What differences will I find between Celebrity and Oceana

Hi

Having just booked our first 0ceana cruise I wonder if I will be pleasantly surprised by Oceana .We are frequent cruisers on Celebrity but decided to try out Oceana due to a great deal for Feb in the Carribean.

Reading the comments on cruise websites it would appear that Oceana will be a step up foodwise . Are there any other areas where I can look forward to an increased /enhanced product.

Cheers

Scotslizzy

I think the food will be the biggest thing you notice -- there's just no comparison! Also, because the ships are smaller and carry fewer passengers, Oceania felt less crowded to me. I was always aware on Celebrity that I was one of thousands. The clientele skews older on Oceania, and there should be significantly fewer kids aboard.

On the other hand, you may lose some of the big ship amenities -- there's no cinema, a limited sports deck, a much smaller casino. There seem to be fewer organized activities overall. People on Oceania seem more content to linger over a meal or sit on deck with a good book, rather than look for a conga line or limbo contest. That's a generalization, of course, and not necessarily a criticism. It all depends on what you are looking for.

Having done both, I preferred Oceania, and my wife (we're both mid-fourties by the way) contends she will never again sail with anyone other than Oceania.

Hi

 

Having just booked our first 0ceana cruise I wonder if I will be pleasantly surprised by Oceana .We are frequent cruisers on Celebrity but decided to try out Oceana due to a great deal for Feb in the Carribean.

 

Reading the comments on cruise websites it would appear that Oceana will be a step up foodwise . Are there any other areas where I can look forward to an increased /enhanced product.

 

Cheers

 

Scotslizzy

just a nit pick

OCEANA is a P & O ship so would be more British oriented

OCEANIA is the cruise line with 4 ships

2 R class ships Nautica & Regatta

2 O class ships Marina & Riveira

Have never sailed celebrity so I have no comparison

PRO

Dress code, no extra charge specialty restaurants

hands on Culinary classes on the O class ships

Specialty coffees (non-alcoholic like cappuccino) are included on Oceania. So are soft drinks (pop) and bottled water (including sparkling). Bottles of water are available when exiting the ship for the day as well.

I have to say the shows on my one Celebrity cruise were pretty amazing but I prefer Oceania! The cuisine and dining room atmosphere on Celebrity were not conducive to lingering over my meal!

just a nit pick

OCEANA is a P & O ship so would be more British oriented

 

I beg to differ. Oceania is not a part of P & O, it is a wholly owned subsiderary of Prestige

Cruise Holdings which also owns Regent Seven Seas. Prestige is a private american company- not british.

I beg to differ. Oceania is not a part of P & O, it is a wholly owned subsiderary of Prestige

Cruise Holdings which also owns Regent Seven Seas. Prestige is a private american company- not british.

Please READ my post again

OCEANA is a P & O Ship

http://www.pocruises.com/cruise-ships/oceana/ship-overview/

I beg to differ. Oceania is not a part of P & O, it is a wholly owned subsiderary of Prestige

Cruise Holdings which also owns Regent Seven Seas. Prestige is a private american company- not british.

Kiawahdon, the original poster used the wrong spelling of Oceania. Or is posting on the wrong board. Scottslizzy said "oceana" rather than "oceania".

Kiawahdon, the original poster used the wrong spelling of Oceania. Or is posting on the wrong board. Scottslizzy said "oceana" rather than "oceania".

If you spend any amount of time reading this Board, you will come to realize that a fair number of people (persons?) post here thinking that Oceania is affiliated with that "other ship".

Despite the fact that P&O has painted their logo on her side.

During a recent stop in Kotor, there were 2 ships in port that day...the Oceania Riviera and the P&O Oceana. Somewhat confusing at first when I was chatting with a couple from the Oceana (I was on Riviera). I didn't realize the name of the other ship and asked what ship they we on so when they said "Oceana" (pronounced the same as Oceania), I assumed we were on the same ship...confusion set in when they were discussing a previous port of call...that's when I realized the 2 different ships had such a similarity in name...

If you spend any amount of time reading this Board, you will come to realize that a fair number of people (persons?) post here thinking that Oceania is affiliated with that "other ship".

