Regatta Transatlantic Reflections

[njhh]

Rather than a thorough review, here are a few highlights from our Regatta transatlantic crossing. This was our first cruise on Oceania; we have cruised Celebrity and Holland America and age-wise are in our 40's.

 

Overall cruise experience: We enjoyed our cruise immensely and will definitely cruise O again, although we are not of the opinon this is only cruise line for us. What O has going for it that is hard for any other line to beat (right now at least) is the great value found in the above-the-rest exceptional service and food, for the price you pay. Also, the ship has a complete absence of crowds or annoying rush of people. If this is at the top of your priority list, than this is the line to cruise. Other areas of the cruise experience compare favorably, but not in a way that distinguishes. For instance, ambiance and attention to detail were definately given great care in a similar way as other cruise experiences. However, variety in enrichment opportunities and entertainment are less impressive.

 

Ship: I was favorably impressed with all aspects of this ship. Although the ship was going into drydock, it was beautifully appointed in every way. The ship never felt crowded but I did notice the stairwells were more narrow than other ships and the ceilings were lower in many of the main rooms which only bothered us in the main dining room because of the poor accoustics (for lower noise levels our tip is to be seated on the outer rim areas, especially just inside the entry underneath the dome fresco, as opposed to the center area.)

 

Stateroom: We had a forward verandah on deck 6. Very beautiful and plenty of room. Although we read that noise from the lounge below can be a problem, we did not find this to be the case. We did find the motion to be greater in this part of the ship and although this was not a major problem, I think this should be a consideration for those who have this concern. Also, our opinion, which runs contrary to what we read on these boards, is thumbs down on the bedding, unless you prefer hard mattresses and pillows that allow your head to sink. My recommendation on the comment sheet was to offer a pillow selection.

 

Dining: Well, what can I say? Everyday was pure pleasure. If there were a few misses, the challenges of ship cuisine allowed us to overlook and simply go for another choice. We varied our dining experience among all the restaurants and each one offered delightful surprises. We saw the Captain and officers dining all about the ship as well, including the casual Terrace Cafe which was outstanding for the variety of dishes one can try. One of our companions did have a complaint one evening at the Terrace because we were charged a corkage fee and then ignored by the sommelier. I think in general, the service is less intense in this venue during the evening hours. One of our top positive impressions, on the other hand, and this stood out from any other cruise experience, is sitting down in the Terrace Cafe for breakfast to a beautifully set table and having immediate service for coffee, water and juice. No cafeteria feeling on Oceania!

 

Service: I learned on this cruise that tipping at the front of the cruise (it is automatically placed on your account) does not detract in any way from exceptional service, and maybe some would say actually improves service. I expressed to Oceania my sincere appreciation for the relaxed and happy attitudes of the service staff. I would like to know their hiring secret. I imagined they must have some detector that weeds out unhappy people. For instance, every morning upon arriving in the dining room, after hearing "good morning" about ten times, I would arrive at the food buffet only to hear, "wake up, wake up, sweet madam!" I missed breakfast one morning, and the dining room maitre di felt so bad, each morning he would see me, and light up a smile and say, "ahhh, you made it!" Even though we moved around to various dining locations, we often were greeted by familiar faces, so the connection to the service staff is still great, even without the tip-at-the-end factor.

 

Entertainment/Enrichment: I have already said this was not in my top ten, but do want to mention that this cruise featured an art class each day and it was very well done. Hats off to Oceania! Also, the featured singers were quite good, even fabulous at times, especially the females. The string quartet was also marvelous. What do I want, then? First of all, I could not bring myself to go to the art auction lectures when the lecturer presented his daily announcements in the same fashion as the bingo announcement and ended with "woo - hoo!" I don't know, maybe I take my art too seriously. I just believe that if Oceania could kick this area up a notch, they would really knock some socks off in the wow department. Right now, it is a bit blase.

 

Ports: we had only a few port days due to the fact this was a transatlantic. However, I can say that the ship did an excellent job of letting everyone off and back on with minimal hassle. They shortened our time at Cadiz which put a serious cramp in our tain trek into Seville because we had to worry about getting back to the ship, but otherwise, no complaints. And I do think that a little more port information in advance, including weather and docking location, would help. For instance, we did not learn of the shortened day in Cadiz until the morning in port. On other cruises, we are able to plan the evening before, based on information provided, how far we will need to go to reach transportation from the dock position, what the potential weather forecast will be, and detailed information about available public transportation relative to the port. Perhaps Oceania is more accustomed to travelers that take the ship tours where we always travel independent of the these tours.

