Recent Marina Reviews-Disappointing?

[blackfoot]

Reading today,I am getting concerned about Marina and Oceania because of the recent number of disappointed customers posting( have not read other ship reports). I have sailed on 5 prior Oceania cruises and have 2 more booked on Marina but am starting to rethink my decision.Is Oceania slipping ?- not good for their brand to have reviews posted like that.From the descriptions, it sounds like Oceania is a Princess experience for 2X the price- I never viewed Oceania as a Mass market cruise line!

 

Appreciate opinions and perspectives. Thank you.

[pinotlover]

Blackfoot;

 

On Cruise Critic there is a separate Forum for reviews of cruise ships away from the protection of the individual line’s Forum and its cheerleaders. Both of your comments are accurate. Many of those reviews have not, to say the least, been flattering to the Marina. Likewise, many question the QPR of the ship versus lower cost lines.

 

My comment to your question is two fold:

 

1. A lot of things on the Marina in particularly, and Oceania in general have changed significantly in the past 3-5 years.

 

2. I would advise you to still take the cruise on the Marina and determine if those areas of change are significant to you and to determine your sense of QPR with Oceania’s current product.

 

Happy sailing! 🍷

[Noxequifans]

Also would suggest taking your cruise and let us know your experience.

[Paulchili]

IMO people are much more likely to "vent" and post a negative review in that section than a positive one - human nature.

One recent poster here essentially stated that he/she could not wait to get back on the Princess. No matter what may have changed on Oceania over the past 5+ years I find that to be a very strange statement (unless it is simply to save money).

Only you can judge how you feel about Oceania on your next cruise. If you don't like your next cruise, cancel the one after that.

[Rob the Cruiser]

We were on Marina 12/19 - 01/22 and loved it. So did most of the passengers that we talked to. We would take another cruise on Marina in a heartbeat.

[LHT28]

I would read between the lines on some of the reviews

 

Just wondering  if they have any  relation to this post #19  on this thread on the Crystal forum

https://boards.cruisecritic.com/topic/2726901-cystal-vs-oceania/?tab=comments#comment-59242089

 

 

[DudleyTL]

I am one of those dissatisfied with the Marina based on our Lisbon-Monte Carlo sail October 2019. I also contacted my travel agent as well as Oceania. After about a month, I received and apology letter basically stating "you can't please everyone."  You can find the review with a search on Marina and departure port Lisbon. In a nutshell, the service was average at best; the cabin attendants were overtasked to the point individual service was impossible; with the notable exception of Red Ginger, the specialty restaurants and Grand dining room was poor. I'd like to think this was an isolated experience; I hope yours is all you expect and more.

 

[UDSpud]

Consider the following  -

 

1. - If Oceania cruises in the past have been good to very good to excellent, are some expecting too much?

 

2. -  Has Oceania been neglected by Norwegian Inc?.  An example is new ships for Norwegian and Regent since the merger/acquisition.

 

3. - Has there been some ship specific, or cruise specific, changes to the Marina, that are not reflected on the Oceania fleet?  Note the Viking board comments about the Viking Sky.

 

4. - Are Lawyers and lawsuits decreasing fun on cruises in general ?  Will Oceania follow the Viking lead and not allow children under 18 to avoid lawsuits such as "open window" issues?   Are we as Oceania passengers at fault for similar  issues?   How many of us ignore the shore excursion warnings often related to age mobility and strength issues?  It has been my impression that more than half my fellow male Oceania passengers do not wash their hands or us the small tissue on the bathroom door handle when exiting.

 

5.  If so many are unhappy, why do prices stay high and ships rooms often book up early?

[novafish]

Yikes!  Stumbled across the board by accident.

 

We have our first Oceania cruise on the Marina in May.  We picked the cruise because it had an itinerary the ticked a lot of boxes for us.  We've been cruising with Viking and been very satisfied.  We'll see how it goes with Oceania.  If it is not comparable to Viking, or better, we will know what to do..

[Justalone]

2 hours ago, UDSpud said:

Consider the following  -

 

1. - If Oceania cruises in the past have been good to very good to excellent, are some expecting too much?

 

2. -  Has Oceania been neglected by Norwegian Inc?.  An example is new ships for Norwegian and Regent since the merger/acquisition.

