children aboard Oceania [Archive] - Cruise Critic Message Boards

mike35

June 20th, 2006, 09:26 PM

While Oceania doesn't have an "official" policy regarding children, the mindset of the passengers, most who are 50+, appears to favor "no kids" - at least that's our impression from the three wonderful O cruise we've sailed on. We always take our grandkids on a cruise as a high school graduation present, and although they are 18 years old, mature, and well-behaved, we opt to take them on something more youth-oriented; i.e., Princess or Celebrity.

Mike

orchestrapal

June 21st, 2006, 07:05 AM

Most cruisers on O are there, not only because of the beautiful ships, great service and food, but because of the, almost, NO SMOKING and NO KIDS. Why not go on a ship where you all will feel comfortable and happy.

brian_uk

June 21st, 2006, 07:44 AM

Jean and I have absolutely NO PROBLEM with kids being on board as long as they are well behaved.....but this rule applies to Oldens too.

Last year there were a number of teenagers on Insignia when we cruised and they seemed to enjoy themselves.

Brian

frankpc

June 21st, 2006, 07:49 AM

Last time we sailed OC, one of our table mates starting referring to the "kids" at the table (in a nice way). I wasn't getting it until I realized he meant my wife and I (mid 40s at the time). Finally my wife said. "Aw we're not really kids" - he answered that anyone that still had color in their hair was a kid to him.

I guess it all depends on your perspective .... but I would concur that the number of kids we've seen on OC is vanishingly small. I think Mike offers sage advice ...

Frank

F11

June 21st, 2006, 08:40 AM

As a 91 year old cruiser,ALL cruise ships are filled with kids-even Oceania!

Shirleya53

June 21st, 2006, 09:24 AM

From a cruisers review:

I didn't realize until I came home that the Oceania line doesn't allow children under 15. We just thought it was the time of the year that we went that there weren't any, and we have to say it was relaxing.

LHT28

June 21st, 2006, 09:32 AM

From a cruisers review:

I didn't realize until I came home that the Oceania line doesn't allow children under 15.
I don't think they have an age limit ...on our cruise there were some younger children.
Oceania just does not have any programs for children nor babysitting services.

Jancruz

June 21st, 2006, 11:34 AM

Oceania does not have a policy about children, as was stated before most people realizing there is nothing for children on board go on other ships..in the last couple of years Stu and I have taken our children and grandchildren on Princess and Carnival ...(BTW the local TA I used for the Carnival trip was awful..) :-)
Jan
*************

susiesan

June 21st, 2006, 12:02 PM

Our honeymoon was two years ago aboard the Insignia. Now we are proud parents of a seven months old boy. At the moment I think about a cruise in Summer 2007 with our child, of course, but I read that Oceania doesn't want have kids on ther ships. Is that correct information?
Ernst

If you do decide to take a 1 1/2 year old toddler on an Oceania cruise please post here what ship and when so those of us who prefer our cruises childless can avoid your sailing. With so many cruiselines that cater to families I don't know why anyone would want to bring a child on one that so obviously would prefer they not be onboard.

fsalzer

June 21st, 2006, 01:01 PM

If you do decide to take a 1 1/2 year old toddler on an Oceania cruise please post here what ship and when so those of us who prefer our cruises childless can avoid your sailing. With so many cruiselines that cater to families I don't know why anyone would want to bring a child on one that so obviously would prefer they not be onboard.

Sometimes the children are entertainers. On a somewhat recent Regatta cruise they were part of a superb show and were exceptionally well-mannered. We were delighted to have them on board as they enhanced our cruise experience.

I enjoy having well-mannered children, as well as all age groups, onboard. My experience is that children issues are typically parenting issues.

