I would like to begin posting re: Oceania, I am booking a cruise with BandK on the Regatta Baltic's cruise. Why aren't there others posting here re: Oceania? Thanks J

Jeanine - feel free to do so. We haven't had many posts regarding Oceania but in the last week or two, we've had:
http://www.luxurycruisetalk.com/ubb/ultimatebb.php?ubb=get_topic;f=1;t=002464
http://www.luxurycruisetalk.com/ubb/ultimatebb.php?ubb=get_topic;f=1;t=002437
http://www.luxurycruisetalk.com/ubb/ultimatebb.php?ubb=get_topic;f=1;t=002480

love to hear more about this cruise line!

Masaki

Because most of the good folks on this board have not cruised her "yet" preferring to cruise on Radisson , Silverseas or whatever...that is besides a small handful of us ( yours truly) who love the gorgeous " O" ships ( even more than Radisson)and the line.

Keep asking though perhaps others will chime in.. and if you have q's ask..those of us who have been on can probably help.

I certainly loved the Oceana ships when they were Renaissance - not as much as I now love the Mariner, but close. If the food had been better, it woulda been ideal.

David

We will be trying our first time on Oceania in March 06 on the Nautica from Bejing to Hong Kong. The ports of call are exactly where we want to go; Seoul, Japan 4 or 5 ports and then to Taiwan. As with any line, we feel we must give it a try before we come to any decisions as to our likes or dislikes about it. We are definitely spoiled by Seabourn and are loyal 'Radissonettes' too.
Upon our return, hopefully a review will be given.

We are trying Oceania for the first time in Feb. Really looking forward to it. I have several clients that swear by O - so am always looking for new lines to recommend.

Maybe RSSC should look at some of Oceania itineraries...they seem to be very popular!

I have cruised 10 times on Oceania and am booked once more in 2006 (see posting) and looking for a summer 2006 cruise..I will be happy to answer any questions I can..Tje only problem with Oceania is they need more ships..if you dont book early..you cannot get a cabin..there is almost nothing left for 2005 so if you want to try them..you have to book early
The food on Oceania is superb like four fine restaurants..

A;oha
We agree that Oceania has some great itineraries !
Christina and I have booked the May 21,2006,Barcelona to Lisbon cruise on the Insignia. I think we were on the same size ship when we cruised the Pacific Princess. Anyway it is 2 for 1 and free air, but not from Hawaii.We turned down the free air from SFO and will do are own so we will have control.We do get a credit for not using there air offer.Looking forward to this cruise but not getting there! John & Christina

Thanks to all for your imput. Jan, we have booked the June 20th Baltics cruise. Dover to Stockholm. We are in an A2(#7090)Have you been to the Baltics? The itinerary sounds very interesting, going places I had never really thought of visiting. Jeanine

Hi Jeanine, What a great itinerary..yes I have done it twice, once on Oceania..I suggest in St. Pete you contact Red October or Denrus to do private tours..it is much easier to get into places with a smaller group..I loved every port we stopped at..most of them you can do on your own several have hop on hop off busses that work well for sightseeing...your cabin is great and I will be happy to answer any questions you may have..

I have just received my advance copy of the Oceania Europe 06 Collection and the brochure is beautiful and the itineraries are fabulous..for anyone thinking of booking, I suggest you do it early as Oceania ships sell out very quickly..so if you want a special cabin..it is not to soon to book!!

Hi Again, Jan, what is great about 7090? I have already pretty much decided on Denrus. They have very interesting ideas, aside from the palaces and museums, lunch with a Russian family in their home, visiting a market and dept. store and the metro! If I can get a group together, maybe 8-10 people, how much do you think it will cost for 3 days of tours? J

I think Oceania has become a popular ship with lots of good itineries and I know several members here have cruised on this line. But to answer your question, I suspect there are not many postings here because Ngaire (owner of B&K and the sponsor of luxurycruisetalk.com) books only Radisson, Silversea and ResidenSea. For more discussion on other luxury cruises such as Ocenia, Crystal, Seabourn there's probably lots of information on cruisecritic.com

Actually I just asked Karen to set up a new thread called Oceania and also a thread for Silversea.

Those that want to discuss it can post there so that the posts are easier to find.

I know Jeanine booked her cruise through Susan and she is excited about it so I think the sharing of Oceania information is a good thing. Susan is visiting family this week but she will be on that thread the most as she will be our B&K resident expert in Oceania.

Most people here truly are RSSC fans and therefore it is best to keep basic cruise talk to RSSC.

Jeanine, Denrus charges each itinerary a little differently so I do not really know the price..your best bet is to ask them..7090 is a great location on the ship..near the elevator and convenient to all the dining venues and the library..which BTW is outstanding.

Well the best news is we have some more choices in cruise lines but do not have to lose the fantastic service provided by Brown and Keene and their outstanding staff!! Think it is a win win for all of us - after 5 cruises I could not imagine finding a better company

B&K has been so very accommodating in branching out to book other cruiselines of interest to so many of us, besides our beloved RSSC! Oceania and SS have been high on our list and we can now book all our choices through our TA of choice!

