Why Oceania Cruises is the Best Choice for Mature Travelers
Why Oceania Cruises is the Best Choice for Mature Travelers
by Kathryn Skelley-Bird
In this author’s opinion, Oceania Cruises is the perfect cruise line for senior travelers. Their brochures clearly state, “CHILDREN - Although Oceania Cruises accepts Guests of all ages, the unregimented lifestyle and upscale ambiance onboard are designed for adults and do not provide for the care, entertainment, or supervision of children.”
Because there are no activities or facilities for children, Oceania has historically attracted mature travelers who are cruising without the grandkids. The fares, I think, also discourage bringing the family.
On the April 11 “Pacific Journey,” there was only one child onboard. I’ve now taken three Oceania cruises and can count on my fingers the number of children onboard the three vessels.
Although Oceania has historically attracted mature travelers, it appears as if they are now actively reaching out to the LGBT community. The week before the Marina took 1100 mostly senior travelers to French Polynesia, it hosted a gay cruise to Tahiti called “Atlantis Splash.”
My husband and I took the “Mayan Mystique” cruise in 2011 - our first experience with Oceania. The cruise was so wonderful we considered it the vacation of a lifetime.
Having enjoyed that cruise so much, the following year we booked another cruise with Oceania - “Caribbean Pearls.” Both cruises were nearly perfect so, after a quick look at Regent Seven Seas and Gauguin Cruises, we decided to book another Oceania cruise - “Pacific Journey” which was defined as “Papeete to Lima/Machu Picchu.”
I’ve always wanted to see Tahiti and Easter Island is on my husband’s bucket list, so this seemed like a perfect fit.
The Best Food at Sea
Oceania boasts that it has the best food at sea. I don’t have much experience with other cruise lines, but everyone with whom I spoke agreed. I asked passengers which other cruise lines they sail; most Oceania passengers tend to stick with higher-end cruise lines such as Princess, Holland America, Regent Seven Seas and Crystal. To a person, every one of the guests with whom I spoke concurs that Oceania serves the best food at sea. Credit goes to world famous Chef Jacques Pepin.
Oceania has six ships, three of which are smaller than the other three. The smaller ships, Insignia, Regatta and Sirena, offer two specialty restaurants, Toscana and Polo Grill. The three larger ships have four specialty restaurants: Toscana (Italian), Polo Grill (a steakhouse), Red Ginger (Asian cuisine) and Jacques, the French restaurant named for Executive Chef Jacques Pepin.
Food in the specialty restaurants is superb and is included in the price of the fare. Reservations are required. You may choose between “sharing” or “a table for two.” If you and your travel companion wish to dine alone, you will be given a table for two. It is, in my opinion, a lot more fun to share a table. In that case you will be seated with other passengers, sometimes as few as two, sometimes as many as six. Somehow the Maitre’d always manages to seat guests with other guests who speak the same language. Every specialty restaurant is staffed with knowledgeable sommeliers in addition to very well trained wait staff.
All six of Oceania’s ships feature a Grand Dining Room. The Grand Dining Room serves breakfast, lunch and dinner within set hours. The room is truly grand and service is impeccable. For reasons I don’t understand, few people chose to have breakfast in the Grand Dining Room; it is my favorite breakfast restaurant. At breakfast and lunch, you will be seated by yourselves. At dinner, you will be offered the option of sharing a table or not. Unlike the specialty restaurants, no reservations are needed.
In addition to the Grand Dining Room, all six ships include a buffet, the Terrace Café. The Terrace Café is also open for breakfast, lunch and dinner within specified hours. You may sit inside or out. Many people favor the Terrace Café over the other dining venues.
Waves Grill is on the pool deck and is the only food option for those in swim wear. There is a salad bar and a grill. You choose an outside table, note the number of the table, and then walk up to the counter and order. When the food is prepared, it will be brought to your table.
On half a dozen occasions, I ordered “Surf n Turf animal style, please. No bread, no fries” for lunch. What I got was a small serving of filet mignon cooked to order and a small serving of lobster tail. I can’t imagine a better lunch before returning to my poolside chaise.
