New new Oceania

[mightyZ]

I saw the President's Day sale for Oceania and booked our first cruise on the Regatta.  We are hoping we got a good deal (2 for 1 w/airfare) moved our bucket list trip up the list.  Been on HAL and Celebrity,  Oceania will be a totally different experience.  As I was reading the board, I saw questions on dining reservations, making early excursion reservations and O-life.  This is all new to us, we are use to having a set dining time and being able to select our excursions when on board.  Can someone provide us with Oceania pro info?  Our departure is in December 2020.

[Flatbush Flyer]

10 minutes ago, mightyZ said:

I saw the President's Day sale for Oceania and booked our first cruise on the Regatta.  We are hoping we got a good deal (2 for 1 w/airfare) moved our bucket list trip up the list.  Been on HAL and Celebrity,  Oceania will be a totally different experience.  As I was reading the board, I saw questions on dining reservations, making early excursion reservations and O-life.  This is all new to us, we are use to having a set dining time and being able to select our excursions when on board.  Can someone provide us with Oceania pro info?  Our departure is in December 2020.

The CC search feature and Oceania forums along with the roll call for your cruise will answer most of your questions. 

One important item is: if you're still within 30 days of your initial booking directly with O, you should find yourself a cruise specialist TA (preferably an Oceania Connoisseurs Club member agency) and transfer the cruise in order to get added perks including commission sharing.

Oceania's idiosyncrasies (particularly around O Life) can be as fruitful as much as they are sometimes complicated. Sit down with a glass of wine and peruse the CC threads. 

[KatieBelle]

Hello mightz and welcome to Oceania.  We came to Oceania from HAL by happy accident a number of years ago and never went back.  What might be helpful here is for you to provide which ship you will be sailing and what level stateroom.  Those 2 things directly impact dining reservations.

 

Did you choose an OLife package?  If you are happy with your choice, I would advise you not to mention what you chose.  There are many strongly opinionated people here with firmly cemented opinions about OLife.

 

Flatbush Flyer is right.  Find a well-connected TA.  A private email to a carefully chosen CC member can connect you with someone.  That's how we found our wonderful TA over a decade ago. 

 

Don't hesitate to ask specific questions.  There are many who will help.  I find the search on CC rather cumbersome and some responses over 6 months old may not be pertinent.  OTOH if you have hours and days to give and lots of wine, follow Flatbush's advice.

 

Katie

[LHT28]

You might find Oceania FAQ's page a little less annoying than CC search feature

https://oceaniacruises.zendesk.com/hc/en-us/

 

It is better to ask specific questions that a general

"Can someone provide us with Oceania pro info?  "

 

The 2 for 1 is marketing  you do not actually get 2  fares for the price of one

 

 

[clo]

39 minutes ago, KatieBelle said:

Find a well-connected TA. 

After booking our next cruise with our wonderful O rep, we then transferred it and got gratuities, which on a 14 day cruise for 2 people is a tidy sum.

[clo]

18 minutes ago, LHT28 said:

The 2 for 1 is marketing  you do not actually get 2  fares for the price of one

 

From what I've seen you pay the same for one as for two so that's their math. Right?

[Mura]

3 hours ago, mightyZ said:

I saw the President's Day sale for Oceania and booked our first cruise on the Regatta.  We are hoping we got a good deal (2 for 1 w/airfare) moved our bucket list trip up the list.  Been on HAL and Celebrity,  Oceania will be a totally different experience.  As I was reading the board, I saw questions on dining reservations, making early excursion reservations and O-life.  This is all new to us, we are use to having a set dining time and being able to select our excursions when on board.  Can someone provide us with Oceania pro info?  Our departure is in December 2020.

From what I have seen so far of the earlier comments (for the most part) they are giving advice rather than answering your questions so let me go there ...

 

No set dining times on Oceania!  You can go into the GDR or Terrace (the buffet restaurant) without a set dining time.  You can share with others or not, generally your preference.  WE like to share but on a number of occasions there weren't others waiting who wanted to share at that time -- they don't want to set a couple at a table without others there pretty quickly to share -- so then we would end up at a "two top".  If you want to share, there will be plenty of opportunities.  And if you prefer to dine alone, that is also true.

 

If you are in a suite you can also order dinner in your suite from any venue ...