Fred

ClaudiaF

June 21st, 2006, 01:38 PM

That is for sure!:rolleyes:

Ernst you might want to check ships that have babysitters onboard..I am sure that you would want to go "out" sometmes while on the cruise.

roothy123

June 21st, 2006, 01:52 PM

I personally wouldn't mind a bit if a 7- monther was on board! If a child started crying in my ear, I'd just go somewhere else - it's a big ship! Shoot, I'd even love some dogs on board, but I know that's definitely not ok with most passengers - or Oceania! Seriously, though - I personally would like to travel with people of all ages - just not a whole ship full of loud, partying twenty-somethings. That's why I like Oceania (besides the 684 passenger size, great itineraries, food, and passengers) and don't think I'd like Carnival!

Ernst

June 21st, 2006, 02:21 PM

Quote by Susiesan
"If you do decide to take a 1 1/2 year old toddler on an Oceania cruise please post here what ship and when so those of us who prefer our cruises childless can avoid your sailing."

I hope you will tell me when you are aboard, too.

Why not Oceania? Am I hooked on mass tourism, cheap animation or bad food just because I am a father?
Am I not interested in good service and food, interesting destinations and anything what makes Oceania different to other lines?

But I really do NOT want to make a big thing of this question. It was just for interest. Nobody has to struggle about any kid policy of Oceania.

Keep cool.

Ernst

fjdelrio

June 21st, 2006, 02:23 PM

Bruin Steve

June 21st, 2006, 02:54 PM

When I see threads like this I hearken back to a vacation my wife and I and our then-one-and-a-half year old older daughter, Heather, took to Victoria, British Columbia...

One night, we stepped into a fairly nice Italian restaurant (Linen napkins, white tablecloths, fine stemware and china, quiet ambiance) for dinner...

You could read the trepidation on the face of the Maitre d' as we asked for a table for three...

Well...As the evening progressed, Heather ate her dinner like any well behaved young lady...quietly, with no mess...everything stayed on the plate, the carpet below her was crumb-free...

Meanwhile, at the next table, a grown woman accidentally overturned her cup of Minestrone...then, in reaction to the falling soup, reached out and knocked over her glass of red wine--right at her husband (or date?)...She jumped up and screamed (maybe the hot soup in her lap?)...the table was an absolute mess...

Heather looked over then continued to eat her ravioli...

Sometimes it's the ADULTS you'd rather not have on the cruise...

As a toddler, I doubt you'd be sending the kid off to the kids programs on most ships anyway (As they get a little older, those kids programs are great--and I would recommend taking kids from, say 5 to 18 on Royal Caribbean--just because the ships have things like ice skating and rock climbing along with the full program of organized group activities)...But, when you will likely be watching and taking care of the kid 24/7, it may be better to have the smaller, more relaxing atmosphere of Oceania...

Personally, I have no problem with kids...now that ours are pretty much grown, my wife loves to see babies and toddlers...I doubt that a toddler or two could in any way detract from our cruise...

Now, if we want to start kicking kids off the ship, can we at least also kick off a few obnoxious or rude adults?

susiesan

June 21st, 2006, 03:17 PM

Maybe there is a way to keep Susiesan off our ships afterall.

My 10 month old grandson Dominic will be aboard the Insignia June 26, 2006 re-union cruise sailing with his parents. My daugher Christina, as head of the Oceania Club, will be one of the hosts onboard conducting special programs etc commemorating this special voyage.

We welcome Oceania Cruises aficianados of all AGES!

FDR

Too late, I'll be onboard. I hope you haven't instructed the crew to be mean to me just because I prefer not to travel with children. I really want to come back from this cruise and report here to all who have been following my questioning of certain Oceania policies that I had a wonderful cruise and will be sailing with Oceania again. I'm expecting to have a marvellous time on this cruise, with excellent service and food. Having sailed twice with Ren, I already know these are my favorite ships. If you'd like, I can report to Christina as to how it's going.

Susie

LHT28

June 21st, 2006, 03:20 PM

Oh I am a curmudgeon !! ;)
Mr Del Rio
The reason we like Oceania is the lack of children & smoking policies.

Not too mention the food, staff & service aboard.