 

3. - Has there been some ship specific, or cruise specific, changes to the Marina, that are not reflected on the Oceania fleet?  Note the Viking board comments about the Viking Sky.

 

4. - Are Lawyers and lawsuits decreasing fun on cruises in general ?  Will Oceania follow the Viking lead and not allow children under 18 to avoid lawsuits such as "open window" issues?   Are we as Oceania passengers at fault for similar  issues?   How many of us ignore the shore excursion warnings often related to age mobility and strength issues?  It has been my impression that more than half my fellow male Oceania passengers do not wash their hands or us the small tissue on the bathroom door handle when exiting.

 

5.  If so many are unhappy, why do prices stay high and ships rooms often book up early?

I am new to cruising and yet to take my first cruise.   I have been considering Oceania as I have read less passenger count, the passengers are more elite, learned,  and sophisticated.  And also because I have read, food is served to you at buffet by food servers,  and not self-service by passengers who may have unclean hands handling serving utensils or touching the food.

But the comment:  “ It has been my impression that more than half my fellow male Oceania passengers do not wash their hands or us the small tissue on the bathroom door handle when exiting.”

Ewwwe.   That  kind of behavior worries me.   Does not the ship have hand sanitizer stations throughout the public areas and the food stations?

I am health concerned, and mildly OCD.  I do not want to catch some cold, flu or some kind of virus on a cruise because of others.

How do you stay healthy on the ship, knowing others have poor hygiene habits?  Suggestions?

 

Thank you.

 

 

Edited January 27, 2020 by Justalone

[YoHoHo]

16 minutes ago, Justalone said:

I am new to cruising and yet to take my first cruise.   I have been considering Oceania as I have read less passenger count, the passengers are more elite, learned,  and sophisticated.  And also because I have read, food is served to you at buffet by food servers,  and not self-service by passengers who may have unclean hands handling serving utensils or touching the food.

But the comment:  “ It has been my impression that more than half my fellow male Oceania passengers do not wash their hands or us the small tissue on the bathroom door handle when exiting.”

Ewwwe.   That  kind of behavior worries me.   Does not the ship have hand sanitizer stations throughout the public areas and the food stations?

I am health concerned, and mildly OCD.  I do not want to catch some cold, flu or some kind of virus on a cruise because of others.

How do you stay healthy on the ship, knowing others have poor hygiene habits?  Suggestions?

 

Thank you.

 

 

1. Don't shake hands 🙂

2. Wash your hands. Thoroughly, often and resist touching your face. Sanitizers help but do not prevent Noro. Proper hand washing is consider the best defense (not by me but those official agencies).

 

So yes, there are hand sanitizers throughout the ship, and use them but wash your hands.

 

And, not meaning to increase youe angst but your same level of concern should be when you're going to any hotel, restaurant or public place. Those same folks with less than stellar personal habits also exist on land when they are not on a cruise.

 

Relax, use good habits, enjoy the cruise.

 

 

[YoHoHo]

 

8 hours ago, Paulchili said:

IMO people are much more likely to "vent" and post a negative review in that section than a positive one - human nature.

I don't read the reviews section often. They certainly can be skewed. Some other CL reviews have many overly positive reviews.

Do those  on this board who aresometimes accused of being cheerleaders write reviews? I suspect not. So w/o those positive reviews it is unbalanced. I admit I have never written a review. Came close a couple of times, and those would have been (mostly) positive.  I have had a few argh... moments on cruises but I am certainly not going let those ruin the rest of the trip or my happy memories.

 

So I agree, the negatives feel more compelled to be heard than the "ah.. that was nice" 

 

8 hours ago, Paulchili said:

One recent poster here essentially stated that he/she could not wait to get back on the Princess. No matter what may have changed on Oceania over the past 5+ years I find that to be a very strange statement (unless it is simply to save money).

We shared a table in Jacques. Strained conversation. Couple to my left did not want to participate and would have been much happier at a table for two and we all felt that. Couple to my right were, sigh, oh sigh, whisper to each other, sigh... Everything seemed okay to me. I was enjoying my meal and the service. The others were eating their food without hesitation. Finally I had to ask. If for no other reason to let it out so they could move on (and we could enjoy our dinner a little more). How are you enjoying the cruise. I paraphrase "Well, it is not Holland America. I don't know what it is but .. we prefer Holland America. Just something about it. This is okay but we will be happy when we disembark." I'm thinking "really, it is so sigh... that you cannot wait to leave? How sad for you." The other thing I find interesting is how these feelings (pro and con) are often, usually expressed as a "we". That they both feel this way.