Next to Waves Grill is an ice cream station. They make their own ice cream and sorbet, both of which are delicious. They offer four standard Smoothies as well as a Smoothie of the day, shakes, malts, ice cream and sorbet. The Smoothies are made without sugar: Depending on the recipe, the Smoothie will include fruit or fruit juice, a cereal (either oats, Special K or granola) and honey and possibly coconut milk or milk.
The larger ships have a “Baristas” coffee house where one can get coffee, cappuccino, espresso and other similar drinks as well as pastries.
If you are in a suite, you will have access to the Executive Lounge where you can help yourself to coffee, water, soft drinks and snacks (pastries and sandwiches) 24 x 7.
All of the food venues I’ve discussed above are included in the cruise fare, as are drinks. I know people who frequently sail on other cruise lines and they tell me that they must pay for soft drinks, bottled water and fancy coffee drinks. That is not the case with Oceania. All non-alcoholic drinks (even Perrier, fancy coffee drinks, bottled water, and cola) are included in the price of the cruise. My neighbors, who take an annual Caribbean cruise with their extended family, told me that they don’t eat in the specialty restaurants because, on that particular cruise line, meals in specialty restaurants are not include in the cruise fare. Not so with Oceania.
Included Facilities and Activities
Oceania offers a variety of facilities and activities that are included in the cost of the cruise fare: Enrichment Lectures, Big O Competition, after-dinner shows, High Tea and karaoke. There is a well-equipped gym onboard, as well as a library, swimming pool, putting green, and game deck with shuffleboard and croquet. There is an outside jogging path, a computer room and a game room stocked with board games, cards and dice.
One of my absolute favorite activities is to go to High Tea. Every afternoon from 4:00 to 5:00 PM, High Tea is served in Horizons which is on the 15th (top) deck. The waiters are formally attired all the way down to white gloves. Some waiters walk around Horizons carrying wooden boxes of tea from which guests may choose their favorite; others bring tea pots full of hot water. Pairs of waiters push carts around Horizons, offering finger sandwiches while other waiters push carts laden with scrumptious desserts. Guests enjoying tea are treated to the sounds of a live string quartet. There is a large table in the middle of the room where one can get scones served with your choice of butter, jam or cream cheese. Although this is Tea, there is a full bar in Horizons. If you would prefer a potent potable, you may purchase one from the bar.
Extras
There are, of course, activities for which guests must pay extra if they chose to participate.
Oceania Cruises offer wine tastings and then, depending on the length of the cruise, they might also offer beer, martini, margarita, tequila, and scotch tastings. I did the Wine Tasting in 2012 and the “nominal fee” was in fact nominal: It was $15. On this most recent cruise, the Wine Tasting was $100. I chose not to participate.
Instead, I went with my husband to the beer tasting. Danno and his bar-back poured four beers: Budweiser, Kirin, Samuel Adams and Guinness. Each “taste” was an entire Pilsner glass full; therefore, no one complained about the quantity of beer.
Guests can take cooking classes in the ship’s Culinary Center or try their hand at drawing or water color in the Artists Loft.
There is a small dining room on board Oceania’s three larger ships called La Reserve. Wine tastings and other small special events are held in La Reserve. La Reserve offers three seven-course dinners that pair food and wine. The cost ranges from $95 per person to $165 per person. Attendance is limited to 30 guests per dinner. This is an elegant affair geared toward those I refer to as “foodies and wineaux.” Oceania may use the term “connoisseur.” Upon arrival, guests are served a Kir Royale on the deck just outside of the restaurant. After everyone has arrived, guests are escorted inside and seated, then introduced to the Head Sommelier, Executive Chef, Dessert Chef and that evening’s wait staff.
As each course is served, the Manager introduces the course and then the Head Sommelier introduces the wine. I’ve done this dinner twice now and each time it took three hours. This expensive add-on is a must for lovers of fancy food and good wine. When I say “fancy food,” let me share with you the first course of the Connoisseur Dinner (the $165 dinner): Caviar on Cream of Sea Urchin. The caviar might sound impressive (and it was yummy) but here’s the kicker: The black caviar was topped with actual edible gold, creating a visually appealing appetizer.