I am sure your grandchild is an adorable, well mannered child. ;)

Mura

June 21st, 2006, 04:47 PM

I'm afraid I'm in Susie's camp in preferring not to sail with children. We picked Renaissance just for that reason. Actually, I'm surprised that there is no official Oceania policy because I had understood that when Oceania started up it was going to have an age policy although one that was more liberal than Ren's limit of 18 years. I thought it was on the order of 13. Was there one in place at one time but now there is not, or was I just misunderstanding?

I have to say that on our three prior Oceania cruises no children were aboard ... which simply is a good idea (in my opinion) because it is very true that there are no facilities for children. We have been on ships that had wonderful programs for children -- all much larger ships -- and I can't be TOO hostile to the younger set since I always make it a point to attend the children's talent show so as to give them some support.

It is also true that some children are wonderful just as some adults are not ... but sometimes it's hard to reason with a young child as well!

I look forward to meeting Dominic anyway! Yes, I'm also on that cruise ...

Ernst

June 21st, 2006, 05:50 PM

I'm convinced nobody has to be afraid of a children's invasion.
There are in my view some facts against too many kids aboard OC:
Firstly the price: The price defines my clients.
Secondly the destinations: OC offers cruises with highly informative ports of calls. There are just a few ports for just going to the beach. Mostly, ports are for cultural interested people. So I suggest only a few crazy parents will pull their children over the gangway aboard.
Thirdly the product itself: For example, if you enjoy eating at good restaurants your kid won't behave like you would regularly eat at McDonalds.
Me and my wife enjoy cruises aboard midsize ships with a casual but distinguished ambience. So we would do everything to educate our son in this mind.

To cut a long story short: You are all OC cruisers. Are or were your children ill-bred?

Best regards

Ernst

Jayayeff

June 22nd, 2006, 06:03 AM

Although I am not cruising with Oceania this year, primarily due to unavailability of space in my vacation time window, I did last summer and from past experience feel the need to comment here.

It seems each time a member of a minority sector, be they solo travellers, young couples, honeymooners, families with young children, smokers, etc. seek advice on this board they are greeted with a host of negative posts discouraging them from taking a trip with Oceania. As a member of more than one of the above minorities, I sadly found that this also extends to the way these same people are then received onboard the ships, and was shocked to see and hear such an attitude being displayed by so many of my fellow passengers last year. Fortunately I’m mature enough, well traveled enough and intelligent enough not to have let that bother me, so I still had a great time, loved the ship, loved the experience and made many friends amongst the ‘minority set’, and would still go again tomorrow if I could.

Personally I see no reason why a couple with a baby, toddler, young child should not cruise with Oceania. Did none of you ever stay in a five star hotel or eat in good restaurant with your children when they were young? Like Bruin Steve, I did and I see no difference between doing that and taking a cruise with Oceania. Five star hotels don’t have kids clubs, entertainment programmes, etc. the parents take responsibly for their children and to me a cruise ship is no different to a five star hotel, other than it happens to change location most days.

Why can people not be a little more open-minded and welcome anyone who chooses to cruise onboard these ships, as FDR states ALL cruising aficianados are welcome to cruise with Oceania, and if the top management can welcome everyone why can the passengers not do so too? Just because someone is single, young, has a baby or smokes does not mean they cannot also be respectful of their fellow passengers. Like you they are discerning travelers who prefer to cruise onboard a smaller ‘luxury’ ship as opposed to a mass market mega-liner.…..

As I feel certain I will now get shot down in flames, I’ll get off my soap-box, shut down the computer and not check this board again for a few days!!

Anne

luvtravel

June 22nd, 2006, 11:53 AM

I don't mind kids except-- where I've seen problems is when they take over the pools, ignoring all rules - with their parents no where to be found or thinking they have that right to do so or its 'cute'. And, when kids in diapers are taken into the pool or hottubs. Oh yes, and the yelling and shouting of the kids and/or parents at the kids. Nothing wrong with any of that in the proper environment like Carnival and others who cater to families....but not in my opinion on Oceania. Babies who go on cruises, who don't go in pools in or out of their diapers ... are fine with me.