 

So maybe that poster really, really wants is indeed to get back to Princess.

 

I met a very nice man on an O cruise who absolutely will never sail on O again because he could not get a HOT cup of coffee (that is indeed true - it was never hot despite his pleadings). So for him that overshadowed everything else. Maybe Princess has hot coffee.

 

 

8 hours ago, Paulchili said:

Only you can judge how you feel about Oceania on your next cruise. If you don't like your next cruise, cancel the one after that.

+1. This is the best advice. Ignore my preferences (and my review if I ever write one). Try it for oneself and decide.

 

 

[Mura]

3 hours ago, UDSpud said:

Consider the following  -

 

*  Are Lawyers and lawsuits decreasing fun on cruises in general ?  Will Oceania follow the Viking lead and not allow children under 18 to avoid lawsuits such as "open window" issues?   Are we as Oceania passengers at fault for similar  issues?   How many of us ignore the shore excursion warnings often related to age mobility and strength issues?  It has been my impression that more than half my fellow male Oceania passengers do not wash their hands or us the small tissue on the bathroom door handle when exiting.

 

*   If so many are unhappy, why do prices stay high and ships rooms often book up early?

My recollection is that Renaissance did not permit children under 18, and originally Oceania kept to that policy.  I also remember one cruise on Ren where we were positive that one of the young people was clearly not 18 -- although it's certainly possible that she just looked younger than she was.  But she was perfectly behaved so no one complained.

 

I don't recall when Oceania permitted younger passengers ...

 

I am enough of a curmudgeon to want all children banned, but I don't expect that to happen.  BUT if young children are in any of the restaurants and treating the room as a playground, they should be politely but firmly escorted OUT.  And if their parents ignore the kids' behavior, escort them out as well ...

 

So sue me ...

 

 

It would appear that with so many repeat passengers, your question is a good one!  We have done 16 and would be doing more SOON if DH didn't have some fairly serious health problems.  I was hoping to travel solo last April but had to cancel because he was concerned about staying home alone.  One of his problems is serious vision loss and we are in a duplex.  Considering how stressed he was at staying home alone, I cancelled.  So far, that remains the situation.  I don't think it's going to get better!

 

Mura

[Paulchili]

4 hours ago, YoHoHo said:

Do those  on this board who aresometimes accused of being cheerleaders write reviews? I suspect not. So w/o those positive reviews it is unbalanced. I admit I have never written a review. Came close a couple of times, and those would have been (mostly) positive.  I have had a few argh... moments on cruises but I am certainly not going let those ruin the rest of the trip or my happy memories.

YoHoHo - good to see you back on these boards

[susiesan]

I am currently on Sirena, left Miami last Saturday, at sea heading for Roatan. I was on the Coral Princess in Alaska this past June. After only 2 dinners, Oceania is not at the same level as Princes, it is a step up. My last O cruise was Oct. 2017 on Riviera in the Med. I do see a few minor downgrades from then, I will comment further as the week goes on. I have another O cruise on Marina in June, Baltics, and I am not having any second thoughts.

 

As to saying O costs twice as much as Princess, that would depend on your cruise cabin choice. This 7 day Sirena cruise in an outside cabin cost me half of what I paid for the  7 day Princess Alaska cruise in a veranda cabin. I got a great deal with O, much better than I got with Princess, and except for a delayed boarding am happy being back on O.

[Rob the Cruiser]

11 hours ago, YoHoHo said:

1. Don't shake hands 🙂

2. Wash your hands. Thoroughly, often and resist touching your face. Sanitizers help but do not prevent Noro. Proper hand washing is consider the best defense (not by me but those official agencies).

 

So yes, there are hand sanitizers throughout the ship, and use them but wash your hands.

 

And, not meaning to increase youe angst but your same level of concern should be when you're going to any hotel, restaurant or public place. Those same folks with less than stellar personal habits also exist on land when they are not on a cruise.

 

Relax, use good habits, enjoy the cruise.

 

 

 

In addition to your great suggestions:

 

When entering the cabin on embarkation day, use sanitary wipes on the door handle, phone, remote, light switches, drawer handles, and any other thing that you may touch.