 

In Terrace, likewise, you can look for a table for two or a larger table.  Terrace, of course, is far more flexible.  The advantage there is that they have prepared meals that are often very comparable to what the GDR has, but there is also a grill that will prepare a steak, fish, etc., to your command.  Plenty of salads and appetizers (not to mention desserts) are also there.  You will get out faster than if you are in the GDR or a specialty, which can be important if you want to see the show ... which generally is not as wonderful as it can be on the larger lines, just as a warning.  That's not to say they are all awful!  It depends on your tastes.

 

Reservations are needed for the specialties but you can sign up on line.  The time when you can do so is governed by your cabin category.  Top suites get first choice.  This should be clearly indicated on your invoice.

 

Many regulars prefer private tours which can be booked with a few others on your Roll Call.  It's not so easy these days since so many people opt for the "discounts" with oLife.  But with a private tour you'll pay less for a smaller group and you can more easily customize the itinerary.  HYaving said that, as much as we like private tours we have taken advantage of the oLife tours ("free" with the maximum price being $199pp) since oLife came into being.  We haven't been unhappy with these.  I still prefer private tours, just because they are cheaper, smaller and more customizable -- but our ship's tours have been fine.

 

As to booking excursions while on board -- sure, you can do that.  But popular tours sell can sell out quickly.  For example, if you are on a cruise that has an excursion to the Alhambra in Spain, those sell out quickly.  (You can also book that one on your own, especially with some help from fellow passengers.)

 

We have booked tours on board and sometimes with a sold-out tour we were able to get a reservation when someone cancelled last minute.  You just cannot count on that happening.  So if you want to book tours, I'd suggest doing so beforehand ... you're on the internet so you can do so.  And if you have oLife tours then you must book ahead of time.  I think the rule is more than 14 days in advance, but I can't swear to that.

 

It probably would help if you let us know the specifics of your cruise:  date, ship and itinerary!  Then we could give more helpful advice.

 

Hope this helps!

 

Mura

Mura

[Mrs f.]

9 hours ago, mightyZ said:

I saw the President's Day sale for Oceania and booked our first cruise on the Regatta.  We are hoping we got a good deal (2 for 1 w/airfare) moved our bucket list trip up the list.  Been on HAL and Celebrity,  Oceania will be a totally different experience.  As I was reading the board, I saw questions on dining reservations, making early excursion reservations and O-life.  This is all new to us, we are use to having a set dining time and being able to select our excursions when on board.  Can someone provide us with Oceania pro info?  Our departure is in December 2020.

Are you on the Dec 2   Southern Lights Soujourn out of Sydney? We are. Our 4th Oceania.  We live having flixible dining. Also making specialty restaurant before boarding.  We never do the Oceania excursions because we find them overpriced and usually  undervalued. But that's just my opinion.  But Oceania is our favorite  line.      Currently looking for private excursions. 

 

Miriam 

[mightyZ]

WOW, thank you everyone for all your wonderful and well appreciated advice.  Definitely working on the first which came from Flatbush.  We do normally work with a TA but it is with one of the big companies.  Although the 2 for 1 may not have been the best, it caught my eye.  It is the Syd to Syd departing on Dec 1 on the Regatta.  Made our reservations on HAL over a year ago and the cost comparison against HAL, on the same route, was better with a room upgrade (A3) .  Some minor port differences, but we enjoy the smaller ships.  CC has come thru again!

[StanandJim]

Making Specialty Restaurant Reservations:

In order to Reserve Online, the Booking must be paid in full.
-The Online Dining Reservation System closes out at 7 days prior to each sailing's embarkation date.

For All Vessels:
-Owner's, Vista and Oceania Suites may make reservations at 90 days out until 7 days prior to embarkation.
Penthouse Suites may make reservations at 75 days out until 7 days prior to embarkation.
Concierge Level Veranda Staterooms may make reservations at 60 days out until 7 days prior to embarkation.
Veranda, Ocean View and Inside Staterooms may make reservations at 45 days out until 7 days prior to embarkation.

