Oceania O-Class vs R-Class

[MnDAL]

I am looking for repeat cruisers who can review the differences they saw between  O-class and R-class ships. I am specifically considering the Riviera vs the Nautica. I can dissect the deck plans etc. I am looking for someone to address the differences in feel, vibe and operation.

 

Thanks for your help!

Edited March 15, 2023 by MnDAL

[LHT28]

The O class is larger  cabins are larger  especially the w/c

They have some extra spaces like the Artisit loft/culinary centre /La Reserve/Privee  more laundry rooms

also if you book A & above they have the private lounge for Concierge cabins &  PH/suites

 

The public spaces are larger  so you may not run into the same people often as you do on the R ships

 

We like both  & go for the Itinerary

[1985rz1]

12 minutes ago, MnDAL said:

I am looking for repeat cruisers who can review the differences they saw between  O-class and R-class ships. I am specifically considering the Riviera vs the Nautica. I can dissect the deck plans etc. I am looking for someone to address the differences in feel, vibe and operation.

 

Thanks for your help!

Over all the O ships are larger than R ships  (roughly 1250 vs 680 pax),  and in addition to what LHT28 listed, O-ships have 4 specialty restaurants compared to 2 on the R ships.

 

To us the vibe is similar and the feel is just in overall size and size of the staterooms.. The operation is the same.

 

We sail both, and also go for the itinerary.

Edited March 15, 2023 by 1985rz1

[MnDAL]

7 minutes ago, 1985rz1 said:

Over all the O ships are larger than R ships  (roughly 1250 vs 680 pax),  and in addition to what LHT28 listed, O-ships have 4 specialty restaurants compared to 2 on the R ships.

 

To us the vibe is similar and the feel is just in overall size and size of the staterooms.. The operation is the same.

 

We sail both, and also go for the itinerary.

SO, overall you don't feel more crowded, herded, etc on the O-class?

[LHT28]

3 minutes ago, MnDAL said:

SO, overall you don't feel more crowded, herded, etc on the O-class?

I suppose  when there is herding it feels about the same 😉

Nothing like the main stream lines  but sometimes you will have lines

[1985rz1]

12 minutes ago, MnDAL said:

SO, overall you don't feel more crowded, herded, etc on the O-class?

No, we never felt more crowded on the O Class.  Space per passenger feels the same to us...may a bit more in the O class than the R-class.

[shepherd really]

The R class is more intimate but still acceptable, the O class has more elbow room both in the public areas and the cabins/ staterooms. 

 

Given identical itineraries, I would choose the O class ships every time, but for a shorter cruise I have no issues with the old R ships.  Oceania is keeping them looking pretty sharp.  

 

 

[AMHuntFerry]

I agree with shepherd really...same dates/itinerary, the O-ship wins.

[ak1004]

O class are more than double in terms of tonnage but only 80% more passengers, so they have a better passenger to space ratio and feel more spacious. O class have a real theatre, more dining options and more public areas. Also standard cabins on R ships are pretty small, around 170 sqft, even conceive level, while on O class it’s 240 sqft starting from OV category. O class are also half age, although all of them are very well maintained.

 

Overall we would sail on both but prefer the O class. To us R class feel a bit too cozy..

[CAG]

On the R class ships you have a greater tendency to see the people you meet more often.  On the O class ships, you may meet someone on embarkation day and not see them again.

[mauibabes]

All of the comments are accurate, but one big thing missed, DINING. O ships have 4 Specialty restaurants and has  La Reserve for wine pairing dinners and Prive for a nice private dinner for 10, both of these at an extra cost. The Culinary Center is a wonderful addition as is the Artists Loft because the instructors really add to the cruise itinerary. 
We have sailed 46 consecutive days on Riviera and 35 on Insignia and both were GREAT. We are booked on Vista in May and October so will form an opinion after those trips. Itinerary is a driver for us but no matter what, it will be with our Oceania family..
Enjoy, Mauibabes

[1985rz1]

1 hour ago, ak1004 said:

Also standard cabins on R ships are pretty small, around 170 sqft, even conceive level,

Are these honeymoon cabins? 👨‍👩‍👦

[ak1004]

34 minutes ago, mauibabes said:

All of the comments are accurate, but one big thing missed, DINING. O ships have 4 Specialty restaurants and has  La Reserve for wine pairing dinners and Prive for a nice private dinner for 10, both of these at an extra cost. The Culinary Center is a wonderful addition as is the Artists Loft because the instructors really add to the cruise itinerary. 
We have sailed 46 consecutive days on Riviera and 35 on Insignia and both were GREAT. We are booked on Vista in May and October so will form an opinion after those trips. Itinerary is a driver for us but no matter what, it will be with our Oceania family..
Enjoy, Mauibabes

Yes, I did mention more dining options, and agree, this is significant..

 

26 minutes ago, 1985rz1 said:

Are these honeymoon cabins? 👨‍👩‍👦

Bloody autocorrect.. 😁

[LHT28]

2 hours ago, mauibabes said:

All of the comments are accurate, but one big thing missed, DINING. O ships have 4 Specialty restaurants and has  La Reserve for wine pairing dinners and Prive for a nice private dinner for 10, both of these at an extra cost.