The entire B&K staff aims to please, and please they always do!

Actually Marcie, her company also books Oceania..
she just hasn't gone on it YET.. too busy having a ROARing good time
XO

Thanks Claudia....I didn't even realize that!

To clarify all this. Susan Walsh(who just got back from Oceania) Linda and Julie will book Oceania, Seabourn and Silversea.

I am still just a ROARING- N.Z.- RADISSON -PRINCESS

So I book Radisson, N.Z. and Africa.

So if any of my wonderful and favorite clients want Oceania, Seabourn or Silversea I just have the girls that are more familiar with the lines book those cruises and when you come back to RSSC I will look after you again.

We now have our Oceania bookiing through Susan of B&K. This will our first Oceania cruise. We go from Barcelona to Istanbul starting 9/22/05 on the Insignia. We are so happy that we have Susan from B&K. Thank you Susan for everything! Judy & John

Judy, I'm so happy to hear that this is all finally coming together for you and John. You've been trying FOREVER to see Istanbul.

I'm also thrilled to hear that for those of us that may want to try a different cruise line (even if we're Radisson die-hards) we don't have to leave B&K!! Thank you Ngaire, Susan, Linda and Julie for all you do for us!!

John and Judy,

You are in for a terrific time. My husband's boss and his wife did your exact itinerary a few months ago. They RAVED about the trip. Loved Oceania so much they are now looking to book their second trip.

He's the owner of the Company and getting him away from the office is a monumental effort. For his wife to get him to agree to a SECOND long cruise in a year is almost unheard of and gives you a really good feel for how much he enjoyed their last trip. :)

They had no negative comments at all. They enjoyed the decor, the room (they splurged on a suite and had the butler service, etc.) They especially enjoyed the cuisine - felt they didn't have a bad meal the entire trip.

Enjoy every moment!

Oh, and when you are in Istanbul, if you stay an extra night: Be sure to try the restaurant Suzanne recommended to us, Hamdi. It was really a highlight of the trip.

Kathy

I just love Istanbul..it is one of my favorite cities in the whole world..you will have a marvelous time..there are several great guies there if you are interested I will be happy to provide their names..Oceania docks near the heart of the city so it is easy to walk to the markets..

Does Oceania ever do NZ cruises?

Jim,
I am sorry but Oceania does not have a New Zealand itinerary at this time. However, they have so many unique ones that I would imagine they will add New Zealand in the future. I will let you know when they do.

Jeanine,
I just used Red October on my Regatta trip in the Baltics and they were excellent. You can get a number of itineraries that I would be happy to forward to you. Pricing depends on number of people in your group. We had 6 in our group and it ran a little over $400 per person for the three days of private guide, private driver, all entrance fees, etc.

Jim, Oceania has nothing in the works for 2006 or 2007..

Would you take teenage boys (ages 15 and 18) on a summer cruise on Oceania? Their itineraries are really great, value looks terrific, but I could use some advice here. They've cruised before (Celebrity) and want to go to Europe! Thanx!

If the kids can do there own thing and dont mind being with adults due to the fact there are usually very few young people on Oceania as there are absolutely no activities for them..this ship is not geared to young people..that being said..if they can amuse themselves..like watching movies in the cabin like good food..they will be OK..
Personally, I would take them on a different line that has more activities geared to young people..
Just my personal opinion..
Jan

Jan,
I agree with you. On our last Oceania cruise there were less than a dozen children. Most were teenagers. While my 4 children love to cruise and would be grateful for any trip, they would prefer to be on a line that caters more to kids. That being said my children love the videos, 24 hour room service and cruising on any line. Fortunately most ships have pizza,hamburgers and french fries on the room service menu so they are happy. The good part of most European cruises is that they are port intensive so you are out touring most of the day and there isn't much down time for the children. If you children don't mind hanging out with each other and creating their own entertainment then they will be fine on Oceania. If not, again I agree with Jan I would consider another line. However, both my husband and I almost couldn't wait to get off our most recent mass market cruise catering to children. We will have to find a compromise in the future to make everyone happy. Celebrity we found to be a good choice.

Yes..because they have cruised before.. but.. what they did without you, on their last cruise with you, should be your answer..on Celebrity did they
( on the ship) go to "teen stuff?" or hang out with you" Were they bored constantly.. big no Oceania then
As you have heard O is really an all adult line.. which we love! Are they mature? If they can find
things to do on a ship that is geared to adults..movies, golf, pool, spas,
disco, and absolutely the best food at sea..then yes absolutely.. if you feel that they need to play with kids their age then I would seriously consider another ship..
On one cruise on O we were on one of the owners brought his sons on ( and I am sure they bring them on all the cruises they go on)..
but, their teens, while as darling as they could be, "Fessed Up Parker to me.."about how darn bored they were.. really REALLY bored.. no kids their age at night.