Is Oceania gay friendly?

We just booked a 10 night Caribbean cruise on the Riviera!

Is the Pope Catholic?

We have sailed Oceania across the Pacific, up the Amazon and across the Atlantic and would say it's the epitome of gay friendly.

Extremely gay friendly. We have met more gay couples on Oceania than on any other cruise line we've sailed on.

Excellent!

Around 15% "family" on my last trip on Regatta last September, with only around a third of those attending the FoD gatherings.....there really wasn't any need to :D

Agreed with the above posters. We've been on Oceania twice, and we found it to be extremely gay friendly. On both of our transatlantic crossings onboard Regatta, we had 30+ show up to the FOD parties each day. It was wonderful, and the crew is exceptional.

Great to read these posts about Oceania. We are cruising on Nautica March 31, 2014 so hope to meet all/any FOD along the yellow brick road on board. Cheers Alan G from Australia

I have not sailed with Oceania as I do not like their vessels, but several friends have. While one partnered pair of friends in their late 50's love the line and are frequent repeat cruisers with them, two other couples have had very uncomfortable experiences. A couple in their early 40's debarked before the end of the voyage owing to near hostile treatment by fellow passengers, the other couple in their 60's experienced attitude from passengers as well. Neither couples are abrasive or stereotypical, but can be outspoken! For my partner and myself, if they just got rid of all the glass on outdoor decks I would give them a try, but the "greenhouse" effect of glass walls separating me from the sea air and scenery continue to put me off!

I have not sailed with Oceania as I do not like their vessels, but several friends have. While one partnered pair of friends in their late 50's love the line and are frequent repeat cruisers with them, two other couples have had very uncomfortable experiences. A couple in their early 40's debarked before the end of the voyage owing to near hostile treatment by fellow passengers, the other couple in their 60's experienced attitude from passengers as well. Neither couples are abrasive or stereotypical, but can be outspoken! For my partner and myself, if they just got rid of all the glass on outdoor decks I would give them a try, but the "greenhouse" effect of glass walls separating me from the sea air and scenery continue to put me off!

Considering most of the ships you've sailed, you'd find Oceania to be quite a step up in price. You've pretty much sailed "mainstream", Oceania borders on "luxury" level. Funny how my spouse & I have never had any issue on Cunard(relating to our being gay)perhaps these couples you mentioned were kind of "looking" for trouble.

Keithm you could be correct in that attitude is often a two way street! There is do doubt that price has been a factor is selecting cruise lines for us. While there have been some shorter 7-10 day fun in the sun cruises, we tend to do longer voyages, thus the step up in price is more pronounced! Off an a 39 night voyage in a few days, and yes on another mainsteam ship!

My husband and I had the most amazing honeymoon aboard the Regatta last November. Not only were we among several other very friendly gay men (our FOD meeting was well-attended and very fun), the general populace of the ship was of the slightly older, more cosmopolitan variety (I dare say "progressive" in comparison to what we encounter on our mainstream cruises), which lends itself to a more tolerant/accepting environment. The crew was equally welcoming and so very excellent in terms of service.

I hear the Riviera is a wonderful vessel. Enjoy!

Considering most of the ships you've sailed, you'd find Oceania to be quite a step up in price. You've pretty much sailed "mainstream", Oceania borders on "luxury" level. Funny how my spouse & I have never had any issue on Cunard(relating to our being gay)perhaps these couples you mentioned were kind of "looking" for trouble.

Hey Keithm nice to see you here...

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We went on Oceania (Regatta) once and I would not go on it again at this stage of my life. We did a Transatlantic two years ago and were very excited as this was considered a step up.

Well, we were very disappointed. See my full review June of 2011 - neilrr. The specialty restaurants and service were very good. No gay issues - staff were warm and welcoming.

The food generally was okay, but lacked variety, especially on the buffet; personally we like the food on Celebrity or Princess better. Also, no music at the pool and poor entertainment overall. If you spoke too loudly at the pool - you were committing a crime, as you were always disturbing someone reading (24/7). The ship was dead by 10PM except for the Casino.