There is a casino onboard which has table games as well as video poker and slot machines. Oceania conducts both Blackjack and Texas Hold ‘Em tournaments; the number of tournaments depends on the length of the cruise. On this cruise, the buy-in for the Blackjack tournaments was $35. There is also Bingo.
Canyon Ranch Spa at Sea
Each Oceania ship has a Canyon Ranch Spa facility staffed with employees of the Canyon Ranch Spa. You may make reservations ahead of time by calling Canyon Ranch Spa at Sea Club directly, or book after embarkation. If you are in a suite, you can have your butler make the appointment for you. As you would expect, the at-sea facilities offer manicures, pedicures, facials and massages. They also have hairdressers who offer a full range of services.
The prices are not for the faint-of-heart but the quality is what one would expect from the Canyon Ranch Spa. I had a much-needed cut and color (highlights, actually). Gigi managed to rescue the horrible $10 haircut cut I’d gotten from a barber six weeks earlier in Panama.
I was delighted with the quality of the manicure but annoyed at the manicurist’s attempts to upsell me. I had not planned to have a manicure on board, so was pleased to be able to make an appointment on short notice.
I also had a facial, which I had scheduled far in advance. When I presented myself at the Spa’s front desk, I was asked if I’d like to change into a robe. After I agreed, I was informed that I would have to turn over my Oceania World Card which would be held as a deposit on the robe and locker key. With the Oceania World Card, you can pay for anything and everything aboard the ship with a simple swipe. At the end of the cruise, your credit card is charged; whichever credit card you presented upon embarkation. I had no intention of entrusting what is basically a charge card to a complete stranger. This wasn’t a matter of letting the card out of my sight for three minutes to pay for wine; she would have my card for an hour. I suggested that if I made off with their robe or key, they know who I am and can simply put the cost on my account which is secured by my American Express card, as are all of the charges I incur onboard. This logic failed to compel, so I chose to wait in the Relaxation Room fully clothed.
Customer Service
A few days into the cruise, passengers were given Mid-Cruise Surveys. After making two constructive comments, I turned in my survey. Coincidentally, my husband also made two suggestions; his were different from mine. Within 48 hours, the four managers responsible for those four respective functions contacted us. One found us in the Grand Dining Room, one came to our room and two phoned us. In every case, they were apologetic and made it right. Keep in mind that these weren’t problems; they were suggestions on how to be even better. We’ve subsequently joked that we aren’t going to fill out any more Mid-Cruise Surveys.
Conclusion
Oceania Cruises offer mature adults a first class at-sea experience.
Mature guests - Men can leave their neckties at home. I know this appeals to many men, especially older ones who have “been there, done that” and hope to never again wear a tie. Crew members daftly, almost effortlessly, assist those guests who have physical challenges. Women find it very comfortable to go to the swimming pool and, after removing their cover-ups, find themselves surrounded by other people in their 50’s, 60’s and 70’s. It’s great to enjoy the pool and deck without being made to feel inferior by the presence of 20 and 30-year-olds who have yet to meet Mr. Gravity.
First class - The food is top drawer; which also means you won’t find any around-the-clock buffets. Where there are buffets (Waves Grill and the Terrace Café), staff members put the requested food onto guests’ plates, maintaining a higher level of both customer service and quality control. Non-alcoholic beverages that other cruise lines charge for are included in the fare. Meals in fine specialty restaurants, an extra cost on other cruise lines, are included in the cruise fare. If you’ve never sailed on Oceania, you’ll be surprised by a variety of classy little touches such as cashmere lap blankets. Oceania Cruises ostensibly has the best Customer Loyalty Program at sea; your 11th cruise is free. Service is absolutely stellar. The ships are mid-size (650 to 1250 guests) and the ratio of guest to crew is 1:1.5!
These benefits and features don’t come cheaply. I am certain we pay more per cruise than our friends who sail on other cruise lines, but the atmosphere suits us. We like the specialty restaurants, the lack of children, and the fact that the other guests are our age.
If this sounds as if it might be your cup of tea as well, go to www.oceaniacruises.com for complete information.
by Kathryn Skelley-Bird
In this author’s opinion, Oceania Cruises is the perfect cruise line for senior travelers. Their brochures clearly state, “CHILDREN - Although Oceania Cruises accepts Guests of all ages, the unregimented lifestyle and upscale ambiance onboard are designed for adults and do not provide for the care, entertainment, or supervision of children.”
