Regent versus Silversea and Oceania

[kvisf]

Our only two cruises have been on the Mariner -- Alaska in 2003 and the Panama Canal in 2007. We traveled with the same friends on both occasions and were very happy with the Regent product, including appreciation for the switch to all inclusive.

We are looking at a 2009 South America itinerary with the same friends, Buenos Aires to Rio, but while Regent does not offer it in 2009, both Silversea and Oceania do. I know that SS is all inclusive while Oceania is not, and I've figured that a penthouse on Oceania would be about the same in size and layout as a veranda on SS and a standard suite on Mariner, so I think I can estimate the cost tradeoffs (Oceania throws in fee air, SS doesn't, but Oceania will charge extra for gratuities, bar/wine tabs etc.).

I'm hoping for feedback from others on this board who have traveled with both SS and Oceania on some of the more subjective tradeoffs:

1. How do the cabin furnishings and appointments on Oceania and Silversea compare with a standard Regent balcony suite?

2. How does the quality and variety of dining (both food and venues) stack up among the three lines?

3. What about public areas and amenities, especially gyms and libraries?

4. Is there a difference in the passenger profile (we're all early 60's)?

5. Any differences in service (stewards, dining, bar etc.)?

We will appreciate any and all advice.

[Dolebludger]

We've been on Regent a good number of times and Silversea twice -- but more recently. As to appointments, food, libraries, age group, and service, we found Regent and Silversea very much the same. (Can't comment on the gym on these ships -- never visited one). Silversea ships have the benefit (to us) of being smaller. Regent has the advantage of offering better excursions, to our experience. The overall experience is very much the same. Regent ships (with the exception of the Paul Gauguin) and Silversea ships have passenger to space ratios of about 70, which means these ships are the most uncrowded at sea.

I can't comment on Oceania as we have never cruised on that line. I can only note that Oceania's ships have a passenger to space ratio of only in the mid 40s. What this means is that less space per passenger is afforded in public areas and staterooms, so more crowds and lines may be encountered.

[dougburns]

I think you'll find that Regent does offer it in 2009 as part of the Mariner Ring of Fire cruise; Starts in FLL, goes down the east coast of South America and then around the south end up to Valpariso before heading across the Pacific. Regent and SS are comparable except for ship size; SS being much smaller on that route in '09. I believe SS is doing it on the Wind, which is only 16,800 tons. Might be pretty rough. Mariner is not exactly the routing you want, but it's close on segment 1.

[TedC]

Oceania's standard cabins are MUCH smaller than Regent's standard cabins. You'd have to upgrade several grades to get close to a Regent-sized standard cabin. And, as pointed out, Oceania is not all-inclusive.

I prefer the Regent experience, but I'm sure you'd have a wonderful cruise on any of these lines.

[Winner]

In addition to the finest cuisine and service of the three lines, Silverseasdoes NOT have art auctions on board.

[Travelcat2]

In addition to the finest cuisine and service of the three lines, Silverseasdoes NOT have art auctions on board.

Not exactly sure how this is helpful, unless, your only reason for cruising is to attend an art auction (or not). While we have not as yet cruised with SS, it's ratings (the good and the bad) are similar to Regent. Silversea is smaller and a bit more formal than Regent (according to reviews).

There are quite a few CC members that have cruised both Regent and Oceania. Hopefully you'll get some insight from them.


P.S. If you check out recent SS reviews, you will find quite a few comments about food quality. On the other hand, Regent has a bit of inconstancy as well.

[ChatKat in Ca.]

The Oceania Penthouse is close to a Regent Standard cabin. Bath is smaller on O. Perfectly servicable. We just finsihed O's Baltic Itinerary and it was excellent. Service was comparabile. Entertainment is acceptable, but no big shows. Food is 95% of Regent quality scale. Tasty and well prepared. Less choices and maybe some a bit less gourmet. Meat quality excellent. You can equalize the all inclusive and order bottles of your favorite libations for your room and you can bring your own beverages onboard. The products are very close. Decor on O is a bit more traditional and they two ships I have sailed were in excellent shape. We like Oceania and have no hesitation.

If you pay tips and drinks as you go, no big deal. If you pay Regent with your fare and it's called something else it's still a cruise! They can say it's all inclusive but it's really part of the fare. You pay more for the privledge of cruising.

[tak2]

Silversea is........ a bit more formal than Regent (according to reviews).

Doesn't formal mean the same on all lines? I suppose one would bring the same attire regardless of ship for formal nights, unless you're referring to "most men wear tux" vs. "most men just wear a suit, a few wear tux" type of difference.
Please elaborate, thanks.

[hobse]

kvisf,

1. I can't compare standard cabins Oceania to Regent since we had a Vista Suite on Oceania Insignia, a Deluxe Suite on Regent Voyager, and a Penthouse on Regent Mariner. However the furnishings on both are very nice. We liked the decor on Oceania in the suite and public areas a bit more (but all tastes are different), Regent does an excellent job with storage in the cabins.

2. Quality and variety of dining is great on both. We give the nod to Oceania on this (but others give it to Regent, so break even). They both had two specialty restaurants, main dining room, more casual dining room, and a pool grill.