One show per night so if you are later eaters 7:30 -8:00 you will miss the show.

If we were to ever travel Oceania again I would be 80 y.o. and up. My partner and I are in our 50's and 60's - Oceania was not for us.

Good luck in your choice of sailing.

Sorry for my mistake... :( My review for Oceania Regatta is actually June of 2012.

I guess I would agree with neilrr on the lack of entertainment/nightlife, but that wasn't what we were looking for or expecting on that particular cruise. We booked it at a really unbelievable price for the interesting itinerary and the "almost-luxury" feel of this smaller vessel and line. To be fair, since it was an uncharacteristically short itinerary for Oceania (7 days, whereas they tend to sail longer) and they seemed to have trouble filling it, the lower price point brought the median age down a bit (we are late 20s/early 30s) and we were pleasantly surprised to have quite a few other younger people sailing with us. That said, there still wasn't much to do after midnight, which was okay with us this time around with our active itinerary (we are admittedly mass market "fun ship" cruisers otherwise and love nightlife).

I don't really agree about the food and beverage, however, which I thought was quite good and served impeccably. To each his own, of course!

As I expressed earlier, and to the point of this thread, everyone was lovely to us aboard. Have fun!

I guess I would agree with neilrr on the lack of entertainment/nightlife, but that wasn't what we were looking for or expecting on that particular cruise. We booked it at a really unbelievable price for the interesting itinerary and the "almost-luxury" feel of this smaller vessel and line. To be fair, since it was an uncharacteristically short itinerary for Oceania (7 days, whereas they tend to sail longer) and they seemed to have trouble filling it, the lower price point brought the median age down a bit (we are late 20s/early 30s) and we were pleasantly surprised to have quite a few other younger people sailing with us. That said, there still wasn't much to do after midnight, which was okay with us this time around with our active itinerary (we are admittedly mass market "fun ship" cruisers otherwise and love nightlife).

 

I don't really agree about the food and beverage, however, which I thought was quite good and served impeccably. To each his own, of course!

 

As I expressed earlier, and to the point of this thread, everyone was lovely to us aboard. Have fun!

milanojosh - We also caught the ship (Regatta), as it was a late Transatlantic to Europe, in June, leaving from S. FL where we live; it was a great deal with a wonderful itinerary. We are pretty experienced cruisers, so we had high expectations, as we heard so much about the "premium" lines. We were also the young ones on the ship. :) That is why we were so surprised in our experience. Everyone does have different experiences - but for the price and overall experience - we will stick with the premium "mass market" lines for now. Happy sailing!!!

milanojosh - We also caught the ship (Regatta), as it was a late Transatlantic to Europe, in June, leaving from S. FL where we live; it was a great deal with a wonderful itinerary. We are pretty experienced cruisers, so we had high expectations, as we heard so much about the "premium" lines. We were also the young ones on the ship. :) That is why we were so surprised in our experience. Everyone does have different experiences - but for the price and overall experience - we will stick with the premium "mass market" lines for now. Happy sailing!!!

Supposedly the Marina/Riviera are much nicer than the Regatta. I think the Regatta gets sold off in the next year or 2. Good seeing you two as well. Hope things are going well & have a great holiday season!

Supposedly the Marina/Riviera are much nicer than the Regatta. I think the Regatta gets sold off in the next year or 2. Good seeing you two as well. Hope things are going well & have a great holiday season!

Keithm - Thank you... Were are on the Summit in March out of San Juan. We were tired of the itineraries out of S. FL and we like the "M" class ships better than the "S" class. Come join us... How's the catering business these days? For us, school is the same old - same old... Have a great holiday season too. :)

Keithm - Thank you... Were are on the Summit in March out of San Juan. We were tired of the itineraries out of S. FL and we like the "M" class ships better than the "S" class. Come join us... How's the catering business these days? For us, school is the same old - same old... Have a great holiday season too. :)

Catering was crazy busy for us this summer.Next summer looks even busier. A food concession that I had, decided to drop us(after nearly 8 years)I used to get about $600/week under the table. Unfortunately that is where most of my spending $$ came from. As we now go towards the slow season I won't have all that extra $$ to play with, so not sure what we'll do this winter. Last winter we gave cruising a pause & did Vegas. We loved the glitz & I loved the natural scenery of the mtns. as well. Just not sure what our plans our this time around.