Because there are no activities or facilities for children, Oceania has historically attracted mature travelers who are cruising without the grandkids. The fares, I think, also discourage bringing the family.
On the April 11 “Pacific Journey,” there was only one child onboard. I’ve now taken three Oceania cruises and can count on my fingers the number of children onboard the three vessels.
Although Oceania has historically attracted mature travelers, it appears as if they are now actively reaching out to the LGBT community. The week before the Marina took 1100 mostly senior travelers to French Polynesia, it hosted a gay cruise to Tahiti called “Atlantis Splash.”
My husband and I took the “Mayan Mystique” cruise in 2011 - our first experience with Oceania. The cruise was so wonderful we considered it the vacation of a lifetime.
Having enjoyed that cruise so much, the following year we booked another cruise with Oceania - “Caribbean Pearls.” Both cruises were nearly perfect so, after a quick look at Regent Seven Seas and Gauguin Cruises, we decided to book another Oceania cruise - “Pacific Journey” which was defined as “Papeete to Lima/Machu Picchu.”
I’ve always wanted to see Tahiti and Easter Island is on my husband’s bucket list, so this seemed like a perfect fit.
The Best Food at Sea
Oceania boasts that it has the best food at sea. I don’t have much experience with other cruise lines, but everyone with whom I spoke agreed. I asked passengers which other cruise lines they sail; most Oceania passengers tend to stick with higher-end cruise lines such as Princess, Holland America, Regent Seven Seas and Crystal. To a person, every one of the guests with whom I spoke concurs that Oceania serves the best food at sea. Credit goes to world famous Chef Jacques Pepin.
Oceania has six ships, three of which are smaller than the other three. The smaller ships, Insignia, Regatta and Sirena, offer two specialty restaurants, Toscana and Polo Grill. The three larger ships have four specialty restaurants: Toscana (Italian), Polo Grill (a steakhouse), Red Ginger (Asian cuisine) and Jacques, the French restaurant named for Executive Chef Jacques Pepin.
Food in the specialty restaurants is superb and is included in the price of the fare. Reservations are required. You may choose between “sharing” or “a table for two.” If you and your travel companion wish to dine alone, you will be given a table for two. It is, in my opinion, a lot more fun to share a table. In that case you will be seated with other passengers, sometimes as few as two, sometimes as many as six. Somehow the Maitre’d always manages to seat guests with other guests who speak the same language. Every specialty restaurant is staffed with knowledgeable sommeliers in addition to very well trained wait staff.
All six of Oceania’s ships feature a Grand Dining Room. The Grand Dining Room serves breakfast, lunch and dinner within set hours. The room is truly grand and service is impeccable. For reasons I don’t understand, few people chose to have breakfast in the Grand Dining Room; it is my favorite breakfast restaurant. At breakfast and lunch, you will be seated by yourselves. At dinner, you will be offered the option of sharing a table or not. Unlike the specialty restaurants, no reservations are needed.
In addition to the Grand Dining Room, all six ships include a buffet, the Terrace Café. The Terrace Café is also open for breakfast, lunch and dinner within specified hours. You may sit inside or out. Many people favor the Terrace Café over the other dining venues.
Waves Grill is on the pool deck and is the only food option for those in swim wear. There is a salad bar and a grill. You choose an outside table, note the number of the table, and then walk up to the counter and order. When the food is prepared, it will be brought to your table.
On half a dozen occasions, I ordered “Surf n Turf animal style, please. No bread, no fries” for lunch. What I got was a small serving of filet mignon cooked to order and a small serving of lobster tail. I can’t imagine a better lunch before returning to my poolside chaise.
Next to Waves Grill is an ice cream station. They make their own ice cream and sorbet, both of which are delicious. They offer four standard Smoothies as well as a Smoothie of the day, shakes, malts, ice cream and sorbet. The Smoothies are made without sugar: Depending on the recipe, the Smoothie will include fruit or fruit juice, a cereal (either oats, Special K or granola) and honey and possibly coconut milk or milk.
