Oceania vs HAL and Celebrity

My DW and I have taken about a dozen cruises. mostly with HAL and Celebrity. I've read a lot of good things about Oceania, which seems to be in the same price and rating categories as the above lines. So, readers of this board, why do you prefer Oceania? What is it that sets this line apart? I know the ships are a little smaller and there's "free style" dining -- but what else makes you choose this line.

I look forward to your replies?

George+

Oceania is always "country club casual" in the evenings.

actually, they are NOT in the same category or price as HAL or celebrity. in both areas ther are at least a notch above. the food and preparation definitely sets them apart from the other 2 lines. food in the main dining room is better than the options in the alternative restaurants on other lines. service is better, the size of the ship is perfect, not too big or small. casual elegant is the way to go, but if you like to dress you would not be out of place. many of the passengers are well travelled and interesting. i found the majority to have been fairly wealthy, but unpretentious. people did not flash money, jewelry or attitude. this combination of food, size of ship, fellow passengers, and oif course the ports. this is a port intensive line. hope this helps.

steve

Oceania's ships, as noted, are much smaller.

We found the food on Regatta this past August in the Baltic better than we had experienced on Holland America or Celebrity, but of course, food opinions are very subjective. We thought Oceania's food better than we had on Crystal also.

The standard oceanview cabins on Oceania are "tighter" than HAL's, but we thought adequate.

There are less organized activities on Oceania than the other two lines - but that was fine by us.

As noted above, many of Oceania's itineraries are very port intensive, but not all. We have booked a Suez transit on Nautica, 11-06, Istanbul to Singapore, and it has 15 sea days, which I love!

As Druke says, it is all down to personal taste. We have been on all three lines and would certainly go back to HAL but our favorite is Oceania for all the reasons that you will see on the various threads......

Smaller ships

Excellent Food

Nice crowd of people

Casual attire

There are complaints here about Oceania but if you read carefully you will see that the majority are going back as we are in July 2006.

Brian

I agree with all the above.

Celebrity has much larger ships and more entertainment, but with bigger crowds and longer line-ups. HAL has somewhat larger regular balconied cabins. Oceania's categories A and B are practically the same as category 2 on the Mercury, with or without concierge service. Oceania's category PH is similar to the Mercury's category 1 except for the direction of the bed (facing the window for the latter). The food on Oceania is great, like Celebrity five years ago (which has since declined but still good). Oceania has longer itineraries, and therefore cater more to "serious cruisers" (as opposed to "samplers" or those who just want to have fun for a few days). Hope this helps.

Thanks to all of you for your thoughtful comments. One of the financial challenges for those of us who live in North America (Canada in our case) is that the majority of Oceania's cruises have the added cost of an overseas flight before and after. On the other hand, having seen virtually every port in the Caribbean a couple of times....

George+

A little different take here...

I have not yet sailed on Oceania...my first will be this July...

My favorite line is Celebrity--where I have no complaints whatsoever about food or service...

And I actually prefer bigger ships...but more of a key for me than the size of a ship is the space-to-passenger ratio and the crew-to-passenger ratio--this is where the Celebrity M-Class ships generally blow away most of the mass-marketed competitors--most of them put 2,600-3,000 passengers on a similarly sized ship on which Celebrity puts 2,000 passengers...

When I look at Oceania, it's not a question that the ships are smaller...It's a question of the space per passenger (Gross tonnage is actually a measure of volume or space)...Whereas Celebrity's M-Class puts 2,032 passengers on a 91,000 ton ship (over 44.78 gross tons per passenger), the Oceania ships carry 684 passengers on a 30,000 ton ship --a space to passenger ratio of 43.86 gross tons per passenger--which is ALMOST at the roominess of the Celebrity ships.

Let's compare with a comparably sized ship on another line...Take for example the Norwegian Crown: 34,242 gross tons, at double capacity, 1104 passengers...That's only 31.0 gross tons per passenger...In other words about 30% LESS space per passenger than Oceania...and it's also a "small to medium sized" ship...

The bottom line is that it's really not a matter of smaller ships and bigger ships...Not all bigger ships...or all smaller ships...are created equal...

I would NEVER book a smaller ship unless I had some expectation of spaciousness. I don't want to cruise in a sardine can...

The other consideration with a smaller ship is in the area of entertainment and amenities...Oceania doesn't appear to skimp too much on these (although I won't know for sure until I go)...Despite being a smaller ship, they still have the entertainment, the spa, the casino, the pool--the amenities one would expect on a larger ship...If you compare this with some other small ship lines, many of them simply don't have a lot of entertainment, often few amenities at all...