Despite the fact that P&O has painted their logo on her side.

There was a previous discussion of how to pronounce Oceania, as you know, JimandStan!

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1715698

Just to confirm I am def sailing on Oceania !

Scotslizzy

Just to confirm I am def sailing on Oceania !

 

 

 

Scotslizzy

If you are familiar with the search function, do a search for "Oceania vs Celebrity" and I am pretty sure you will find prior thread that have discussed this.

You'll find much useful info there.

Good luck.

We sail both lines

If you are sailing on an R class ship with 700 passengers you will notice a BIG difference between the two lines -- ambiance is completely different. There is nothing like the smaller ships.

The larger O class ships (Marina, Riviera) are not my cup of tea but you will notice a different demographic -- more upscale IMO -- and more food options.

Food -- Personally, I think the specialty restaurants on Celebrity outshine those on Oceania. (It's food. it's subjective, and it's my opinion). I also find them to more consistent in quality and service. If you are on the O class ships, the dinner buffet has no competition at sea. It is over the top fabulous.

You will be very disappointed with entertainment on O if you are used to Celebrity (it has improved -- but still no comparison). There is less to do on an O ship than a Celebrity ship but some folks like that! Crowd will be older.

If you like to dance, Celebrity has more and better options -- much better music.

We sail both lines and like them both. Nautica is my favorite ship and if it went everywhere in the world I probably would sail just Nautica. LOL We love Celebrity S class ships and M class ships as well and choose those ships when the itinerary calls.

You cannot go wrong with either line IMO

...Food -- Personally, I think the specialty restaurants on Celebrity outshine those on Oceania. (It's food. it's subjective, and it's my opinion). I also find them to more consistent in quality and service...

I won't disagree with your opinion (especially since I have never tried the Celebrity specialty restaurants :)), but I will point out to the OP that one does not have to pay extra for the specialty restaurants on Oceania.

I won't disagree with your opinion (especially since I have never tried the Celebrity specialty restaurants :)), but I will point out to the OP that one does not have to pay extra for the specialty restaurants on Oceania.

Very true

But when you consider that an O cruise is twice the cost of a Celebrity cruise, somehow I think the cost of eating in O's restaurants is included in the price. You are paying for it -- just not separately. LOL

I really do enjoy my Celebrity cruises on the S class ships and would have booked them again for this winter cruise .However the TA provided us with the chance/choice to try a different cruise line for a little less than the Celebrity cruise for same amount of nights on board. So we thought why not.

As far as great night life is concerned we are looking forward to a bit of relaxtion on this cruise as we really busy on the port intensive cruise last month so will take things as we find them.

We are on the Riveria in Feb so will look forward to this for us new and different ship.

Thanks

Scotslizzy

Very true

 

But when you consider that an O cruise is twice the cost of a Celebrity cruise, somehow I think the cost of eating in O's restaurants is included in the price. You are paying for it -- just not separately. LOL

I found that Oceania is not only not more expensive but in several cases actualy less expensive than either Holland America or Celeb,:D

When you consider cruises of equal length in similiar cabins of similiar size

Oceania is a better value and lower over all price.

Both cruises are about the same length and cover about the same ports and cover the same distance

Consider that the Oceania cuise included Round trip Air, paid grattuites, open seating and no charge at ALL restauraunts, Way better food, 1/2 to 1/3 the passengers, all coffee, juice, soft drinks included. is way cheaper

Example HAL 43 day cruise in a basic VA Veranda comes to with tips , 2 speciality restauraunt visits a week, rt air, comes to about $435 per day pp on a ship of 1400 Air was and extra $1500 pp.

On a 49 day Oceania cruise same size/type cabin RT Air, all tips, no charge any dining venue. figures out to be in A B-3 veranda $291 pp per day ! In a ship of 1250.

Now, if you want to factor the 6 day difference the Oceania cruise figures out to be $53 a day cheaper or a net of $235.00 vs $435. Thats a $200 a day difference for a lesser experience when you add and subrtact all the details....:D

I found that Oceania is not only not more expensive but in several cases actualy less expensive than either Holland America or Celeb,:D

 

When you consider cruises of equal length in similiar cabins of similiar size

Oceania is a better value and lower over all price.