The larger ships have a “Baristas” coffee house where one can get coffee, cappuccino, espresso and other similar drinks as well as pastries.
If you are in a suite, you will have access to the Executive Lounge where you can help yourself to coffee, water, soft drinks and snacks (pastries and sandwiches) 24 x 7.
All of the food venues I’ve discussed above are included in the cruise fare, as are drinks. I know people who frequently sail on other cruise lines and they tell me that they must pay for soft drinks, bottled water and fancy coffee drinks. That is not the case with Oceania. All non-alcoholic drinks (even Perrier, fancy coffee drinks, bottled water, and cola) are included in the price of the cruise. My neighbors, who take an annual Caribbean cruise with their extended family, told me that they don’t eat in the specialty restaurants because, on that particular cruise line, meals in specialty restaurants are not include in the cruise fare. Not so with Oceania.
Included Facilities and Activities
Oceania offers a variety of facilities and activities that are included in the cost of the cruise fare: Enrichment Lectures, Big O Competition, after-dinner shows, High Tea and karaoke. There is a well-equipped gym onboard, as well as a library, swimming pool, putting green, and game deck with shuffleboard and croquet. There is an outside jogging path, a computer room and a game room stocked with board games, cards and dice.
One of my absolute favorite activities is to go to High Tea. Every afternoon from 4:00 to 5:00 PM, High Tea is served in Horizons which is on the 15th (top) deck. The waiters are formally attired all the way down to white gloves. Some waiters walk around Horizons carrying wooden boxes of tea from which guests may choose their favorite; others bring tea pots full of hot water. Pairs of waiters push carts around Horizons, offering finger sandwiches while other waiters push carts laden with scrumptious desserts. Guests enjoying tea are treated to the sounds of a live string quartet. There is a large table in the middle of the room where one can get scones served with your choice of butter, jam or cream cheese. Although this is Tea, there is a full bar in Horizons. If you would prefer a potent potable, you may purchase one from the bar.
Extras
There are, of course, activities for which guests must pay extra if they chose to participate.
Oceania Cruises offer wine tastings and then, depending on the length of the cruise, they might also offer beer, martini, margarita, tequila, and scotch tastings. I did the Wine Tasting in 2012 and the “nominal fee” was in fact nominal: It was $15. On this most recent cruise, the Wine Tasting was $100. I chose not to participate.
Instead, I went with my husband to the beer tasting. Danno and his bar-back poured four beers: Budweiser, Kirin, Samuel Adams and Guinness. Each “taste” was an entire Pilsner glass full; therefore, no one complained about the quantity of beer.
Guests can take cooking classes in the ship’s Culinary Center or try their hand at drawing or water color in the Artists Loft.
There is a small dining room on board Oceania’s three larger ships called La Reserve. Wine tastings and other small special events are held in La Reserve. La Reserve offers three seven-course dinners that pair food and wine. The cost ranges from $95 per person to $165 per person. Attendance is limited to 30 guests per dinner. This is an elegant affair geared toward those I refer to as “foodies and wineaux.” Oceania may use the term “connoisseur.” Upon arrival, guests are served a Kir Royale on the deck just outside of the restaurant. After everyone has arrived, guests are escorted inside and seated, then introduced to the Head Sommelier, Executive Chef, Dessert Chef and that evening’s wait staff.
As each course is served, the Manager introduces the course and then the Head Sommelier introduces the wine. I’ve done this dinner twice now and each time it took three hours. This expensive add-on is a must for lovers of fancy food and good wine. When I say “fancy food,” let me share with you the first course of the Connoisseur Dinner (the $165 dinner): Caviar on Cream of Sea Urchin. The caviar might sound impressive (and it was yummy) but here’s the kicker: The black caviar was topped with actual edible gold, creating a visually appealing appetizer.
There is a casino onboard which has table games as well as video poker and slot machines. Oceania conducts both Blackjack and Texas Hold ‘Em tournaments; the number of tournaments depends on the length of the cruise. On this cruise, the buy-in for the Blackjack tournaments was $35. There is also Bingo.