 

Push elevator buttons with your elbow.

 

Use the toilet in your cabin rather than the public ones if possible.

 

Move away from passengers who are coughing and/or sneezing.

 

Cover tongs with napkin. (Applicable in Horizons and Baristas.)

 

Use sanitizer after using salt & pepper shakers, ketchup bottles, etc.

 

If this seems extreme to some people, so be it. 

[blackfoot]

Thank you for the comments. Hygiene on Oceania is not a concern nor affordability- value and overall quality are.

[Wishing on a star]

Please do not compare any other cruise to 'Princess' based on one sailing on the Coral.

I have done Alaska on the Coral Princess.

It is the older and smaller of the Princess ships, and you simply will not get the best of Princess on this ship.  Especially on a low-key Alaskan Cruise.

 

Now, if 'O' cruisers want low-key....  the Coral will fit that bill!!!!

And, 'O' simply can not offer the Princess itineraries in Alaska. 

When we were on Coral, the activities, entertainment, etc...  were what might be called sub-par.

The Buffet...  it was awful...  However, this was some time ago, before the Princess Dining cutbacks and changes.   So, our experience and food in the MDR were excellent!!!   The best ever.

 

Most recently I sailed on Regal Princess.  

Now, THAT is my ship...  Love the whole Piazza concept, the International Cafe (specialty coffee and goodies/snacks/lunch), love the top notch entertainment...  Love the big beautiful ship...  understated elegance, marble, etc...  and LOVE the Princess Sanctuary!!!   

(Note; there is a recent review here on CC where a Princess cruiser just returned from Celebrity, and wasn't sure.  But by the end of the. review, as she was mentioning some of the things that I have, she says, paraphrase...  "Darn, the more I type, the more I miss about Princess".

 

When I sailed on the Regal, back with the brand new dining changes and menu cutbacks,  and perhaps some poor staff in charge of the kitchen,  it was just bad....  This has improved as they have sorted things out.  But the menus and offerings are now so lame and so limited.  No crab legs - at all,  no lobster.  (except for one small tail over a bland green risotto 'mush'... offered on formal night.   Even in the specialty steakhouse, the lobster tail is one small frozen, overcooked, lobster tail with lack of taste or texture.   And, you pay EXTRA for that????

 

I think all lines have the great, and the not-so-good,  Even one like Oceania that likes to purport to be a-step-above.

 

This is the kind of specific and comparative information that is helpful.

 

I have yet to cruise Oceania.   But I think I have done enough objective and thoughtful research to come up with a fairly reasonable expectation.    But when I look at the small and not so 'GRAND' ships, and the facilities and offerings compared to a totally different experience, such as the Regal Princess.  And, especially when I read comments about 'bland unseasoned food',  "cold lukewarm food",  "nothing but cold coffee",  stretched and stressed waitstaff and room stewards...  those are specific things that do stand out.  (and what you might see on Princess)  And, I do believe that some of these comments are credible.  And, it is very very disappointing.  To me, I think that any basis for those kinds of specific comments at all is just not really okay.

 

I know that people who love and are accustomed to one cruise line will def. have a rose colored review.  Even if they are not 'cheerleaders'.  And, the cheerleaders are def. there.   There is a recent review where one mentions few children and no issues, but then ends up posting about young children running around annoying everyone in a specialty restaurant.   There is a hesitation for these cruisers to see or post any negative.  Even when it is there.

 

A new cruiser to any line will always be making comparison and will always start out seeing the negatives.  

 

The bottom line is, for me,  I am no longer expecting the stellar experience, and not quite the level of food, that I thought I might see on Oceania.   But, they have the itinerary that works!   And, this will be about seeing Europe, not enjoying everything that can be enjoyed on a ship like the Regal Princess offers that I have loved.

 

PS:  the new Princess ships have totally ruined the Retreat Adult Pool at the Sanctuary, and the Sanctuary has been re-designed into a minimalistic  and sterile area.... The photos do not look nearly as inviting as the prev. Sanctuaries.  Among other changes as well.

All cruise lines change.  And not always for the best.