 

I believe that covers major topics. I could go on about minor issues, but these are the points that most impacted our cruise experience. I hope these comments convey the overall positive and outstanding experience we had on our cruise and are also helpful to others who are considering this line.

 

Nancy

[PA Nana]

Is this the trip that just ended? I can hardly believe I am reading about the same cruise being reported in the Regatta drydock posts.

[Aussie Gal]

Nancy,

 

What an interesting and informative report. We too have cruised many times on HAL so will be comparing HAL to Oceania next April though we have also cruised on both the Pacific and Tahitian Princesses so know the ships well.

 

Thank you for spending the time to give us a good "warts and all" reflection.

 

Jennie

[njhh]

I am sympathetic to those who were disturbed by the pre-dry dock activity. However, I was in vacation-mode, disinclined to get bothered and understood going into this cruise that they were undergoing major renovations. Frankly, I was impressed they kept the level of service as high as they did right through breakfast the morning we left. During sail away from Cadiz there was excessive pounding and sawdust flying up top. However, strange as it may sound, this is what I want to hear when I am docked in a port - men working on ships! Perhaps it is all that manly energy, who knows?

 

Nancy

[PA Nana]

I too sympathize, but I do understand where you are coming from. Maybe it's a PA thing.... There is very little that could ever disturb my vacation - very little. Glad you had such a great trip. We can't wait until our next one and it's still a long way off. But, we dust off our pictures and fondly remember the last one when we need a "vacation in our mind."

Welcome back to PA and here's hoping you don't have the snow we have this a.m. in the SW corner of our great state.

 

A rainy day at the beach still beats a sunny day at work!

[travelingduo]

I would just like to second NJHH's review. We were also onboard the recent TA on the Regatta and agree with everything Nancy said. We have sailed on more than 50 cruises on many different lines from Celebrity, Princess, Holland America, etc. -- even had the opportunity to sail on Silversea, and Seabourn. I have to say, this was one of the very best cruises we have ever been on! The service was impeccable and I would trade consistent outstanding service for a couple of days of slight inconvenience any day. And those beds --wow! We had a Penhouse Suite and the space and ammenities were great. We are currently staying in Provence for a week and do we miss those beds! We enjoyed the ship so much, we already booked the TA from Barcelona to Miami in November of 08! Our only concern is that we enjoy our upcoming cruise to New Zealand/Australia on the Mercury and our Amazon cruise on the new Royal Princess after being spoiled by O. :)

[Ask4Jay]

Great review of our favorite ship, Nancy. Thank you.

We also found the Terrace Café to be our favorite venue for breakfast, after one hour ‘round the track (and shower). Our team of eastern European waiters was so pleasant and very eager to assist us.

Would the art instructor have been Marcia by any chance? She was the instructor on our TA cruise a year ago. DW really enjoyed her classes, while I took a series of classes in Adobe Photoshop Elements.

Most of the rest of the days were usually spent on our aft-facing balcony.

[Liv4cruzin]

All great points, Nancy. I also had serious issue w/ the hardness of the bed, flimsy pillows & lights & sound creeping in around the connecting door between my cabin & the next one. My resourcesful cabin stewardess duct taped the gap around the door, which helped some. After 3 attempts, we finally found fat, fluffy pillows. Housekeeping brought in a pillow top type pad; & a 2nd one the next day. Didn't help a lot. The beds (IMO) were a lot better 11 months ago before they changed them out. And a note to Nancy, I'm sorry you didn't make it to the C.C. gathering. Would love to have had a chance to meet you & Denny.

 

The service & food was just as outstanding as it was last time. There were a lot of people unaware that the ship was headed to dry dock; & the intrusion was a shock. I did know but had been assured that it would not impact this sailing. So, as I stated on the "drydock" thread, I was very disappointed. Closing off an alternative restaurant on the last night; making the pool area off limits (regardless of the fact that the weather was foul); ripping the carpet out of the cabin next door even before I had vacated mine; art work & lighting fixures in public areas removed w/ wires dangling. These were the last onboard images most of us had prior to disembarkation. In addition, when Blue One was called to disembark, there was no one at the bottom of the gangway to show us which building had our luggage in it (a dockworker who saw our confusion, pointed the way). Once we had our luggage & went out to our awaiting buses, no one was there to tell us which bus we were to board. I've been a cheerleader for O. since my first cruise. But this did leave a "bad taste in my mouth". I realize they want to minimize the amount of time the ship is out of service for dry dock work. Vacation mode or not, it is unfair to have paying passengers inconvenienced in any way while still onboard the vessel.

