ruderhaus Posted April 30, 2004 #1 Share Posted April 30, 2004 Hello everybody, I have just published the first of four parts of the review of my cruise on Oceania Cruises' "Regatta" last September. Additionally I have published a photo gallery of that voyage with 137 pictures: http://www.ruderhaus.de/oceania-regatta-cruise/index.htm The three remaining parts will be published throughout the next month, and I will make sure to announce their publication. As always, English descriptions in the photo gallery appear by pointing the cursor at the full-sized pictures. Enjoy! Best regards, Raoul Fiebig Das Ruderhaus Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eknightley Posted April 30, 2004 #2 Share Posted April 30, 2004 Thank you very much for your excellent review complete with background information. The photos are wonderful too. Thanks again! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gillianrose Posted April 30, 2004 #3 Share Posted April 30, 2004 Can you tell us whether the nonsmoking policy was adhered to on the ship? I know the entire ship is no longer 100% nonsmoking, but what about the cabin areas, where there is not supposed to be any smoke, and other public areas. Can we feel safe from smoke in the areas where it is off limits? Are you a smoker, by the way? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ruderhaus Posted April 30, 2004 Author #4 Share Posted April 30, 2004 Hi gillianrose, I'm a non-smoker (never been a smoker). I occasionally saw (or rather smelled) people smoking on their balconies, but otherwise the policy worked very well - very much to my liking. Best regards, Raoul Fiebig Das Ruderhaus Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ruderhaus Posted May 7, 2004 Author #5 Share Posted May 7, 2004 Hello everybody, Part II of my "Regatta" Cruise Review has now been added: http://www.ruderhaus.de/oceania-regatta-cruise/index.htm This part includes a complete tour of the M/S "Regatta". Enjoy! Best regards, Raoul Fiebig Das Ruderhaus Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cruzemaven Posted May 7, 2004 #6 Share Posted May 7, 2004 Thanks for the details....much appreciated. 8/17Insignia Barcelona to Venice Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Juanito Posted May 8, 2004 #7 Share Posted May 8, 2004 Thank you for your very informative reviews. I look forward to your next chapter. John "Insignia" Venice-to-Athens Oct. 10 Juanito Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lindberg Posted May 8, 2004 #8 Share Posted May 8, 2004 Raoul, Excellent review. I'm looking for an eastern Mediterranean cruise for next summer and based on your review I'm considering Ocenia. The ship is just beautiful. I love the smaller size. And from what I've seen at their web site the ports visited as not the standard big ship boring ports. Can't wait to read the rest of your review! Laura Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ruderhaus Posted May 14, 2004 Author #9 Share Posted May 14, 2004 Hello everybody, Part III of my "Regatta" Cruise Review has now been added: http://www.ruderhaus.de/oceania-regatta-cruise/index.htm This part includes a look at the cruise's ports of call. Enjoy! Best regards, Raoul Fiebig Das Ruderhaus Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ruderhaus Posted May 22, 2004 Author #10 Share Posted May 22, 2004 Hello everybody, the fourth and final part of my "Regatta" Cruise Review has now been added: http://www.ruderhaus.de/oceania-regatta-cruise/index.htm This part includes my detailed rating of the cruise. Enjoy! Best regards, Raoul Fiebig Das Ruderhaus Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twine Posted May 22, 2004 #11 Share Posted May 22, 2004 Wonderful Review Raoul. This should answer many questions anyone looking to book on Oceania might have. I am also sure that anyone reading your review that has sailed with Oceania in the past will feel like me READY TO GO AGAIN. Great Pictures and again Thanks. Tomm& Mary Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ClaudiaF Posted May 23, 2004 #12 Share Posted May 23, 2004 Excellent review ..thanks for taking the time to share with all of us. Barcelona to Venice on Oceania - "Insignia" Buenos Aires to Rio Oceania - "Insignia" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eknightley Posted May 23, 2004 #13 Share Posted May 23, 2004 What a wonderful and comprehensive review of an Oceania ship! (Your bilingualism is also very impressive!). Your web site is so informative and helps us look forward to our first Oceania cruise in July. I have two questions that you or someone else can probably answer. 1) Until we saw your photographs, we did not realize that the Oceania ships have a covered "walking deck" on deck 5. From the deck plans we can now tell that this deck does not extend from aft to prow. But we wondered if one wishes to make a circular walk, down one side and up the other, is it feasible to walk across the ship at either end to make a circular walk? This question is difficult to explain, but it would mean walking through lobbies (or other space) to get to the other side. This kind of walk would offer some variation from the deck 10 walk which requires 13 rotations to make up a mile. 2) Where on deck 7 is the (in)famous laundry room? It seems to be such a happening place that I am now concerned that our cabin might be near it! (I'll also ask this question on the laundry discussion thread). Thank you again for giving us such a wonderful preview on your site! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ruderhaus Posted May 23, 2004 Author #14 Share Posted May 23, 2004 H, first of all I'm glad my review is helpful. I would have loved to publish it earlier, but that was impossible for reasons not in my control. To answer your questions, eknightley: 1) Yes, it is possible to do this. You would have to walk through the forward and aft stairtower lobbies, respectively. 2) The launderette was on portside, just forward of the aft staircase. My cabin was facing the aft staircase lobby (starboard side) and yet it was very quiet, despite the fairly hefty "through traffic". Sound insulation is superb on this ship. Best regards, Raoul Fiebig Das Ruderhaus Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thames_side Posted May 23, 2004 #15 Share Posted May 23, 2004 Many thanks Raoul for a truly comprehensive review. Having cruised on Minerva II I was able to follow the geography easily but also to appreciate the differences between Swan's and Ociania's offering. One question: on Minerva the little sun deck forward of the spa was open to all. I am glad to say not too many people found it and it was a marvellous quiet spot. Do I Understand that on Regatta it is only open to those who have had a spa treatment? And one final question. How long do you think Ociania will be able to provide this level of service at these prices?! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ruderhaus Posted May 23, 2004 Author #16 Share Posted May 23, 2004 Good evening thames_side, I'm not 100% sure as to the little sun deck, but I believe it is reserved for passengers using the spa. As for the level of service, I understand Oceania is doing very well financially, so at this time I see no reason why the level of service should drop. Also, the high level of service and excellent level of cuisine is what sets Oceania apart. And you can be sure that the experienced people in charge know that only through this they create a niche in which they can be successful. Best regards, Raoul Fiebig Das Ruderhaus Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cameron-by-the-Sea Posted May 23, 2004 #17 Share Posted May 23, 2004 Thank you for such a thorough and positive review. Your pictures were "post card" quality--you have both a gift for verbal expression as well as visual expression. Your review has put Oceania at the top of my list for my next cruise. Thank you! "A woman is like a teabag. You never know how strong she is 'til she gets in hot water." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ernst Posted May 24, 2004 #18 Share Posted May 24, 2004 @thames_side, as I read at another board, allegedly the little sun deck you mentioned is now free of charge. @Raoul, thank you very much for this marvellous review. You know I am looking forward to visiting the Insignia in August. Ernst Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
goeurope Posted May 24, 2004 #19 Share Posted May 24, 2004 >>And one final question. How long do you think Ociania will be able to provide this level of service at these prices?!<< Oceania got the ships at very favorable terms (i.e., a fraction of the price of "newbuilds" even though the ships were practically new). So it's reasonable to assume that Oceania will be able to continue providing its current level of service as long as it can keep its ships reasonably full--which shouldn't be too difficult, given the ships' relatively small size and the fact that there are only two ships in the fleet with a third planned for 2005. -- Durant Imboden Europeforvisitors.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smeyer418 Posted May 24, 2004 #20 Share Posted May 24, 2004 oh I hope so until at least October Proud charter member of the PPS-Passport Pusher Society Oceania Insignia(Athens to Venice)-something new! smeyer418@yahoo.com Celebrity, NCL, Overnight Ferry, hydrofoil between countries, car ferries and river cruise and of course the Staten Island Ferry Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andee Posted May 24, 2004 #21 Share Posted May 24, 2004 smeyer; Which October sailing are you on? We're on the Oct 10 Insignia Venice to Athens. Can't wait! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eknightley Posted June 8, 2004 #22 Share Posted June 8, 2004 Hello again Raoul, This message is a belated thank you for the information about deck five and the location of the (in)famous laundry room. I feel reassured about both. Thank you again for making your excellent website, narrative, and photos available. Emma Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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