Thanks for the follow. Can’t speak for our expert but I think the advisors don’t put a lot of emphasis on the 2 for 1 as the Olife promotion basically renews month over month.
Eric, you should really enjoy that ship. We have been on the Rivieria many times and always in the Penthouse suites, although the other staterooms look to be high quality. The food is really fantastic and so many restaurants to choose from. Do book the speciality restaurants early as they get booked up because they are so good. having said that the Buffet restaurant is really excellent and we like to get a table outside, particularly at breakfast when the weather is good. This is more a couples cruise rather than for young families, but as the older generation now, we like that. We have done the big ships with children and now like the quieter quality of Oceania. We havent been on a cruise since the pandemic, but will look to go again in 2003 when we have our 60th Anniversary. Hope you enjoy yourselves as much as we have done in the past.
Thank you! We are considering our first Oceania cruise for next April (to Japan), and it looks very tempting. We've had two cruises to Japan booked and cancelled so we're hoping the 3rd time's the charm!
I did Japan on Nautica in 2016 and it was fantastic. Best of luck for your third try! I want to go back to Japan so badly but they sure are being cautious (and slow).
This was very helpful. Over the years, we've graduated from Royal Caribbean to Princess, and now we're looking for a smaller, more luxury cruising experience. We've just booked two cruises on Oceania and are looking forward to a more personal cruising experience (along with larger cabins). We're also looking forward to visiting many ports the larger ships don't ever visit.
@@askarealtravelexpert Our first cruise with Oceania will be on the Riviera ship, from Miami to Venice, Italy (23 days)! And our next cruise will be on the Marina ship, from Barcelona to Lisbon (7 days). These two trips will check off half of our bucket list destinations.
I've got 5 sailings on Oceania and have nothing but good things to say. I've been on both the smaller and larger ships and prefer the larger, but would have no qualms about booking the smaller (especially in Asia as being on the small ship has some major advantages - think docking right in downtown Shanghai or Sydney). Also, the larger ship's staterooms are quite a bit larger and are laid out very well. We spent 3 weeks on the smaller ship in Asia, and it started to get a little claustrophobic by the end. ALL the food is good to excellent, with my favorite being Red Ginger (only on the larger ships). I could eat there every day for weeks and not get tired of it! As mentioned, the service is very good. It's not as personalized as say Crystal was (RIP) but you aren't paying Crystal prices. I'll second that you are not going on Oceania for the onboard entertainment, but what they do is usually pretty good and low-key. And low-key is the name of the game. I usually wear a button-up shirt, khaki pants, and a sports coat, but even the coat is optional except for the Privee private dinner (which while very pricey is a must-do once - just be prepared to drink a LOT of wine). The final thing I think should be mentioned is the price of the excursions - they are quite expensive. I usually get on roll call and group up with others on self-organized tours. They are smaller/more intimate and much, much cheaper. Looking forward to my 6th cruise on them this fall, and I'm already hungry. haha
@@askarealtravelexpert About 20 so far. Started on the mass market lines, then graduated to Cunard, then Celebrity, then finally Oceania where I think I found my "home." I was falling in love with Crystal's river cruises (did both the Rhine & the Danube) but we know what happened to them sadly.
No a Jacket is not necessary but you may want one for the specialty restaurants. As long as you have a nice shirt and pants most men did not have a jacket every night
Fair point. If you talk to some of the Oceania sales team they will tell you that they class themselves as "upper premium" hence the term class of their own. Azamara is luxury and we know of no other line that brands as "Upper Premium" The products are similar for sure it comes down to what best suits your cruising style and budget.
Sorry but not luxury. Was on Sirena over holidays and in a “veranda concierge suite” LMAO smallest bathroom and cabin we have ever been in. Bathroom was horrific. Paid more but only got a cabin in a “better” location. Concierge was for everyone. Only difference we could tell was the food was better than most cruise lines. Very disappointed and doubt we will sail with them again. Overpriced!
