Pre-Cruise comparison of Oceania Regatta - Vista Suite to Celebrity Millennium Royal Suite

[clochette]

looking forward to following your adventures and reading about the celebrity and Oceania

[Jim_Iain]

I've been searching around for some good 'ol Oceania Food Porn.    Really haven't found many Live Posts with food pictures.. 

 

The pictures I did find on the internet better than what I would expect.   So a question from some of the seasoned Oceania Cruisers...

 

Are these pictures representative of some of the dishes on board or is it all Oceania Food Staging for advertisements?

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Harters]

9 hours ago, Jim_Iain said:

I've not heard much about the art but will definitely enjoy.

When we were on Vista's transatlantic earlier this year, they had an art "scavenger hunt". You were given a sheet with photos of parts of many of the artworks and the game was to identify exactly what piece had been photographed. It gave some purpose to wandering round looking at what is quite an extensive collection. 

 

In terms of the photos you've just posted, I'd say the "food stylist" has been at work there. Presentation, particularly in the GDR, is much more simplistic. Nothing wrong with it as such - except that, with a number of dishes, we reckoned our local bistro does a better job plating. Suggest you check out the Preisman's website and check out a recent cruise. Go to the menus page - lots of photos to accompany  the actual menus day-by-day.

 https://www.thepreismans.com/

Edited August 19 by Harters

[Jim_Iain]

7 hours ago, Harters said:

 Suggest you check out the Preisman's website and check out a recent cruise. Go to the menus page - lots of photos to accompany  the actual menus day-by-day.

 https://www.thepreismans.com/

 

Will definitely take a look.     I had a feeling the pictures may have been the incredible work of Food Stylists.  

[LuAnn]

18 hours ago, Jim_Iain said:

 

Like minds think alike.   I usually start with the track and if it goods too cold, windy or rainy I take to the hallways.    I've not heard much about the art but will definitely enjoy.   Celebrity has great artwork and even have a paid tour of all the artwork.    Often they have a different theme on each floor.  

 

 

As mentioned the "art hunt" is a lot of fun!!! And you have to look VERY carefully as it could be just a very small portion of the work!!! 🙂 "Tricky"!!! 🙂 

[lorimay]

16 hours ago, Jim_Iain said:

I've been searching around for some good 'ol Oceania Food Porn.    Really haven't found many Live Posts with food pictures.. 

 

The pictures I did find on the internet better than what I would expect.   So a question from some of the seasoned Oceania Cruisers...

 

Are these pictures representative of some of the dishes on board or is it all Oceania Food Staging for advertisements?

 

 

Based on my experience on the Vista a couple of weeks ago, the meals aren't usually plated quite as nicely as those pictures. The picture I have attached was my burrata salad from Toscana (?). I don't take a lot of pictures of food but really liked the way this was plated. I know overall my thoughts were that the food was presented nicely, but not as nicely plated as our Regent Grandeur cruise in December.

[JDPCruisers]

9 hours ago, Harters said:

When we were on Vista's transatlantic earlier this year, they had an art "scavenger hunt". You were given a sheet with photos of parts of many of the artworks and the game was to identify exactly what piece had been photographed. It gave some purpose to wandering round looking at what is quite an extensive collection. 

 

In terms of the photos you've just posted, I'd say the "food stylist" has been at work there. Presentation, particularly in the GDR, is much more simplistic. Nothing wrong with it as such - except that, with a number of dishes, we reckoned our local bistro does a better job plating. Suggest you check out the Preisman's website and check out a recent cruise. Go to the menus page - lots of photos to accompany  the actual menus day-by-day.

 https://www.thepreismans.com/

Thank you for this website. Very helpful information and photos. As soon to be first time O cruisers in 2025 on Vista this has us anticipating the experience. 

[AMHuntFerry]

35 minutes ago, LuAnn said:

As mentioned the "art hunt" is a lot of fun!!! And you have to look VERY carefully as it could be just a very small portion of the work!!! 🙂 "Tricky"!!! 🙂 

To add to the art comments, a good chunk of the treasure-hunt art is not hanging on a wall, but either architectural/lighting/furniture. Look up, look down, look all around 🙂 but most of all, have fun!

[ORV]

1 hour ago, JDPCruisers said:

Thank you for this website. Very helpful information and photos. As soon to be first time O cruisers in 2025 on Vista this has us anticipating the experience. 

Mike is one of the best in his reviews. I've cruised with him twice. Always enjoy visiting with him. 

