After reading alot of posts, I realize that Oceania is more of a premium line than a luxury line. Having said that, why would someone pick Oceania over say Celebrity, which I believe is also a good premium line? Oceania is not an all inclusive, and Celebrity is not either. There must be something about Oceania that is much better. It is considerably more expensive. Karen

Oceania has much smaller ships. It is supposed to have excellent food. While I haven't been on it yet--we're booked for our first cruise in February--I have been on Celebrity several times though not in the past 10 years, and while its food was okay, my understanding is that it may have gone downhill somewhat. Also, Oceania's service is supposed to be excellent. I can't say Celebrity's was anything special. However, I'm not expecting a Regent experience on Oceania either. Most people categorize Oceania between lines such as Celebrity and the luxury lines.

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Eugene

The ships and service on Oceania are outstanding. Small ships with no lines. Good food. Spotlessly maintained.

Celebrity ships are huge. We did one on the Millennium when it was new. The ship was so poorly maintained - we had a sky suite and it was so disappointing. We had tile coming off the shower wall and mildew. We also had the marble etched from lemon juice on the dressing table left by the prior passenger so it never felt clean and stained carpet. And my bugaboo about bedsheets that are not tucked in or fitted that gives me the willies. The food was steamtabled and poorer quality. We abhor fixed seating dining. A concierge cabin on Oceania or higher is really nice next to anything on Celebrity. The only thing better on Celebrity is the entertainment, but, not enough of the rest of the experience for me to try again.

Open seating.

Open seating, too many people and resulting long lines.

While I have sailed on several Celebrity and several Oceania ships, hands down I prefer Oceania. The ships are significantly smaller - 680 guests. There are two speciality restaurants that offer excellent food, excellent service, all at no extra charge. Dining is open seating and the ship is casual all the time, therefore much easier to pack as you don't have to take formal clothes. I agree with Kathy that the only thing Celebrity has better is entertainment.

Oceania is not all inclusive. Does that mean that there is a charge in alternative restaurants, or just for alcoholic beverages? Also is there all that major tipping of everyone at the end of the cruise?

Tips are added automatically on the onboard account; No major envelope thing there. And alternataive restaurants are included and depeding on your cabin category one for everyone or two for concierge class in each restaurant. They are excellent! You do sign for soda as well as alcoholic beverages. Soft drinks are canned - not fountain. You can have ice tea or lemonade unlimited

I'm sorry but I do not understand what you mean by one for everyone or two for concierge class in each restaurant. Can you explain? Thank you

You can have a reservation once at Polo and Once at Toscana if you are in standard cabins and twice at each if you are in a Concierge level cabin or above.

Okay, thank you!!

wgable,

To amplify ChatKat's post, the reservations she is talking about in the specialty restaurants are guaranteed reservations for every passenger. However, you are not limited to dining only once or twice in each specialty restaurant. Just check with the Maitre D' that morning to see if there are tables available on a day you want to dine in a specialty restaurant but don't have a reservation. In addition, if your're in a suite, your butler can make an additional reservation for you. Finally, remember that if you're in a suite, you can order dinner in your suite from the main dining room as well as the two specialty restaurants. Your butler will serve dinner course-by-course.

Hope this helps.

Yes, thank you. It helps very much.