Regent VS Oceana?

[Drummermom06]

We are looking at at Canada/New England Fall foliage cruise in October 2025.  The "rules" for the one have to see port have changed and we have narrowed it down to 2 cruises, Regent and Oceana.  They are nearly identical, except the price and inclusions.  Thoughts?  We haven't done many "luxury" cruises so do not have experience with them, but hubs retired a year ago and we now can travel!  

[Hearthosesteeldrumsplayin]

So, I too have debated the RSSC vs. Oceania booking conundrum.  We have sailed on both and loved both cruises.  On RSSC, no matter what stateroom, it seems you get the full upscale treatment.  (But, we were in a PH suite, so had a butler, which was really nice!)  We were also in a PH on O.  My personal take is that RSSC is above O, but that is also reflective in the pricing!  I love laundry service (and higher staterooms have it on O, RSSC it is included for all) and we tend to dress up for evening dinners no matter what cruise line we sail.  We like the spa and casino, which is not included, anyway (at least at the price point I am willing to pay!)  We are not big pool or lay out in the sun folks.  The library on RSSC was phenomenal!  I am looking at future cruises and really debating if the extra $$ worth it for RSSC, especially when I plan to make my own flight arrangements.  If I wanted RSSC to make the flights (I'm talking business class overseas), and I was booking at least concierge, where I get the additional night included, then I would likely go RSSC.  If your flights are within the US, then you won't get business class, anyway (if you are from the US).  Then, you have to look at your budget and what your expectations are.  I liked the RSSC food/dining arrangements, but they are limited in hours.  Every meal was enjoyable, even in the main dining room.  Seems like O was a little more active in the evenings.  RSSC very small and refined (but NOT stuffy!) clientele, the ships officers get involved with the cruisers (ate in same dining areas, played games with us).  O was more of a bridge between main lines and the luxury lines, but had enough of the luxury feel that we were quite happy with the experience (we were on VISTA, which is new and bigger).  We were on Splendor with RSSC.  I hope this helps!

[Drummermom06]

Thank you SO MUCH!  We are not huge lay out in the sun folks, and it will be October in Canada!  Flights would be from TX to Boston but from Montreal.  Laundry is a definite plus, we do have wonderful extra large suitcases but it would be great not to take them.  And the limo is a big plus not to deal with the drive back and forth from IAH, as we are 103 miles, and they cover 100 miles - we can handle the extra.  Or we could brave the puddle jumper from our commuter airport.  We would definitely stay a night or two ahead and possibly post.  Food is a big factor, dressing up not so much.  We are go to bed early folks so if it shuts down at 11 or so that is a ok.  It would be the Splendor and Insignia for O.  I do really want a bathtub lol which puts RSSC in the plus column!  I didn't see any on the Insignia.  Hubs could care less, he is just tired of me looking at cruises.  

[Wendy The Wanderer]

Splendor is an amazing ship, btw, and the S1/2 or concierge cabins are generous in size.  Haven't been on Insignia but it is smaller and older, with much smaller standard cabins. Fewer specialty restaurant choices too.

[PaulMCO]

If its Splendor versus Insignia, the Regent wins hands down just for the ship.  You would need to book a PH on Oceania to get a similar sized room in a superior F1/F2.  The Verandas on Insignia are considerable smaller than the equivalent on Splendor and the showers on the R ships are shoehorn small.

 

 

[CruiserFromMaine]

On 9/6/2024 at 10:37 AM, PaulMCO said:

The Verandas on Insignia are considerable smaller than the equivalent on Splendor and the showers on the R ships are shoehorn small.

Agreed. It’s hard to appreciate how small until you actually squeeze into one. 
 

We’ve been on both and much prefer Regent. We’ve been on O Regatta and Vista, and Regent Splendor and Grandeur. Service on Regent was consistently better, as was food. Bars on O got crowded and service was subpar. O has loyal fans though. Of course, so does Regent. 

[fizzy]

Is the poor bar experience due to understaffing?   thank you

[Drummermom06]

Actually we just got back from an Alaskan cruise. One of the mid range lines, in a top suite doing all premium dining. It was good but I am off cruising for a few years as my stomach got so torn up by eating so darn much! Just not used to it. We eat healthy and really watch things. Not so much on a cruise. Will definitely take all of this advice in the future!

[CruiserFromMaine]

On 9/13/2024 at 8:21 PM, fizzy said:

Is the poor bar experience due to understaffing?   thank you

That’s my guess. Might’ve been poor training but it was in several bars so it seemed like a staffing issue.