[Jim_Iain]

7 hours ago, lorimay said:

Based on my experience on the Vista a couple of weeks ago, the meals aren't usually plated quite as nicely as those pictures. The picture I have attached was my burrata salad from Toscana (?). I don't take a lot of pictures of food but really liked the way this was plated. I know overall my thoughts were that the food was presented nicely, but not as nicely plated as our Regent Grandeur cruise in December.

 

 

Thanks....  I agree it is beautifully plated.   I definitely think I would order it.   Plating definitely have a positive impact on my enjoyment of a meal.  

 

While taste is important, food that is plated and presented well is more attractive to customers and can set the tone for the entire restaurant.  

[Jim_Iain]

7 hours ago, JDPCruisers said:

Thank you for this website. Very helpful information and photos. As soon to be first time O cruisers in 2025 on Vista this has us anticipating the experience. 

 

Be careful.   We initially booked our first cruise on Vista in 2025 and just couldn't wait so I searched to find a close by cruise so we could try out the product.

 

It always amazes me how quickly time flies and you get closer  to cruise date.

[Jim_Iain]

7 hours ago, AMHuntFerry said:

To add to the art comments, a good chunk of the treasure-hunt art is not hanging on a wall, but either architectural/lighting/furniture. Look up, look down, look all around 🙂 but most of all, have fun!

Thanks... I love artwork.   I especially get inspiration from other's photography.   Really helps with ideas on composition and lighting.

[Jim_Iain]

Received an e-mail today from Oceania.    Check-in begin at 21 days per-cruise and they direct us to their website to complete check-In.     I believe I've already entered most of the information but will have to enter my Credit Card details.

 

Any pointers welcome.  

 

This is also a difference.   On Celebrity you do not receive any e-mails on check-in.   They leave it up to you to figure out.

[Jim_Iain]

Guess I will have to come back on August 24th.    All information is complete except Check-In which is greyed out.

 

[Harters]

6 hours ago, Jim_Iain said:

Any pointers welcome

The system will invite you to upload ID photos of yourselves. Don't sweat it if it doesn't work, as they'll take photos at the cruise terminal with no problem instead. Uploads have failed on our last two cruises and we gave up after several attempts. 

[flviking]

11 hours ago, Jim_Iain said:

 

Be careful.   We initially booked our first cruise on Vista in 2025 and just couldn't wait so I searched to find a close by cruise so we could try out the product.

 

It always amazes me how quickly time flies and you get closer  to cruise date.

Same for us.  We were booked on Allura Nov 2025.  We've been so ready to try O we cancelled Ascent Dec 2024 and booked Vista.  After checking out the menus Preismans we are more looking forward to our cruise.  But first our last RV trip of the year and a river cruise on Scenic.

[Jim_Iain]

2 hours ago, flviking said:

Same for us.  We were booked on Allura Nov 2025.  We've been so ready to try O we cancelled Ascent Dec 2024 and booked Vista.  After checking out the menus Preismans we are more looking forward to our cruise.  But first our last RV trip of the year and a river cruise on Scenic.

I was thinking o doing a RV vacation but haven't gotten any traction as of yet.   I would love to Visit Yellowstone ... would be a fantastic way to visit.

[Jim_Iain]

Back for another Comparison -

 

Website / APP services.

 

Without being biased I have to say that Celebrity beats Oceania hands down when it comes to technology.    While many complain about Celebrity's glitchy,  I find it very efficient and an effective tool.

 

Oceania has a long way to go when it comes to technology.    One example is that you can book an excursion on their website but if you need to make a change or cancellation you have to physically call and speak with an agent.  

 

Celebrity has a both a Website as well as a dedicated app.   You can book excursions, drink packages, internet using either and if you need to cancel you just click a cancel button and payments are immediately refunded to the form of payment used.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited August 20 by Jim_Iain

[flviking]

35 minutes ago, Jim_Iain said:

I was thinking o doing a RV vacation but haven't gotten any traction as of yet.   I would love to Visit Yellowstone ... would be a fantastic way to visit.

Surprisingly as big as Yellowstone is it's not really set up for RV's.  No hookup for electricity, water or sewer in 11 of the 12 campgrounds. Many National Parks are the same.  We can be self contained for water and sewer but keeping the refrigerator running is maybe 24hours without generator time.  We stay outside the south end of the park for a few days of driving in each day.  We then move up to outside the Mammoth area in the north and do the same.

[Mike981]

On 8/18/2024 at 6:42 PM, Jim_Iain said:

 

Heater,

 

Yea, unfortunately we will miss.     I've been checking out Explora Journey.   They definitely have beautiful ships.  Weren't you boarding Explora when we were in Honolulu?