Thanks for the feedback. We hate to see anyone have a bad experience on any cruise. The Sirena is one of their R class ships originally launched in 1999 so the staterooms and bathrooms run small on this class. We have an upcoming segment that talks about this topic in particular is "Oceania really luxury?" and if not where do they actually fall on the cruise line class scale. Thanks for the comment.
Ooh, sorry to hear this. We have our first Oceania cruise on Sirena next week. . . In a concierge verandah which is a huge splurge for us. . . Guess we’ll see if it’s worth it! (I never shower in my cabin on any ship-the spa or gym is always a better place to shower!)
@@slowmads well good luck. You can sit on the toilet, brush your teeth in the sink and wash your feet in the shower all at the same time. Ship was nice but all you get for the concierge suite is on the same floor and near the launderette. Also get three free laundries from you stateroom. But when you send clothes you don’t get them back for two-three days. Was easier to just do them ourselves. Guess I have been on Holland Americas suite and it was huge, huge bathroom, huge balcony etc and laundry back the same day. Private dining room and very nice lounge. This was so disappointing but the cruise was great and food was very good. You will enjoy.
We are just finishing up our next segment on Oceania where our expert raves about the food, explains where Oceania falls in regard to luxury cruising and talks about the R class ships of which the Sirena is one. Let us know in the comments your experience would love to hear.
![BLACK BAG - Official Trailer [HD] - Only in Theaters March 14](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/Du0Xp8WX_7I/mqdefault.jpg)
Outstanding video. Full of fresh, accurate and valuable information on Oceania.
Glad it was helpful!
The expert should have mentioned for Olife the two for one in one cabin which is the most important.! Good briefing though...I liked and subscribed!
Thanks for the follow. Can’t speak for our expert but I think the advisors don’t put a lot of emphasis on the 2 for 1 as the Olife promotion basically renews month over month.
Enjoyed your video! Thanks for posting it.
Holy Scupper's Batman! Thanks for the comment, Carol is super knowledgeable stay tuned for her coming review of Regent Seven Seas
Great video! Booked on Oceania Riviera 1/14/22, looking forward to it.
Thanks so much. Carol is a great interview! Shoot us a message when you get back would love to hear about your experience
Eric, you should really enjoy that ship. We have been on the Rivieria many times and always in the Penthouse suites, although the other staterooms look to be high quality. The food is really fantastic and so many restaurants to choose from. Do book the speciality restaurants early as they get booked up because they are so good. having said that the Buffet restaurant is really excellent and we like to get a table outside, particularly at breakfast when the weather is good. This is more a couples cruise rather than for young families, but as the older generation now, we like that. We have done the big ships with children and now like the quieter quality of Oceania. We havent been on a cruise since the pandemic, but will look to go again in 2003 when we have our 60th Anniversary. Hope you enjoy yourselves as much as we have done in the past.
@@malcolmalexander5246 Thank you! We'll see how it goes.
Thank you for the great information.
Glad it was helpful!
Thank you! We are considering our first Oceania cruise for next April (to Japan), and it looks very tempting. We've had two cruises to Japan booked and cancelled so we're hoping the 3rd time's the charm!
You're welcome. You won't be disappointed! Drop us a note it you take one, we would love to hear about it.
I did Japan on Nautica in 2016 and it was fantastic. Best of luck for your third try! I want to go back to Japan so badly but they sure are being cautious (and slow).
This was very helpful. Over the years, we've graduated from Royal Caribbean to Princess, and now we're looking for a smaller, more luxury cruising experience. We've just booked two cruises on Oceania and are looking forward to a more personal cruising experience (along with larger cabins). We're also looking forward to visiting many ports the larger ships don't ever visit.
Glad you enjoyed it Carol does a great job. Where are you cruising with Oceania?
@@askarealtravelexpert Our first cruise with Oceania will be on the Riviera ship, from Miami to Venice, Italy (23 days)! And our next cruise will be on the Marina ship, from Barcelona to Lisbon (7 days). These two trips will check off half of our bucket list destinations.
Great information! Thanks for this!
Thanks so much! Carol is a great interview and extremely knowledgeable. We are look forward to her upcoming review of Regent Seven Seas Cruises.
