Has anyone tried Oceania?

[Loreni]

We recently sailed on the Pacific Princess and liked many of its features. We could see ourselves trying a small ship again, but Pacific Princess is the only small ship left in the fleet, so we need to look beyond Princess for additional options.

 

Has anyone tried Oceania. We rarely drink alcohol. So, I believe Azamara's inclusion of free alcohol, would not be a plus. Oceania seems like alcohol is pay-as-you-go which makes sense to us. Otherwise, we don't see too many options. Fathom looks like the only CCL option.

 

My impression in that Oceania is more expensive than Pacific Princess, but it is hard to be sure because of the promotions etc.

 

Please let me know your thoughts. Is the food better? We are not that concerned about entertainment.

[jasmith52]

My impression in that Oceania is more expensive than Pacific Princess, but it is hard to be sure because of the promotions etc.

 

I haven't tried Oceana so take my thoughts for what they are worth. They do send me their catalogs and promotional material though.

 

All cruise prices fluctuate with demand Princess, Oceana, or other. Oceana and the other high-end lines often have air-fare promotions tied in to the price. One needs to separate the airfare value from the cruise to assess what kind of deal it is. My assessment though is that Oceana is approximately 3 times the price of Princess.

 

I would like to try it. But I just can't justify paying all that much more. We aren't drinkers so all the booze you want doesn't sway us. I would expect the food and service to be better on Oceana. I would expect somewhat better entertainment than Pacific Princess. I would expect (with many exceptions) sophisticated/well traveled passengers.

 

The question to ask yourself is.... Is the higher price really worth it.

Edited September 26, 2016 by jasmith52

[Working 2 Cruise]

It's very expensive, but if you can afford it.... Since you have so many questions about other cruise lines and types, you'd be better off talking to a good travel agent.

[deadzone1003]

I'm elite on Princess, but slowly switching over to Oceania, mostly due to the fact that Princess got rid of the Ocean Princess that was doing most of their exotic itineraries. Oceania is much more expensive than Princess, somewhere between Princess and the luxury lines. However, the food is as good as the luxury lines and maybe better than most. The only food better on Princess is pizza (by alot), some pastas, and variety of sausages that Princess seem to always have. The reasons most people go on Oceania are the food, the itineraries, and the smaller ships. Entertainment is better on Princess though I am not familiar with entertainment on the Pacific Princess. Oceania's entertainment is probably towards the bottom end of the spectrum while their food is at the other end of the spectrum. If you wish to try them out without spending too much money, try their Caribbean cruises on their small ships.

Most of Oceania's clientele are well traveled. Their excursions are very expensive and, simply, not worth it. There are no formal nights, so it is country club casual like most nights on Princess. Examples of food are:

Chilean Sea Bass (probably their most popular dish), steak & lobster sandwich, & Waygu Beef Burgers.

Above all, if you have to be entertained, this is the wrong cruiseline for you.

[johnmik1]

We were on Oceania Riviera in April for a 5 day charter cruise.The ship holds 1250 guests and we sailed with 625.Our hosts provided the full liquor package and a generous onboard credit.The ship is beautiful and the cabins nicely appointed.Each cabin has a laptop in the desk and Champagne in the fridge.The food was gourmet and the service was over the top.It was a bit smaller and quieter than we normally like but a nice experience.We ate in the Italian,Asian and the main dining room along with the buffet for lunch.I don't know if I would pay their rates but would be happy to go again if someone else paid again.

[basor]

We are elite on Princess but have sailed many times on Oceania (their smaller ships - 684 people). Oceania is more expensive at first look but the pricing comes closer when you add in the included on Oceania - specialty dining, bottled water, specialty coffees, milkshakes, smoothies, Perrier,basically any drink that does not include alcohol, steak, lobster, shrimp, lamb chops grilled to order at outdoor grill for lunch and terrace café (their answer to a buffet) for dinner (complete with table service). There is no photographer, art auctions or nickel and diming. Entertainment is on a smaller scale because most of their itineraries are port intensive and people are in bed earlier getting ready to be up and off the ship the next morning.

 

Their brochure pricing includes air but they give you a credit if you want to purchase your own/use miles. They also have several promotions where they include OBC, excursions and beverage packages plus if you use at TA that specializes in Oceania, you generally will receive pre-paid gratuities..

 

It is a more intimate experience with few/no children and well traveled fellow passengers. As is always the case, you need to look at the bottom line and see what is important to you.

 

Hope this helps..

[eandj]

We have done O twice. And agree with all said by the posters who have cruised them. The environment is more upscale, quieter with a definite BIG jump in food and service. Entertainment is geared to older clientele and obviously not in a huge theaters. Their itineraries are interesting.