 

Both cruises are about the same length and cover about the same ports and cover the same distance

 

Consider that the Oceania cuise included Round trip Air, paid grattuites, open seating and no charge at ALL restauraunts, Way better food, 1/2 to 1/3 the passengers, all coffee, juice, soft drinks included. is way cheaper

 

Example HAL 43 day cruise in a basic VA Veranda comes to with tips , 2 speciality restauraunt visits a week, rt air, comes to about $435 per day pp on a ship of 1400 Air was and extra $1500 pp.

 

On a 49 day Oceania cruise same size/type cabin RT Air, all tips, no charge any dining venue. figures out to be in A B-3 veranda $291 pp per day ! In a ship of 1250.

Now, if you want to factor the 6 day difference the Oceania cruise figures out to be $53 a day cheaper or a net of $235.00 vs $435. Thats a $200 a day difference for a lesser experience when you add and subrtact all the details....:D

You must be using a form of math that I have never encountered. LOL Celebrity is always less expensive than Oceania, even with a superior cabin on Celebrity.

For many of us the airfare is irrelevant as we do our own or have miles. I compare the O rate without air to Celebrity -- it is never close.

Originally Posted by pacheco18

...Food -- Personally, I think the specialty restaurants on Celebrity outshine those on Oceania. (It's food. it's subjective, and it's my opinion). I also find them to more consistent in quality and service...

The question of food is definitely personal. I've been on both Celebrity and Oceania several times, most recently the Reflection 2 weeks ago and Riviera in August. Most of the time Oceania has been better, some restaurants more than others, however the Murano on Celebrity and Red Ginger on Oceania have been consistently excellent. The MDR and Terrace cafe food on Oceania is so much better than their counterparts on Celebrity. Also if you like lunch in the MDR, Oceania are streets ahead of Celebrity in terms of quality and choice. The Cafe Bacio coffee and choice of pastries/cakes on the Celeb Reflection were great, Barristas on Marina/Riviera is much smaller and with a lot less choice, but still good quality. Strangely enough I have always found the smoked salmon on Celebrity to be better than on Oceania!

You must be using a form of math that I have never encountered. LOL Celebrity is always less expensive than Oceania, even with a superior cabin on Celebrity.

 

It seems to be a pattern. I agree with you, when you compare apples to apples all the way down the line Celebrity will always be less expensive.

There are definitely great reasons to cruise Oceania, a lower price is not one of them. There are times though that I would consider it a better value for the money spent.

I'd be curious of the deal the OP was offered that they feel Oceania is cheaper than Celebrity. If same number of nights what category rooms are you comparing?

I really do Not see that Oceania is cheaper. I took a 12 night trip on HAL in the spring and it cost the same as a upcoming trip on the Rivera. However it is an ocean view vs a small suite on HAL. That said I expect the experience on O to be much nicer and worth the extra money. We just came back from a week on X. Again a very nice trip but I would expect the O experience to be nicer, we shall see.

The question of food is definitely personal. I've been on both Celebrity and Oceania several times, most recently the Reflection 2 weeks ago and Riviera in August. Most of the time Oceania has been better, some restaurants more than others, however the Murano on Celebrity and Red Ginger on Oceania have been consistently excellent. The MDR and Terrace cafe food on Oceania is so much better than their counterparts on Celebrity. Also if you like lunch in the MDR, Oceania are streets ahead of Celebrity in terms of quality and choice. The Cafe Bacio coffee and choice of pastries/cakes on the Celeb Reflection were great, Barristas on Marina/Riviera is much smaller and with a lot less choice, but still good quality. Strangely enough I have always found the smoked salmon on Celebrity to be better than on Oceania!

I will be on Reflection in two weeks and am looking forward to the differences..I know the entertainment is always better ..(have been on Celebrity before) just looking forward to the new ship...

Jancruz1

It seems to be a pattern. I agree with you, when you compare apples to apples all the way down the line Celebrity will always be less expensive.

