Oceania ..NEVER AGAIN...floating nursing home

[Glenndale]

Drhugs I’m sorry that you didn’t enjoy your holiday but I think if you had done the research regarding ‘O’ you would have soon come to the conclusion that it is not a ‘fun’ line.

The clientele do not require being organised into activities, they are quite capable of making their own entertainment.

As far as the ports are concerned, again you should have done your own research, we are adults after all said and done. There are some places that I have no desire to visit and the Amazon is one of them, Papeete is another.

At my stage of life I know what will hold my interest and what will not.

The fact that many of your fellow travellers are not in their first ‘flush’ does not justify being ageist and making derogatory remarks about them.

I’m sure there is a line out there that will meet your needs, it is obviously not Oceania. Read the brochures, post questions on this website and then make your decision.

[tvmovielover]

places that I have no desire to visit and the Amazon is one of them, Papeete is another

 

That is the problem with all our comments here, one man's love is another man's poison. Papeete is the cruise that made us chose O again. OTOH, now that I live in Florida all year, I have no desire to go on a Caribbean cruise. On the Nautica last fall, we had some very good food but some was mediocre (but still better than some lines). On that cruise, there was a group of about 50 from different wine clubs doing wine things. Some of them were younger than usual making me wonder if that accounted for both the shows and the casino being busier than sometimes. Everybody came to everything. Each cruise is different. All I hope for at this point is never to be on a cruise from hell like the Australia circumnavigation on Regatta that just ended. It is not even the extra sea days and missed ports, it is the condition of Regatta that is alarming and reported by many people not just one angry person. I hope those who have complained will report to us on these boards that O addressed the issues in reply. I wonder if Drhugs knows that if you have a complaint, mostly what you get in the way of apology is OBC on a future cruise?

[jakes47]

We are embarking on our next O cruise in April and I am looking forward to it. That said - Our last cruise was below pa for us and this is a make of break cruise. We have never had a problem with the entertainment and love the culinary and art classes and usually with a port intensive cruise late nights are not an option.

On our last cruise (Marina) - the cuisine that Oceania prides itself on was not good at all.

It has been a couple of years and since then we have tried Seabourn which we loved and the prices are comparable when you weigh up what is included.

I like O for the size of its PH suites and its Barista (my favourite early morning sail in spot on the O ships) - I just hope the cuisine doesn't fall short again.

As far as it being like a nursing home - lol - I think it depends on the itinerary and the luck of the draw. We did back to back cruises through the med a few years back and the whole dynamics and vibe change from one cruise to the next - nothing to do with Oceania.

[potterhill]

We had no lemons for 6 days,yet we stopped at islands that had some beauties!!

 

 

 

On our Lisbon -CapeTown cruise in 2015 the chef went shopping in the local markets to replenish. We had passion fruit that were huge! All kinds of tropical produce. It was fabulous.

 

My daughter who lives in Africa asked him how much he spent and he said it the amount was so large he couldn’t utter it aloud. [emoji33]

 

I don’t remember the dates of the takeover, but I think this was pre NCL. Everything was fabulous. On Regatta in May. We shall see......

 

Mo

 

 

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[roothy123]

I'm being kind of lazy here, but I was wondering if the OP ever came back to give specifics on what he/she was upset about. I skimmed first 6 pages and didn't see anything. Are there specifics?

[palakika]

She returned on post #216, but didn't really add anything new.

[roothy123]

I am somewhat concerned that I haven't heard much about guest lecturers onboard. Perhaps people don't consider them entertainment? More of an enrichment activity? Will these be available on our many sea days as we sail from Chile to Tahiti? I was very much looking forward to that and will be a bit disappointed to find that this is not an area where Oceania excels.

Sea42, there were plenty of activities, including guest lectures, when we did the Chile to Tahiti cruise on Marina 2 years ago. I don't remember the specifics of the guest lectures, but at least I captured pictures of some of the daytime activities that were held on sea days. I'm attaching a link to my photos if you'd like to see them. The Big O Officers Challenge, ship building contest and Country Fair were great. I had not seen those activities on any previous Oceania cruises and it's good to hear that (apparently) the ship building activity wasn't just a one-time thing.

