Rare Vineyard View Posted August 23, 2022 #26 Share Posted August 23, 2022 On 8/21/2022 at 5:24 PM, PSR said: Yes, to upgrade to the Prestige package it is $20.00/day/person. Worth it if you have 2 or more cocktails a day. It does not change your "by the glass" wine selections, though. The upgraded drinks package includes the same wines by the glass as the regular wine package? I did not realize this. Thank you for the clarification Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PSR Posted August 24, 2022 #27 Share Posted August 24, 2022 (edited) 1 hour ago, Vineyard View said: The upgraded drinks package includes the same wines by the glass as the regular wine package? I did not realize this. Thank you for the clarification As far as I know, yes. All bars and dining rooms have the same wines by the glass that are covered by both the basic and upgraded packages. I think sometimes there may be "special" wines by the glass featured in the specialty dining rooms, but I did not look at the wine lists when we tried those dining rooms. You would have to pay for those glasses, I understand. We enjoyed the wines available on the standard list, but we are not wine experts and have only been on one cruise. Maybe someone else with more Oceania experience can clarify the wine by the glass situation. Edited August 24, 2022 by PSR Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare LHT28 Posted August 24, 2022 #28 Share Posted August 24, 2022 Most people upgrade to the Prestige package from the O Life House select not for wine by the glass selections but so they can have almost unlimited alcoholic beverages anytime JMO 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Vineyard View Posted August 24, 2022 #29 Share Posted August 24, 2022 Truly good to know these clarifications. Thank you again Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Mareblu Posted August 24, 2022 #30 Share Posted August 24, 2022 4 hours ago, Vineyard View said: Truly good to know these clarifications. Thank you again One more crucial point: tried in vain today to purchase Prestige Package, as we have done in the past. Our TA spoke with Oceania senior rep who advised that drinks packages may now only be purchased once we are aboard. From memory, the wines were by the bottle in the Prestige Package. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alaskaca Posted August 24, 2022 #31 Share Posted August 24, 2022 3 hours ago, Mareblu said: From memory, the wines were by the bottle in the Prestige Package. Last time cruising, Feb/March 2020, the Prestige Pkg included wine by the glass. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Mareblu Posted August 24, 2022 #32 Share Posted August 24, 2022 1 hour ago, alaskaca said: Last time cruising, Feb/March 2020, the Prestige Pkg included wine by the glass. Then I stand corrected 😊 Our last Oceania cruise was 2018, so changes happen with time. It'll be interesting to see when we're aboard Sirena what we'll be offered in the Prestige Package. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare LHT28 Posted August 24, 2022 #33 Share Posted August 24, 2022 6 hours ago, Mareblu said: One more crucial point: tried in vain today to purchase Prestige Package, as we have done in the past. Our TA spoke with Oceania senior rep who advised that drinks packages may now only be purchased once we are aboard. From memory, the wines were by the bottle in the Prestige Package. It has always been by the glass in both packages Maybe you are thinking of the 7 Bottle package ? You choose 7 bottles of wine from a specific list for a flat rate Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Mareblu Posted August 24, 2022 #34 Share Posted August 24, 2022 On 8/21/2022 at 9:09 PM, zodiacsign said: I've done both. Obviously my views are subjective, but here's which one comes out on top in my opinion on different elements. STATEROOMS: Oceania, in layout and bathroom space. (not considering balcony/no balcony issue). APP/ONLINE INFO: Viking. (The lack of digiboards to look up the day's menus/events, and an app on board, are a downside on Oceania). FOOD: Oceania DRINKS: Viking. (Beer and wine included at meals, and cocktails to purchase very reasonable). ENTERTAINMENT: Oceania (by a mile). PUBLIC AREA DECOR: Viking EXCURSIONS: Probably a wash. Viking does offer one "free" tour in each port. In some place these are good (like a walking tour), but in European cities there are usually "free" walking tours you can go to on your own anyway. Often Viking's included tour is just a bus tour with some photo stops. When it comes to paid excursions, I think they are similar (unsurprisingly: it's usually the same local tour companies selling excursions to all the cruise lines). SPA AREAS: Viking. The indoor heated pool area, ice room, jacuzzis, plunge pool, sauna, etc. Great news: At least on Sirena, the recent refurbishment has resulted in a total digital upgrade, with interactive large screens identical (as far as I can see) to those on Viking. Viking was way ahead, in our opinion, with the interactive info, but now it seems Oceania is on a par. I imagine all other "reimaginings" in O's fleet would have the same treatment. Overdue, and very welcome. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare oskidunker Posted August 24, 2022 #35 Share Posted August 24, 2022 9 hours ago, LHT28 said: It has always been by the glass in both packages Maybe you are thinking of the 7 Bottle package ? You choose 7 bottles of wine from a specific list for a flat rate Can anyone post the list? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Mareblu Posted August 25, 2022 #36 Share Posted August 25, 2022 10 hours ago, LHT28 said: It has always been by the glass in both packages Maybe you are thinking of the 7 Bottle package ? You choose 7 bottles of wine from a specific list for a flat rate Maybe we had both. Our wine was definitely served by the bottle, and cocktails were covered by the package. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AMHuntFerry Posted August 25, 2022 #37 Share Posted August 25, 2022 56 minutes ago, oskidunker said: Can anyone post the list? The list will vary depending on what is available. There is a sample list on O's website: https://www.oceaniacruises.com/value https://www.oceaniacruises.com/Documents/Menus/23779/WinebytheBottle-SampleSelection.pdf 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare DENIE Posted August 25, 2022 #38 Share Posted August 25, 2022 17 hours ago, Mareblu said: One more crucial point: tried in vain today to purchase Prestige Package, as we have done in the past. Our TA spoke with Oceania senior rep who advised that drinks packages may now only be purchased once we are aboard. From memory, the wines were by the bottle in the Prestige Package. On the Riviera in June, we stopped at the front desk upon boarding and asked to be upgraded to the Prestige package. They took our cruise cards and issued new ones in about 3 or 4 minutes - very easy. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare oskidunker Posted August 25, 2022 #39 Share Posted August 25, 2022 43 minutes ago, AMHuntFerry said: The list will vary depending on what is available. There is a sample list on O's website: https://www.oceaniacruises.com/value https://www.oceaniacruises.com/Documents/Menus/23779/WinebytheBottle-SampleSelection.pdf That looks good. A list posted by someone in March looked bad. Instead of Perrier Joulet champagne is was Nicholas Fallete, a big difference and a no go. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare LHT28 Posted August 25, 2022 #40 Share Posted August 25, 2022 2 hours ago, oskidunker said: Can anyone post the list? The list changes on each cruise 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare ORV Posted August 25, 2022 #41 Share Posted August 25, 2022 For those interested in Interactive things, like apps like other lines use, you might be interested to know on the recent survey for the Oceania Cruises Insights Panel they asked a couple of questions about them. So apparently it's on their radar. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TexasTwist Posted August 26, 2022 #42 Share Posted August 26, 2022 I’ve done both. Both are great that you have small ships. So much easier getting off and on the boats. I do prefer the size and layout of Oceania as well as the food. Entertainment is equal. Viking free excursions were inconsistent at best. Not great. Oceania tends to be a better value. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eloise4Ever Posted September 11, 2022 #43 Share Posted September 11, 2022 On 8/23/2022 at 11:36 PM, Vineyard View said: The upgraded drinks package includes the same wines by the glass as the regular wine package? I did not realize this. Thank you for the clarification Just to make it clear, the wines by the glass on the regular and upgraded drinks packages on O include ALL the wines by the glass available onboard. In other words, regardless of whether guests choose a drinks package or pay for drinks as they go, all will be choosing from the same list of wines by the glass. Although the selection may vary from cruise to cruise, you can get an idea of the wines by the glass here: https://www.oceaniacruises.com/Documents/Menus/1694/Bar-Menu.pdf. I much preferred the way O do it to Viking, where we had the upgraded package but found it difficult and slow at lunch and dinner to order wine that wasn't the included wine of the day. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Mareblu Posted September 17, 2022 #44 Share Posted September 17, 2022 In Portsmouth, boarding Oceania’s Sirena in a few hours. So exciting to be cruising again after three long years. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cruisr Posted September 18, 2022 #45 Share Posted September 18, 2022 On 8/24/2022 at 8:41 PM, AMHuntFerry said: The list will vary depending on what is available. There is a sample list on O's website: https://www.oceaniacruises.com/value https://www.oceaniacruises.com/Documents/Menus/23779/WinebytheBottle-SampleSelection.pdf So, unless I am misunderstanding, the Geisen Marlborough SV, which I can get for $9.99 a bottle would be $47.90 per bottle and I have to buy 7 to get that price? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare LHT28 Posted September 18, 2022 #46 Share Posted September 18, 2022 1 hour ago, cruisr said: So, unless I am misunderstanding, the Geisen Marlborough SV, which I can get for $9.99 a bottle would be $47.90 per bottle and I have to buy 7 to get that price? Correct Or just take your own & if you take a bottle to the dining venues pay the corkage fee of $25 per bottle 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Mareblu Posted September 21, 2022 #47 Share Posted September 21, 2022 Red Ginger last night. I had almost forgotten how exquisite Oceania’s cuisine is 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MEFIowa Posted September 21, 2022 #48 Share Posted September 21, 2022 On 9/18/2022 at 6:24 PM, LHT28 said: Correct. Or just take your own & if you take a bottle to the dining venues pay the corkage fee of $25 per bottle. "... the Geisen Marlborough SV, which I can get for $9.99 a bottle would be $47.90 per bottle and I have to buy 7 to get that price?" OR just pass up on any wine at dinner, saving a small fortune, and use the savings to buy something nice for yourself and significant other in the boutiques? [I write that looking at the RAF Red Arrows Citizen Eco-Drive watch on my wrist that I bought on Riviera 12/21 and thinking about the nice purse and handbag I bought for my wife on that cruise, too. IF you looked around and priced things out, many of the boutique items were very decently priced indeed!] Just bring your bottles of whatever on board, at the start and in ports, and consume them in your room. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare LHT28 Posted September 21, 2022 #49 Share Posted September 21, 2022 1 minute ago, MEFIowa said: OR just pass up on any wine at dinner, saving a small fortune, and use the savings to buy something nice for yourself and significant other in the boutiques? [I write that looking at the RAF Red Arrows Citizen Eco-Drive watch on my wrist that I bought on Riviera 12/21 and thinking about the nice purse and handbag I bought for my wife on that cruise, too. IF you looked around and priced things out, many of the boutique items were very decently priced indeed!] Just bring your bottles of whatever on board, at the start and in ports, and consume them in your room. LOL Or maybe just drink what you want where you want DH dreads going in the gift shops he has so many logo shirts that will last him the rest of his life No More watches either he has 4 or 5 Not everyone want to sit & drink alone in your cabin 😉 JMO 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare PasadenaDave Posted November 11, 2022 #50 Share Posted November 11, 2022 Thank you for this thread. We have five cruises with Princess, we cruised with Viking Istanbul to Venice last May and then HAL Quebec to Boston in September. After our experience with Viking, returning to a huge HAL ship was less than enjoyable, thus except for say a quick Vancouver to LA on Princess, our days on Mega Ships is over. We really enjoyed Viking. Highlights were thermal spa, no nickel and diming, no casino, no photographers. They treated us very well and laundry was excellent for self serve. We get the Oceana brochures with the Wall Street Journal and like the British Isles cruise Portsmouth to Portsmouth. Our question, it appears the overall satisfaction between Viking and Oceana is similar with one besting the other in some categories. Do you think it is worthwhile our dipping our toes into the Oceana experience? While price is always an issue, for the purpose of gathering information up front payment or included or not included items is not a consideration at this stage. Thanks in advance Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Please sign in to comment
You will be able to leave a comment after signing in
Sign In Now