[Lucky TGO]

It's very expensive, but if you can afford it.... Since you have so many questions about other cruise lines and types, you'd be better off talking to a good travel agent.

I totally agree.

Tony

[SanDiegoscrappy]

We were on the Sirena (the former Ocean Princess) in July. Agree with comments from other posters. For us it was the unique itinerary and the very good food. The MDR became Jacques Bistro on some afternoons (even port days) so it was extra special to have a specialty restaurant experience for lunch. While we would not cruise with them on itineraries that most lines also do, the experience may be worthwhile to see if premium or luxury cruising is worth the higher fare. I think Oceania is a nice "next step" to consider for a taste of the Silverseas (did try) and Regent (in the works). Go and enjoy!

[long cruiser]

If you want to spend 1/3 to 1/2 more then sail oceania.

long cruiser

[mafig]

I was researching both Azamara and Oceania for cruises with unique itineraries.

 

What I didn't like was the small size of the cabins on the R ships.

On Oceania it seems like it's difficult to get a table for two, especially in the specialty restaurants.

You have to get the beverage package, otherwise drinks are very expensive, very small (there was a post last week mentioning a one ounce pour for wine.

 

The ships look nice and updated, but there's not much you can do with those low ceilings.

 

While we don't need to be constantly entertained, for the price you pay on O, I think they can do better. The common comment from their board is "Oceania guests are capable of entertaining themselves."

[Bruin Steve]

We have cruised on Oceania three times...

All three were longer cruises--14-16 nights in Europe...

We did it the first time in an inside cabin on the 684 passenger Nautica...The second in a Concierge class cabin on Nautica...the third in an Oceania Suite on the 1250 passenger Marina...

 

The itineraries are truly outstanding with the smaller ships being able to get into ports the large ships can't...

 

One note: Do not assume the cabins are tiny based on the reported square footage. Different cruise lines measure differently. Princess includes the balcony in their measurements, making the cabin sizes seem larger. They are not. We found even the inside cabin on Nautica to feel more roomy than cabins on Princess.

 

Personally, I prefer the 1250 passenger ship to the smaller R-Class...It's twice the gross tonnage, but NOT twice the passengers...Very spacious though still smaller than most Princess ships...and far fewer passengers for the space. And unlike the smaller R-ships, the newbuilds have a dedicated theater with stage and other amenities not included on the smaller ships (a classroom kitchen for cooking classes, an art studio and more).

 

The food on Oceania, IMHO, is easily the best on any cruise line we've sailed...and we've been on 8 of them. The specialty restaurants are outstanding and at NO additional charge.

 

If there are negatives with Oceania, it's that the demographics tend to be a little older (not that we are not getting older ourselves) so the ship really quiets down after dinner. The late night disco is as sparsely attended as any I've ever seen. Only the casino seems to have action later in the night--because gamblers are just crazy that way.

 

For the pricing, yes, they tend to be a little more expensive...but not all sailings...And remember to compare apples to apples...airfare, for example, is included in their pricing--though you will also find you can pass on the airfare and get a credit off the price.

 

The service is outstanding (especially when we had the Oceania Suite!). They do tend to have a bit of a "class system"--Suite passengers get to make twice as many advance specialty reservations as everyone else...and they can make them before the Concierge passengers--who can make them before the balcony passengers, etc. But, you can usually get extra reservations once on the ship--though not always the best times are left.

 

There are no formal nights, though people tend to dress well to dinner (this is not Carnival where we've seen jeans and T-shirts on formal night). The crowd tends to be a little on the snooty side at times--after all, these are people who seem to have a little more expendable money...but we've always found lots of very nice, down-to-earth people as well (Yeah, that's coming from the guy who was cruising in the big suite)...

 

On the whole, IMHO, Oceania blows away Princess on most counts...The ship is far less crowded, the itineraries better, the cabins much nicer, the food much, much better, the service better, etc. And that is not a knock on Princess...For the most part, we are fine with Princess. It's just that if you are willing to spend a bit more, you get what you pay for.

 

Of course we all have different standards, criteria, priorities and expectations. What I like, you may not. You should really take a test drive. Book a cruise on Oceania and see what you think. If you like the smaller ships, ask yourself what it is you like about them. I am guessing you will be impressed with Oceania.

[sunsetbeachgal]

Holland America has a small ship (capacity less than 800) in their fleet, the Prinsendam. Also has nice itineraries and visits some ports that larger ships can't get into. And you can find some good prices on this ship. We thoroughly enjoyed our cruise on this smaller ship.

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Forums

Edited September 27, 2016 by sunsetbeachgal

[Loreni]

Holland America has a small ship (capacity less than 800) in their fleet, the Prinsendam. Also has nice itineraries and visits some ports that larger ships can't get into. And you can find some good prices on this ship. We thoroughly enjoyed our cruise on this smaller ship.

