Oceania vs NCL Haven

[Yesimapirate]

Just back from a trip on NCL in their Haven.  It was a fantastic trip however not everything was perfect.   Many of the drawbacks were food, crowd size and ship size related.  It's seems that Oceania might be a great option for us to consider. 

 

For those that have traveled in both, what are the pluses and minuses of each?

 

As some background,  we're both late 40s with extensive travel experience.   I traveled 45+ weeks a year globally for years.  My wife has significant event planning experience at the Fortune 500 C level so she notices every detail.   We enjoy good food, qualify,  friendly but not formal service and tours that go deeper that a booze cruise or bus ride.  We aren't fans of things like go karts, drinking until you lose control or poorly behaved kids.  I know that makes us sound uptight but we just want to be able to relax😁

 

Thank you all in advance for your input 

[Flatbush Flyer]

2 minutes ago, Yesimapirate said:

Just back from a trip on NCL in their Haven.  It was a fantastic trip however not everything was perfect.   Many of the drawbacks were food, crowd size and ship size related.  It's seems that Oceania might be a great option for us to consider. 

 

For those that have traveled in both, what are the pluses and minuses of each?

 

As some background,  we're both late 40s with extensive travel experience.   I traveled 45+ weeks a year globally for years.  My wife has significant event planning experience at the Fortune 500 C level so she notices every detail.   We enjoy good food, qualify,  friendly but not formal service and tours that go deeper that a booze cruise or bus ride.  We aren't fans of things like go karts, drinking until you lose control or poorly behaved kids.  I know that makes us sound uptight but we just want to be able to relax😁

 

Thank you all in advance for your input 

Haven = wannabe 

Oceania = real thing

[tgg]

16 minutes ago, Yesimapirate said:

Just back from a trip on NCL in their Haven.  It was a fantastic trip however not everything was perfect.   Many of the drawbacks were food, crowd size and ship size related.  It's seems that Oceania might be a great option for us to consider. 

 

For those that have traveled in both, what are the pluses and minuses of each?

 

As some background,  we're both late 40s with extensive travel experience.   I traveled 45+ weeks a year globally for years.  My wife has significant event planning experience at the Fortune 500 C level so she notices every detail.   We enjoy good food, qualify,  friendly but not formal service and tours that go deeper that a booze cruise or bus ride.  We aren't fans of things like go karts, drinking until you lose control or poorly behaved kids.  I know that makes us sound uptight but we just want to be able to relax😁

 

Thank you all in advance for your input 

 

Sounds like you're two mature adults.  Although many of your fellow passengers will be as old or older than your parents, you would probably be happy on Oceania, Azamara or Viking.  You'll be able to relax with few if any kids around, enjoy adult conversation with many well-traveled unpretentious people, and enjoy the smaller ship experience. 

 

You don't sound uptight at all.

[mauibabes]

Amen to what was already stated. I would suggest you consider either Riviera or Marina to test the cruise experience. I would also suggest looking at any of the Vista Inaugural Season itineraries  that might interest you. Vista will be exceptional so take a look at the videos available and get your hands on one of the hard copy Vista brochures. 
we found Oceania 15 years ago and have never looked back. Fantastic staff, caring and professional. We just spent 46 days on Riviera as we and the crew returned to sailing. I have to say those 4 cruise segments were FANTASTIC, an experience that can not be duplicated.  Perfect, no but absolutely wonderful. 
Just spend some time reading back through this Board and I am sure you will get a real sense of what Oceania is like. 
Ciao, Mauibabes 

[GeezerCouple]

I just posted an answer to you on the NCL sub-forum, and it pretty much matches what's written above, including about the Riviera and Marina.

 

We now sail on NCL only when there is a very special itinerary not available on other lines/etc., and we can get a top suite, or when we take the kids/grands, and then it's Haven.  They wouldn't enjoy Oceania as much, not yet... 😉

 

Enjoy.

 

GC

[zteamtwo]

We have done Haven and 3 Oceania trips.  I agree, Riveria or Marina have more things to do.  Here are some points for Oceania.

1. No photographers following you.

2.  Can bring in many bottles of wine or booze--no problem--just only drink them in your cabin.  Also buy more wine or liquor at port stops.

3.  If you want a "haven" like experience, choose Penthouse level.  Includes Butler and much larger cabin.

4.  All speciality restaurants are free. Just watch for "sign up day" when it is first available.

5.  24 hour room service with no fee.

6  Very good entertainment. Maybe one step down from Norwegian.

7.  Excellent afternoon tea at 4 pm every day with food.

8.  A couple of "Captains Happy Hours" with free drinks of your choice.

9.  Pellegrino or Perrier water available with any meal.  Much better.

10.  Great Barista  area.

11.  Free art classes.

12. If you choose "Concierge" level, there is a lounge for you with coffee, latte, soft drinks, food, tv, and someone to help you with things. Penthouse also has this.