 

My photos are here: http://www.pbase.com/roothy123/oceania_ms_marina_jan_2016&page=all

[Jay23]

I'm being kind of lazy here, but I was wondering if the OP ever came back to give specifics on what he/she was upset about. I skimmed first 6 pages and didn't see anything. Are there specifics?

Drhugs complaints seemed to be about the entertainment or the lack thereof. J

[anthony5050]

Sea42, there were plenty of activities, including guest lectures, when we did the Chile to Tahiti cruise on Marina 2 years ago. I don't remember the specifics of the guest lectures, but at least I captured pictures of some of the daytime activities that were held on sea days. I'm attaching a link to my photos if you'd like to see them. The Big O Officers Challenge, ship building contest and Country Fair were great. I had not seen those activities on any previous Oceania cruises and it's good to hear that (apparently) the ship building activity wasn't just a one-time thing.

 

My photos are here: http://www.pbase.com/roothy123/oceania_ms_marina_jan_2016&page=all

 

 

 

Hi, we were on that cruise and

had a great time. We started

in Buenos Aires and ended in Tahiti.

 

 

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[travel09]

We did 44 days from Rome to Miami on Insignia, May,June /July,first time on Oceania, but well versed with HAL ,Princess and Azamara. Not one thing we could complain about, a simply wonderful selection of Ports, especially in Europe. Service was outstanding, and still marvel at the temperament of ALL the staff, quite amazing that so many people could be delightful in so many ways. We are early 70's, and quite a varying age bracket on board ,from all nations. Food well,very good indeed. Shore excursions excellent and inclusive in the main. We were A2 class,and found that more than adequate.

I think perhaps research of South America is important, and may not be always as you expect, but fascinating history, scenery and people, in our experience. We feel there are things that stand out on every cruise line, we love our journeys, from beginning in Ocean View cabin and cannot wait to sail again. I think you cannot please all of the people all of the time and to find ones fellow passengers described in such a way is demeaning, and remember everyone has something to offer, in some way and on a ship its simple to meet new people, all the time and just keep to your self if required... Life is short..very much so, be grateful for having the means to travel, and count your blessings, hopefully there are some.!

[keithm]

Well here goes!!!

Before booking any cruise, decide what your expectations are, list everything you what/expect. Then contact your travel agent with what you are looking for. If you have an experience travel agent and you trust the agent they will suggest what cruise line you should go with. Every cruise line offers something different. Your travel agent will match your expectations to the appropriate cruise line.

Not every cruise line will meet all f your expectations. You have to decide what is important.

If your expectations are the evening entertainments, let your travel agent know that, they will suggest what cruise line will give you that, if it's food , let agent know that. We have travelled with "O" many times (excessive of 25 times) our expectation is the service and quality of the food. They have never let us down. We have 3 more cruise booked with "O" over the next 2 years.

 

 

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This is exactly what we did. We're foodies & know plenty about Jacques Pepin. We found the food in the specialty rest. to rival QM2's Queens Grill at it's best. The GD(Grand Dining room) was very nice as well. Probably more akin to Celebrity S-Class ships about 5 years ago(before the now massive cutbacks)For us, the food was the entertainment. The string quartet at tea was excellent. The singers & dances, though not Broadway quality(obviously)were entertaining. The lecturers, were very informative overall. Loved all the history about the Mayans & Aztecs. The secrets of those lost civilizations is amazing. For Drhugs(in this day & age I think I'd choose a different screen name!)I think Carnival or the big RCCL ships might be more favored. The pax I found were more laid back than on Cunard/Celebrity/Princess. Were they more elderly than some posters have said? Not sure. I've seen many elderly on the aforementioned lines. The relaxed atmosphere & excellent food/Ambience & attention to detail were fine by us!