 

We booked a Regent SeveSeas  in May of 2026.    The selection was totally based on itinerary -   I have always wanted to do a South Africa Safari followed with a cruise.   I finally found a cruise that begins with a West Africa Cruise and then combines with TransAtlantic from Lisbon to Miami.   It is 36 days but will be adding on a Pr-Cruise to Victoria Falls and a Safari.     This one really has me excited but it seems so far away.

 

This sounds fantastic Jim!

 

15 hours ago, Jim_Iain said:

 

Be careful.   We initially booked our first cruise on Vista in 2025 and just couldn't wait so I searched to find a close by cruise so we could try out the product.

 

It always amazes me how quickly time flies and you get closer  to cruise date.

 

And up in the years.

 

1 hour ago, Jim_Iain said:

I was thinking o doing a RV vacation but haven't gotten any traction as of yet.   I would love to Visit Yellowstone ... would be a fantastic way to visit.

 

Our family had a very large pickup camper (sold it and the truck a few years ago to a young family), it was a Lance and I believe they are made in your neck of the woods. That said, if you have any questions feel free to ask.

[mhdesno2]

2 hours ago, Jim_Iain said:

Back for another Comparison -

 

Website / APP services.

 

Without being biased I have to say that Celebrity beats Oceania hands down when it comes to technology.    While many complain about Celebrity's glitchy,  I find it very efficient and an effective tool.

 

Oceania has a long way to go when it comes to technology.    One example is that you can book an excursion on their website but if you need to make a change or cancellation you have to physically call and speak with an agent.  

 

Celebrity has a both a Website as well as a dedicated app.   You can book excursions, drink packages, internet using either and if you need to cancel you just click a cancel button and payments are immediately refunded to the form of payment used.

 

 

 

 

 

 

I agree with you 100%! If we can order excursions online, we should be able to cancel them the same way as well! What I like best in the Celebrity App is the ability to look up menus later on in the cruise and being able to plan where we will eat. It's also really practical for activities planning. The only "electronic option" to view menus in Oceania is through the stateroom's interactive TV. I believe it is only for the day's menus, nothing in the future although I am not completely sure. For all activities, you have to refer to the paper dailies. I haven't traveled on NCL in about 15 years but they must have better technology than what is found on Oceania.

[iowananny]

What is even more irritating is that you can't see the evening meals in the Terrace Cafe or Dining room until after lunch.  Sometimes they have a menu that has something on it that really sounds good, but we've been on an excursion and it's too late to cancel our specialty reservation as the desk is closed.  If we knew in the morning, we might cancel that reservation and someone who really wanted it could have it and we'd eat in the dining room.

 

It's time for O to start using the technology that's available to them.  Yes, they have an older cliental but the vast majority of them know how to use simple apps.

[taiwan_girl]

On 8/19/2024 at 3:58 AM, Harters said:

When we were on Vista's transatlantic earlier this year, they had an art "scavenger hunt". You were given a sheet with photos of parts of many of the artworks and the game was to identify exactly what piece had been photographed. It gave some purpose to wandering round looking at what is quite an extensive collection. 

We did the same thing on Regatta.  LOL. Assuming it was the same type of hunt, the pictures were usually just a very small portion of the overall artwork, so took some time and wandering.  We each got a "free" Oceania Cruises baseball cap for our efforts!!

[Traveling Fools]

10 hours ago, Jim_Iain said:

I was thinking o doing a RV vacation but haven't gotten any traction as of yet.   I would love to Visit Yellowstone ... would be a fantastic way to visit.

 

If you have a 35 foot or smaller RV and book sufficiently ahead of time you should (could) be able to secure a full hookup site near Rainbow Bridge.  Located in the center of the park it is an idea point to start and end your daily excursions. (Been there done that with a 37 foot we had to squeeze into the site.)  They have very few sites for larger RV's, meaning you probably would have to book a site in West Yellowstone.  Close to the park gate but a 30-40 mile ride to the main road (and back at the end of the day).  Worth it , a big YES!

[Gracie115]

On 8/18/2024 at 9:17 PM, Jim_Iain said:

I've been searching around for some good 'ol Oceania Food Porn.    Really haven't found many Live Posts with food pictures.. 

 

The pictures I did find on the internet better than what I would expect.   So a question from some of the seasoned Oceania Cruisers...

 

Are these pictures representative of some of the dishes on board or is it all Oceania Food Staging for advertisements?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Hi Jim,

I think the pictures are pretty accurate, at least based on our one Oceania Vista cruise last December.  We found Toscana a wonderful specialty restaurant, food and food presentation was wonderful.

 

I suspect you will like Oceania....a lot.