knows or cares what suite you are in. I love the equality of luxury cruising. When we first sailed Oceania's Riviera - at that time we felt it was the most beautiful ship in the world (the Explorer just took that honor) and were saddened that there was a small degree of a "class system". While I understand that Oceania cruisers are happy with the way things are, I don't think that there would be an uproar if everyone could order a hot breakfast from room service or if boarding was first-come, first-served, etc. Of course, I could be wrong -- it would not be the first time.

 

I do want to comment on some posters that truly attack "newbies". A little kindness and understanding would be nice. I, on the other hand, will try to communicate in a way that is less harsh.

[pinotlover]

TravelCat;

 

I would like to know the exact reason of your disgruntlement with O's boarding process. Do you believe:

 

1. That O should give all 1100 or 680 (depending on ship) an 11:00 o'clock boarding time and just deal with any mob that shows up at that time; or

 

2. Do away with any designated cabin lines for those checking in; or

 

3. Check in everyone as they arrive, regardless of what check in time they were assigned; or

 

4. All of the above.

 

Please explain why you are against staggered assigned check-in times.

 

Thanks!

[Travelcat2]

TravelCat;

 

I would like to know the exact reason of your disgruntlement with O's boarding process. Do you believe:

 

1. That O should give all 1100 or 680 (depending on ship) an 11:00 o'clock boarding time and just deal with any mob that shows up at that time; or

 

2. Do away with any designated cabin lines for those checking in; or

 

3. Check in everyone as they arrive, regardless of what check in time they were assigned; or

 

4. All of the above.

 

Please explain why you are against staggered assigned check-in times.

 

Thanks!

 

Will try to answer your questions.

 

1. Yes - except boarding at noon gives the staff more time to get the ship ready. It has not been our experience that a mob shows up at noon.

 

2. Yes -- do away with designed lines to do initial check-in.

 

3. Again - yes - check in when they arrive (noon or after). There would no longer be designated times.

 

Before explaining why I am against staggered assigned check-in times, I would like to add that I have no problem with upper suites being ready earlier. For instance, perhaps Owners, Grand and Oceania can go to their suites immediately while PH and perhaps Concierge can go at 1:00 p.m. and then 2:00-2:30 p.m. for the rest. This does not have to be announced as the documents clearly show what time your suite/stateroom will be ready (I have no response to your funny stories about passengers entering their suite before they are suppose to -- I did not know that people even did this -- guess I'm a rule follower). While this is still preferential treatment, it is not something that is really obvious to others. And, again, passengers would have lunch and wait in the comfort of the ship until they go to their cabin.

 

I am against staggered check-in times for many reasons. Mainly, quite a few people arrive at the port of embarkation early (not their fault - just flight times). As it is now, if they are in the lowest category they are given the last boarding time. While I've read on CC that you could board earlier if it isn't busy, this is not a given. If I read on my documents that I could not board until 2:30 p.m. and I arrived at the airport at 9:00 a.m., I would try to find something to do until my embarkation time. Depending upon weather, this could be difficult and I'm not certain if you could drop your luggage off at the ship and go off on your own for a few hours. Note: Check-out times for hotels seems to be getting earlier -- we had to check out of our last hotel at 11:00 a.m. so we would have a reasonably long wait until we could board.

 

Since Oceania's smaller ships are the same size as two of Regent's ships, I am assuming that embarkation would be no more difficult than at Regent. If upper category passengers have a problem with this on Regent, it has not been mentioned - not even once - on the Regent board.

 

First come - first served boarding has never been a problem for us. Passengers can board early or drop off their luggage and go out and sightsee for a while and board when they feel like it.

 

Hope that this helps explain my position.

Edited July 24, 2016 by Travelcat2