Of course, the main reason I've booked Oceania is for the itinerary...For us, we found a near perfect itinerary that visited a number of ports we've missed in the past and wanted to visit...

But, I am not completely naive...ANY cruise line will do some things better and other things not as well...None can be all things to all people..."Open Dining" may be a big plus to some, I prefer "Traditional Dining"...but all of these preferences are merely matters of personal taste...just like we can all differ on whose food we find to be "better" or which style of dress we prefer (personally, forget all pretense-I would prefer to wear shorts and T-shirts everywhere all day and all night--but, for the sake of conformity and rules, I'll abide by whatever dress code the ship requires--and it won't ruin my cruise...but, I do understand some prefer to dress up while others prefer to dress down--doesn't mean one's "better")...The truth is, I believe any of us can have a great cruise on ANY cruise line...The whole cruise experience, whatever ship you're on, is what YOU make of it...

Good luck...

Have done Celebrity (Baltic on the Galaxy) and Oceania (Med on Insignia) 14 night cruises to Europe; both in Balcony cabins...cabins and service was equivalent, would have to say that Oceania food is a little better but entertainment and quality of information from shore excursion desk was miles ahead on Celebrity. Don't know if they do it now, but Celebrity had free shuttles to center of town on some ports. Price wise for both cruises Celebrity came out the winner by far. Total cost for Celebrity was about 60% of what we paid on Oceania; better value by far!!!

Bruin Steve:

If space per person is your main concern, you can try the Silver Shadow/Whisper, with a space ratio of some 72. It also has a true multi-storeyed tiered theatre that is fully equipped (and not a night-club styled cabaret lounge). It has three restaurants for only 382 passengers, and all tips and drinks are included. Of course, it is more expensive, but then you can find some speical "silver sailings" at 50% discount, in which case the overall cost will be close to Oceania's PH minsuite.

Oceania, however has its own advantages, such as excellent itineraries, no formal nights (less luggage to carry), with folksy fellow passengers and jovial service, and therefore an "easier" atmosphere. Try them all in time, and you can find out for yourself!

A little different take here...

I have not yet sailed on Oceania...my first will be this July...

 

My favorite line is Celebrity--where I have no complaints whatsoever about food or service...

And I actually prefer bigger ships...but more of a key for me than the size of a ship is the space-to-passenger ratio and the crew-to-passenger ratio--this is where the Celebrity M-Class ships generally blow away most of the mass-marketed competitors--most of them put 2,600-3,000 passengers on a similarly sized ship on which Celebrity puts 2,000 passengers...

 

When I look at Oceania, it's not a question that the ships are smaller...It's a question of the space per passenger (Gross tonnage is actually a measure of volume or space)...Whereas Celebrity's M-Class puts 2,032 passengers on a 91,000 ton ship (over 44.78 gross tons per passenger), the Oceania ships carry 684 passengers on a 30,000 ton ship --a space to passenger ratio of 43.86 gross tons per passenger--which is ALMOST at the roominess of the Celebrity ships.

 

Let's compare with a comparably sized ship on another line...Take for example the Norwegian Crown: 34,242 gross tons, at double capacity, 1104 passengers...That's only 31.0 gross tons per passenger...In other words about 30% LESS space per passenger than Oceania...and it's also a "small to medium sized" ship...

 

The bottom line is that it's really not a matter of smaller ships and bigger ships...Not all bigger ships...or all smaller ships...are created equal...

 

I would NEVER book a smaller ship unless I had some expectation of spaciousness. I don't want to cruise in a sardine can...

 

The other consideration with a smaller ship is in the area of entertainment and amenities...Oceania doesn't appear to skimp too much on these (although I won't know for sure until I go)...Despite being a smaller ship, they still have the entertainment, the spa, the casino, the pool--the amenities one would expect on a larger ship...If you compare this with some other small ship lines, many of them simply don't have a lot of entertainment, often few amenities at all...

 

Of course, the main reason I've booked Oceania is for the itinerary...For us, we found a near perfect itinerary that visited a number of ports we've missed in the past and wanted to visit...

 

But, I am not completely naive...ANY cruise line will do some things better and other things not as well...None can be all things to all people..."Open Dining" may be a big plus to some, I prefer "Traditional Dining"...but all of these preferences are merely matters of personal taste...just like we can all differ on whose food we find to be "better" or which style of dress we prefer (personally, forget all pretense-I would prefer to wear shorts and T-shirts everywhere all day and all night--but, for the sake of conformity and rules, I'll abide by whatever dress code the ship requires--and it won't ruin my cruise...but, I do understand some prefer to dress up while others prefer to dress down--doesn't mean one's "better")...The truth is, I believe any of us can have a great cruise on ANY cruise line...The whole cruise experience, whatever ship you're on, is what YOU make of it...