 

 

Edited January 27, 2020 by Wishing on a star

[Paulchili]

22 minutes ago, Wishing on a star said:

The bottom line is, for me,  I am no longer expecting the stellar experience, and not quite the level of food, that I thought I might see on Oceania.   But, they have the itinerary that works!   And, this will be about seeing Europe, not enjoying everything that can be enjoyed on a ship like the Regal Princess offers that I have loved.

Please do come back after your cruise and tell us what your experience was vs that of others whom you do not know.

TIOA.

[Wishing on a star]

I will probably do that!!!

I was just trying to add good information, as Princess was immediately being brought into these current conversation...  And simply mentioning a few comments that might be credible, posted by recent cruisers.  (also being brought into the conversation). I only speak for myself!!!

 

But, do note that any review will not be soon, as we are planning into the future.

I have posted my thoughts and experiences here on CC before.  And, I do expect that it will be the same responses that always follow.  Cheerleaders going after any negatives.

I can remember some negative comments I once posted about one experience on Princess years ago.

It is funny to remember!!!   Somebody else who had also been on that sailing had to come and back me up about the 'large packages of still frozen bacon that had not thawed being thrown into a deep fryer, resulting in what we called 'shards of bacon' being served.  Hahahaha!!!!

 

Edited January 27, 2020 by Wishing on a star

[Paulchili]

6 minutes ago, Wishing on a star said:

I have posted my thoughts and experiences here on CC before.  And, I do expect that it will be the same responses that always follow.  Cheerleaders going after any negatives.

In all fairness, you are fully entitled to recount your experiences but so are the others.

Some will agree with you and others will not - whether they are simply cheerleaders or they had different experiences from yours.

It's the nature of the beast but you should be able to express YOUR opinions as they are valid for you.

FWIW, later today we are boarding the Grand Princess from San Francisco to Hawaii. We have cruised with them many times (enough to be Elite) but I have realistic expectations.

We paid (roughly) half the price of an Oceania cruise and expect (roughly) half the experience on Princess - so it's all good.

Edited January 27, 2020 by Paulchili

[Wishing on a star]

Of course...  

However, I have never said anyone was not free to recount their experience.

That is what these boards are for.

Not sure where you are getting that?

I don't understand what the thing is here?

But, I will just simply refrain from any further response.

 

Edited January 27, 2020 by Wishing on a star

[clo]

23 minutes ago, Paulchili said:

Please do come back after your cruise and tell us what your experience was vs that of others whom you do not know.

TIOA.

(We're on a little road trip and I'll try to remember to return and comment further.)

 

You perhaps warned me to not expect TOO much on our first O cruise. But it exceeded my expectations, especially the food. After the itinerary, Rio/BA, food was what drew me to O. And except for one piece of dry chicken breast, everything really was super. And we adored our concierge veranda cabin. Those sheets were hard to leave behind and we had more storage than we could use. Oh, wait, the tub was a PITA to get out of but I only used it once to shave my legs 🙂 I've already had the thought of I'll likely be looking to O first when there's someplace to cruise to.

[Paulchili]

30 minutes ago, clo said:

(We're on a little road trip and I'll try to remember to return and comment further.)

 

You perhaps warned me to not expect TOO much on our first O cruise. But it exceeded my expectations, especially the food. After the itinerary, Rio/BA, food was what drew me to O. And except for one piece of dry chicken breast, everything really was super. And we adored our concierge veranda cabin. Those sheets were hard to leave behind and we had more storage than we could use. Oh, wait, the tub was a PITA to get out of but I only used it once to shave my legs 🙂 I've already had the thought of I'll likely be looking to O first when there's someplace to cruise to.

Glad that your first O experience was a good one 😊

[Hawaiidan]

Paul et al......people  loathing  O   for HAL  ( I just took  a cruise with them and it was BAD) or Princess as better than O...

Reminded me of reviews of the French Laundry. a Michelin 3* and one of the finest Restaurants in the world.      Some people criticized it because it was not like their local diner back home.

Familiarity rather than objectivity was the yard stick by which they judged.    I know people who swear their ford or chevy is superior to Porsche or Mercedes.    That their local burger or pizza  joint is the best they have ever had  and so on........ They will always find ways to compare and revere  a "comfortable old standby" always  reinforcing their habitual comfort zone.

.Lincoln understood this over 156 years ago...." you  can please some of the people some of the time , some of  the people all of the time  and some of the people none of the time"

Edited January 27, 2020 by Hawaiidan