Catering was crazy busy for us this summer.Next summer looks even busier. A food concession that I had, decided to drop us(after nearly 8 years)I used to get about $600/week under the table. Unfortunately that is where most of my spending $$ came from. As we now go towards the slow season I won't have all that extra $$ to play with, so not sure what we'll do this winter. Last winter we gave cruising a pause & did Vegas. We loved the glitz & I loved the natural scenery of the mtns. as well. Just not sure what our plans our this time around.

keithm - Sorry to hear about the loss of a good client. I always joke with my husband that we will have to take the cabin in steerage, if funds are low or we will shovel coal to cruise. :p

Don't despair - a new client will appear and make up for the loss. Just scale back a bit until you can see things more clearly. Glad you enjoyed Vegas - we have not been there in quite a few years. Since we live in S. FL it is much easier to hop on a ship, as we live 30 mins. from Port Everglades and an hour from Port of Miami. We really enjoy the mtns. - you have them everyday; we get to look at the ocean and the swamp. :) Take care and be well...

keithm - Sorry to hear about the loss of a good client. I always joke with my husband that we will have to take the cabin in steerage, if funds are low or we will shovel coal to cruise. :p

 

Don't despair - a new client will appear and make up for the loss. Just scale back a bit until you can see things more clearly. Glad you enjoyed Vegas - we have not been there in quite a few years. Since we live in S. FL it is much easier to hop on a ship, as we live 30 mins. from Port Everglades and an hour from Port of Miami. We really enjoy the mtns. - you have them everyday; we get to look at the ocean and the swamp. :) Take care and be well...

Thanks. We're still looking, but it might be a "last" second deal. We seem to be checking out HAL a lot lately. I keep hearing they are similar to Cunard(though, certainly no match for the Grills)

Thanks. We're still looking, but it might be a "last" second deal. We seem to be checking out HAL a lot lately. I keep hearing they are similar to Cunard(though, certainly no match for the Grills)

keithm - HAL was fine - food and service very good to excellent - but the people are REALLY OLD. We have a friend who is 84 who went on HAL and she said they were too old for her. Ha!!! :eek: :)

keithm - HAL was fine - food and service very good to excellent - but the people are REALLY OLD. We have a friend who is 84 who went on HAL and she said they were too old for her. Ha!!! :eek: :)

Cunard has a pretty old demographic as well. I think with HAL it depends on the ship. I hear the newest..New msterdam & Eurodam have a younger crowd..that is from late 40's to early 60's(generally our age group)

keithm - Sorry to hear about the loss of a good client. I always joke with my husband that we will have to take the cabin in steerage, if funds are low or we will shovel coal to cruise. :p

 

Don't despair - a new client will appear and make up for the loss. Just scale back a bit until you can see things more clearly. Glad you enjoyed Vegas - we have not been there in quite a few years. Since we live in S. FL it is much easier to hop on a ship, as we live 30 mins. from Port Everglades and an hour from Port of Miami. We really enjoy the mtns. - you have them everyday; we get to look at the ocean and the swamp. :) Take care and be well...

Well,guys we're looking closely at Celebrity.Wwe seem to be getting close to a decision on the Eclipse for Jan.25. It would be a 14 day trip. If we go we'll be doing an inside cabin to save $$. There's always hope for an upgrade.(which was frequent on Cunard)

My partner and I sailed on the Oceania Marina in April of 2012 and found it very "gay friendly". In fact we met a number of other gay couples on board, and while out and about in Italy.

What date are you sailing on the Riviera? My partner and I just booked the March 4th, 14 day cruise.

We will be on the February 12th sailing! Can't be here soon enough!