ClaudiaF

June 22nd, 2006, 12:20 PM

fjdelrio

June 22nd, 2006, 12:56 PM

Quite frankly, we (his grandma and me) don't want Dominic to go on the cruise. We would much prefer for his parents to leave him home with us so we can spoil him rotten during those 2 weeks.

He won't go in the "ool" (a pool with no P). He'll be fed in his stateroom so he won't ruin Toscana's decor or anyones meal.
His grand aunt will be onboard as his Nannie so my guess is that he won't be bothering anyone.

The reality is that while we welcome guests of all ages, the Oceania experience itself is self-selecting. Because we conduct more exotic and longer itineraries, because we don't have organized activities for kids etc., the facts are that there are seldom kids onboard. Those that are onboard, tend to be only during times when school is out. And from past experiences (with very few exceptions - Insignia Holiday Cruise comes to mind) the kids who do come onboard are well behaved because their parents are also well behaved.

Don't worry, we are still a bastion of adulthood.

FDR

esther e

June 22nd, 2006, 01:23 PM

I'm old enough where I don't want to be with people my age...or older! :eek: Ha, ha.

BDark

June 22nd, 2006, 02:12 PM

:) I want to thank everyone for all the advice on this board, what a great bunch of knowledgeable people! I was so excitied to find this board and this thread as It's good to know that Oceania doesn't mind children aboard. I'm cruising with my children on Oceania for the 1st time on Insignia on the 26th and was elated when I found out that I had been upgraded from a G guarantee to more spacious digs. I wonder if they did this because they saw a family traveling?

I'm going to love having our Butler serve us meals on our veranda and so will the kids, so I know that they won't disturb anyone's dining experience. They are very well behaved and have traveled almost as much as my wife and I - I look forward to meeting a great bunch of people on this cruise.

Jancruz

June 22nd, 2006, 02:43 PM

Congrats on the upgrade..I know you will enjoy your Penthouse..
Have a great cruise!!
Jan
*************

Bruin Steve

June 22nd, 2006, 03:09 PM

I ...was elated when I found out that I had been upgraded from a G guarantee to more spacious digs...
Wow!!!
So, exactly how far up the food chain did they upgrade you? Veranda and Butler??? And when and how did you find out?

I am curious snce I also booked a "G" Guarantee...and have been led to believe by people on this board that Oceania typically doesn't upgrade its guarantees...Of course, my cruise is only three weeks away...but I haven't received my docs yet...

Maybe there's some hope after all...

susiesan

June 22nd, 2006, 05:25 PM

Wow!!!
So, exactly how far up the food chain did they upgrade you? Veranda and Butler??? And when and how did you find out?

I am curious snce I also booked a "G" Guarantee...and have been led to believe by people on this board that Oceania typically doesn't upgrade its guarantees...Of course, my cruise is only three weeks away...but I haven't received my docs yet...

Maybe there's some hope after all...

You're so gullible. It's a jibe at me-the other person besides you who thinks they were sold a bill of goods with their "guarantee" that is not a guarantee. Note this is his first post and he just joined today. Plus none of the Cat G's have an extra pullman so he can't be travelling with kids unless they were going to sleep on the floor. I happen to know this sailing is sold out as members of our yahoo group were offered a bump, but they said no thanks. They knew from this board that they didn't have to take it.

Susie

BDark

June 22nd, 2006, 06:00 PM

A friend told me I could probably find info on this site about Oceania months ago. I have been reading form some time. When I inquired about adding my kids, I was told that the accommodations would have to change. 2 hours later, I was in a new cabin

For those of you cruising soon, enjoy.

fjdelrio

June 22nd, 2006, 06:02 PM

Susiesan, I'm beginning to like you.
FDR

susiesan

June 22nd, 2006, 11:58 PM

Susiesan, I'm beginning to like you.
FDR

I hope on July 10 I'll to be walking off Insignia singing yours and your cruiselines' praises to the world. I'll be the first to admit that my skepticism and questioning was quelled by a great cruise experience. Don't let me down!
: )

Susie

drwong

June 23rd, 2006, 01:08 AM

KatWag

June 23rd, 2006, 12:55 PM

if your toddler is well behaved, I'd be very happy to have him on my sailing. It all comes down to behavior and parenting. A well-behaved child is a joy to be around. A not so well behaved child.... well not such a joy. :mad:

Honestly my only concern if I were you would be that your child might have a better time on a ship with a dedicated children's program. On the other hand, at that age, how much would he participate in the scheduled activities anyway. No idea, only you'll be able to judge that.