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Forums[/quote

 

You are right. HAL does have great itineraries. If they ever change their smoking policy, we will certainly consider them. Right now, it's a deal breaker.

Edited September 27, 2016 by Loreni

[Loreni]

I was researching both Azamara and Oceania for cruises with unique itineraries.

 

What I didn't like was the small size of the cabins on the R ships.

On Oceania it seems like it's difficult to get a table for two, especially in the specialty restaurants.

You have to get the beverage package, otherwise drinks are very expensive, very small (there was a post last week mentioning a one ounce pour for wine.

 

The ships look nice and updated, but there's not much you can do with those low ceilings.

 

While we don't need to be constantly entertained, for the price you pay on O, I think they can do better. The common comment from their board is "Oceania guests are capable of entertaining themselves."

 

Getting a table for two is important to us, if we can't get this, we won't sail Oceania.

 

We don't really drink alcohol...maybe once or twice a year. So this is a not an issue. Anyway, we skip most of the entertainment on Princess...actually, I would pay NOT to have to watch much of it, so quiet nights are OK. I thought the cabins on Pacific Princess were a good size.

Edited September 27, 2016 by Loreni

[deadzone1003]

There are many tables for two in both the MDR and the specialty restaurants. However, you probably have to be flexible with your time unless you are in a suite. As someone mentioned earlier, there is a class system for specialty restaurant reservations. If you wish to visit the specialty restaurants outside of your own reservations days, you can check in the morning for open spots. It is easier to get in if you are willing to share a table. One of the best way is checking if there are openings when you embark. Very few people like to make reservations for the 1st evening of the cruise.

[Bruin Steve]

We've never had a problem getting a two-top on Oceania when we've wanted one--though the two-tops tend to be close together...

We've also been seated by ourselves in otherwise tables for four...The dining rooms are fairly ample...seating never seems to be a problem...

[Host Jazzbeau]

We rarely drink alcohol. So, I believe Azamara's inclusion of free alcohol, would not be a plus. Oceania seems like alcohol is pay-as-you-go which makes sense to us.

 

I wouldn't rule out Azamara just on this basis. If the cost per diem works out the same, free alcohol wasn't an issue -- and Azamara's policy also provides free water [still and sparkling], juices, fancy coffees like cappuccino. We were just on Azamara Quest and we seated immediately almost every evening -- in a two top, and we were never even asked if we wanted to share. But you will have to do the cost comparison based on which included features are important to you. Oceania includes free air [or a small credit] and free specialty restaurants. We prefer to book our own air to have control over the itinerary and the dates, and we found the food on Azamara good enough that we never used the specialty restaurants. Oceania has a reputation for very expensive shore excursions, but we usually get together with folks from the Roll Call for private tours. Azamara only has the small R-ships, but they just did very thorough dry-docks that make them look brand new -- Oceania has also spent a lot of money keeping their R-ships up to date [and they have the option of the newer, larger O-ships]. We find the itineraries on Azamara outstanding, with lots of time in ports and overnights on every cruise -- and they deliver the itinerary as advertised [there have been threads recently complaining that Oceania drops ports after final payment and refuses to refund the port charges]. Azamara also seems to get better docking locations than Oceania. So the bottom line is that both lines are comparable, but the differences may tip each person to prefer one or the other.

[hehny]

Oceania is considered a luxury line. Princess is not. If you want less passengers, more intimate service and the best food at sea, go for Oceania. It's hard to compare cruise lines to begin with but in this case, it's not really fair. With that said, Princess offers a great product. If you can afford Oceania, try it and see what you think.

[jamesr3939]

Did a 14 day TA on Oceania a few years ago. We would sail only Oceania if it wasn't for the price. I keep looking for specials which they offer infrequently.

 

On our TA she was going to dry dock in France so apparently a lot of people didn't feel comfortable with that. We were on the 650 pax with 175 people. They closed off three decks and upgraded everybody. We ended up with a penthouse and a butler. I think we paid about $2000 PP. The route was awesome Barbados to Funchal to France.

[Tedferg]

This is an interesting thread, I get an Oceania brochure in the mail four day out of six - no exaggeration. We have only sailed with Princess and are very happy with them.

 

I find it hard to get a handle on real price difference. A golfing buddy sails with O and feels they are 20% more than Princess. My quick look at O brochures makes me think it is 50 - 75% more.

 

Would love to se a detailed comparison. I did play around with a spreadsheet, but did not put a lot of effort into it.

 

Booze is OK with us, but not vital. Excursions we can pool with Roll Callers. Do like the shows on P but could pass on that. Gourmet food would be nice, but we are OK with Princess food.

[Tedferg]

Duplicate post

Edited September 29, 2016 by Tedferg