Oceania - Ocewhat? Short before booking Oceania for the first time

[AllureOfVacation]

Hi,

 

we are new to Oceania! This comapany is like completely unknown here in Germany.

I remember that a fellow cruiser on the Royal Princess recommended to try Oceania. That was more than 2 years ago. Now we found a cruise that perfectly fits into our holiday schedules: a 20 days Med cruise on Oceania Riviera starting mid-October, so already next month. The price seems exceptionally low.

 

We originally wanted to sail with Celebrity Edge in the Caribbean in October, but due to not-yet-lifted travel bans to the US from the EU we had to cancel.

Like many others, we are used to cancellations and messed up vacation plans. But we are glad to be healthy, safe and vaccinated. But now it is vacation planning time again.

 

The majority of the Riviera cruise is within the EU, so if anything happens, we know where we are. I should mention that we were on that "famous" HAL Westerdam cruise in February 2020 that ended up in Cambodia....so we know how fast things can get out of hand.

 

Back to Oceania.

Some questions:

 

1.

Are there any reports and reviews yet from first Oceania cruises in the Med from this year?

It seems the Riviera starts its season with that 20 day cruise. Any comments about first start up cruises? Is Oceania all set?

 

2.

All inside and outside (without balcony) cabins are said to be "sold". That is what it looks like. But something tells me that they do not sell those for Covid-Capacity-reasons. Am I correct? By the way, there is plenty of other cabin options left.

 

3.

The O-Life offer says we can choose one extra option. In our case, 12 free excursions are tempting. But are these only like very cheap excursion options? Fine print says that some types of excursions are excluded. We do not want a free helicopter ride, but we certainly do not want an excursion that is a bus tour to a shopping center just to think we should have chosen the 1200 $ option instead.

 

4.

Soft drinks are really free? We are not heavy alcohol drinkers. A wine here and a cocktail there. So free soft drinks would be good.

 

5.

What is the typical crowd like? I guess it is less family orientated and rather low-key, relaxing and quiet. That would be exactly what I am currently longing for.

 

6.

Are there any information if we can roam free without Oceania excursions on a Med-cruise?

 

7.

Is there a noticeable step up from cruise lines like Celebrity, HAL or Princess?

We really enjoyed HAL and Princess, so if Oceania is only a tad better, that would be amazing.

 

8.

Did anyone stay in one of the forward facing balcony cabins on deck 8? One of them is available. Is the view very much intruded by the front of the ship?

 

 

Thank you for your comments and help in advance.

Maybe we will book tomorrow 🙂

 

 

Edited September 21, 2021 by AllureOfVacation

[Flatbush Flyer]

10 minutes ago, AllureOfVacation said:

Hi,

 

we are new to Oceania! This comapany is like completely unknown here in Germany.

I remember that a fellow cruiser on the Royal Princess recommended to try Oceania. That was more than 2 years ago. Now we found a cruise that perfectly fits into our holiday schedules: a 20 days Med cruise on Oceania Riviera starting mid-October, so already next month. The price seems exceptionally low.

 

We originally wanted to sail with Celebrity Edge in the Caribbean in October, but due to not-yet-lifted travel bans to the US from the EU we had to cancel.

Like many others, we are used to cancellations and messed up vacation plans. But we are glad to be healthy, safe and vaccinated. But now it is vacation planning time again.

 

The majority of the Riviera cruise is within the EU, so if anything happens, we know where we are. I should mention that we were on that "famous" HAL Westerdam cruise in February 2020 that ended up in Cambodia....so we know how fast things can get out of hand.

 

Back to Oceania.

Some questions:

 

1.

Are there any reports and reviews yet from first Oceania cruises in the Med from this year?

It seems the Riviera starts its season with that 20 day cruise. Any comments about first start up cruises? Is Oceania all set?

 

2.

All inside and outside (without balcony) cabins are said to be "sold". That is what it looks like. But something tells me that they do not sell those for Covid-Capacity-reasons. Am I correct? By the way, there is plenty of other cabin options left.

 

3.

The O-Life offer says we can choose one extra option. In our case, 12 free excursions are tempting. But are these only like very cheap excursion options? Fine print says that some types of excursions are excluded. We do not want a free helicopter ride, but we certainly do not want an excursion that is a bus tour to a shopping center just to think we should have chosen the 1200 $ option instead.

 

4.

Soft drinks are really free? We are not heavy alcohol drinkers. A wine here and a cocktail there. So free soft drinks would be good.

 

5.

What is the typical crowd like? I guess it is less family orientated and rather low-key, relaxing and quiet. That would be exactly what I am currently longing for.

 

6.

Are there any information if we can roam free without Oceania excursions on a Med-cruise?

 

7.

Is there a noticeable step up from cruise lines like Celebrity, HAL or Princess?

We really enjoyed HAL and Princess, so if Oceania is only a tad better, that would be amazing.

 

8.

Did anyone stay in one of the forward facing balcony cabins on deck 8? One of them is available. Is the view very much intruded by the front of the ship?

 

 

Thank you for your comments and help in advance.

Maybe we will book tomorrow 🙂

 

 

After US/Canada and other English speaking countries, you’ll find a fair number of Germans on many O itineraries.

Oceania is far more than a “step up” or “tad better” from the cruise lines you mentioned. For one thing, expect (and receive) the “finest cuisine at sea.” Add to that wonderful bedding/linens, excellent service, great crew and space ratios.

O pricing is mostly inclusive: air fare (or air credit for DIY), internet, all non-alcoholic beverages, all specialty restaurants w/o extra cost and O Life provides a choice of one perk (booze, tours or SBC).

