Oceania's Regatta

One of the perks to being a Cruise Consultant is that on occasion the cruise line will invite you to inspect one of their ships.  Yesterday was one of those days with an invitation to lunch, tour and inspect Oceania Cruises', Regatta.  Admittedly not one of the cruise lines that would immediately come to mind when thinking of a cruise, so Ellen and I were curious to learn about Oceania's product.

To give you an idea of size... The Regatta was docked alongside Holland America's Eurodam.  The Eurodam is about 86,000 tons and the Regatta is less than 40,000.  The Regatta looked like a yacht in comparison to the Eurodam.  Oddly enough it wasn't all that long ago that ocean going ships were in the < 40,000 ton range.  The  SS Constitution, for example,  the ship Lucy and Rickey went to Europe on, and the setting for An Affair to Remember, was only 24,000 tons.  So while the Regatta is small by today's standard, it's not all that small.

The Regatta accommodates 600 passengers, and carries a crew of 400, so the crew to passenger ratio is very high.  Oceania Cruise Lines is considered a "Upper Premium" line... The ship is very well appointed, beautiful furniture, fireplaces in some of the public rooms, and the lounges are small and intimate.  Even the typical upper deck "Buffet Cafe" is small, so you don't have the feeling that you are in a big cafeteria. The balcony rooms are slightly larger than what you might typically expect at 216 sq feet... nice furnishings .... basically mahogany fittings with blue and white accent.  There are two specialty restaurants... an Italian Restaurant and a Steak House.  (No extra charge for these).  The main dining room is only one level... really nice, more like a very good NYC hotel restaurant.

If yesterday's lunch was any indication of the food served on the Regatta, then I would have to say that the food would be excellent.

The pool area is typical, only smaller than what you might expect on a Celebrity or Royal Caribbean ship... it is in direct proportion to the size of the ship.  The lounges around the pool are teak (traditional) and they are covered with cushions and terry covers.   The tables around the pool area are teak as well, as are the tables in any of the outdoor eating areas.  On the down side, the pool area did not have a retractable roof, so that could be a negative if you encounter cool or rainy weather.

The passengers are mature... 55+.  Oceania does not cater to the passenger looking to whoop it up at the pool bar or at a disco bar (there isn't one), or expecting flaming baked Alaska at the Gala Farewell Dinner. The ship is sedate and reserved for sure. We liked it very much and feel that  it is a good compromise between those considering a river cruise, or a cruise on a mega ship.

Oceania's pricing generally includes air... Considering the level of luxury and service I thought that prices for a 10 Mediterranean Cruise was more than reasonable.  Something to consider when planning your next cruise.

Outrageous Last Minute Deal!!!

UNBELIEVABLE!  ....  From Miami to Barcelona on the Norwegian Epic....  11 Day Transatlantic, departing April 20th...

$299pp for an inside room ...  $599 for a Mini Suite.  That is less than $60 per day / passenger!

All You Can Drink Packages. Are They Worth It?

                                               Celebrity Summit's Martini Bar

It was on my last cruise that I was made aware of a new program... The All You Can Drink Package.  If I recall correctly, it was about $56.00/day per person and it included all specialty coffees, soft drinks, water, premium beers, alcohol and wine.  The question was.... to take it or do I pay as I go.  Which way am I going to come out ahead, after all on a 7 day cruise we were talking about almost $800/couple!

I ran across an interesting article today which covered this very subject, so I thought I would pass it along:

http://www.cruisecritic.com/blog/index.php/2011/11/08/all-you-can-drink-packages-cheers-or-jeers/#.UThhO8ijWZk.mailto

The one comment that I quite agree is that the all you can drink package gives you a sense of freedom, not having to be concerned with that nagging question..."what is my bill going to be at the end of this cruise?"

In all honesty, I never approached the program with the attitude .... I am going to make sure I come out ahead... but in the end I felt that I probably broke even... plus or minus a few dollars.  I guess I would do it again.

