First time with Oceania

[janieb1962]

We recently completed the Istanbul - Athens sailing in Vista. 
It was our first time with Oceania. Having read about the previous trip having some 130 children onboard some quite unruly by all accounts, I was a little concerned. Our trip did have some children on board and some large groups of multi generations.  All were well behaved and didn’t cause us any issues.

The ship is beautiful, we were in 7102, and found the location to be fine , we walk the stairs rather the than take the lifts, not too noisy and didn’t experience any neighbour noise or vibration from the ship.

The food in the  speciality restaurants, red ginger, Toscana & Polo Grill was fabulous, the rest of the food , Terrace & Grand Dining room was good but nothing out of the ordinary and probably slightly below our experience with Regent & Seabourn.

Entertainment was ok , only one show at 9.30pm. House group 4 corners were also ok they play each evening in Horizons, different eras of music but I would have like more variety in there rather than same group . Would be nice to see more happening on deck , eg deck bbq, live music occasionally but that’s just our personal choice.

never had an issue getting a sun lounger, although ones in the shade are more difficult.
staff were very good, a couple of times you had to go to waves bar to get a drink as not enough waiters on deck , but again not a big issue. cocktails were ok but much better if you ask for branded spirits rather than made with the  usual they use! I do wish they would up,their game on mixers…Canada Dry tonic is not great, Schweppes a bit better , but disappointed there was no Fever tree 
wines in the package by the glass were drinkable. 
They followed up on the early cruise survey comments which was excellent to address any issues.

Liked the Cruise Directors little tv show in the morning, taking about the days location, events etc.

 

well we’ve already booked again so clearly we liked it.

 

[cayman09]

Thank you for taking the time to write this review. 

[MEFIowa]

Per the Deck Plans 7102 (port aft) is a B3. Notice it is right by the elevators & stairs. Did you hear much noise from there, as people used the elevators and stairs?

[ORV]

Thanks for your review. It's nice to see reports when people enjoy their cruise. 

[Woodrowst]

9 hours ago, janieb1962 said:

do wish they would up their game on mixers…Canada Dry tonic is not great, Schweppes a bit better but disappointed there was no Fever tree …

 

For those who ask for examples of the difference between premium lines (e.g. Oceania) and luxury lines (e.g. Crystal, Seabourn) this is one.  Luxury lines have Fever Tree.  Many might say that this is a small upgrade.  But it is the (many) small upgrades that differentiate luxury from premium lines.

[basor]

14 minutes ago, Woodrowst said:

For those who ask for examples of the difference between premium lines (e.g. Oceania) and luxury lines (e.g. Crystal, Seabourn) this is one.  Luxury lines have Fever Tree.  Many might say that this is a small upgrade.  But it is the (many) small upgrades that differentiate luxury from premium lines.

If there is a certain non-alcoholic drink that is important to my cruse enjoyment, I simply let my TA know and she notifies O and it has always been waiting for me ....if you ever sail O again, just let them know you want Fever Tree for your mixer ahead of sailing.  I understand that, for you, they should just have this mixer in all bars...

[LuAnn]

5 hours ago, MEFIowa said:

Per the Deck Plans 7102 (port aft) is a B3. Notice it is right by the elevators & stairs. Did you hear much noise from there, as people used the elevators and stairs?

I've stayed in cabins in that area on Marina, Rivera and Regatta and never had an issue. Also stayed near front elevators on Vista...also no issues. 

[mauibabes]

@basor,

DITTO, Plus 1, etc.  I have no idea what Fever Tree is so I would never know I should be concerned. For any cruiser new to Oceania or even others, if there is something specific/special you want; food, drink, non alcoholic drinks, brand specific items in your room refrigerator, just ask your TA or Oceania Rep to have it available for you. The ship buys a myriad of items for the Staff Store/Commissary or whatever it’s called and then it is available for your Room Steward/Butler to get it for you. Oceania is under contract for Staterooms to stock Coke products, we like Pepsi so we have added Pepsi to our preferences and it is always properly stocked, and restocked. Just Ask 😇👍 Same thing with all the different dietary needs, let O know and if it is possible or available to be acquired, they will accommodate you. 
Enjoy,

Mauibabes

 

[MEFIowa]

2 hours ago, Woodrowst said:

... Luxury lines have Fever Tree.  Many might say that this is a small upgrade....

Looked over their web site. Company dates to the early 2000s. Of course, they make lots of marketing claims. I do find their tag line a bit humorous:

 

"If 3/4 of your drink is the mixer, mix with the best".