Only missed by you  see post  #3 &9

[mauibabes]

True, I did not start reading from the beginning, just a few posts back.
The addition of Red Ginger and Jacques plus La Reserve and Prive on Riviera and Marina is pretty special. I know Sirena has a Red Ginger and combines Toscana and Polo but the other 3 R ships have no RG and none have La Reserve and Prive. All Haggling aside, there is a considerable difference between R and O and the upcoming Allura Class ships. 
Bottom line, we still love them all. 
Mauibabes 

[LHT28]

54 minutes ago, mauibabes said:

True, I did not start reading from the beginning, just a few posts back.
 

Maybe you should have  🙄

[osandomir]

Not everyone has time to read every single post, but all posters want to help OP. Nothing wrong when some additional details are added to the information that was posted earlier.

 

We have sailed on all Oceania ships but Insignia. There are some differences between the R and O class as it was mentioned above, but we feel that the style and atmosphere on all Oceania ships is very similar. So we pick the itinerary rather than the ship when we book our cruises.

[MEFIowa]

16 hours ago, MnDAL said:

... I am specifically considering the Riviera vs the Nautica. ... I am looking for someone to address the differences in feel, vibe and operation.

We did 10 nights on Riviera 12/2021 (W. Caribbean) and 10 nights on Sirena 11/2022 (E. Caribbean). Found the overall feel and vibe to be nearly identical. Lots of older intelligent passengers behaving like adults enjoying themselves responsibly. On both cruises we met some wonderful individuals (each traveling solo, one German & the other retired USAF) that we often spent time with around lunch. You do run into people you've previously met and interacted with all the time on both.

 

You just don't find children and teenagers. Few 20somethings. Only a smattering more of people in their 30s. (We're in our late 50s.) So not much late night action and the casino usually seems empty. We only do the comics, not the other shows, and there wasn't any difference here.

 

Maybe the biggest difference in "vibe" is around the pool. The pool on the Rs is small. More for walking than swimming. Usually far more people out and about around the pool and in the pool on Riviera than Sirena.

 

Because we had only 719 passengers on Riviera to 630 on Sirena, we were spoiled & pampered on the O-class. But never felt crowded on Sirena, either.

[PaulMCO]

Really depends on the itinerary.  Port intensive R ship might be better especially if smaller ports are involved.   Lots of sea days definitely a O class.  We have had too many issues with R class and will never sail again.  Insignia fire, and the Regatta motor generator issues and failures that spoiled an Australia circumnavigation.

[NewSalty]

One other thing to consider is excursions and tendering... With half as many people to get ashore and/or on buses, the R-class ships don't overwhelm the small ports as much.

[Woodrowst]

We have been on both classes and prefer the smaller R ships.  They just seem to be quieter and have a sense of intimacy that the bigger O class lacks.  We prefer quiet and intimacy over bells and whistles.  But that is just us.  Everyone is different.   The only way you will really answer your question is to try both!

[marieps]

We've been on Regatta and Riviera, and will sail Insigna's 2024 Eastbound TA.  Having been in an A cabin on Regatta, we realized that when sailing R class we must have a PH.  The bathroom (especially the shower) is simply too small for us.  We are not large people, either.  The PH with walk-in shower is lovely on both ships.  I concur with others about the dining.  RG and Jacques were our favorites.

[ak1004]

2 hours ago, marieps said:

We've been on Regatta and Riviera, and will sail Insigna's 2024 Eastbound TA.  Having been in an A cabin on Regatta, we realized that when sailing R class we must have a PH.  The bathroom (especially the shower) is simply too small for us.  We are not large people, either.  The PH with walk-in shower is lovely on both ships.  I concur with others about the dining.  RG and Jacques were our favorites.

 

I agree. Generally speaking, cabin size is not important to us as we spend very little time in the cabin. But cabins and especially showers on the R class are slightly below our comfort zone. They are livable, but not much more. The problem is that PH on the R ships does not offer good value for money in my opinion. They are priced almost like entry level cabins on SS and SB, sometimes even more expensive.

[emd138]

The showers on R class are the biggest issue to me, as I am not at an age and wealth level where I can get a room with a bigger one.  I am a large person, and have figured out how to make it work after a few cruises, but if you are somebody that plans to book those levels of rooms and loves a nice relaxing showing, I would avoid the R class.  Calm seas are fine, but when the seas are rocking, it is another story.

 

[marieps]

1 hour ago, ak1004 said:

 

I agree. Generally speaking, cabin size is not important to us as we spend very little time in the cabin. But cabins and especially showers on the R class are slightly below our comfort zone. They are livable, but not much more. The problem is that PH on the R ships does not offer good value for money in my opinion. They are priced almost like entry level cabins on SS and SB, sometimes even more expensive.

So you're saying that a PH on O is priced similarly to an entry level on Seabourn or Silver Sea.  That's not a good value?  I've sailed Regent, but not SS or SB.  I'm not sure how a PH on O for the same price as entry level on SS or SB is not a value.  Not wanting to argue, just wanting to understand your take.