Okay, by popular request, here are my opinions of the recent Carribean cruise we took on Oceania. You should know that our cruise experience is limited - 2 cruises on the Paul Gauguin, but so far no others on RSSC. 2 cruises on Silver Sea, the last one Italy/Greece in May 2002. So that's where I'm coming from. Also, remember certain things are important to us, others not - so read with a grain of salt.......

PRICE - I think the price was definitely right. It was a 12 day cruise, and the price was reduced before we went - something like $2500/pp for a "A" stateroom with a balcony. Thats before taxes, tips, etc. and comes out to roughly $200 pp.

TIPS AND EXTRAS Here we were bothered by the fact that you pay extra for drinks every time you turn around. BUT - we opted to pay the tips in front - I forget now if it was $11.50 pp/day - something like that. We did tip our room steward a bit extra at the end. Oceania adds 18% service charge to all drink orders. Drinks/wine/bottled water - all were extra of course, varying from $2.50 for water, to $6-8 for drinks and wine. They do have special drinks every day with lower prices. All in all, it added I would say maybe $30 for both of us per day - we are not big drinkers, obviously, so paying extra for alcohol really did not add that much to the total cost.

CABIN and CABIN SERVICE The cabin had a small balcony with two molded plastic chairs and a small cocktail table - adequate for sitting out there on occasion. Oceania is stricly NO SMOKING on the balconies, so that was a good thing for us that we didn't have that kind of second hand smoke to contend with. Cabin was small, but had very good storage space. Bathroom was tiny, but - again - surprisingly good storage spaces for everything you would want to put away. The cabin is no SS, or Voyager, but - again - adequate. Probably like the PG. No tub, and a very large person would have trouble in the shower - tiny, as I said - but adequate for us (and we're not small.) Oceania touts their bedding - soft duvet covers and such. Well, we don't sleep with anything but a sheet, so that was lost on us! The bed and the down pillows were comfortable.

The Cabin Steward was great. Our room was cleaned as soon as we left for breakfast, and refreshed in the evening promptly and thoroughly.

FOOD AND SERVICE Good news and bad news. Now, we aren't "foodies" or gourmet diners, so this is not a terribly informed opinion. But, in my opinion the food was very fine. Nice variety. They have a steak house and Italian type dining rooms, as well as a Mediterrean buffet with outdoor seating (the only dining room with outdoor seating.) That room, Tapas, is where we mostly ate so that we could enjoy the breezes. I liked it. It has a varied menu, and I like "a little of this and a little of that", so it was fine for us. The main dining room is very good as well.

The service was mixed. This was a green crew. They were fairly new to the ship, and all were from Eastern Europe. I must say, they had the best looking group of male waiters from Croatia I have ever seen! You know the Croatian doctor on ER? Thats what I'm talking about! So, it was a pleasure to dine.......some of the servers, however, were obviously just learning. Their English language skills were definitely lacking. However - good willingness and attitude. Just not the experience and anticipatory attitude you get on SS, for example.

MUSIC This is an important area for us. I DID NOT LIKE the ship's band. The orchestra was Polish, with a Polish singer that did not understand the English lyrics she was singing, and their repetoire was dated and trite. Period. Others may disagree. We DID like the pianist in the lounge, who could play everything with wonderful arrangements. No shows on this ship, just individual entertainers performing in the Main Lounge. The male singer was on the Whisper 2 years ago, and we became acquainted then, so it was "old home week" to renew our acquaintence, so that was fun. He's a great baritone, and we enjoyed his show.

WE DON'T HAVE MUCH TO SAY ABOUT
Casino - don't gamble, but lots of people did....
Ship Excursions - Didn't take any - booked about 3 private excursions with others before we left
Spa - good masseur - again, all staff from Eastern Europe - this guy was Bulgarian
Internet - only sent and received a couple emails - $2.95 each.

Hope this wasn't too long. Feel free to ask about things I left out. Maybe I should move this to the Ship Review sections. Got kind of carried away.

Would I take this again? No. Will go back to SS and RSSC

Glenda

Thanks Glenda. Judging from your review, I think I would rather take a Radisson 2 for 1 in the Caribbean than chance a sailing on Oceania.
How did you feel about the decor of the public rooms?

I didn't really make an exact comparison between the three lines, but keep in mind I have only taken the PG on RSSC. I will say that in my limited experience there is nothing that will come close to the service and personal attention on SilverSea. Of course its terribly expensive, but the combination of the small ships and experienced, attentive staff make it a memorable experience. they know your name, they anticipate your needs, and its just a very fine experience.

Also, I forgot to comment on Room Service on Oceania. Its not too good....no hot breakfast, and when they deliver they just plunk it down on the small table and leave. I wasn't happy with the presentation and there is very little variety. I did learn that if you have a Penthouse or above suite, your butler can order you hot food for breakfast, and will deliver it. that is a big perk in my opinion.......but then, I love Room Service and was very disappointed in the quality of it on Oceania.