 

But what if you don't mix? And I suspect their tonic water, for example, is hard to tell from others. But that's just me. I find most mix just covers up what I want, the actual hard liquor and its taste. And a rum and Coke is what it is, regardless as to whether Fever Tree thinks their "cola" is better.

 

Our Approach (fever-tree.com)

[dandewine lion 37]

Our first cruise is in 9 months. We're very excited and feel that we will be okay without Fever Tree. 😀

[GrammieK]

I have requested fever tree tonic and fever tree ginger beer. It definitely is a step up. My wonderful travel agent has always arranged for it when requested. 

[Woodrowst]

7 hours ago, basor said:

If there is a certain non-alcoholic drink that is important to my cruse enjoyment, I simply let my TA know and she notifies O and it has always been waiting for me ....if you ever sail O again, just let them know you want Fever Tree for your mixer ahead of sailing.  I understand that, for you, they should just have this mixer in all bars...

On a luxury line you do not have to go to that bother.

[Woodrowst]

5 hours ago, MEFIowa said:

Looked over their web site. Company dates to the early 2000s. Of course, they make lots of marketing claims. I do find their tag line a bit humorous:

 

"If 3/4 of your drink is the mixer, mix with the best".

 

But what if you don't mix? And I suspect their tonic water, for example, is hard to tell from others. But that's just me. I find most mix just covers up what I want, the actual hard liquor and its taste. And a rum and Coke is what it is, regardless as to whether Fever Tree thinks their "cola" is better.

 

Our Approach (fever-tree.com)

Fever Tree has types of tonic, as well as other mixers such as ginger beer, that you cannot find in mainstream brands.  An example is their Elderflower tonic.  It is delicious by itself as well as making a unique gin and tonic.

[janieb1962]

16 hours ago, MEFIowa said:

Per the Deck Plans 7102 (port aft) is a B3. Notice it is right by the elevators & stairs. Did you hear much noise from there, as people used the elevators and stairs?

My husband said he could hear the lift very slightly when in the bathroom. I didnt hear anything. Only on one occasion did I hear noise of people talking around the stairs, 

Edited August 19 by janieb1962

[Harters]

We usually have FeverTree at home. It's Mrs H's preferred tonic with her gin. I occasionally have it as a stand-alone drink but, frankly, can't taste a difference between it and Schweppes.  I suppose that, in this age of globalisation, it's good to know that FeverTree hasnt yet been bought by one of the big American corporations and remains a British owned product. Only a matter of time though...... 

[pinotlover]

I have found a very distinct difference in taste between Fever Tree and the other brands and greatly prefer Fever Tree. I have likewise requested it aboard ship before and been told they don’t have that brand.

 

As I often deal with people that can’t differentiate the flavors in a Pinot Noir versus a Merlot, it all tastes like red wine to them, I’m not surprised that all tonic tastes the same to some. Lots of reasons for the loss of tastes.

[Harters]

13 minutes ago, pinotlover said:

people that can’t differentiate the flavors in a Pinot Noir versus a Merlot, it all tastes like red wine to them

That would be me. Or, to be precise, would have been me 20+ years back when I drank alcohol. Now, it's an alcohol free version which, I suppose, doesnt really count. I buy off a specialist alcohol free merchant and buy according to price  - cheapest they have available of Cab Sauv, Merlot or Shiraz

[iowananny]

I have requested Fever Tree in the past from my travel agent.  On my last cruise I didn't but there were four bottles in the refrigerator.  What a wonderful surprise.  Once you've had it, you'll never like anything else again.  At least in my opinion.  I love the Mediterranean but all the flavors are good.

[clo]

5 hours ago, pinotlover said:

Fever Tree

I don't at all dislike gin but if I'm going to have a G&T it will be Fever Tree or nothing. To me the taste is exceptional.

[iowananny]

When on a cruise and I have Fever Tree I just put it in my bag and take it down to Waves Bar.  They're glad to use it for my gin and tonics.  The first time I ordered it from my travel agent I received 12 bottles.  I took it to the bar and the bartender said he loved it so he received a tip of 4 bottles of Fever Tree.  They even sell it in the small town I live closest to, population 12,500.  Even small town girls know how to drink what is best.

[greyhairbill]

These responses reminded me of a cruise I took on NCL.  I usually enjoyed a pre-dinner G&T.  However, on this cruise, the tonic they used was horrible.  After the first 2 nights I switched to a martini...ahhh problem solved.