Haven't been on LCT in ages; mainly due to the fact we still cruise, but not on a "luxury" line. Tom and I are finally going to sail on Oceania; January 14 for 10 nights. For quite some time we have wanted to sail Oceania and never quite got around to it. We are excited, but also a bit apprehensive...so we will see how we like it.

If anyone has any tips for us please post and we say thanks in advance! We will fly to Miami on Tuesday and set sail Wednesday.

Best advice - just enjoy and don't compare with other lines. Take it for what it is and enjoy it for what it is. We loved our one sailing on the Regatta several years ago, and have looked at going on Oceania again, I would especially like to try the new ships, it just hasn't come quite together yet, itinerary, price, etc. I think you will be very plesantly surprized, just my opinion.

Thanks JoAnn; that is the exact mindset we are going with. : )

Any tips for our first Oceania cruise, from Montreal to Southampton (London) on the Marina from 5/18 to 6/3? All of our recent cruises have been on Regent, so we don't know what to expect on Oceania.

Hi Sue
We just got off the Oceania Regatta and had a wonderful time. This was also our first time on Oceania after many sailings on Regent. I am not sure what tips you are looking for, but I will give it a shot. The first thing is the cabins are smaller than Regent (unless you are in a Penthouse or Owner's Suite) We were on the concierge level. With that being said, we had no problem storing/emptying our five suitcases and adjusted very well to the size of the cabin and tiny bathroom. I took one of the 3 prong multiple outlet which proved invaluable to me with all the charging for cameras, computer, etc. Not a problem for us. Another difference that you are probably aware is the excursions and wine/alcohol are not included and are in my opinion very expensive. We booked all our own private excursions at 50%-70% less that those offered by Oceania (we did a western carribean cruise). You can also bring on as much of your own wine/liquor as you please. We brought wine and rum. We did not conceal it at all while boarding and were never questioned. We would order their complimentary virgin pina coladas, take it tour our cabin and have a nice cocktail on our balcony. This may be controversial, but we asked our cabin steward if we could take a glass of our own wine anywhere on the ship and he said of course! He kept us supplied with wine glasses and we would take a glass of wine with us on deck. We declined to do this at the restaurants because we thought it somewhat tacky, but I don't think we would have been questioned. For our cruise, this was a very relaxed crowd! What I loved is there is no 6pm ship wide dress code!!! Of course, country club casual was required in the Main Dining Room and Specialty restaurants, but everywhere else on the ship (including the Terrace restaurant), jeans, shorts, shirts, tennis shoes were worn without a word of complaint (that we know of). It was SO nice not to be banished to our cabin if we did not feel like dressing up after a long day of touring. I felt the food on board was every bit as good as Regent. Oceania may be a tad less in service and the little extras on Regent. But overall for us it was not enough to notice and we had a wonderful time. We would said them again. Hope this helps.
Sally

Thanks, Sally. We are (of course) nor Sue, but Joan and Joe: still, your tips are useful. We originally had a penthouse; but Oceania made us an "offer we couldn't refuse" to switch to a concierge. Your comments on wine and on use of space are particularly useful.

Hopefully, the concierge rooms on the Marina will be bigger than on an R ship such as the Regatta. Joe