[Classiccruiser777]

How do I talk to Bob Binder?

Try email.

[Sea42]

Sea42, there were plenty of activities, including guest lectures, when we did the Chile to Tahiti cruise on Marina 2 years ago. I don't remember the specifics of the guest lectures, but at least I captured pictures of some of the daytime activities that were held on sea days. I'm attaching a link to my photos if you'd like to see them. The Big O Officers Challenge, ship building contest and Country Fair were great. I had not seen those activities on any previous Oceania cruises and it's good to hear that (apparently) the ship building activity wasn't just a one-time thing.

 

My photos are here: http://www.pbase.com/roothy123/oceania_ms_marina_jan_2016&page=all

Thank you so much for sharing your photos with me! It looks and sounds like we'll enjoy it!

[janecambridge]

Try email.

 

Email adddress please.

Thanks.

[richstowe]

I don't know if the OP's complaints are fully justified . I'm unsure if he is responsible for a fair share of blame for,as many have posted, having unrealistic expectations and not doing enough research .

What is am sure of is many of the posts have been very amusing . From comments that blame Drhugs for expecting Oceania to have entertainment " when everyone knows that Oceania has no entertainment".

Others stating he should learn to amuse himself. Someone commenting how great the brand is and that all you have to do is contact Bob Binder a couple of times a week. :')

I thank you for your comments . It's been fascinating .

[Shawnino]

It seems like OP booked Oceania by mistake while looking for Carnival.

[sail57]

Just off Riviera and they had a movie in the lounge every afternoon

[richstowe]

It seems like OP booked Oceania by mistake while looking for Carnival.

Really . How did you come to that conclusion ?

Based on what ?

It sounds like a snarky comment .

[RogerW]

Janecambridge,

Hope the helps,

bbinder@oceaniacruises.com, fdelrio@ncl.com, guestrelations@oceaniaregent.com

You will get a reply via guest relations as I have.

[sunlover12]

I found the OP's two posts contradictory. In the first post she says the entertainment is boring and in the second post she says she cruised Oceania in 2008 and it was wonderful. The OP didn't go into detail so I can only guess. My first cruise on O was also in 2008 on the Regatta and I also sailed the Regatta in 2016. If you're talking about entertainment, it was vastly different. In 2008, the nightly entertainment was a small act. One singer, no dancers. In 2016, the entertainment was a group of singers and dancers and various acts that were brought onboard. We enjoyed all of it. Much improved over 2008.

 

Sorry she no longer likes Oceania but to each their own. It's good for us all to have a wide choice of cruise lines. Our next cruise on O will be on the Marina next year and we're very much looking forward to our first cruise on her.

[Jammu2]

The OP is posting on a 2019 roll call thread...So I guess it wasn't *that bad*

 

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[richstowe]

The OP is posting on a 2019 roll call thread...So I guess it wasn't *that bad*

 

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Good catch. Perhaps when told, you're not getting your money back ,only credit, they took the credit. I seriously doubt that this is"new" money.

[travelberlin]

Good catch. Perhaps when told, you're not getting your money back ,only credit, they took the credit. I seriously doubt that this is"new" money.

If there are getting some compensation as you assume, I wonder why? It is enough to complain loud with a certain ambiguity because you did not like the entertainment?

I was on this cruise and I have reported our experiences on a live thread. We found it to be a very good cruise. No obvious reason to get your money back or a compensation.

Ivi

[richstowe]

Travelberlin

I agree with you but was speculating on why someone who so hated their Oceania cruise would possibly book another .

Reminds me of the punch line to an old joke , The food was terrible and the portions were small . ;)

[Shawnino]

Really . How did you come to that conclusion ?

Based on what ?

It sounds like a snarky comment .

 

Erm...

--Lack of movies/karaoke

--Moaning about how old the passengers are ("floating nursing home")

--an actual reference toCarnival in his second post

 

...what more do you want?