 

Good luck...

Steve,

I truly hope you enjoy your Oceania experience. I had almost exact same thoughts when I booked our Oceania Med cruise. I was hoping for a more personalized experience. However, I found that Oceania was not even close at delivering, especially at their price point.

On Celebrity (on a 14 day cruise) I was able to spend two nights pre cruise in Amsterdam, 9 nights post cruise in London and Paris for $3500 less than a 14 night Oceania cruise with 2 nights pre cruise in Venice and 2 nights post cruise in Lisbon. Pretty significant difference especially when you compare 25 nights in Europe with Celebrity vs. 18 with Oceania.

Good luck!

C'mon Steve

I know the real reason you booked your cruise...................you heard I WAS ON BOARD...............................

Brian

If space per person is your main concern, you can try the Silver Shadow/Whisper...

Wow...

I never said it was my "main concern"...

It is just one of the many things I look at when I consider a cruise...

I felt it was important to discuss here since many had fallen into a big ship/small ship thing as if there are only two prototypes for ships...

As to the Silver Shadow, unfortunately, there are many other considerations in booking...and certainly, for me, price is one of them.

(If I really wanted room and didn't care about money, I could have sailed the Aegean last year with my brother--who merely charted his own yacht at a cost of over a million for a two-week "Luxury" cruise)

Of course, as tlmlb points out, another major consideration for most of us is "Value"--what you get for the money...I agree with tlmlb that Celebrity wins in that department...but, I don't think the price differential is really all that much...

Even though, it may vary cruise to cruise, I figured I'd just arbitrarily pick my cruise versus a similar Millie cruis on the same approximate dates...And, obviously the prices vary over time, but I'd figure I'd set a standard at exactly what it would cost if you booked it today...

I went to the Celebrity website and priced their July 13 12-night Med cruise on the Millennium...Cost for the lowest priced inside cabin, with air from LAX, including all taxes and fees (for two): $7706.84...Lowest priced Balcony, $10,036.84...

Went to the Oceania site...and reconstructing apples-for-apples (adding in all taxes and fees plus transfers to "2 for 1", Free air deal, using the fees from my booking), Lowest priced inside cabin: $9,184.00...Lowest priced Balcony cabin: $11,984...

Now, to be fair, you have to remove the air from the Celebrity cruise ($2538) and infer a similar reduction for the free air from the Oceania cruise...giving you:

Celebrity $5168.84 cruise only-inside and $7498.84 balcony

Oceania: $6646 inside and $9446 balcony...

...and then adjust to a 14 night cruise versus a 12 night cruise...So, let's use a "per night" average:

Celebrity: $430.73 per night (for two) and $624.90

Oceania: $474.71 and $674.71

So, really, Oceania is only approximately 10% higher on an inside and 8% higher on a balcony...

Which is why I have no trouble going from Celebrity to Oceania for the itinerary...but would NOT see the same value in cruising on the Silver Shadow...

Obviously, I will be in a better position to tell you whether the Oceania cruise is an equal, lesser or better value in about 8 and a half months...

But, again, on paper, I expect it to be enjoyable...I expect good fod and service and I expect to enjoy a great itinerary...I expect them to do some things better and some things worse (though I don't expect them to do poorly anywhere)...I expect my value to be there for the money...Other than that, I still don't think you can go too far wrong with any cruise...

Very good, Bruin Steve, I like your analysis. And if you read some of my earlier postings, you will find I did quite a few of the same myself! Wish you a joyful cruise, it has been nice reading this whole thread.

Bruin Steve

You are close, but not quite correct on space ratio. Take Gross Registered Tonnage (GRT), and divide that by double occupancy passenger load.

Do note that Net Registered Tonnage is different than Gross Registered Tonnage, and again different from Deadweight Tonnage, and also different than Displacement Tonnage

Following info from Pacific Princess (new) Ship's Particulars (Pacific Princess & Tahitian Princess are sister-ships to the three Oceania ships).

Gross Registered Tonnage 30,277

Net Registered Tonnage 11,481

Displacement Tonnage 16,146

Deadweight Tonnage 33,761

Four different systems of calculating tonnage!

Gross tonnage is a measure of volume. Can someone be so kind as to explain the definitions of the other three? Thank you.

You all are amazing..I am so enjoying your comparisons..you make me want to travel..NOW..LOL

Jan

Back to the OP's query....

