Thread: Questions about Oceania ships

After reading the very strict smoking policy Char posted, I thought maybe since I had never researched Oceania before, I should start now. What I found on CLF is it has three identical ships carrying 684 passengers. What I did not find was the Riviera, which is on the Oceania website. Only the Regatta had a review. That is about a 24-night Amazon/Caribbean cruise (not an itinerary I have any interest in). Even on Oceania's website, I could not get enough information about onboard dining, entertainment, and enrichment activities for all sea days. Can someone who has sailed on any Oceania ship tell me what really is on it and what there is to do between meals besides swim and use the spa?

Originally Posted by Smart Traveler

After reading the very strict smoking policy Char posted, I thought maybe since I had never researched Oceania before, I should start now. What I found on CLF is it has three identical ships carrying 684 passengers. What I did not find was the Riviera, which is on the Oceania website. Only the Regatta had a review. That is about a 24-night Amazon/Caribbean cruise (not an itinerary I have any interest in). Even on Oceania's website, I could not get enough information about onboard dining, entertainment, and enrichment activities for all sea days. Can someone who has sailed on any Oceania ship tell me what really is on it and what there is to do between meals besides swim and use the spa?

The Riviera is a ship that is still being built, therefore you won't find any info on her yet. She is due to join the Oceania fleet in 2012. Her sister, Marina joins the fleet this year, 2011.

From the website:

Ship Specifications

---

• Riviera: Debuts in 2012
• Tonnage: 66,084
• Length: 785 feet
• Beam: 106 feet
• Maximum Draught: 24 feet
• Stabilizers: Yes
• Cruising Speed: 20 knots
• Guest Decks: 11

• Total Decks: 15
• Electric Power or Voltage: 110, 220 AC
• Guest Capacity: 1,250 (Double Occupancy)
• Staff Size: 800
• Guest to Staff Ratio: 1.57 to 1
• Nationality of Officers: European
• Nationality of Staff: International
• Country of Registry: Marshall Islands

Riviera


THE MOST SOPHISTICATED AND ELEGANT SHIPS TO DEBUT IN THE PAST 50 YEARS

The brand new Marina, and her sister Riviera, which debuts in April 2012, are the most beautiful, elegant and sophisticated ships to debut in the past 50 years. Designer touches are everywhere, from the magnificent Lalique Grand Staircase and stunning Owner's Suites furnished in Ralph Lauren Home, they are showcases of the finest residential design and furnishings. More than anything, Marina and Riviera personify the Oceania Cruises experience.

Comfortably mid-size, Marina and Riviera retain the same warmth and charm of their acclaimed consorts Regatta, Insignia and Nautica. While the country club casual ambiance and level of personalized service remain the same, they offer even more choice and some enticing new amenities. As the first ships designed for lovers of fine dining and travel experiences, Marina and Riviera offer guests a total of 10 dining venues, of which six are open-seating gourmet restaurants with no surcharge.

La Reserve by Wine Spectator offers enlightening wine and food pairings. The new Bon Appétit Culinary Center is the only hands-on cooking school at sea. Similarly, artists-in-residence teach fine arts in Artists Loft, a new enrichment center. For specialty coffees and snacks, there is Baristas Coffee Bar. Intimate lounges abound. Accommodations in every category are incredibly spacious, especially with regard to the lavish bathrooms.

Yet remarkably, with so many additions, the onboard ambiance and experience remains comfortably familiar. We have retained everything guests adore about our ships and raised the bar ever higher. We look forward to welcoming you aboard.

Marina has already joined the fleet and from what I have seen of her on TV she looks very nice.

I think the programme she was on will be available on the internet in August (it's still being shown on TV thoughout July). I am not sure if this link will work in the US but worth a try
Travel Channel | Catch Up TV Player

Originally Posted by Smart Traveler

After reading the very strict smoking policy Char posted, I thought maybe since I had never researched Oceania before, I should start now. What I found on CLF is it has three identical ships carrying 684 passengers. What I did not find was the Riviera, which is on the Oceania website. Only the Regatta had a review. That is about a 24-night Amazon/Caribbean cruise (not an itinerary I have any interest in). Even on Oceania's website, I could not get enough information about onboard dining, entertainment, and enrichment activities for all sea days. Can someone who has sailed on any Oceania ship tell me what really is on it and what there is to do between meals besides swim and use the spa?

Of the three operators of the old R class ships, Oceania is so far the only one to
have succeeded in offering a genuinely superior product ("Upmarket" they call
it. )Berlitz guide rates them at the top end of premium ships. Ships cozy, not
particularly resistant to rough seas. Food a strong point, specialty restaurants
(two on each of the original trio) have no extra charge, subject only to rationing
if demand exceeds capacity(on the transatlantikc repos I took never a problem , but
if the ships are full you may only be able to try them once or twice)
Entertainers double as cruise directors aides during day (trivia, sports, etc., at which they
are rather good)Result gemutlich but standard of evening entertainment dreadful.
Now that line is greatly expanding with the two new ships one of the trio is being leased
to Hapag-Lloyd in Germany for two years. New ships(twice the size, 1400 passengers
like many HAL ships) have more dining options andpresumably will have more professional entertainment. It's a good time to try them because with more space to fill, prices have come down. (Their reputation grew even faster than their standards; for a while space was almost impossible to get, which,reasonably enough, resulted in little discounting)
I'm a fan-- unless flashy entertainment is important (I'm not judging, but for me it's
not) it's a great product

Originally Posted by ralphj

Of the three operators of the old R class ships, Oceania is so far the only one to
have succeeded in offering a genuinely superior product ("Upmarket" they call
it. )Berlitz guide rates them at the top end of premium ships. Ships cozy, not
particularly resistant to rough seas. Food a strong point, specialty restaurants
(two on each of the original trio) have no extra charge, subject only to rationing
if demand exceeds capacity(on the transatlantikc repos I took never a problem , but
if the ships are full you may only be able to try them once or twice)
Entertainers double as cruise directors aides during day (trivia, sports, etc., at which they
are rather good)Result gemutlich but standard of evening entertainment dreadful.
Now that line is greatly expanding with the two new ships one of the trio is being leased
to Hapag-Lloyd in Germany for two years. New ships(twice the size, 1400 passengers
like many HAL ships) have more dining options andpresumably will have more professional entertainment. It's a good time to try them because with more space to fill, prices have come down. (Their reputation grew even faster than their standards; for a while space was almost impossible to get, which,reasonably enough, resulted in little discounting)
I'm a fan-- unless flashy entertainment is important (I'm not judging, but for me it's
not) it's a great product

Great response, Ralph. Thank you!