Which line recommended for great complimentary food, not so dressy, 2 seniors?

[buggins0402]

Oceania is sounding better all the time!

And yes, we enjoy every cruise, even if there are things that are irksome. We always have a good time, no matter what.

We're just looking for a BETTER time :cool:, and benefitting greatly from all of you with so much experience and super suggestions!

 

We’re Oceania fans also. Great food and included specialty dining are it’s hallmark. It is not known for entertainment....they allocate more of the onboard experience dollars to the food budget. For example, fresh berries are available in the breakfast buffet and lamb chops in the MDR for breakfast. The pool grill has lobster for a surf and turf burger. The dinner buffet is a civilized affair, with all the MDR offerings, plus a grill with lobster, fish, crab legs, lamb chops and steaks....so if you want to stay in shorts and eat well..no issue.

 

We usually book a lesser cabin then we would on a mass market cruise line, but, have been fortunate to have been given upgrade offers prior to the cruises, so we have never sailed below concierge class.

[Luckynana]

Celebrity fan here!!!

[Flatbush Flyer]

We’re Oceania fans also. Great food and included specialty dining are it’s hallmark. It is not known for entertainment....they allocate more of the onboard experience dollars to the food budget. For example, fresh berries are available in the breakfast buffet and lamb chops in the MDR for breakfast. The pool grill has lobster for a surf and turf burger. The dinner buffet is a civilized affair, with all the MDR offerings, plus a grill with lobster, fish, crab legs, lamb chops and steaks....so if you want to stay in shorts and eat well..no issue.

 

 

 

We usually book a lesser cabin then we would on a mass market cruise line, but, have been fortunate to have been given upgrade offers prior to the cruises, so we have never sailed below concierge class.

 

 

 

Just to drive home the point about Oceania's unequalled food:

 

Day 24 on Insignia and some GDR and Terrace Café menu items have only just begun to repeat.

In addition, exec chef Farid is occasionally outside at the Terrace Café cooking regional dishes.

Two nights ago it was fresh yellow fin tuna (250 lbs worth acquired that morning in Nuka Hiva). This afternoon, he was doing a variety of stir fry for lunch.

BTW, we hardly ever eat dinner in the GDR. We prefer the casual atmosphere and al fresco opportunities at the Terrace Café as well as the "always free" specialties on occasion. On this 38 day journey, we'll only make it to the GDR about half a dozen times.

[GUT2407]

You won’t get great food on any of the standard lines.

 

Good food, yes, great, no.

 

But food is so subjective.

 

I’d say try Celebrity or Princess.

[Heidi13]

In our experience the standard of meals has been dropping steadily. Having worked for and cruised with Princess for almost 35 yrs, our 2015 WC will be our last cruise with them, as their standards have dropped well below what we expect. On the WC, the general quality of meats was poor - some were so tough they were inedible. Meals were poorly cooked and frequently cold. Even in the steak house they were unable to cook a steak to order - 2 options were raw or well done. We were also tired of the constant nickle and diming.

 

Having researched cruise lines extensively for a 2nd World Cruise, we have settled on Viking Ocean, with Oceania a close 2nd. Viking's ships are smaller (930 pax), but are still big enough to have multiple dining and entertainment options. The food quality is reputed to be very good and the specialty restaurants are included in the base fare. For the WC, Viking is offering substantial benefits that results in the cruise being all-inclusive. Yes, the base price is substantially higher than mainstream lines, but the actual per day rate, at the end is compatible.

 

No formal nights, as the dress code states, elegant casual - long trousers and collared shirt, with no jeans. While we have always enjoyed dressing up on formal nights, we have no complaints, as this has been the trend for the past 40 years. When I started in the mid 70's, every evening was formal attire (minimum shirt/tie/long trousers/jacket) after 18:00

[Flatbush Flyer]

In our experience the standard of meals has been dropping steadily. Having worked for and cruised with Princess for almost 35 yrs, our 2015 WC will be our last cruise with them, as their standards have dropped well below what we expect. On the WC, the general quality of meats was poor - some were so tough they were inedible. Meals were poorly cooked and frequently cold. Even in the steak house they were unable to cook a steak to order - 2 options were raw or well done. We were also tired of the constant nickle and diming.