13.  Your cabin refrig will be stocked with soft drinks and mixers for free every day.

14.  Great beds.

 

Enjoy.

[njhorseman]

2 hours ago, Flatbush Flyer said:

Haven = wannabe 

Oceania = real thing

Frankly, I find your "wannabe" comment to be bordering on offensive, and rather ignorant to boot. As someone who has cruised both ways...and I suspect you haven't...I'm fine with either under the proper circumstances even though the experience is not the same, nor is it intended to be.  

 

[Host Jazzbeau]

I haven't sailed in NCL Haven, but have in Celebrity Retreat and in MSC Yacht Club – both of which I have been led to believe are a bit better than the NCL version.  I agree with @njhorseman that they all provide an acceptable (even 'fine') experience as long as you know what to expect; you can enjoy the benefits of a big ship with lots of lively entertainment, but also 'retreat' from it to your 'haven' when you want quiet and luxury.  And I also agree that Oceania probably beats all three of them on each individual parameter – unless you are traveling with kids.  But if you find a unique itinerary that appeals on any of the four, you can have a great time.

[Flatbush Flyer]

1 hour ago, njhorseman said:

Frankly, I find your "wannabe" comment to be bordering on offensive, and rather ignorant to boot. As someone who has cruised both ways...and I suspect you haven't...I'm fine with either under the proper circumstances even though the experience is not the same, nor is it intended to be.  

 

Your concern has been duly noted. Happy holidays!

[mexicobob]

8 hours ago, Flatbush Flyer said:

Haven = wannabe 

Oceania = real thing

Great post. Probably the shortest one you have ever submitted since you tend to be long winded at times. 

[Flatbush Flyer]

2 hours ago, mexicobob said:

Great post. Probably the shortest one you have ever submitted since you tend to be long winded at times. 

Perhaps you mean “thorough?”🤔😉😎

[terrydtx]

We did the Haven once and done, was way overpriced and the huge ships are just full of kids and drunks. We love the Celebrity Retreat Suites with a fantastic private fine dining restaurant, Luminae, and a Private full-service lounge with finger food and adults drinks all day and night. Meals in the Luminae are done in a separate kitchen and mostly cooked to order with items not on the MDR menu. The newer E Class ships have a separate private Retreat deck with a pool and bar. Best of all, all suites have a personal butler and the Premium drinks package, premium internet WIFI and all gratuities are included with a $400pp OBC. On a cost per day the Retreat in a Sky Suite is very comparable to Oceania in a Concierge class cabin and way less than the Haven on NCL.

 

We are sailing our first Oceania cruise next summer in the Baltics in an A1 Concierge cabin and if we like this cruise and Oceania like I think we will, our cruise lines going forward will be with Celebrity and Oceania. From what you describe about yourselves, both Oceania and the Celebrity Retreat would be good fits.

[ORV]

9 minutes ago, terrydtx said:

We did the Haven once and done, was way overpriced and the huge ships are just full of kids and drunks. We love the Celebrity Retreat Suites with a fantastic private fine dining restaurant, Luminae, and a Private full-service lounge with finger food and adults drinks all day and night. Meals in the Luminae are done in a separate kitchen and mostly cooked to order with items not on the MDR menu. The newer E Class ships have a separate private Retreat deck with a pool and bar. Best of all, all suites have a personal butler and the Premium drinks package, premium internet WIFI and all gratuities are included with a $400pp OBC. On a cost per day the Retreat in a Sky Suite is very comparable to Oceania in a Concierge class cabin and way less than the Haven on NCL.

 

We are sailing our first Oceania cruise next summer in the Baltics in an A1 Concierge cabin and if we like this cruise and Oceania like I think we will, our cruise lines going forward will be with Celebrity and Oceania. From what you describe about yourselves, both Oceania and the Celebrity Retreat would be good fits.

You just never know. Where on the Mass Markets the upper Elite are treated more special than the rest of the ship. On Oceania there's very little of that, unless you're in the Owner's Suite. Everyone is pretty much part of the masses and the Concierge room is about the same size as a S Class Celebrity ship Veranda. More or less everyone on the whole ship is special on Oceania. You're doing the right thing, going on it and find out if you like it. 

[terrydtx]

3 minutes ago, ORV said:

You just never know. Where on the Mass Markets the upper Elite are treated more special than the rest of the ship. On Oceania there's very little of that, unless you're in the Owner's Suite. Everyone is pretty much part of the masses and the Concierge room is about the same size as a S Class Celebrity ship Veranda. More or less everyone on the whole ship is special on Oceania. You're doing the right thing, going on it and find out if you like it. 