And I understand feeling like you might be making a sacrifice to go on the mass market lines for the children's programs but you'll get used to that. It'll be the first of a VERY long line of sacrifices you'll make as a parent. :D

If you decide to go for it, hope you all have a super time.

shedevil

June 23rd, 2006, 01:41 PM

On one of our Oceania cruises, we encountered a family of four travelling with a 10-year old daughter. She was quiet and well-behaved, spending most of her time near the ping-pong table, looking for any takers. And if I recall correctly, they all shared an inside Category F cabin on deck 8 that had Pullman-style bunks!!!!

I think it is wonderful that the 10 year old's parents exposed her to cruising and a chance to see interesting new places. I wonder if a 10 year old might feel isolated on a boat without other children. I just hope that parents remember that the best behaved child is still that....a child. Now, that does not mean all children need to have a floating theme park for a vacation. I was happiest as a kid with a book in any corner of the store, office, school, car..... My parents exposed us at a young age to adult activities (my evil father loved the opera and theater) and expected/demanded appropriate behavior when in public. They also took us camping, fishing, and strange places on the highway during road trips and let us act like kids. Ultimately, the parent should consider their own child and find the best vacation choice for them.

It seems that we need more balance in parenting. A growing number of parents don't set boundaries on their child's behavior in public places. It seems like some (not all - not a blanket indictment of parents) parents decide that while on vacation parenting and good behavior are left at home. Whether you take a child on Carnival or Oceania, they should be expected to have good manners when at the dinner table and interacting with adults.

isabella52

June 24th, 2006, 02:01 PM

We just returned from Nautica with our 5 children, and had a wonderful time! :)
While ours are older: 15, 16, 21, 24, 26; there were at least a dozen other young people on board as well - even one infant. All of the "children" were extremely mature & well behaved - never even heard a peep out of the baby, and the child was next to us at dinner one night.
There were plenty of adults on the cruise who exhibited far worse behavior than a lot of kids I've seen - i.e. breaking in line at Tapas, speaking quite rudely to the wait staff - just plain bad manners:confused: ! Can you imagine how obnoxious they were as kids? My children were appalled!:eek:
I think most people who take kids on cruises want them to be entertained on the ship - that's why we did Royal Caribbean, etc. when they were younger.
Now that they're older, we enjoy the "floating luxury hotel" atmosphere of Oceania, with a new port every day. To our surprise, we actually looked forward to the 2 days at sea we had so we could rest up from our intensive treks in each port!:cool:
It all boils down to doing your homework & knowing your own kids - which I must admit, many do not! And obnoxious kids are generally a direct reflection of their parents!
just my opinion.........

Bryan7007

June 26th, 2006, 07:55 PM

I am planning on taking a family cruise on insignia through the Greek Isles in June '07, with all three generations. The children traveling are boys who will be 16 and 13 at the time the boat sails. These are mature kids who are like 16 going on 40. This was a cruise we are looking in to because of it's amazing ports of call. We are no worried about activities, but if they are welcome on the boat and will be treated nicely by the other cruisers. We are normally the RCCL type, but the itineary is to good to pass up. If an of you can help me with this, that would be greatly appreciated.:)

BeBeReader

June 26th, 2006, 10:21 PM

Your boys sound great. I say bring them. We took our teen-age daughters on tours to Europe where they were the only kids. Our older one called the tour to England, Scotland, Wales, and Ireland, an "itortuary," but that was sort of a joke. They both had a good time.