 

 

 

Having researched cruise lines extensively for a 2nd World Cruise, we have settled on Viking Ocean, with Oceania a close 2nd. Viking's ships are smaller (930 pax), but are still big enough to have multiple dining and entertainment options. The food quality is reputed to be very good and the specialty restaurants are included in the base fare. For the WC, Viking is offering substantial benefits that results in the cruise being all-inclusive. Yes, the base price is substantially higher than mainstream lines, but the actual per day rate, at the end is compatible.

 

 

 

No formal nights, as the dress code states, elegant casual - long trousers and collared shirt, with no jeans. While we have always enjoyed dressing up on formal nights, we have no complaints, as this has been the trend for the past 40 years. When I started in the mid 70's, every evening was formal attire (minimum shirt/tie/long trousers/jacket) after 18:00

 

 

For the record: Oceania's "world cruise" ship is Insignia (with only 670 passengers).

[Hlitner]

Three or four years ago I would have quickly suggested Celebrity, but no more. The line has undergone many cut-backs which have impacted the quality of cuisine. Now we would suggest Oceania or perhaps Viking Ocean Cruises. If money is no object then there are several excellent luxury lines such as Crystal, Regent, Seabourn and Silverseas.

 

One other option is Holland America Line which does attract more than its share of seniors. Food is average to very good and their product seems to be aimed at older cruises. My caution about HAL is that one must carefully consider the individual ships which range from a few new to quite a few older ships. Many of their older ships are smaller then most (which we think is a good thing) but are also showing their age in too many ways.

 

Hank

[zqvol]

Don't limit yourself to the mass market lines. They are all pretty much the same.

[navybankerteacher]

Don't limit yourself to the mass market lines. They are all pretty much the same.

 

Sadly, they are. The lack of differentiation strikes me as a sign of lack of imagination on the part of management: failing to stake a claim to some identifiable market segment. Perhaps focusing on food quality, entertainment variety, or some other niche interest might permit each line to "specialize".

 

Instead, they all seem to focus on cost (low price) control as the "niche", with the inevitable decline in quality across the board.

[Floridiana]

We will return to HAL for a Grand Voyage, it's all about the itinerary. We cruised with them 5 years ago for what we thought to be the last time. The food is mediocre imho. If you want higher quality food, go with Oceania. It's not just a matter of taste, it's the ingredients the chefs have to work with. Quality of meat, locally sourced fish if available in ports, type of bread, spice and herb selection, authenticity of ethnic dishes etc.

 

In the meantime, we cruised with 3 different European lines, all had better quality food similar to Oceania's but with more emphasis on what their European clients prefer. All lines are casually elegant, no formal nights.

[SteveH2508]

Azamara might be worth a look - casual 'country club' vibe (no DJs etc.) - great food - superb staff - basic included drinks and gratuities - great itineraries and great fellow passengers (no Tenerife/Elevenrife type conversations).

 

We have just booked them again for next year. We have just got off a Regent cruise and we both decided (independently) that we just preferred Azamara (especially in terms of value for money).

[KBS1607]

OP I’m glad you asked this. The answers have been really interesting!

[Hlitner]

Azamara might be worth a look - casual 'country club' vibe (no DJs etc.) - great food - superb staff - basic included drinks and gratuities - great itineraries and great fellow passengers (no Tenerife/Elevenrife type conversations).

 

We have just booked them again for next year. We have just got off a Regent cruise and we both decided (independently) that we just preferred Azamara (especially in terms of value for money).

 

We liked Azamara from almost the day it started as a line. In the beginning they offered an amazing product with terrific food, service and even decent entertainment (for a smaller ship). But alas, we have recently been appalled at the pricing, especially considering that the old "Renaissance" ships have normal size cabins. When we start looking at the mass market lines with pricing for a balcony at $200 (or less) for a balcony cabin versus other lines that are charging 2-5 times...it does move us to also consider value. We have actually seen better deals on Seabourn (when considering the amenities) then Azamara...which is not in the same class.

 

Hank