 

There are definitely great reasons to cruise Oceania, a lower price is not one of them. There are times though that I would consider it a better value for the money spent.

 

I'd be curious of the deal the OP was offered that they feel Oceania is cheaper than Celebrity. If same number of nights what category rooms are you comparing?

Air is a huge expense to me, I have miles but those have a $ cost and are not at all free. ( you paid real $ for every one so flying is not free... from Hawaii to NY with miles in coach actulay cost you $1400pp , $2100pp to europe or Asia) SO I include it in my calculations. ( using miles to fly from Kona th LAX cost me $1400 to accrue. Using a regular ticket is $600 hence I pay and save $800

I used full list prices, full auto tips, and 2 x a week eating at a speciality, and normal soda/coffee. In essence I used the full gross you would spend overall on each line and I listed the 2 cruises.. You can look up the details yourself. The fare in many mass market lines like celeb and HAL is just a come-on and most cruisers spend close to double their paid fair when the smoke has cleared and all bills are added up.

The true cost of the entire cruise overall I what I consider as it is what comes out of my pocket at the end of the day.

If you just take published fares, I found that they are for similiar cabins 285 sq ftOceania is still cheaper which suprised me The cruise I cited on Oceania was $14,500 pp with air ( which is a $2100 vlaue pp in addition)

The Holland cruise was $16,900pp without air. and for 6 days less time meaning is actulay cost $2100 pp ! + 500 auto tips a total of $19,500 then add $100 pp per week for speciality dining ($600) . and thats not considering coffee. juice or soda. easily anothe $20 pp ber day ( $860)

SO its fair to say the actual cost is in reality /total gross= $20,960 Using the HAL example vs the $14,500 on Oceaina. Both were classified as grand cruises. and both over 40 days and with no discounts what so ever.

My math is simple...I add everything up that I am going to be spending, divide by the number of days. Is there an other way I am missing:o

A march sailing 10 days miami to Miami, march 2013, same ports

Oceaina $6110 Veranda air incuded a( $2216 vlaue) + 250.tips

for 2 comes to $6350 total or $635 a day for 2 an a ship of 1200

Celeb, $6257 + tips $230+ 4 meals $200 +juice coffee, soft drinks $300.

=$6987 Totlal in a ship of 2800 ( over twice the size) .

But then I would need to spend $2216 in air from Honolulu to Miami rt. In march , thats without a different $637 even without the air and with $2853

Thats $9840 or $984 a day total... over 30% more or $350 a day more on Celeb !

I thought I might have made an error in that only grand cruises might apply so I went to the 10 day carribe for both lines Miami to Miami.

Celeb for me is a good 30% more unless you compare going an inside on Celeb to a veranda on Oceania;)

It sounded crazy...and it is not why I started Oceaina, but the fantastic value to us. I even ran the numbers by a CPA friend and he agreed with the big picture approach as the best true analysis.

I am comparing HAL to Oceania right now for 7 night Alaska cruise in May. I am currently booked on HAL in a Deluxe Veranda Suite and the total cost, including taxes and port fees is $4,332 for 2 people. Auto tips are $168. I can eat in a specialty restaurant every night for an additional $350. I can buy a beverage card that will more than last the entire cruise for $225. Round trip airfare is $480 per person. That is a grand total of $6,035.

Comparable accommodations on Oceania would be a Penthouse Suite. For a similar 7 night itinerary in a PH3, I would have to pay $5,649 per person, not including taxes and port fees. That comes to $11,298 before taxes and fees for both of us. And because I live in Pittsburgh, its a $199 per person airfare surcharge. So, its over double the price of a nearly identical cruise on HAL.

I'm not saying it would not be a better cruise, because I'm absolutely certain it would be. But, would it be twice as good?

Hawaiidan, pounds this drum a lot. I'm not sure where he books his Oceania cruises, but I have compared them to HAL for years now and they always seem to come out to right around double the price, all things considered. Maybe on longer itineraries the price comes a little closer. Unfortunately, I'm not at a point in my life where I have the free time to take advantage of longer cruises.