clo Posted October 9, 2019 #201 Share Posted October 9, 2019 17 minutes ago, Jayne E said: the cutbacks on food choices This is related, IMO, to a comment upthread that breakfast had all the same choices (that was a complaint). I posted the link to the sample menu which others have said do represent the choices. It was enormous. So here's the one for dinner. https://www.oceaniacruises.com/Documents/Menus/13391/Grand-Dining-Dinner-Menu.pdf/ So are you saying that this menu isn't accurate? I've rarely seen a menu at an onshore restaurant that would have even this much or more. Well, unless it's the Cheesecake Factory or such 🙂 (Actually I don't think I've ever eaten at one but am assuming.) As I mentioned up thread if these menus aren't accurate then I really want to know about it and I want to pitch a hissy fit to the highest levels of corporate. So I hope that you'll reply to this since the poster above so far hasn't. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kibutzer Posted October 9, 2019 #202 Share Posted October 9, 2019 Really a sample menu item is not a guarantee. I would rather them limit food waste, and focus on quality, JMO. Many restaurant websites are not up to the minute current. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jayne E Posted October 9, 2019 #203 Share Posted October 9, 2019 2 minutes ago, clo said: This is related, IMO, to a comment upthread that breakfast had all the same choices (that was a complaint). I posted the link to the sample menu which others have said do represent the choices. It was enormous. So here's the one for dinner. https://www.oceaniacruises.com/Documents/Menus/13391/Grand-Dining-Dinner-Menu.pdf/ So are you saying that this menu isn't accurate? I've rarely seen a menu at an onshore restaurant that would have even this much or more. Well, unless it's the Cheesecake Factory or such 🙂 (Actually I don't think I've ever eaten at one but am assuming.) As I mentioned up thread if these menus aren't accurate then I really want to know about it and I want to pitch a hissy fit to the highest levels of corporate. So I hope that you'll reply to this since the poster above so far hasn't. I will certainly reply. Your dinner menu is accurate. However, it has less choices in each category than previously. I am not saying you can’t find something to eat, but the older menus had a “dizzying” array of choices. Entrees numbered closer to 12, not 6. And the choices much better and more interesting. Same for soups, salads, appetizers. Lunch menus in GDR were fabulous. Also numerous choices. A great experience with a glass of wine upon returning from a morning tour and staying on board. Now it’s closed most port days. When MDR is open for lunch, they serve the same food that’s put out in the buffet, just on a plate served by a waiter. We no longer go there...it’s buffet food. Breakfast is where we find no cut backs. Someone said it’s same everyday.....and so it should be.....can’t think of anything you could want that’s not there......and breakfast in MDR if you have time, is even better. Will make anything you ask! Specialty restaurants are all very good.....menus remain the same and wonderful service. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare LHT28 Posted October 9, 2019 #204 Share Posted October 9, 2019 you can view some menus from past years at the Preisman's blog https://www.thepreismans.com/riviera16_menus.htm https://www.thepreismans.com/riviera_mayan_menus.htm#gdr https://www.thepreismans.com/bermuda_regatta_menus.htm#grand I am sure Mike will post some current ones when he returns I cannot remember having 12 entrees unless you count the always available Chicken, Salmon & steak dishes 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cruseforme Posted October 9, 2019 #205 Share Posted October 9, 2019 43 minutes ago, Shawnino said: I keep reading this from different people. I'm not going to say that everyone's mistaken, but when I go price out cruises I'm actually interested in and try to apples-to-apples it as best I can (similar cabins; adding on to the O price for shore-ex; etc.), the luxury lines still come out 50% more expensive than O. What am I missing? Is it certain itineraries, certain times of year, what? Our TA (luxury TA), keeps a watch for us, we tell her times of the year we want to cruise, she gives us options of itinerary, lines and suites, (as well as the rebates, and OBC). I think it’s certain itineraries (September in Alaska, or May in Alaska, different times in Orient, or Europe, etc). So,deals can be found, but you need to have either a sharp eye for comparison, a bit more leeway on times and places, or a great TA to help. For us, it’s no longer the itinerary, its the experience of getting out and enjoying life while we are able to. