Sorry that I read CC reviews about Sirena

[mexicobob]

On 2/13/2020 at 6:09 PM, Cruseforme said:

The last time we were on Riviera (Christmas 2018), all loungers around pool were “Saved” via purse, blanket, books, hats, etc by 9 AM.   Table overflowing with stuff by 11 AM, people having pissing contests and one yelling fight with a bit of puffing up their chests.  We got up and left.   Good thing for larger balconies in our case.  We never went back to deck during sea days.    

 

 

 

I had seriously been considering upgrading from Carnival/Princess to Oceana. Never mind. Think I might be downgrading for a higher price. Thanks for the info.

Edited February 21, 2020 by mexicobob
mispelled word

[Paulchili]

15 minutes ago, mexicobob said:

I had seriously been considering upgrading from Carnival/Princess to Oceana. Never mind. Think I might be downgrading for a higher price. Thanks for the info.

This might be true if you cruise only for pool deck chair availability because everything else would be an upgrade on Oceania - though it may not be worth it or important to you.. Even that may not be true because I suspect the same chair hogs exist on Carnival/Princess as well.

Your call 😊

[clo]

58 minutes ago, mexicobob said:

I had seriously been considering upgrading from Carnival/Princess to Oceana. Never mind. Think I might be downgrading for a higher price. Thanks for the info.

Because of "chair hogs"?

[LHT28]

1 hour ago, mexicobob said:

I had seriously been considering upgrading from Carnival/Princess to Oceana. Never mind. Think I might be downgrading for a higher price. Thanks for the info.

probably those pax  upgrading from Carnival/Princess  that  bring the "attitude"  with them  🙄

[Redtravel]

Oceania has a nice pool deck.  They will move items left on chairs if nobody returns. Never had. Problem finding someplace to sit. Unless I plan to go into the pool, I prefer a quieter location.
Give Oceania a try and you will not go back to Princess.  I did a princess cruise years ago. It was one and done.  It was not for me.  

[Jim and Monika]

I'll take this one:

We are elite on Princess and Platinum on Carnival. We took our first Oceania cruise last August and have 2 more booked.

Here are the important takeaways for us:

Pros

Drink package - no limits

Food options - way better

Art Auctions - none

Photographers trying to sell photos - none

Announcements - one or two

Casino (basically whole ship) - no smoke

Staff attention - very good

Ports - virtually unlimited

Chair hogs - slim but manageable

Only cons

Entertainment - very little

Bar selection - very limited for our taste, but we make do

staff attention - almost too much (we are very low maintenance)

Just a few, we very much prefer the relaxed atmosphere on Oceania. A little more in price, but a much better experience.

 

If you haven't gone, give it a try, you will appreciate the upgrade.

[clo]

3 minutes ago, Jim and Monika said:

Bar selection - very limited for our taste, but we make do

 

To clarify, do you mean not enough bars or not enough 'stuff' at the bars?Wine, beer, spirits, 'esoteric' spirits?  TIA

[KS&JW]

After reading the multiple threads about chair hogs lately, I have determined that my Oceania experience is greatly enhanced by the fact that I have never sat by the pool.  Just not my thing.  

[StanandJim]

44 minutes ago, KS&JW said:

After reading the multiple threads about chair hogs lately, I have determined that my Oceania experience is greatly enhanced by the fact that I have never sat by the pool.  Just not my thing.  

I sometimes cringe as I read the chair hog Posts, because we are people who get to the pool deck, leave our things on a convenient lounge chair and then get into the pool -where we tend to stay (sometimes four several hours at a stretch).

While in the pool, we've never been approached by anyone, asking which chairs are "ours" .

How do they, or would they, know?  

 

 

[Paulchili]

8 minutes ago, StanandJim said:

I sometimes cringe as I read the chair hog Posts, because we are people who get to the pool deck, leave our things on a convenient lounge chair and then get into the pool -where we tend to stay (sometimes four several hours at a stretch).

While in the pool, we've never been approached by anyone, asking which chairs are "ours" .

How do they, or would they, know?  

 

 

I am not saying that you are unique but surely most people that use the pool do not stay in the pool for hours at a time - maybe go back repeatedly to cool off? Hence their loungers would not be left "unoccupied" for hours at a time.

[GeorgesGal]

1 minute ago, Paulchili said:

I am not saying that you are unique but surely most people that use the pool do not stay in the pool for hours at a time - maybe go back repeatedly to cool off? Hence their loungers would not be left "unoccupied" for hours at a time.

 

Perhaps StanandJim are not 'most people', but the exception.  I know many folks who will be in the pool - either at their home, club or on a ship - for their health and comfort!  In reading their trip reports, they are very active gentlemen in the ports visited, and welcome the relaxation of being in the pool on sea days!