Number of Reservations, Regatta, Insignia, Nautica, Sirena:
Owner's Suite, Vista Suite, Penthouse Suite and Concierge Level Veranda
0-7 Sailing Days: 1 reservations at each restaurant
8-17 Sailing Days: 2 reservations at each restaurant
18+ Sailing Days: 3 reservations at each restaurant
Veranda, Ocean View and Inside Stateroom
0-7 Sailing Days: 1 reservations at each restaurant
8-17 Sailing Days: 1 reservations at each restaurant
18+ Sailing Days: 2 reservations at each restaurant

Number of Reservations, Marina and Riviera:
Owner's Suites, Vista Suites, Oceania Suites
0-7 Sailing Days: 1 reservation at each restaurant
8-17 Sailing Days: 2 reservations at each restaurant
18+ Sailing Days: 3 reservations at each restaurant
Penthouse Suites
0-7 Sailing Days: 1 reservation at each restaurant
8-17 Sailing Days: 1 reservations at each restaurant
18+ Sailing Days: 2 reservations at each restaurant
Concierge Level Veranda, Veranda, Ocean View and Inside Stateroom
0-7 Sailing Days: 1 reservations at each restaurant
8-17 Sailing Days: 1 reservations at each restaurant
18+ Sailing Days: 1 reservations at each restaurant


All reservations have a maximum of 8 guests per table.

[LHT28]

I will add  if you took the  Excursion deal  from the O Life Perk   then you  MUST  book your excursions at least 14 days prior to sailing

I agree with Mura  the good excursions will sell out  so do book  ahead

 

 This is why I suggested  reading the FAQ   most  questions will be answered there

[Rob the Cruiser]

12 hours ago, KatieBelle said:

Hello mightz and welcome to Oceania.  We came to Oceania from HAL by happy accident a number of years ago and never went back.  What might be helpful here is for you to provide which ship you will be sailing and what level stateroom.  Those 2 things directly impact dining reservations.

 

Did you choose an OLife package?  If you are happy with your choice, I would advise you not to mention what you chose.  There are many strongly opinionated people here with firmly cemented opinions about OLife.

 

Flatbush Flyer is right.  Find a well-connected TA.  A private email to a carefully chosen CC member can connect you with someone.  That's how we found our wonderful TA over a decade ago. 

 

Don't hesitate to ask specific questions.  There are many who will help.  I find the search on CC rather cumbersome and some responses over 6 months old may not be pertinent.  OTOH if you have hours and days to give and lots of wine, follow Flatbush's advice.

 

Katie

 

+1

[Mrs f.]

1 hour ago, mightyZ said:

WOW, thank you everyone for all your wonderful and well appreciated advice.  Definitely working on the first which came from Flatbush.  We do normally work with a TA but it is with one of the big companies.  Although the 2 for 1 may not have been the best, it caught my eye.  It is the Syd to Syd departing on Dec 1 on the Regatta.  Made our reservations on HAL over a year ago and the cost comparison against HAL, on the same route, was better with a room upgrade (A3) .  Some minor port differences, but we enjoy the smaller ships.  CC has come thru again!

That's the one we are on. Go to the roll call.  We need more people.

[StanandJim]

12 minutes ago, Mrs f. said:

That's the one we are on. Go to the roll call.  We need more people.

Yikes!!!

Is than an order?

[LHT28]

16 minutes ago, Mrs f. said:

That's the one we are on. Go to the roll call.  We need more people.

maybe provide  a link for them

 

[Mrs f.]

5 minutes ago, LHT28 said:

maybe provide  a link for them

CC boards.....Roll calls....oceania....Regatta...Dec 2020.

Its the only one posted. Some are doing just first hslf. We are on for the entire 35 days.   Roll call is pretty quiet as of now.

 

Btw...LHT28.....are you the poster who told us about a wonderful place to get our wine in Barcelona????

Edited February 15, 2020 by Mrs f.
Spelling error ....auto correct

[Mrs f.]

8 minutes ago, StanandJim said:

Yikes!!!

Is than an order?

Pretty please?????

[LHT28]

8 minutes ago, Mrs f. said:

Btw...LHT28.....are you the poster who told us about a wonderful place to get our wine in Barcelona????

never been to BCN  so not me

 But I will be kind to the OP  since they are new here  & give them a link to the roll call

https://boards.cruisecritic.com/topic/2659495-december-1-2020-sydney-to-bali/

 

RAOK only takes a minute to do

 

[Mrs f.]