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JVNYC Posted October 9, 2019 #206 Share Posted October 9, 2019 (edited) 18 minutes ago, LHT28 said: you can view some menus from past years at the Preisman's blog https://www.thepreismans.com/riviera16_menus.htm https://www.thepreismans.com/riviera_mayan_menus.htm#gdr https://www.thepreismans.com/bermuda_regatta_menus.htm#grand I am sure Mike will post some current ones when he returns I cannot remember having 12 entrees unless you count the always available Chicken, Salmon & steak dishes Thank you for posting the old GDR menus. Wow, I forgot how great they were. They are indeed very different from today's menus. The older menus had more choices and definitely are more varied and interesting. I haven't sailed since 2016 and let me tell you, I will miss these menus. Edited October 9, 2019 by JVNYC Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
clo Posted October 9, 2019 #207 Share Posted October 9, 2019 18 minutes ago, Jayne E said: I will certainly reply. Your dinner menu is accurate. However, it has less choices in each category than previously. I am not saying you can’t find something to eat, but the older menus had a “dizzying” array of choices. Entrees numbered closer to 12, not 6. And the choices much better and more interesting. Same for soups, salads, appetizers. Lunch menus in GDR were fabulous. Also numerous choices. A great experience with a glass of wine upon returning from a morning tour and staying on board. Now it’s closed most port days. When MDR is open for lunch, they serve the same food that’s put out in the buffet, just on a plate served by a waiter. We no longer go there...it’s buffet food. Breakfast is where we find no cut backs. Someone said it’s same everyday.....and so it should be.....can’t think of anything you could want that’s not there......and breakfast in MDR if you have time, is even better. Will make anything you ask! Specialty restaurants are all very good.....menus remain the same and wonderful service. Thanks, Jayne. I sincerely appreciate it. I did notice that the menu was a year old but someone has mentioned that it's still pretty accurate. So I'm guessing if you cruise O regularly it could get a little tiring. Having come from a corporate - but not food - background, there's always that annoying bottom line to consider. And the more extensive the menu the more likely that some food won't be ordered/eaten and will be wasted. (I love to cook so I'd love to get hold of their uncooked food!) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare LHT28 Posted October 9, 2019 #208 Share Posted October 9, 2019 5 minutes ago, JVNYC said: Thank you for posting the old GDR menus. Wow, I forgot how great they were. They are indeed very different from today's menus. The older menus had more choices and definitely are more varied and interesting. I haven's sailed since 2016 and let me tell you, I will miss these menus. I am not seeing much of a change it seemed in April they had more choices for apps than in the older menus ..yes they may have repeated again but more chances to try one you missed JMO Waiting to see what menus look like after Mike's cruise last month Hopefully he is still doing the excellent photos of the menus Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
clo Posted October 9, 2019 #209 Share Posted October 9, 2019 46 minutes ago, clo said: This is related, I'm going to reply to myself 🙂 cause I'm too lazy to go back and reread. People commented on overcooked food but they haven't commented on whether they send it back. We like our steaks 'breathing' and would certainly send it back if it weren't close to that. I mean, regardless of the ship or the venue, we have or are paying for this food. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jayne E Posted October 9, 2019 #210 Share Posted October 9, 2019 1 minute ago, LHT28 said: I am not seeing much of a change it seemed in April they had more choices for apps than in the older menus ..yes they may have repeated again but more chances to try one you missed JMO Waiting to see what menus look like after Mike's cruise last month Hopefully he is still doing the excellent photos of the menus Yes. They are repeating menu items regularly which again is a cut back in choices overall. For us, if we didn’t want it the 1st time, don’t want it thereafter. Oceania does it in order to keep menus simpler and less expensive buying more bulk than varied. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare LHT28 Posted October 9, 2019 #211 Share Posted October 9, 2019 2 minutes ago, Jayne E said: Yes. They are repeating menu items regularly which again is a cut back in choices overall. For us, if we didn’t want it the 1st time, don’t want it thereafter. Oceania does it in order to keep menus simpler and less expensive buying more bulk than varied. Yes unlike the older menus with 2 soups & 3 maybe 4 salad choices 🤔 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