I'm a Celebrity regular and fan, but cruised Oceania first time last spring- Mediterranean. We were IMPRESSED! The atmosphere was very comfortable, small ship, no body slamming by fellow passengers. Everything felt JUST RIGHT.

The food was to die for, the service outstanding. We were TAKEN. You have to give it a try.

Hi Bruin Steve! :)

Hi,

We have been on over 25 cruises -- most of them on the Royal Cruise Line which went out of business years ago. We loved the Royal Cruise line and have been searching for a replacement. We have been on two Celebrity cruises in South American which were very nice, a few RCI cruises with our family and one on Crystal. We loved Crystal, but like a port intensive cruise and there are too many days at sea on the Crystal for us. We love the size of the Oceania ships as well as the comfortable atmosphere, friendly people and great food. I do miss the shows on the Celebrity, but since the Oceania is a port intensive cruise line, we are really too tired after dinner to sit through the entertainment since we have to wake up early for a full day of sightseeing. We are taking our third Oceania cruise in March 2006 and feel we have found a "home" with Oceania. My husband loves the casual dress and doesn't miss packing his tux. We save it for weddings and formal affairs.

Sheila

I have sailed on the Insignia this past April doing Italy and Greece. This was my first cruise on Oceania and it was FANTASTIC!

The difference depends on what you are looking for on a cruise.

The food, service and crew were FANTASTIC!!!

I found that most of the crew referred to me by name on the ship. Even the Cruise Director, when we would cross paths he would say Hi Bob and whatever else he would want to ask. One morning I was walking on the top deck ane I heard a voice saying "Good Morning Mr. ---" I look around and it was the Matre D from the deck below. Whenever I was walking down the hall and ran into any crew member they would say hello and if it was someone that I have met, they would remember my name.

The food quality was GREAT... I really liked both alternative restaurants and they do NOT have any additional fee!

On the first night I did Not like our waiter. He did not get the orders right and took forever to serve us. I spoke with the Matre D and he made sure that that waiter never served us again. After that night we had a Great waiter and requested her on the other nights and they honored the request without any problem.

The Cabins were not large, but they were adaquit.

I have been on over 50 cruises and Oceania rates right up there with Holland America, Celebrity and Princess, in my opinion.:)

I

The Cabins were not large, but they were adequate.

 

I have been on over 50 cruises and Oceania rates right up there with Holland America, Celebrity and Princess, in my opinion.:)

I'm in research mode having just returned from only my second cruise. Both were on Princess and my former GF accompanied me on ythe first. She'd cruised a number of times on Carnival - based on an instinctive saversio I ahve to carnival and a discussion with a TA, we opted for Princess based on price point, demographics, food, etc.. The itinerary was not a significant consideration - as long as were were in a warm Caribbean area and I got to scuba dive one day during the week I was happy.

My first cruise was on the Grand and the second, which I took as a solo, was a few weeks ago on the Caribbean Princess.

I've reached the conclusion that the variety or quality of on-board entertainment is not a high priority for me (although Princess could do far better in this regard). The cabin I had on the CB was a minisuite - a good value at $2,000 for the week but I'll gladly sail in a smaller cabin in exchange for better food (dining rooms - I'm not a fan of buffets or perhaps I just haven't encountered a good one).

I'm looking for significantly better food - noticeably better. I'd also like an environment where there are a fair number of other solo travelers. I'm 49 but look/think younger - I'm less concerned about the age of fellow passengers than I am about their breadth of exposure to the world at large and their appreciation for experiencing other cultures, enjoying fine dining etc. etc. etc.

I was my impression that Oceania was a distinct cut above HAL, Princess and Celebrity in terms of food quality, some areas of service etc.,. Is this in fact the case?

Have also been considering Radisson Seven Seas or Crystal as both periodically have very nicely priced specials that are favorable for a solo traveler (i.e. only about $1,200 more than my 7 day Princess cruise).

I don't mind dressing up and enjoy it on occasion but I'm most interested (after the aforementioend issues) in the overall vibe among passengers. Is Oceania relaxed, open and friendly or do people tend to stick to themselves?

And is it in the same class as Crystal and RSS but just "different" or do the other lines offer a truly unique and more complete experience that Oceania doesn't match?

Phaelon56 raises some very interesting questions on which I'd like the Oceania veterans input. From what I've read so far, the concensus is that Oceania's price point is slightly above HAL and Celebrity, but below Crystal, Seaborne, Raddison, etc. Upsides include that the food is better and service is more personalized (ie staff remembers your names and likes) and more professional. The itinerary is more port intensive (which depending on your persuasion is a plus or a minus). The downsides are that the cabins are smaller and the amenities no better despite the higher price. Also there is less "entertainment" and the shows are of a lower calibre than which is offered on the somewhat larger HAL and Celebrity ships. Excursions are a saw-off.