[njhh]

Thanks for the replies to this thread. I must admit the wide difference in opinions about the beds is a mystery to me. I wonder how Travelin duo might describe them? Then again, they may be quite different in the PH suite!

 

Liv4cruzin, I can understand why you might have a bad taste in your mouth. Sorry we missed out on the cc gatherings. Truth be told, we arrived on this cruise exhausted and did little of anything the first several days and did not mean to miss out on festivities.

 

Ask4Jay, our instructor was Arlene. She went through the Odyssey at Sea Art Instructor program in NY which developed this at-sea program for new and experienced artists. I wonder if Marcia was one of the founders of that program? I know it is fairly new. Instructors get to cruise free - nice gig!

 

Nancy

[Ms. J.]

Hi NJHH and all.....

 

Like travelinduo, I also had a most positive experience until the last 2 hectic, chaotic days. Some people who didn't go out to the pool deck (we went even in rainy weather) were not impacted. I am not going to belabor this issue, as there were so many positives - like meeting the others from CC. It was a great 12 days, but it's obvious that O. needs to refine their thinking about sacrificing the convenience of passengers on one cruise, so everything will be on time and great for their next cruise. Re the beds - it was the best I have ever experienced - like travelinduo, I was in a PH3. Those beds were so soft and I asked for 4 more pillows - heaven - like sleeping in a marshmellow! I do concur with Becky about the dust, hanging wires, etc. - it was just a sad end to a terrific time. I, too, have been on a number of cruises, and have not experienced such disorganization. But, then again, I have never been on a ship about to go into dry dock. I also had problems disembarking - but at the airport....the bus just dumped us there with no direction where to go. It's not a big deal, I figured it out, but usually, I have been escorted to the check in line.

 

For me, the service on this cruise was fabulous, even with the never-ending apologies from the crew and CD about the cancelling of this service and that activity. Everyone seemed happy to serve and that's a real plus. Like Becky, I also have to pay double for traveling alone, so my losing that last two days meeting with friends on the pool deck was disappointing. So it's just buyer beware; I won't book a cruise with O. that's about to go into dry dock. I wasn't prepared for that, and apparently from all I've spoken to on the crew, they weren't prepared either.

 

I would travel O. again, but it won't be for awhile, since this cruise took a considerable bite out of my cruising budget. TaTa for now, everyone - and for all of you on this cruise - it was a great time! Jini.

[Liv4cruzin]

Jini, glad to see you made it home safely. Don't want to sound like a broken record (or a whiner); but the bad travel karma followed me home. 2 days of most unpleasant air incidences. As expected, I missed my connecting flight in Paris, which threw off everything else down the line. But I made it; ready to put it all behind me. I will try to avoid a pre-dry dock cruise also; & definitely will sail w/ O. again. But for the moment, I don't want to go anywhere that takes longer than 30 mins. to get there. It was indeed a pleasure to meet you, Tom & Les; & all those who haven't "checked in" yet.

[dmk]

I am used to doing a TA on a larger ship. I didn't find the crossing rough. But I am asking myself, what would it be like to cross on a smaller ship? I would appreciate your thoughts.

[Aussie Gal]

The smaller ships do move around in the water a lot more than the larger ones if the weather is at all rough so expect some movement and if you are prone to sea sickness go prepared.

 

Jennie

[njhh]

I might consider where the ship is crossing. This crossing followed a southerly course and while storms can occur anywhere, I think (not as an expert) the seas are generally calmer. We crossed on a northern route last year, on a large ship (Constellation) and experienced much more motion due to weather conditions.

 

I would also consider room location. Clearly, on both ships, one felt less motion in the center, lower areas.

 

And generally speaking, we did feel more motion on this smaller ship, even in relatively calm seas. We had a forward, level 6 cabin. We never got sick, but did feel groggy during several days of rougher seas. If I had to describe the motion at its worst, I would say that during a few nights the ship was both rolling and pitching, and at times came down just as one might imagine a speed boat pounding down on the water. We were jolted awake. Another sensation was similar to a roller coaster ride where you are going up, up, up, then whoosh! However, our traveling companions, same location, slept soundly and preferred the location and the motion. After all, they say, this is what they love, this is why they cruise!

[Liv4cruzin]

Nancy,

You described the motion to a T. I was on deck 4, 8 cabins from the bow. I experience that "roller coast" feeling as well as the drop & thud. It was as if the bow was moving in a circular motion. Being a side sleeper, I would get tipped over both on my front & back. This is until I learned to sleep crossways in the bed. I have crossed the northern ATL quite a few times on much larger ships. Even though the seas were less than moderate, what we felt had to be typical of a ship that size. It was a fun ride!