clo Posted October 9, 2019 #212 Share Posted October 9, 2019 16 minutes ago, LHT28 said: For us, if we didn’t want it the 1st time, don’t want it thereafter. If I eat in a restaurant regularly (on shore) if I order something one time there's no reason for me to necessarily not want something different another time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jayne E Posted October 9, 2019 #213 Share Posted October 9, 2019 22 minutes ago, clo said: If I eat in a restaurant regularly (on shore) if I order something one time there's no reason for me to necessarily not want something different another time. No debate here. I'm not discussing "on shore" dining (where you do not eat in same restaurant many consecutive nights), rather stating present and previous changes on Oceania dining. That said, the fact remains that they are now rotating repeat items over cruise days, resulting in less options. Those who are long time cruisers are aware of these changes. New cruisers will compare to other lines and hopefully will be satisfied. The food is still good but sorry, the cutbacks are a fact. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paulchili Posted October 9, 2019 #214 Share Posted October 9, 2019 2 hours ago, Shawnino said: I'm not going to say that everyone's mistaken, but when I go price out cruises I'm actually interested in and try to apples-to-apples it as best I can (similar cabins; adding on to the O price for shore-ex; etc.), the luxury lines still come out 50% more expensive than O. I completely agree with this. Our Crystal and Regent cruises were significantly more expensive for much smaller cabins. Not sure if it was 50% more but significantly more. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
clo Posted October 9, 2019 #215 Share Posted October 9, 2019 59 minutes ago, LHT28 said: Yes unlike the older menus with 2 soups & 3 maybe 4 salad choices 🤔 You're being funny, right? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KS&JW Posted October 9, 2019 #216 Share Posted October 9, 2019 If you cruise a couple months a year then menu repeating is a bigger deal. However, generally we only cruise once a year, if that. We mostly take land based vacations. Repeating the menu is less of a concern for us. If less food waste means the price of the cruise does not increase as fast, then I am okay with that trade off. Does anyone know the % of cruisers on the average cruise that have been on an Oceania ship for one 30 days or more per year? I suspect that those who cruise a lot are more represented on this board than those who cruise 12 days per year. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
clo Posted October 9, 2019 #217 Share Posted October 9, 2019 25 minutes ago, KS&JW said: If you cruise a couple months a year then menu repeating is a bigger deal. However, generally we only cruise once a year, if that. We mostly take land based vacations. Repeating the menu is less of a concern for us. If less food waste means the price of the cruise does not increase as fast, then I am okay with that trade off. Does anyone know the % of cruisers on the average cruise that have been on an Oceania ship for one 30 days or more per year? I suspect that those who cruise a lot are more represented on this board than those who cruise 12 days per year. I think you make a superb point. We mostly do land-based also. We will have done two cruises this year and two next year. And that will be on two different lines each year. Hurtigruten and Oceania this year and the same next year. For the foreseeable future I can't see that changing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare pinotlover Posted October 9, 2019 #218 Share Posted October 9, 2019 We rarely see the large price difference between Regent and Oceania mentioned above. Concierge and above get included Business Class and we typically fly BC. We most always do the Premium Beverage Package. For a 20 day cruise that $1200 or Olife + $400, either way it’s all out of our pocket. That’s before calculating the value of any shore excursions. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Sthrngary Posted October 9, 2019 #219 Share Posted October 9, 2019 22 minutes ago, pinotlover said: We rarely see the large price difference between Regent and Oceania mentioned above. Concierge and above get included Business Class and we typically fly BC. We most always do the Premium Beverage Package. For a 20 day cruise that $1200 or Olife + $400, either way it’s all out of our pocket. That’s before calculating the value of any shore excursions. If I could even come close to the same investment for a Regent over an Oceania cruise I would absolutely do Regent. My challenges is when I work the numbers, it comes out almost double. Recently when Regents had their HUGE sale of 15% to 25% off, I thought I had a shot. Still huge difference. Love your logic on this. The BC airfare vs. Coach premium is worthy of difference for sure. I am also aware all excursions and drink packages are included on Regent. Any information you can provide would be very welcomed. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rob the Cruiser Posted October 9, 2019 #220 Share Posted October 9, 2019 I agree with you, @Sthrngary. Almost every time that I read a comment stating that similar itineraries on Regent cost the same or within a few hundred dollars as Oceania, I do the numbers and they aren't even close. Same exercise with Crystal, Seabourn and Silversea. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paulchili Posted October 9, 2019 #221 Share Posted October 9, 2019 (edited) 29 minutes ago, Sthrngary said: If I could even come close to the same investment for a Regent over an Oceania cruise I would absolutely do Regent. My challenges is when I work the numbers, it comes out almost double 19 minutes ago, Rob the Cruiser said: I agree with you, @Sthrngary. Almost every time that I read a comment stating that similar itineraries on Regent cost the same or within a few hundred dollars as Oceania, I do the numbers and they aren't even close. Same exercise with Crystal, Seabourn and Silversea. This difference is exaggerated for those of us that do not drink and prefer to do private tours together with some ship tours. Though I realize that this does not apply to many, for us, airfare is a non-factor as we fly business for miles. In fact, getting any credit from O for air is an added bonus. Hence everyone needs to do the math that works best for them. Edited October 9, 2019 by Paulchili Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jayne E Posted October 9, 2019 #222 Share Posted October 9, 2019 24 minutes ago, Paulchili said: This difference is exaggerated for those of us that do not drink and prefer to do private tours together with some ship tours. Though I realize that this does not apply to many, for us, airfare is a non-factor as we fly business for miles. In fact, getting any credit from O for air is an added bonus. Hence everyone needs to do the math that works best for them. Totally agree with the last few posts! We use points for air, do not require unlimited drinks, use points for pre/post hotels and use private guides with other cruise critic members. All those "free" items on Regent, Crystal, etc. are factored into their cost. It's a matter of what your needs are. Oceania pricing does give options. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Sthrngary Posted October 9, 2019 #223 Share Posted October 9, 2019 20 minutes ago, Paulchili said: This difference is exaggerated for those of us that do not drink and prefer to do private tours together with some ship tours. Though I realize that this does not apply to many, for us, airfare is a non-factor as we fly business for miles. In fact, getting any credit from O for air is an added bonus. Hence everyone needs to do the math that works best for them. @Paulchili, thank you for responding. I read your response and did not really get your point. Instead of asking for a clarification. I am going to do a comparison in real time. The challenge of course is to fine similar days, accommodations, locations, ECT. I will use Oceania Penthouse yet with Regents, us the level below Penthouse. I am fully away this lower cabin on Regents does not include a Butler. I will also be very careful to take into consideration differences of the pre-cruise hotel and the fact that Regents includes both the adult beverage program and one excursion per port, per passenger. I will use the actual cruise I am booked on which is the Oceania, Marina Sailing, June 6, 2020. I already upgraded both the hotel option and the drink package on this Oceania Cruise. I also elected the higher priced Premium Plus airfare. If Regents even comes close, I am booking it TODAY. Wish me luck. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cruseforme Posted October 9, 2019 #224 Share Posted October 9, 2019 I think your spellcheck is correcting your typing! It’s Regent. As in Regent Seven Seas. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare LHT28 Posted October 9, 2019 #225 Share Posted October 9, 2019 I managed to find a Crystal cruise for the Caribbean that was less than Oceania We do not sail in PH so taking a C oceanview cabin was fine for us We drink very little & do not do ships tours so comparing things for us was about the bottom line We get no extra perks with Crystal but having most drinks included would work out like having our OBC with O to buy them We do our own air with O usually so no different It will be interesting to compare lines Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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