shoshona2

June 26th, 2006, 10:48 PM

Dear Bryan7007,

We have traveled with Oceania three times and RCCL four times. On our Oceania cruises, we traveled without children, but on the RCCL cruises we did take them. No one on Oceania will make them feel uncomfortable unless they are like the children on our first cruise who entertained themselves by going up and down the elevators pressing all the buttons. I blame that on their parents. Our oldest at 16 would be quite happy on Oceania, but the 13 year old would like to be on RCCL since there would be boys her age. The older girl loves history and traveling -- having been to Spain, England and will be leaving for Italy on the 1st of July. We are taking her to France for springbreak as a graduation present. You know your children, and since they are mature, there will be no problems.

Have a good time.

Sheila

Bryan7007

June 28th, 2006, 05:36 PM

shoshona2 and BeBeReader, Thanks so much for your help. I really appreciate it!:) I will make sure to pass this on to my family.

isabella52

June 29th, 2006, 09:12 AM

Brian7007,
I say take the kids - mine had a great time & none were treated badly by anyone.
Sounds like they will enjoy & appreciate the experience!:)
Isabella

Dena

June 29th, 2006, 03:13 PM

DH are considering Oceania because it is virtually child-free. But I think it also depends upon the child/parenting style. For example, we were at a funeral a few years back and the only way the mother could keep her children (3 and 5 ) from being a disturbance was to let them play gameboys. This was also true when they came to holiday dinners; they played gameboy at the table instead of interacting with their (now dead) grandparents. I was shocked that neither parents or grandparents corrected this behavior. These kids spent most of their preschool years playing computer games and watching TV. This is still going on and the kids are now 9 and 11 and the school has pressured them to take Ritalin. I don't know if there is a causal link here, but I did read that TV shows designed for pre-verbal toddlers actually put them in a trance like state (lower blood pressure, less blinking ....similar to what happens to some adults at the slot machine). This probably also shortens their attention span and makes them less likely to be able to amuse themselves - they need constant external stimulation.

We are new to cruising and have tried Princess a few times, but are disturbed by their new policy of showing outdoor cartoons and kid's movies all day long at the pool. When we were children, our attention span was long enough to swim and simply enjoy that experience without the need to be simultaneously bombarded by loud cartoons and movies.

Hairy Harry

June 30th, 2006, 06:47 PM

We just returned from a fabulous cruise on Nautica where there were many, many children. There were (4) 12 year old boys who kept constantly entertained by themselves, playing ping pong, watching the magician or swimming. They met on board and were travelling with parents we seldom saw. There were also quite a few young people who had just graduated from high school and some college kids. There were honeymooners and even a 7-month old baby girl. All were great and added to our enjoyment. The young boys looked great at dinner in their jackets and all were mannerly. We understood the average age on this sailing was 55 compared to many that averaged 72. (we are on the other end of young), All in all it was a great cruise and we are still enjoying the lingering memories.:)

susiesan

July 15th, 2006, 04:38 PM

Wow!!!
So, exactly how far up the food chain did they upgrade you? Veranda and Butler??? And when and how did you find out?

I am curious snce I also booked a "G" Guarantee...and have been led to believe by people on this board that Oceania typically doesn't upgrade its guarantees...Of course, my cruise is only three weeks away...but I haven't received my docs yet...

Maybe there's some hope after all...

Steve-
You are not going to believe this. When we checked in for the cruise at Dover there was a note on our room keys that there had been a cabin change. My husband said "Susie, you P.O.'d Mr. Del Rio and we've been downgraded. I said we're already at the bottom so they can't move us any lower unless we bunked with the crew." When we opend the door to our cabin we had been uprgraded to a B1 verandah cabin from a G inside. And supposedly the ship was sold out. I have a feeling this was personally arranged for me by a certain someone in Miami. True story, I'm not making this up. So there is hope for you!
BTW, the cruise was fabulous in spite of the lousy weather and rough seas. Oceania is a class act. Best food I've ever had on over 30+ cruises.

susiesan

July 15th, 2006, 04:45 PM

Maybe there is a way to keep Susiesan off our ships afterall.