3. Oceania definitely wins on gyms and libraries. The gym on the Insignia was large, open, very nice. The Voyager seemed like a closet in comparison, but then again we don't spend much time there. The library on Regent is sufficient, but again closets compared to Insignia. Insignia's library is beautiful. Many places to sit and read, have quiet time, even has a fake fireplace for ambiance.

4. Passenger ages on both seemed about the same to us except there were a few younger children on Regent (depends on time of year). Both had a range of ages. I think sometimes it depends on what group tours are on the cruise what the age may average (once there was an international corporate group, another a wine tasting group, another a republican group, and each brought a different profile).

5. Service on both is great, but this nod goes to Regent. With only a couple of exceptions, it was excellent.

Other: A plus on Oceania for us is the all Country Club Casual, do not have to pack formal clothes; a plus for Regent is they offer free shuttles into most towns and Oceania does not; a big plus for both is there is no smoking in the cabins on Oceania and Regent; we love the all inclusive on Regent but signing on Oceania is painless.

We would travel with both again.

[Dolebludger]

tak2:

As to the relative formality of Regent vs Silversea on formal nights, the definition of "formal" is the same in the rules of both lines. So if ones definition is "what can I wear and not get kicked out", these lines are the same. But on our Regent experiences, about half the men wore suits and half wore tuxes, and I read reports that it has become a bit less formal since our last Regent cruise. So if the issue is "what do I wear to fit in", suit or tux would be fine. On Silversea, we have observed about 90%+ of the men wear tuxes. I personally would not feel comfortable in a suit on Silversea. That's the sole difference. On Oceania, casual dress is the rule.

Winner brings up a good point, as Silversea is the only line the OP mentions that does not have art auctions. On our past Regent cruises, the art auction was so discrete that you had to go looking to see any evidence of it. Others report that these have become tacky on Regent. And there are accusations in the art and cruising community that the art auction contractor has misrepresented the art that is sold. Oceania uses this same contractor.

Finally, we were on the Wind in the Caribbean last March, and the ship was literally trying to outrun an off-season tropical storm. Seas were pretty rough, but somehow the little Wind managed a good ride.

[Travelcat2]

Just remembered another fact about SS. In the past couple of years, they have focused a lot of their marketing on the European community. The result is a decrease in passengers from The U.S. and Canada (sometimes as low as 29%). This is not meant as a negative or positive, however, some people feel that the more relaxed smoking policy on SS is due to the number of European's on board.

I agree with Dolebludger regarding formality.:)

[tak2]

....... On Silversea, we have observed about 90%+ of the men wear tuxes. I personally would not feel comfortable in a suit on Silversea.....

Thank you for explaining so clearly.
I am with you on subject matter of fitting in.
The extra effort of carrying suit plus tux is a huge disincentive, not so much the airline restriction but my back's protest.;)

I really enjoy meeting people from other countries as fellow passengers, but not to the extent of tolerating multiple public areas that smell of cig/cigar smaoke. I've read somewhere that even France is going to ban smoking in restaurants.

[Travelcat2]

Restaurant/bar smoking ban went into effect in France January 1, 2008. All of Great Britain enacted similar bans over the past 2-3 years.

For some reason, Silversea customers have strong feelings about their "right" to smoke (not trying to start a smoking discussion:o ). They have discussed it online a few times. I don't believe they smoke all over the ship. However, unlike Regent, they can smoke in their cabins. This may (or may not) cause lingering stale smoke smells.

[Host Dan]

no..nO...NO....PLEASE let this not turn into a smoking thread!!! (Only to go bye bye) :D

Host Dan

[Dolebludger]

There is another, highly interesting thing about Silversea's typically international guest mixture. We find it interesting to meet people on board from other countries. We learn much from them, and consider this a "plus" for Silversea.

[TedC]

One minus for us is that SS charges $100 pp for early boarding. On Regent we usually board around noon and have lunch at no extra charge. Cabins usually aren't ready right away, but it's sure nice to be aboard.

[BILLP1]

For us the all inclusive is the thing that sells on Regent. I pay 90 days out and the check is cleared and I am not being nickle and dimed to death every time I sit down. For the formal nights we ate in Lattutdes were there is no formal dress code. Drinks on the balcony and a laid back dinner in Lattutdes works for us on formal nights.

[tak2]

...... For the formal nights we ate in Lattutdes were there is no formal dress code. Drinks on the balcony and a laid back dinner in Lattutdes works for us on formal nights.

Your post triggered a couple of questions. As you know, for my first Regent experience I'm on the Mar11,2009 cruise with you. First of all, there's no evening informal restaurant ( apart from Portofino, but it apparently runs it like an Italian show so I wouldn't want to repeat the show), does that mean I'm stuck to in-suite dining should I take the approach of not taking my formal wear with me?
Secondly, isn't the dress code for all public areas, such that even if I dine in my cabin, I still should not venture to showlounge or any public areas without formal attire?
I have always taken formal wear and adhered to whatever dress code was, but it's nice to know if I ever consider otherwise.
Thanks for your comments.

[Travelcat2]

From recent reports, Portofino no longer has "entertainment" (many of us think this is a great thing!). At least for now, it remains an Italian restaurant.

We will be on the Navigator in February, 2009 -- the RSSC website does not have dress codes posted for next year. Caribbean cruises tend to be less formal. If they have a formal night, you'll know in advance and can make a reservation for Portofino 28 days prior to your cruise.

Hope this helps!:)