1 minute ago, LHT28 said:

never been to BCN  so not me

 But I will be kind to the OP  since they are new here  & give them a link to the roll call

https://boards.cruisecritic.com/topic/2659495-december-1-2020-sydney-to-bali/

 

Thanks for the help.  I didn't  know how (technologically  challenged).   I have a question  for you....the original poster of that roll call has it as Sydney to bali...i think the people signed up already are all doing the full 35 days..sydney to Sydney.  The couple who set it up  have pulled out.   Do we change what this is called? Add another roll call? Thanks for any help you can provide.

[LHT28]

Just now, Mrs f. said:

Thanks for the help.  I didn't  know how (technologically  challenged).   I have a question  for you....the original poster of that roll call has it as Sydney to bali...i think the people signed up already are all doing the full 35 days..sydney to Sydney.  The couple who set it up  have pulled out.   Do we change what this is called? Add another roll call? Thanks for any help you can provide.

If it is   2 segments  just start another roll call for other segment

if the Itinerary changed  contact admin to change  the heading

[Mrs f.]

Thanks.

[bbwex]

The OP's questions have been answered very well, but perhaps a few additional comments.

 

You will find that the specialty dining options on Oceania are very, very good.  The MDR is better than most lines, and the specialty restaurants are a real step up.  We found the specialty restaurants on HAL to be no better than the MDR, which wasn't that good either, and they were not worth the extra charge.  O doesn't charge extra, and that is great.  You will be able to make some reservations in advance online, and once you are on board, you can often get additional reservations once you have used your initial allotment. 

 

We joined the Roll Call for our very first cruise, as we did not know anyone who was going to be on board, and it was great.  I conversed with a bunch of people before we left, joined some others for some private tours (already expounded upon), and went to the Meet and Greet.  It was amazing how often we kept bumping into our new group of "friends" during the cruise, and often joined others from the Roll Call at meals.

 

The O ships are smaller than HAL's or Celebrity's, so you will get to know a larger percentage of the passengers, and it is a much more intimate group.  We started out on O, and were spoiled from the start.  When we have used other lines, we always seem to wish that we were on O instead.  We have been on REGATTA twice, and you are going to really enjoy your trip.
 

[mexicobob]

On 2/15/2020 at 9:57 AM, StanandJim said:

Making Specialty Restaurant Reservations:

In order to Reserve Online, the Booking must be paid in full.
-The Online Dining Reservation System closes out at 7 days prior to each sailing's embarkation date.

For All Vessels:
-Owner's, Vista and Oceania Suites may make reservations at 90 days out until 7 days prior to embarkation.
Penthouse Suites may make reservations at 75 days out until 7 days prior to embarkation.
Concierge Level Veranda Staterooms may make reservations at 60 days out until 7 days prior to embarkation.
Veranda, Ocean View and Inside Staterooms may make reservations at 45 days out until 7 days prior to embarkation.

Number of Reservations, Regatta, Insignia, Nautica, Sirena:
Owner's Suite, Vista Suite, Penthouse Suite and Concierge Level Veranda
0-7 Sailing Days: 1 reservations at each restaurant
8-17 Sailing Days: 2 reservations at each restaurant
18+ Sailing Days: 3 reservations at each restaurant
Veranda, Ocean View and Inside Stateroom
0-7 Sailing Days: 1 reservations at each restaurant
8-17 Sailing Days: 1 reservations at each restaurant
18+ Sailing Days: 2 reservations at each restaurant

Number of Reservations, Marina and Riviera:
Owner's Suites, Vista Suites, Oceania Suites
0-7 Sailing Days: 1 reservation at each restaurant
8-17 Sailing Days: 2 reservations at each restaurant
18+ Sailing Days: 3 reservations at each restaurant
Penthouse Suites
0-7 Sailing Days: 1 reservation at each restaurant
8-17 Sailing Days: 1 reservations at each restaurant
18+ Sailing Days: 2 reservations at each restaurant
Concierge Level Veranda, Veranda, Ocean View and Inside Stateroom
0-7 Sailing Days: 1 reservations at each restaurant
8-17 Sailing Days: 1 reservations at each restaurant
18+ Sailing Days: 1 reservations at each restaurant


All reservations have a maximum of 8 guests per table.

This is great information. Thank you for posting.