My 10 month old grandson Dominic will be aboard the Insignia June 26, 2006 re-union cruise sailing with his parents. My daugher Christina, as head of the Oceania Club, will be one of the hosts onboard conducting special programs etc commemorating this special voyage.

We welcome Oceania Cruises aficianados of all AGES!

FDR

I saw Dominic a few times in his stroller with his parents. Never heard a peep out of him. There were maybe 10-12 kids on board the June 26 sailing of Insignia and all behaved themselves. The front desk staff commented to me that there were a lot of children on board which was unusual for the ship. There were no activities whatsoever solely for children and this group of kids was never at any of the things like trivia, name that tune, afternoon tea.They must have spent a lot of time in their cabins.

fjdelrio

July 15th, 2006, 05:17 PM

I told you my Dominic was an Angel.

Glad to hear you enjoyed the Oceania experience and congratulations on your good fortune with the upgrade.

FDR

TCF

July 20th, 2006, 01:07 AM

My wife and I had our first cruise experience a couple of months ago and we're hooked. (I had cruised before but, 25 years ago and trust me things have changed!)

Our first cruise was on Carnival, (Triumph), and we had a wonderful time. We got what we paid for, a decent vacation in a suite on a nice ship. The downside was simply too many people --- too many people of ALL ages! But we knew that we had to cruise again. We also realized that if we were going to get what we wanted that we would have to book now for next year. So we began the research and we came across Oceania, just yesterday actually.

We found the itinerary, checked out the ships, read the reviews, talked to our travel agent, who incidentally has booked her parents on an Oceania cruise this fall, and sent an email with a couple of questions we want answers to about air fares, etc.

But, now I have made the decision to book the cruise. Yes, there were only four PH2 suites left -- all other suites were gone -- and we want a suite. Yes, all the reviews are good and those that are not -- well you run into those kind of people everywhere! But, there is a far better reason....

I understand -- and correct me if I am wrong -- that Mr. Del Rio is in fact the CEO of Oceania. Now, what the h*** would the CEO of a cruise company be doing on an Internet board? That is simply unheard of -- never done -- don't you know!!??

Well it tells me that he is interested in hearing about his company from the people who pay the money! He doesn't want to hear it from managers and bean counters --- cruise directors or waiters --- Captains or dishwashers. He wants to hear it from the people who buy his product! Not only does he listen to them, he talks with them!! Unheard of!!!:eek:

Anyone who is that interested in making sure that his company is offering exactly what he tells the world it is offering, well, he deserves to have someone like my wife and me take a cruise on his ship. And by chance if he doesn't deliver -- which I think is very unlikely -- I'll come back here next year and tell him so!

On the 'kid' issue. How children behave is a direct reflection of the adult's skills as a parent! A loud obnoxious child is the product of loud obnoxious adults. I can't stand either!

Looking forward to March 2007!:)

Tom and Deb

fjdelrio

July 20th, 2006, 08:17 AM

Thanks for the vote of confidence Tom and Deb.

FDR

countryguyinny

July 20th, 2006, 09:43 AM

From what I have read in Oceania's literature, they reserve the right to limit the number of passengers under the age of 18.

ClaudiaF

July 20th, 2006, 11:44 AM

it's not the kids....I have been on cruises where I wish they could limit the number of obnoxious adults..
:rolleyes:

TCF

July 20th, 2006, 01:18 PM

HERE! HERE! Claudia.

curiouscat

July 20th, 2006, 02:09 PM

Well, we just choose to sail Ocenia for the first time for a few reasons.

First, Loud obnoxious people of all ages, belly flop contests included

Second, too many unruly children. The parents today in most instances turn strangers into car takers. I have no children and certainly don't want to watch your 2 yr old swim in the pool by himself:eek: I applaud parents who are great parents but there are too few especially stateside.