 

Donna

[LHT28]

19 minutes ago, StanandJim said:

I sometimes cringe as I read the chair hog Posts, because we are people who get to the pool deck, leave our things on a convenient lounge chair and then get into the pool -where we tend to stay (sometimes four several hours at a stretch).

While in the pool, we've never been approached by anyone, asking which chairs are "ours" .

How do they, or would they, know?  

 

 

I am pretty sure  the deck staff  would know who you are 😉

 

They are very observant  as well  so they would probably know where those in the pool were seated or had loungers

JMO

[StanandJim]

10 minutes ago, LHT28 said:

I am pretty sure  the deck staff  would know who you are 😉

 

They are very observant  as well  so they would probably know where those in the pool were seated or had loungers

JMO

Yes ma'am, I make certain that the deck staff know us very well, as they are sometimes nice enough to supply us (Jim really) with  the odd cocktail-

 

I was more asking how the Chair Hog Inspectors can possibly be certain if unoccupied chairs are "legal" or not.

 

Completely understand the frustration with chair hogs, but:

A) Everything isn't necessarily as it appears to be at first blush.

B) A modicum of forbearance  may be in order.

C) Everybody Play Nice!!!

[Wishing on a star]

The way I am reading Mexico Bob's post is not just simply the presence of Chair Hogs,  but the actual lack of chairs in relation to demand on warm weather cruises.   The post he referenced states that items were actually being removed to the 'claim here' table.  but, it was still very hard to find a lounger.

There was also (at least) one report of guests sitting on towels on deck space, as there were just no more chairs available to bring out.   From my experience on Princess, this would simply never, ever, be the case.  They have so many loungers stacked onboard that they could cover every available inch of deck space on a busy day, and there would still be chairs stacked somewhere.

 

There have been comments here that might have negative connotations about those passengers who make a big effort and make a priority to spend time on deck.   

 

Even the exclusive deck space at the Spa Terrace has no shade, no drinks, no ambience, no service, etc.

All cruise lines have pros and cons...  the Princess Sanctuary is def. a wonderful pro, with nothing like it on Oceania.  (while Oceania has other things that are better, which would include the food and dining by most all accounts)

 

As I compare Princess to what I am seeing about Oceania,  it is just a different animal.  And, I am getting the impression that they do not give adequate space and consideration to those who might cruise for the open air, pool deck, at sea, experience.   (And I will openly admit that I would be in that category)

 

I know this will be met with great angst and bristle by some Oceania enthusiasts...  But Oceania might really want to reconsider this factor.

Edited February 22, 2020 by Wishing on a star

[Wishing on a star]

PS:  Just to lighten this up a bit... I can't imagine the sunburned, schrivelled up wrinkled raised I would be if I were actually in that water for that amount of time!  Hahahaha!!!!

 

And, if that were the case, perhaps just a regular chair somewhere off to the side would be better than taking up a prime lounger that will sit empty?  Just throwing that out there.

[ORV]

27 minutes ago, Wishing on a star said:

The way I am reading Mexico Bob's post is not just simply the presence of Chair Hogs,  but the actual lack of chairs in relation to demand on warm weather cruises.   The post he referenced states that items were actually being removed to the 'claim here' table.  but, it was still very hard to find a lounger.

There was also (at least) one report of guests sitting on towels on deck space, as there were just no more chairs available to bring out.   From my experience on Princess, this would simply never, ever, be the case.  They have so many loungers stacked onboard that they could cover every available inch of deck space on a busy day, and there would still be chairs stacked somewhere.

 

There have been comments here that might have negative connotations about those passengers who make a big effort and make a priority to spend time on deck.   

 

Even the exclusive deck space at the Spa Terrace has no shade, no drinks, no ambience, no service, etc.

All cruise lines have pros and cons...  the Princess Sanctuary is def. a wonderful pro, with nothing like it on Oceania.  (while Oceania has other things that are better, which would include the food and dining by most all accounts)

 

As I compare Princess to what I am seeing about Oceania,  it is just a different animal.  And, I am getting the impression that they do not give adequate space and consideration to those who might cruise for the open air, pool deck, at sea, experience.   (And I will openly admit that I would be in that category)

 

I know this will be met with great angst and bristle by some Oceania enthusiasts...  But Oceania might really want to reconsider this factor.

I mean this in no way rude, nor is there any angst or bristle, but, instead of expecting Oceania to change to what you'd like I really believe you would be much happier and comfortable on Princess, Celebrity, MSC, HAL or any of the others like that that have the ship within a ship concept. The more you post the more I feel Oceania really wouldn't be for you. Just a word to the wise. It would sad for you to spend the amount of money that Oceania charges and be unhappy with the product. 

 

I will say some of your perceptions of what you have read and not experienced about Oceania are off the mark. The only way to really know is to experience it yourself, but as I said I'm pretty sure you wouldn't like it. 