We have very good friends who have done a number of O cruises and they swear by them, although they have never been in a suite on any mass market cruise line. We chose the Marina Baltic cruise over a similar Celebrity cruise because of the 10-day itinerary with no sea days and it goes out of Copenhagen. We wanted to spend a couple pre cruise days in Copenhagen and couple post in Stockholm. The Celebrity cruise was a 12-day cruise with 2 sea days and the Retreat on a cost per day was about the same as the Marina in our Concierge cabin, but it round tripped from Amsterdam. Our Concierge Marina cabin is closer in size to a S Class Sky Suite than a standard Verandah.

[ORV]

32 minutes ago, terrydtx said:

We have very good friends who have done a number of O cruises and they swear by them, although they have never been in a suite on any mass market cruise line. We chose the Marina Baltic cruise over a similar Celebrity cruise because of the 10-day itinerary with no sea days and it goes out of Copenhagen. We wanted to spend a couple pre cruise days in Copenhagen and couple post in Stockholm. The Celebrity cruise was a 12-day cruise with 2 sea days and the Retreat on a cost per day was about the same as the Marina in our Concierge cabin, but it round tripped from Amsterdam. Our Concierge Marina cabin is closer in size to a S Class Sky Suite than a standard Verandah.

I didn't realize that Sky Suites were that small. The Concierge cabins are the same size as the regular Verandas on Oceania. Without checking I think around 275 before the balcony. 

[terrydtx]

18 minutes ago, ORV said:

I didn't realize that Sky Suites were that small. The Concierge cabins are the same size as the regular Verandas on Oceania. Without checking I think around 275 before the balcony. 

On the S Class Equinox, the Aqua and Concierge cabins are 192 sq ft and the Sky Suite is 300 Sq ft. The Marina A1 Concierge is 282 Sq Ft. These are all not including the verandah size.

[Queen of DaNile]

Marina and Riviera's Concierge and Veranda cabins are 242' inside and 40' of balcony. The official description does not break it down. They're comfortable but not spacious. Never been in a Celebrity Sky suite but CC says "Entry-level Sky Suites are 300 square feet with a 79-square-foot balcony. "

[terrydtx]

3 minutes ago, Queen of DaNile said:

Marina and Riviera's Concierge and Veranda cabins are 242' inside and 40' of balcony. The official description does not break it down. They're comfortable but not spacious. Never been in a Celebrity Sky suite but CC says "Entry-level Sky Suites are 300 square feet with a 79-square-foot balcony. "

The Sky Suites have plenty of room and extra nice balcony. We only sail in a SS on Celebrity and see no reason to move up to the larger suites. The Marina Concierge cabins seem to also have plenty of room as they are larger than the standard Celebrity Verandah cabin.

[AlexCherie]

On 12/17/2021 at 2:46 PM, Yesimapirate said:

...

 

As some background,  we're both late 40s with extensive travel experience ...

So, I've never been on Oceania. (Jan 4, first time).

Consider average age/fellow guests. One thing about people in their late 40s ... nothing personal here, but ... they tend to have a limited patience with people in their 70s and beyond. Just saying. That whole "it reminds me of my parents/I'm not that old" thing.

[ak1004]

We are in our mid 50s. Never had any issues being around people in their 70s or 80s.

[AlexCherie]

32 minutes ago, ak1004 said:

We are in our mid 50s. Never had any issues being around people in their 70s or 80s.

I can appreciate that. Never been an issue for me either. 

I've read more than once about people commenting on the proliferation of so many motorized scooters, often couched in a lack of patience. 

Strikes me as a real bias, and the original poster asked about feedback. It's just something nobody else mentioned and if this was a Holland America thread, this sort of observation would be made many times over. 

Cheers.

 

[Yesimapirate]

5 hours ago, AlexCherie said:

So, I've never been on Oceania. (Jan 4, first time).

Consider average age/fellow guests. One thing about people in their late 40s ... nothing personal here, but ... they tend to have a limited patience with people in their 70s and beyond. Just saying. That whole "it reminds me of my parents/I'm not that old" thing.

Worse than "reminds me".  My parents actually cruise Oceania!  And they read this forum!😁

[terrydtx]

6 hours ago, AlexCherie said:

Strikes me as a real bias, and the original poster asked about feedback. It's just something nobody else mentioned and if this was a Holland America thread, this sort of observation would be made many times over. 

We sailed on HAL almost exclusively for about 10 years and have witnessed actual scooter races down the hallways of HAL ships. I think this is the source of the scooter jokes on HAL.