I've got 5 sailings on Oceania and have nothing but good things to say. I've been on both the smaller and larger ships and prefer the larger, but would have no qualms about booking the smaller (especially in Asia as being on the small ship has some major advantages - think docking right in downtown Shanghai or Sydney). Also, the larger ship's staterooms are quite a bit larger and are laid out very well. We spent 3 weeks on the smaller ship in Asia, and it started to get a little claustrophobic by the end. ALL the food is good to excellent, with my favorite being Red Ginger (only on the larger ships). I could eat there every day for weeks and not get tired of it! As mentioned, the service is very good. It's not as personalized as say Crystal was (RIP) but you aren't paying Crystal prices. I'll second that you are not going on Oceania for the onboard entertainment, but what they do is usually pretty good and low-key. And low-key is the name of the game. I usually wear a button-up shirt, khaki pants, and a sports coat, but even the coat is optional except for the Privee private dinner (which while very pricey is a must-do once - just be prepared to drink a LOT of wine). The final thing I think should be mentioned is the price of the excursions - they are quite expensive. I usually get on roll call and group up with others on self-organized tours. They are smaller/more intimate and much, much cheaper. Looking forward to my 6th cruise on them this fall, and I'm already hungry. haha
Thanks so much for the thoughtful and informative comment. You are obviously an avid cruiser, how many cruises have you been on?
@@askarealtravelexpert About 20 so far. Started on the mass market lines, then graduated to Cunard, then Celebrity, then finally Oceania where I think I found my "home." I was falling in love with Crystal's river cruises (did both the Rhine & the Danube) but we know what happened to them sadly.
Real shame about Crystal
Is the food as good as they say?
It is absolutely five star
@@askarealtravelexpert Thanks.
Are men required to wear jackets in the evening?
No a Jacket is not necessary but you may want one for the specialty restaurants.
As long as you have a nice shirt and pants most men did not have a jacket every night
How are they in a class of their own when Azamara offers a very similar product?
Fair point. If you talk to some of the Oceania sales team they will tell you that they class themselves as "upper premium" hence the term class of their own. Azamara is luxury and we know of no other line that brands as "Upper Premium" The products are similar for sure it comes down to what best suits your cruising style and budget.
Canada not toll free call in us
Where are you located?
Oceania or Oceana?
Oceania compasscruises.ca/travel-agency/premium-cruises-cruising/
Sorry but not luxury. Was on Sirena over holidays and in a “veranda concierge suite” LMAO smallest bathroom and cabin we have ever been in. Bathroom was horrific. Paid more but only got a cabin in a “better” location. Concierge was for everyone. Only difference we could tell was the food was better than most cruise lines. Very disappointed and doubt we will sail with them again. Overpriced!
Thanks for the feedback. We hate to see anyone have a bad experience on any cruise. The Sirena is one of their R class ships originally launched in 1999 so the staterooms and bathrooms run small on this class. We have an upcoming segment that talks about this topic in particular is "Oceania really luxury?" and if not where do they actually fall on the cruise line class scale. Thanks for the comment.
Ooh, sorry to hear this. We have our first Oceania cruise on Sirena next week. . . In a concierge verandah which is a huge splurge for us. . . Guess we’ll see if it’s worth it! (I never shower in my cabin on any ship-the spa or gym is always a better place to shower!)
@@slowmads well good luck. You can sit on the toilet, brush your teeth in the sink and wash your feet in the shower all at the same time. Ship was nice but all you get for the concierge suite is on the same floor and near the launderette. Also get three free laundries from you stateroom. But when you send clothes you don’t get them back for two-three days. Was easier to just do them ourselves. Guess I have been on Holland Americas suite and it was huge, huge bathroom, huge balcony etc and laundry back the same day. Private dining room and very nice lounge. This was so disappointing but the cruise was great and food was very good. You will enjoy.
We are just finishing up our next segment on Oceania where our expert raves about the food, explains where Oceania falls in regard to luxury cruising and talks about the R class ships of which the Sirena is one. Let us know in the comments your experience would love to hear.
We are HAL fans. Have you sailed Holland America often?