Lowest grade cabins sell fast. Balconies are most popular. Forward facing cabins also sell out but, there will be more ocean motion.

If you use the right Oceania specialist TA, they will share commissions with you (though this appears to be mostly a US thing).

Only “downside”? You’ll never use those other lines again.

[LHT28]

1 hour ago, AllureOfVacation said:

1.

Are there any reports and reviews yet from first Oceania cruises in the Med from this year?

It seems the Riviera starts its season with that 20 day cruise. Any comments about first start up cruises? Is Oceania all set?

There is  a thread here from the 1st couple of cruises

1 hour ago, AllureOfVacation said:

3.

The O-Life offer says we can choose one extra option. In our case, 12 free excursions are tempting. But are these only like very cheap excursion options? Fine print says that some types of excursions are excluded. We do not want a free helicopter ride, but we certainly do not want an excursion that is a bus tour to a shopping center just to think we should have chosen the 1200 $ option instead.

Have a look at the excursions offered on their website  then decide  if that works for you 

Just the ones designate with letters like OS WT etc  are not included in the O life   read the fine print

1 hour ago, AllureOfVacation said:

4.

Soft drinks are really free? We are not heavy alcohol drinkers. A wine here and a cocktail there. So free soft drinks would be good.

ALL non alcoholic beverages are included

 

1 hour ago, AllureOfVacation said:

5.

What is the typical crowd like? I guess it is less family orientated and rather low-key, relaxing and quiet. That would be exactly what I am currently longing for.

 

Mature  well travelled  not many children  probably less now with covid restrictions

 Yes O can be quiet  in the evenings also

1 hour ago, AllureOfVacation said:

7.

Is there a noticeable step up from cruise lines like Celebrity, HAL or Princess?

We really enjoyed HAL and Princess, so if Oceania is only a tad better, that would be amazing.

You will need a ladder  😉  much better food than HAL

 

Give them a try & decide for yourself

 

JMO

[LGW59]

1 hour ago, Flatbush Flyer said:

After US/Canada and other English speaking countries, you’ll find a fair number of Germans on many O itineraries.

Oceania is far more than a “step up” or “tad better” from the cruise lines you mentioned. For one thing, expect (and receive) the “finest cuisine at sea.” Add to that wonderful bedding/linens, excellent service, great crew and space ratios.

O pricing is mostly inclusive: air fare (or air credit for DIY), internet, all non-alcoholic beverages, all specialty restaurants w/o extra cost and O Life provides a choice of one perk (booze, tours or SBC).

Lowest grade cabins sell fast. Balconies are most popular. Forward facing cabins also sell out but, there will be more ocean motion.

If you use the right Oceania specialist TA, they will share commissions with you (though this appears to be mostly a US thing).

Only “downside”? You’ll never use those other lines again.

Ironically your posts, among a few others, are what convinced us to try O!

[Paulchili]

3 hours ago, LHT28 said:

You will need a ladder  😉  much better food than HAL

Thanks for a good laugh - now I cannot un-see this great observation 😀

Couldn't agree more.

[ORV]

19 hours ago, LGW59 said:

Ironically your posts, among a few others, are what convinced us to try O!

I guess I miss why it's ironic? 

[KatieBelle]

22 hours ago, AllureOfVacation said:

1.

Are there any reports and reviews yet from first Oceania cruises in the Med from this year?

It seems the Riviera starts its season with that 20 day cruise. Any comments about first start up cruises? Is Oceania all set?

 

Here are a few links to current posting re: the start-up cruise for Marina, a sister ship to Riviera.

Katie

 

 

https://boards.cruisecritic.com/topic/2802700-oceania-start-up-has-anyone-been-on-the-start-up-cruises-what-is-the-capacity/

 

 

https://boards.cruisecritic.com/topic/2772701-marina-august-29-2021/

 

[sofietucker]

We started out with OBC for OLife; our TA, in conversation with her O counterpart, determined that the shorex would be by far the better deal. We got 3 free shorex--the algorithm deletes the cost of the 3 most expensive ones you book-- and then all the others are 25% off. But the OS ones you still have to pay for (the helicopter to the pyramids, etc.).

[Paulchili]

1 hour ago, sofietucker said:

But the OS ones you still have to pay for (the helicopter to the pyramids, etc.).

Beats the camel ride to the pyramids that costs $1 to get unto the camel and $100 to get off 😀

[Flatbush Flyer]

1 hour ago, sofietucker said:

We started out with OBC for OLife; our TA, in conversation with her O counterpart, determined that the shorex would be by far the better deal. We got 3 free shorex--the algorithm deletes the cost of the 3 most expensive ones you book-- and then all the others are 25% off. But the OS ones you still have to pay for (the helicopter to the pyramids, etc.).

Sort of correct. You only get the 25% YWYW discount on ANY paid tours if the total number of your O Life included tours PLUS your paid additional ones meets the minimum number of total tours required for your cruise.

Edited September 23, 2021 by Flatbush Flyer

[AllureOfVacation]

We did it!! 
😁😁

 

Really looking forward to our first Oceania cruise

[PhD-iva]

Wilkommen Allure of vacation! 
I am on a Riviera cruise departing Romemid November, so your cruise will precede mine. My cruise has a very active rollcall, which you can find in another section here on cruise critic. If you give the specific date of your departure, I’m sure someone here will help you to find the link for your row call.
Take a look at your rollcall, it is a great way to get to know your fellow passengers even before boarding the ship. Sometimes you can get information to participate in private shore excursions, meet and greet events, etc.

Welcome to Oceania!