[LHT28]

simply put

what cruise line has a chair/lounger on the pool deck for all pax??

 

One that annoyed me was the guy who when to the Sanctuary every morning left bags/books drink  then went  ashore for the morning 

then came back for his saved lounger

[Redtravel]

On seadays in warm weather, my spouse finds a shady spot on the pool deck, reads a book, gets a sandwich at waves, and continues to veg out.  Reading without interruptions is a favorite cruise activity. No kids, no phones, no shopping, etc.  It makes it easy among our friends, everyone knows where to find him.   He's curled up with a book.  He does take a break now and then.  He naps.  Noise from the pool deck doesn't bother him. He turns his hearing aide off and smiles. Got to love him.

[Jay23]

2 hours ago, Redtravel said:

On seadays in warm weather, my spouse finds a shady spot on the pool deck, reads a book, gets a sandwich at waves, and continues to veg out.  Reading without interruptions is a favorite cruise activity. No kids, no phones, no shopping, etc.  It makes it easy among our friends, everyone knows where to find him.   He's curled up with a book.  He does take a break now and then.  He naps.  Noise from the pool deck doesn't bother him. He turns his hearing aide off and smiles. Got to love him.

I thought that is what cruising is about....... J

[Toranut97]

9 hours ago, Wishing on a star said:

The way I am reading Mexico Bob's post is not just simply the presence of Chair Hogs,  but the actual lack of chairs in relation to demand on warm weather cruises.   The post he referenced states that items were actually being removed to the 'claim here' table.  but, it was still very hard to find a lounger.

There was also (at least) one report of guests sitting on towels on deck space, as there were just no more chairs available to bring out.   From my experience on Princess, this would simply never, ever, be the case.  They have so many loungers stacked onboard that they could cover every available inch of deck space on a busy day, and there would still be chairs stacked somewhere.

 

There have been comments here that might have negative connotations about those passengers who make a big effort and make a priority to spend time on deck.   

 

Even the exclusive deck space at the Spa Terrace has no shade, no drinks, no ambience, no service, etc.

All cruise lines have pros and cons...  the Princess Sanctuary is def. a wonderful pro, with nothing like it on Oceania.  (while Oceania has other things that are better, which would include the food and dining by most all accounts)

 

As I compare Princess to what I am seeing about Oceania,  it is just a different animal.  And, I am getting the impression that they do not give adequate space and consideration to those who might cruise for the open air, pool deck, at sea, experience.   (And I will openly admit that I would be in that category)

 

I know this will be met with great angst and bristle by some Oceania enthusiasts...  But Oceania might really want to reconsider this factor.

This is priceless! If I read your profile correctly, you have never cruised Oceania. On the basis of hearsay, you are already suggesting how O ought to run its business.

 

wow,

[Jim and Monika]

23 hours ago, clo said:

To clarify, do you mean not enough bars or not enough 'stuff' at the bars?Wine, beer, spirits, 'esoteric' spirits?  TIA

Bar staff was never a problem. If we preferred Scotch, we would be fine. We enjoy Rum during the day and Bourbon in the evening. The rum selection is very weak, it does have Myers however, but it is an inferior version and not the one we like. The Bourbon selection has only 3 varieties and on our first cruise that ran out of 2 of them. None of this will prevent us from enjoying Oceania, just wish there were more options on this "upscale" line.

[StanandJim]

1 minute ago, Jim and Monika said:

None of this will prevent us from enjoying Oceania, just wish there were more options on this "upscale" line.

Don't you agree, though, that sharing the the ship with so many fewer people more than makes up for a smaller liquor inventory?

3000 people naturally require a larger selection.

[Jim and Monika]

We have 2 cruises currently booked through Oceania and that won't hold us back. Just wish the selection was better.

While on vacation, we always make do.

[ORV]

10 minutes ago, Jim and Monika said:

Bar staff was never a problem. If we preferred Scotch, we would be fine. We enjoy Rum during the day and Bourbon in the evening. The rum selection is very weak, it does have Myers however, but it is an inferior version and not the one we like. The Bourbon selection has only 3 varieties and on our first cruise that ran out of 2 of them. None of this will prevent us from enjoying Oceania, just wish there were more options on this "upscale" line.

They used to have Atlantico rum, which I would drink in the afternoon from Waves bar. On our most recent cruise they had discontinued it. The best I could find to drink was the Bacardi black. Not a real high end rum. 

[LHT28]

14 minutes ago, Jim and Monika said:

We have 2 cruises currently booked through Oceania and that won't hold us back. Just wish the selection was better.

While on vacation, we always make do.

maybe take a bottle or 2 of your favourite brand in case they run out again 😎

Just drink it in your cabin though