Canyon Ranch Spa at Sea
Each Oceania ship has a Canyon Ranch Spa facility staffed with employees of the Canyon Ranch Spa. You may make reservations ahead of time by calling Canyon Ranch Spa at Sea Club directly, or book after embarkation. If you are in a suite, you can have your butler make the appointment for you. As you would expect, the at-sea facilities offer manicures, pedicures, facials and massages. They also have hairdressers who offer a full range of services.
The prices are not for the faint-of-heart but the quality is what one would expect from the Canyon Ranch Spa. I had a much-needed cut and color (highlights, actually). Gigi managed to rescue the horrible $10 haircut cut I’d gotten from a barber six weeks earlier in Panama.
I was delighted with the quality of the manicure but annoyed at the manicurist’s attempts to upsell me. I had not planned to have a manicure on board, so was pleased to be able to make an appointment on short notice.
I also had a facial, which I had scheduled far in advance. When I presented myself at the Spa’s front desk, I was asked if I’d like to change into a robe. After I agreed, I was informed that I would have to turn over my Oceania World Card which would be held as a deposit on the robe and locker key. With the Oceania World Card, you can pay for anything and everything aboard the ship with a simple swipe. At the end of the cruise, your credit card is charged; whichever credit card you presented upon embarkation. I had no intention of entrusting what is basically a charge card to a complete stranger. This wasn’t a matter of letting the card out of my sight for three minutes to pay for wine; she would have my card for an hour. I suggested that if I made off with their robe or key, they know who I am and can simply put the cost on my account which is secured by my American Express card, as are all of the charges I incur onboard. This logic failed to compel, so I chose to wait in the Relaxation Room fully clothed.
Customer Service
A few days into the cruise, passengers were given Mid-Cruise Surveys. After making two constructive comments, I turned in my survey. Coincidentally, my husband also made two suggestions; his were different from mine. Within 48 hours, the four managers responsible for those four respective functions contacted us. One found us in the Grand Dining Room, one came to our room and two phoned us. In every case, they were apologetic and made it right. Keep in mind that these weren’t problems; they were suggestions on how to be even better. We’ve subsequently joked that we aren’t going to fill out any more Mid-Cruise Surveys.
Conclusion
Oceania Cruises offer mature adults a first class at-sea experience.
Mature guests - Men can leave their neckties at home. I know this appeals to many men, especially older ones who have “been there, done that” and hope to never again wear a tie. Crew members daftly, almost effortlessly, assist those guests who have physical challenges. Women find it very comfortable to go to the swimming pool and, after removing their cover-ups, find themselves surrounded by other people in their 50’s, 60’s and 70’s. It’s great to enjoy the pool and deck without being made to feel inferior by the presence of 20 and 30-year-olds who have yet to meet Mr. Gravity.
First class - The food is top drawer; which also means you won’t find any around-the-clock buffets. Where there are buffets (Waves Grill and the Terrace Café), staff members put the requested food onto guests’ plates, maintaining a higher level of both customer service and quality control. Non-alcoholic beverages that other cruise lines charge for are included in the fare. Meals in fine specialty restaurants, an extra cost on other cruise lines, are included in the cruise fare. If you’ve never sailed on Oceania, you’ll be surprised by a variety of classy little touches such as cashmere lap blankets. Oceania Cruises ostensibly has the best Customer Loyalty Program at sea; your 11th cruise is free. Service is absolutely stellar. The ships are mid-size (650 to 1250 guests) and the ratio of guest to crew is 1:1.5!
These benefits and features don’t come cheaply. I am certain we pay more per cruise than our friends who sail on other cruise lines, but the atmosphere suits us. We like the specialty restaurants, the lack of children, and the fact that the other guests are our age.
If this sounds as if it might be your cup of tea as well, go to www.oceaniacruises.com for complete information.
Article by Kathryn Skelley Bird. Copyright 2016 Sunny Harbor Publishing.
Contact Us: Sunny Harbor Publishing, PO Box 560318, Rockledge, FL 32956.
Phone: 321-446-7552.
Email: SunnyHarborPublishing@yahoo.com
Contact Us: Sunny Harbor Publishing, PO Box 560318, Rockledge, FL 32956.
Phone: 321-446-7552.
Email: SunnyHarborPublishing@yahoo.com
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