[Kyana]

Just booked the Regatta, Barcelona to Miami November 11th 2008. Paying deviation fee to have a couple of days in Barcelona before sailing. Any suggestions where to stay. Booked Conciege class balcony across from the Laundry. Its a long way off but the free air and the two for one price was too good not to grab.:)

[Rob & Beckys mom]

Just booked the Regatta, Barcelona to Miami November 11th 2008. Paying deviation fee to have a couple of days in Barcelona before sailing. Any suggestions where to stay. Booked Conciege class balcony across from the Laundry. Its a long way off but the free air and the two for one price was too good not to grab.:)

 

 

Who did you book through for the two for one price?

 

Jan

[Kyana]

Check out the Oceania site. We had the 2008 Brochure for Europe sent to us. My TA advised to book quickly as the 2 for 1 and free air causes the bookings to fill a lot faster. Great deal so we went for it.:)

[hondorner]

You'll like being across from the laundry. Our favorite cabin is 7078, diagonally across from the laundry (7076 is directly across). It's neat to stick one's head out the door and see if the laundry is available, especially on longer cruises. We were in 7078 last November to the Amazon and will be in it again next April from Hong Kong to Athens. We took a lower cabin (Deck 4) for our transAtlantic from Barcelona to Rio in November, in case it gets rough, but just watch -- it will probably be as calm as a lake and we'll wish we were up in 7078!

 

In Barcelona this November, we're staying in the Regencia Colon Hotel, next door to (and associated with the Colon Hotel. It's central and less expensive than most -- about $100 per night including tax. We're getting to Barcelona about 4 days ahead, staying in Barcelona the night we arrive in order to get combombulated, then renting a car the next morning and heading out to the countryside. We plan on making some sightseeing stops and will spend that night at the Parador de Cardona, a hotel built in an 11th century fortress, about 100 km from Barcelona. The next day, we'll sightsee our way back to Barcelona and the Regencia for 2 nights and some city touring, before boarding the ship. We're meeting friends from our Amazon cruise when we come back from the country they're staying in the Regencia also.

 

One of Betsy's patients told her about the Paradores, and we've been enthralled with the location ever since.

 

Parador de Cardona

[travelingduo]

We are still recovering from jet lag and a bit brain dead. We stayed in Aix for a week and had an amazing trip. It seemed like we never stopped eating from the day we boarded Regatta until we left Provence. We almost missed our connection, but Air France actually bused us to the plane leaving for SFO!

 

Regarding the bed-- it was great! I don't know if they are any different in the PH, but I doubt it.

 

To Becky-- thanks again for making all those arrangements. I was worried about your flight and was wondering if you made it. E-mail me at travelingduo@sbcglobal.net so we can chat!

 

Kyana-- we are also booked on the 11/8/08 TA from Barcelona! We'll have to get a roll call going next year.

 

Les

[Leonid]

Rob & Becky's Mom - e-mail at lsnv2@sbcglobal.net. I can answer your question.

[Leonid]

dmk - DW & I did a London to NY sailing on the Seabourn Pride in late summer of 2005. The Pride holds 204 pax. maximum. We hit the tail end of a hurricane about a day/ day and a half out of St. John's, Newfoudland. On a ship that's only 10,000 GRT, it wasn't pleasant. Many sick pax! It's much too small for a TA crossing.

We're going to try the Barcelona to Miami crossing in 11/08. Hopefully, going farther south will be better. It couldn't be any worst!

[Liv4cruzin]

The 2-for-1 fares & free airfare is on all of O's promotional material & website. The offer is open to everyone no matter who you book with. It is a capacity controlled special that may be withdrawn as the ship begins to fill. It was also widely offered in 2006 & 2007.

[gillianrose]

I realize they want to minimize the amount of time the ship is out of service for dry dock work. Vacation mode or not, it is unfair to have paying passengers inconvenienced in any way while still onboard the vessel.

 

I couldn't agree more. Let them do major repairs on THEIR dime, not on that of their passengers who are onboard to relax and enjoy themselves.

[Liv4cruzin]

I finally have some of the Transatlantic photos uploaded to Webshots. Hopefully, the link below will take you to the group photo. I suggest you click on the right arrow to scroll through the shots. If you click on slideshow, it cuts off the captions at the bottom. Although, once you get past the group shot, the caption's aren't so important. Enjoy!

 

http://family.webshots.com/photo/2145252940094588422NskplH