Karen, that's a good question. A lot of people like the decor, and apparently it is very similar to the old Renaissance. In fact, as you many know one reason they have been very booked is that the old Ren passengers remember those ships very fondly.

I may be in the minority here, but I didn't especially care for the decor. Its very, very Ritz Carlton - brightly colored Oriental carpets and draps, English antique-looking furniture in the public rooms. To me it was "over the top" - I guess I prefer something more understated. Ritz Carlton at Sea just doesn't appeal to me.

Glenda the LuxLady!

Thanks again for your review on Oceania!

Great review Glenda. I think after reading about your experience I too would opt for the Rad 2 for 1's and even the cruises where the kids are free. Someone told me that the decor reminded them of Queen Victoria and that red gaudy flocked wallpaper. True????

Well yes, Pat - Victorian England - lots of chintz and shaded wall sconces (actually I love shaded wall sconces and covered mine when we returned from England a few years ago). However - enough is enough - when I said "over the top" the subtext is "gaudy" - just my opinion...I liked the effect in the library (they have a very good one, very extensive and a very large room with comfy chairs - a real plus), just not everywhere else. The modernist in me rebells....

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Glenda, I remember your posts many months ago in anticipation of this cruise. Although I was interested in hearing about your cruise, I sort of didn't think Oceana would interest me for many reasons, the prime one being "you get what you pay for" and this cruise was so inexpensive. Having been so pleased with Radisson's product, and based on your and many other reviews, I finally did a Silversea cruise, and was very pleased, just like you. I don't think there is any escape, you have to pick the line with the best value based on where you want to go. You can't do it based on price alone or itinerary alone. They have to give you what you want first, and then where you want to be, at whatever price. Then you decide. It is nice to have you among our board members once again!

Thank you Olivia, and I enjoyed your posts on your recent Asian tour! Especially your comments on the heat, and the monkeys, and gosh Olivia - you also reminded me I will never take that trip......

You comment about itinerary - thats one reason we took the Oceania - that, and the cost, and the good reviews it has been receiving. But as I said in my post on the Itineraries 2005 thread, we long for the "less traveled path" in the Carrib, but there is a reason why they are less traveled. Friends, there is just not much there..... :lct:

Glenda - thanks for the comparison! As regards the food specifically (not counting the service) - would you say the food on Oceania was as good as Silverseas or the PG?

Masaki

Thanks for your review.

We were interested in trying Oceania at some point, as we like the itineraries offered. The pricing incentives also looked very good.

I was a bit dismayed to read some of the glaring negatives. However, everything is subjective. One person's Radisson is another's Carnival.

I'd be interested in hearing from others who have sailed on Oceania and have a difference of opinion on the line.

Thanks, again, for taking the time to share your experiences.

Denise, what Glenda pointed out is very important...there is a big difference in amenities based on cabin/suite chosen. You don't get a refrigerator, in addition to hot breakfast, until you are at least in a Penthouse Suite. PH are similar to base cabin on Mariner or Voyager. Dolebludger did a comparison on prices last year. The PH was similar in price to Radisson. Just, you had the additonal expenses.

HOWEVER, if you are perfectly satisfied in the lower level cabins on Oceania, then Oceania is a better deal. Of course, the same can be true with the other lines too.

Just my two cents AND I have never sailed Oceania.

Glenda, thanks for the input.

I understand. At least we know some of the issues, prior. The more you know, the more educated the decision in which line to choose.

We are just tossing ideas for future trips. Nothing written in stone. We love Radisson and are spoiled beyond words. We may never choose any line other than Radisson. Decisions, decisions. Now I just wish they would get the pricing in place so we can figure out 2005 plans.

Glenda,

I am so glad you posted your review. We are starting to think about itineraries for 2005 and were thinking of considering Oceania. But if they don't serve hot breakfast as room service, that will probably make us think twice, as that is very important to us.

We are new to cruising. Have only been on the Diamond so far. Will be on the Mariner in June. We really enjoyed the food and service on the Diamond.

Thanks again for the helpful review.

Ginny

You are welcome you all - I'm glad you liked my review. And thanks Marc for pointing out the lack of refrigerator - we knew that of course, but we felt the lack. Masaki, I did feel the food was as good as the other two lines. But then again, food is very subjective and we are not nit-pickers. There was a good choice of items for appetizers and entrees/desserts, and the service was good. One thing that I have heard complaints about from people on SS and RSSC (and we experienced also on SS) is the wait between courses. We don't like taking 3 hours over dinner, and sometimes due to the lack of prompt service you are forced to. Not on Oceania! I am happy to say that the service was attentive, and prompt. You didn't wait any longer than you normally would at any good restaurant. This was in the Main Dining Room. We eat early, around 7:00, and the place was always full so they certainly have enough staff. At Tapas, where you get your own food from the buffet, waiters were there immediately to get your drinks, and perhaps (not always) take your plates to the table. Really, we were very happy with the quality and service in the dining rooms. As I said earlier, though, the staff was greener than you would find on SS. I will tell you one anecdote: A man was standing at the food counter at breakfast. No one was there at the moment to serve him his scrambled eggs. He picked up the scooper and began to serve himself. A female server came up and SNATCHED/GRABBED the scooper out of his hand and HISSED "I will serve you." The poor man was so taken aback by having his hand attacked (!) that he walked off in a huff. I actually thought it was amusing, but he was obviously offended, and really I don't blame him. This tells you a little about the inexperienced nature of the staff. But - as I say - we thought the food was great! Served, or not....... :rolleyes:

Different strokes for different folks....most of the time our dinners on RSSC last at least a couple of hours. Between wine, dinner, Sambucca and Espresso LOADS OF LAUGHS and GREAT CONVERSATIONS...I'm sorry to see it end! These lengthy dinners are some of my happiest memories!!

Great review Glenda!

Glenda - oh my ... that certainly didn't go well. Though problems like this certainly do improve as time goes on as the staff improves. Good to hear that the quality of the food appeared to be fairly good overall. If I was in a group and having great conversation, a long dinner is very fun and I want it to last as long as possible. However, when sitting at a 2-top with just the 2 of us, 3+ hours might be a little bit on the long side ... just depends on the situation and the person, I guess, as Marcie mentioned.

Masaki

Thanks for the review. Very helpful. I keep getting Oceania brochures and saw and itinerary that looked interesting - 12 days London to London all around the British Isles. The cost of water bottles would kill me but we may do this in a few years if Radisson doesn't come up with something similar. If I factor in all my costs before I go, and if it takes me places Radisson doesn't, I can live with the way you described things.

Colleen, I'm curious. Is it that you want to see the British Isles, or are you just hooked on cruising?

I love everything about the U.K., but not sure I could imagine cruising around it. For most of Europe and Britain, I think land travel is the way to go, but that's just my opinion.

I'm a newby at cruising in Europe, so I'll have reserve judgement until after my June cruise, but I've always thought that for most of Europe (except the Med and the Norwegian Fjords), a cruise would not give me the time I needed to really get a feel for places.

I have taken Oceania and will be leaving Sunday for their Med cruise from Barcelona to Venice. I happen to love the ship esp. the decor.. I don't find it over the top.. rather like a country manor ( how many other cruise ships have fireplaces in their lounges? )I happen to think the Chintz draperies are gorgeous.. and I thought that the Mariner was a bit dark and drab.. so different strokes for different folks.
Their prices have been good ( lower than some and the same as some ( lines)..but when they have a 2 for one special ( just as Rad. does )..those prices for a "14" day itinerary versus a 7 day on "other" lines- well do the math..it can be very
nice on the checkbook.. and when they throw in
the port charges, and free air..which ofcourse is
economy- is great deal. We take their air credit and get our own biz fights( FF miles).. but getting that credit back is also a good thing.
The cabins are basically the same as Mariner ( that would be comparing the regular type
balcony cabins)although Mariner had an incredible walkin closet.. and bathroom more spacious..and you are right they don't all have refigerators ( which is stupid)..agree.
We like their owners' suites ( which are their top cabins) and you do get what you pay for on those.. gorgeous..over 1000 sq. ft. cabin,terrace
( not balcony) living room,bedroom,, cd/vcr..refrigerator and butler..
I think their food as touted by them as best at sea.. is great.. although also have had great dinners on Radisson.. so I think that is subjective too.
As far as nickle & diming the passengers for water..cokes etc.. yep... got to agree there.. our bar bill on Oceania last summer was about another cruise kidding- but you get the drift)..and I do like that all is included on Rad.
Although that won't stop me from taking Oceania again and again if the itinerary is what we are looking for. Infact, have also booked their South American cruise for Feb 2005, BA to Rio.. 12 days, 2 for one and free air ( again).. what a great itinerary and prices.
Have heard conflicting reports that their crew are green, which may be that they have just Christened their 2nd ship Insignia and their crew was moved there.. lucky for me that is the one we will be on.... so we get an experienced crew..
will report when get back.

Hi Colleen, me too. I could do a British Isles cruise in a heartbeat. We almost booked the QE2 British Isles cruise this year but opted for the Navigator to Bermuda as we didn't have that much vacation time to spare but maybe next year.

Well, we all have different priorities. But back when Oceania was being formed, it seemed that it was during a time when I was so talkative on the CC Radisson board that an Oceania official actually emailed me and asked ME (?) my opinion on several things. We even spoke by phone. Well, you know me --- I wanted all drinks included and a refrigerator in every room. They said they couldn't afford that. Then, for my "fall back" position" I said what about included soft drinks and bottled water, and a refrigerator one can rent (as on HAL). Again, nope. I said thanks, and crossed Oceania off my list. Having cruised RCI and being fully done with it, the sole fact that the ship is smaller on Oceania is just not enough to lure me back to the RCI kind of product.

Great review, Glenda!

Thanks,
Richard