[libert1]

So, we have been on 9 NCL cruises including 5 in the Haven.  Obviously I liked them.  We just finished our first O cruise.  We wanted to try to upgrade a bit.  We did a trans-Atlantic in a PH suite on the Marina.  My wife and I are mid 50's, still working hard for our money and paying for our daughter at an expensive collage.  I am a big foodie and my wife is getting there.  So here are some of my thoughts.  

 

Please remember, opinions are subjective and what I like, or what bothers me, may not be the same for you or others.  

 

On this TA cruise, with the exception of a few people, we were the youngest couple on the ship.  Not really a big problem but if you like to socialize a lot, this may not be the cruise for you.  I have read that it depends on the time of the year and the itinerary.  We did meet some very nice people and had dinner with one couple one night.  

 

Food. Outstanding.  Think Haven quality but everywhere and much better choices.  Even on the buffet they had all the grilled lobster made to order I could eat.  I think there was only one meal the whole time that was average.  Everything else was above average.  Buffet much much much better than NCL.

 

Service. Outstanding.  This was the first time I have really used our butler, even on the 5 Haven cruises.  One evening we came out of our cabin for dinner and our butler was doing something in the hall.  He escorted us to dinner giving us suggestions and introducing us to the maitre d'.  Rooms were spotless and we hardly ever saw our room steward.  The room was just cleaned pretty much every time we left it, or so it seemed.  The service everywhere was GREAT!

 

Shore excursions.  We only did one.  it was organized but definitely not worth it.  It was in Funchal and was not as advertised.  The market was good and interesting.  The lace museum was just a store, no history or anything.  The Port wine was just a store with a couple of small samples. Guide was good.  Just not worth the money and definitely not what was advertised and expected.  When we booked the excursion, only ship based tours were available.  Just before we sailed it changed and you could use private tours or just go ashore.  

 

Entertainment.  Very good. We didn't take in any production shows, just because we never seemed to make it there.  We did see the comedian twice and he was good.  We did the cooking class twice and really liked that.  The enrichment series speakers were very good and interesting.  One much better than the other.  The second guy was all about space and stars.  I think you had to be interested as he was very well informed but not the best speaker.  

 

The one thing I felt was a little disappointing was the bar.  We had the drink package so most everything was included, except the sake at the Asian restaurant, go figure.  The selection was mid level.  Having been in the Haven 5 times and moving up in class and service level, I was expecting about the same level of drinks as the Haven.  They only had one type of bitters, Angostura.  Can't make a Sazerac without Peychaud's.  There was only one rye whiskey, Jack Daniels, not counting Crown Royal.  I personally prefer Whistle Pig, which they have in the Haven.  No smoking gun for smoked old fashioned. 

If you are not into enjoying finer or different drinks, then the selection is good.  If you prefer cocktails or mixed drinks then it is fine.  If you prefer sipping different whiskeys or experimenting with top shelf then it may be a bit disappointing.  The bar tenders were amazing.  They would try to get you anything or make it for you.  One evening I asked for an Irish Coffee.  They told me the coffee machine was being cleaned so it would take a minute or two as they had to go downstairs to get the coffee.  In this case downstairs was all the way to the back of the ship at the bottom.  But they did it without question and quickly.  Again, outstanding service.  You can bring your own alcohol onboard with you or if you don't drink much this may not be a problem.  

 

Room.  Excellent.  We had a PH suite on Oceania which was bigger than the average room in the Haven.  Well appointed and lots of room.  I really liked the walk in closet.  Just seems more luxurious.  I know some may say that is wasted space but it is nice to have.  

 

I really liked that there were NO pressure sales to buy more.  We did spend some money but we didn't have to and we weren't pressured to.  No photographers bothering you at dinner.  No sales folks outside the shops trying to get you in.  It was pleasant.  

 

The size of the ship was much nicer.  Our ship held up to 1250 guests.  I was told we had about 950 onboard.  It seemed like there were never any lines or issues with crowds.  Even on the couple of days we had sun we had no issue getting a lounger.  The size of the ship was perfect and it never seemed crowded like the large ships can.  

 

Overall, I greatly prefer Oceania.  If the cost was right and I needed to get away at the last minute and the ports were right, I would cruise on NCL in the Haven again, never in the main ship, but I much much prefer Oceania.  Oceania was more expensive than NCL and at times I felt like the poor cousin invited to the rich family Christmas party but that was on my part not on how I was treated in any way.  Most people at the bar we were talking to had multiple O cruises booked.  I wish I could afford that.  Again, on my part not how I was treated.  

 

I came back from my cruise having read two books and very relaxed.  We did buy a cruise credit onboard, because of work it was impossible to choose the specific cruise we will go on next.  Oceania is more expensive than NCL but not by much and I feel it was definitely worth it, especially if you like to eat.  I definitely prefer Oceania and will be cruising on them again.  

 

Hope this helps you decide.  I don't think you will be disappointed with O.