On to Phaelon 56's questions!

George+ (the OP)

A couple of thoughts in response:

...I'll gladly sail in a smaller cabin in exchange for better food...I'm looking for significantly better food - noticeably better...

I was my impression that Oceania was a distinct cut above HAL, Princess and Celebrity in terms of food quality...

First of all, I agree on the relative unimportance of cabin size...I've sailed in everything from insides to suites and my motto is..."Just get me on the ship"...Of course, I spend little time in my cabin...I use it to sleep and change locthes...But I also understand that some folks spend a lot of time in their cabins- so it might be a bigger deal to others (and yes, I've found all that extra square footage in suites very nice--not necessary, but very nice...

As to food, though, a lot of it is more subjective than objective...Most cruise lines will give you lobster (although it's more limited on some than others), steaks, shrimp, salmon, veal, etc...They'll all give you appetizers and salads and soups and a variety of deserts...and they all use pretty good quality stuff...So, it really comes down to recipes and presentation...and a lot of those are a matter of personal taste, whether on land or at sea...

I've been to some of the allegedly "best" restaurants in town and have not been enamored of my meal...And I've eaten at reasonably priced chain eateries and thought the food was great...And I've found that what I've thought of as really flavorful and first-rate cuisine, my wife, with her midwestern upbringing has thought was over-spiced or too rich...It depends a lot on what you've been brought up on and what you're accustomed to...We still can't agree on what constitutes a great Pizza--I look for classic NewYork style thin crust with a chewy sour dough and a spicy sauce...and my wife likes Pizza Hut and Domino's...

So I could tell you one line has "better" food than another, but I'd really only be saying that in relation to my personal taste...

Trying to rate cruise lines on "Quality" issues is somewhat hard to do...except in each of our PERSONAL OPINIONS...

What is different between Oceania and, say, Celebrity (the line I am personally most familiar with) is generally these areas:

1) Size of ship. Although BOTH ships have similar passenger-to-space ratios, Oceania is clearly a smaller ship, hence you have things closer and in smaller scale...therefore, thingls like the shows cannot be in the grand scale of the larger ship shows...

2) The dining arrangements. This is merely a difference in set-up. Different lines do different things. Celebrity is more traditional--You have an assigned time and table...The pluses are that your waiter gets to know you, You get to know your tablemates--which could be good or bad, You've got assured seating and a nice long slot which blends in with the scheduled times of other nightly activities...and you can always eat at the specialty restaurant, but there's an added fee. With the "Open" dining on Oceania, you show up when you want, you can dine on your own or with others you might meet on the ship, but you may not have the same waiter...and you can eat in a specialty restaurant without an added fee...With traditional dining, your waiter gets your tip...with Open dining, all tips are pooled...Some feel this stifles incentive to give good service, but, reallly, the service should always be good anyway...

3) Dress code. Celebrity has a fairly traditional dress code: Formal nights with tuxes/dark suits and gowns, "informal" nights with coat and tie and casual, which only requires long pants and shirts with sleeves and shoes...Oceania has only casual, but hints at at least a "presentable" form of casual...some folks will wear coats anyway because that's what they're acustomed to doing...Of course, some folks prefer to dress up, others prefer to dress down...neither is "better", it's just a matter, again, of personal preference...

Since I tend to always like the food and I can live with any sets of rules on dinner and dress so long as they feed me, for me it isn't all that big a deal...

As to age, I expect Oceania will draw a slightly older crowd, just for the impact of that small price differential and due to the lack of kids programs...

And, as I said before, the price differential is really only about 8-10%, so, for me, it really comes down to ITINERARY...This year, the Nautica itineraries give me something the others didn't--a mixture of ports that included more ports I haven't visited...hence, I booked the Nautica for this coming July...

For a single traveler..RSSC is a better cruise line as thier supplement is less than Oceanias..although depending on the cruise a TA may be able to get a better rate than the 200% on Oceania..

Steve, one thing you failed to note on the quality of food , is the price per person per day the cruise line allots..Oceania pays the same or more per diem than Silver Seas, Crystal and Seabourn.

Jan

*****

..Oceania pays the same or more per diem than Silver Seas, Crystal and Seabourn.

Jan

*****

That may be, I don't know. However, on an individual basis, it depends on what you order. On Silversea, for example, they give you free sevruga caviar and foie gras. If you order a couple of servings of those per day, it makes a great difference to the cost of what you have eaten! One free serving of caviar may cost more than a whole day's worth of "allotted" food budget.