Ray
cruisewithray@gmial.com
@cruisewithray


PS:  I never thought the photo would come in handy.

Family Cruising NCL Style

Last week I attended an interesting webinar sponsored by NCL, Norwegian Cruise Lines.  I was interested in what they had to say about cruising, particularly with young children.

In recent months, NCL has partnered up with The Kings Foundation to develop a comprehensive children's program called Splash Academy for kids 6 months to 17 years.  It seems that NCL is making a special push to attract young family cruisers insuring that parents and children enjoy their days at sea.  Nickelodeon characters are on board the Epic, Breakaway, Gem and Jewel to entertain the young ones as well.

Having traveled with my own children 30 years ago and again last year with my granddaughters, I can say that considering the young ones is not a bad idea when choosing a cruise line.

Family staterooms on NCL can easily and comfortably accommodate four or more passengers, with multiple bedrooms and baths.  The NCL Breakaway was awarded the Best Cruise for Families 2013 by Yahoo Travel.

NCL pioneered Free Style Dining... that is, you can eat at any time you choose as opposed to the early or late seating options.  Definitely something to consider when traveling with children.

Last year a friend, who I consider a savvy cruiser, sailed on a Disney Cruise with his children and grandchildren... he was very satisfied.  We all know that Disney does things right!  That being said, NCL does provide a more affordable alternative to a Disney Cruise by almost 40%.

If you are considering a cruise with you family, NCL is worth taking a look.




Ray
cruisewithray@gmail.com





 

Long before it became fashionable, I have always had a curious interest in ill fated Titanic.  I recall seeing the film A Night to Remember back in the early 60's.  It made a lasting impression on this then 12 year old particularly because I was to make my fist trans-atlantic crossing shortly thereafter.  I remember asking my parents daily during the crossing... "Are you sure I will be considered woman and children?"

Now it appears that a replica of the Titanic will be built shortly, and people will be able to recreate an ocean voyage of the early 20th century.

Check out this article at:  www.cruisecritic.co.uk/blog/?p=6866

Ray
@cruisewithray
cruisewithray@gmail.com

There is an advantage to Cruise Consulting and being associated with Cruise Brothers, I am now privy to interesting deals on cruise that I might not ordinarialy have been aware.

Rather than e-mail you with every offer the Cruise Line sends to me, I will filter them, and put those that I feel are interesting on my blog.  I have joined the 21 Century too, by creating a Twitter Account ... @cruisewithray.  Through Twitter, I can make you aware of opportunities, or share information about, ships, cruise lines or ports of call.

This week, for example, I learned of a great deal... A 10 day Trans-Atlantic cruise, San Juan to Lisbon on the Brilliance of the Seas (Royal Caribbean) in April, for the unbelievable price of $349pp for a balcony room! (Category E3).

Keep reading.... more information to follow.

Ray
cruisewithray@gmail.com
973-330-6030

August 1971... The Oceanic

Home Lines:  SS Oceanic

It will be 41 years ago in August that we met.  As I said it was a chance meeting at breakfast, by an astute Matre' d the fist morning we were out to sea.  I walked into the main dining room, and was directed to a table with three single women, one of whom was Ellen.  She sat across from me... it was an instant attraction, as if I had known her "from before".  

Forty years ago, each passenger was assigned a deck chair for the duration of the cruise.  As fate would have it, Ellen's chair was directly in front of mine.  Could the gods be working any harder? Finally, on the second night at sea we met up in one of the lounges for a drink and dancing... and that's it...  we've  been together ever since.

Here are some photos.

Ellen: August 1971

Ray:  Life Boat Drill

First Date:  Nassau on Motor Bike

Second Date:  Nassau in a VW Thing

How could she resist?

Oceanic:  Nassau, Bahamas

Then:  August 1971

Now:  September 2011

(Cunard: Queen Victoria)