Thirdly, the food had gone dowhill. I truly prefer quality vs. quantity. I have yet to ever make it to midnite buffet.

And lastly but not least we are just two 40 something dinks that want to experience a different cruise atmosphere and style. Something more upscale but not snooty. No comparing summer homes in Aspen etc.(Like I
heard about Cyrstal)

CuriousCat aka Lauren

PS Look forward to meeting you Tom and Deb

TCF

July 21st, 2006, 12:47 AM

Look forward to it Lauren.

We'll meet you at the Hairy Chest Contest I am sure! :eek: LOL!

Just kidding.:D

We'll all enjoy missing the same things together I promise.

Tom and Deb

TCF

July 21st, 2006, 01:30 AM

Lauren...if you are interested in putting together some custom shore excursions Deb and I would be interested in discussing the possibilities with you.

Please email us at leapinggnomeatshawdotca. and we can compare our likes and dislikes when it comes to shore activities. There is lots of time to do all the research we will need.

Look forward to hearing from you

Tom and Deb.:)

CruisinGerman

July 21st, 2006, 10:09 AM

Ernst:

Have you tried the Europa? It's even better than Silversea and Seabourn -- best cruise ship on the planet according to every guidebook and critique on Earth.

Some of the Europa's summer cruises leave from Germany and you wouldn't have to travel very far with your child.

Kind regards,

Gunther and Uta

BeBeReader

July 21st, 2006, 10:52 AM

Ernst,

Thank you for the help you gave us. Because of the information you obtained, we are going to set up the pick up of the car in Warnemunde by calling from Helsinki. Susanne, whom we met on this Board, is going to be with us and help us with the translation.

Regards,

BeBe

drwong

July 22nd, 2006, 05:44 PM

We're recently off the Nautica's Chairman's Cruise, and there were at least a dozen teen and pre-teens aboard, and a number of twenty-somethings. As so many of you have mentioned, it's all about the parenting.

Joe Watters' daughter and her travelling companion were aboard, and they were perfectly well-behaved, reflecting their parental upbringing. Two pre-teens were on my Team Trivia team and answered a surprising number of questions, despite their youth. We saw well-behaved kids in the dining rooms, the pool deck, and on shore excursion with their parents, and had nothing but compliments about them.

On the other hand, a gang of teens formed who were sailing with absentee parents. They roved the ship as a gang, hung out in the jacuzzis at all hours of the night/morning while their parents (and nearly everybody else) slept in their cabins, talked loudly and rudely about the elderly passengers on the ship, and even stole bottles of liquor from the ship's bars and restaurants, resulting in one teen nearly passing out drunk on the deck. Ship's security and the cruise director seemed oblivious to this late-night misbehavior despite it being witnessed and talked about among the ship's passengers. Later in the cruise we heard the drunken girl and her mother were finally called into the General Manager's office for a meeting, although we continued to see her aboard the ship for the rest of the cruise (I guess Oceania's ships don't come with a brig, or they have no policy about confining passengers to a cabin!).

shoshona2

July 22nd, 2006, 07:41 PM

Dear Drwong,

I just read your post and I am totally amazed that the staff on the ship did not do something immediately about these young people who were out of control on the ship. When we were on the Nautica's Beijing to Hong Kong cruise, I noticed someone smoking a cigar on his O.S. veranda just below my veranda as we were leaving Shanghai. I called the desk and within three minutes I had someone in my cabin. The man was told that smoking on the veranda was not allowed. We had another time when we smelled smoke coming from the crew's working area on deck 7. We reported it and no longer smelled smoke. It was right about when the Princess had that fire at sea. We understand that now a notice is given to all passengers upon boarding that if they smoke in an unpermited area, they will be taken off the ship at the next port.

Did anyone talk to the Hotel Manager of the ship????? When we travel with OUR kids on RCCL, there is a notice given to the parents guardians/grandparents, that children who don't obey the rules will be escorted off the ship with their whole family at the next port.

After your post, it will be interesting to see what Mr. DelRio does about this type of situation.

Sheila