Oceania Regatta

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Janet-
Cadet
Cadet
Posts: 49
Joined: October 2013

Oceania Regatta

#1

Post by Janet- »

We had been watching the price of Arcadia’s New England cruise for some time hoping for a dramatic price drop but nothing was happening. I spotted a deal on Oceania’s Regatta, starting from Montreal and ending at New York, 12 days with just one day at sea, so we decided to empty John’s wallet and give Oceania a try.

The deal gave us free air fares, included gratuities and a drinks package. It also included free upgrades but all the higher grade cabins had already gone so we had an outside cabin on deck 4 mid ships which suited John as he is not a good sailor. We decided to make our own air arrangements and Oceania reduced the price by £750 each. We flew from Manchester via Heathrow to Toronto, where we stayed 3 nights. Toronto was a first for us and we enjoyed amongst other sights a trip to Niagara Falls. We then took the train to Montreal and stayed another 3 nights before embarking Regatta.

Regatta is almost identical to Adonia except there are fewer cabins and half of what would have been Andersons had been given over to the Casino. Of the 641 people on board 21 were British. Dress code was “country club casual” whatever that might mean. Most people wore evening casual, with an occasional jacket for men and one night I saw a couple of men in suits with elegantly dressed ladies but perhaps they were celebrating something. There were no shorts, vests or caps in the dining room but we didn’t use the buffet at night so I don’t know what people were wearing in there.

Our cabin was very similar to the balcony cabin we had on Adonia earlier in the year except the bed was by the window and the sofa was nearer the door. The bathroom was the same with a small shower and the dreaded shower curtain. This was however fixed in the little vertical slot and was also weighted so I never found it a problem. There were always 2 sets of towels for each of us and toiletries were freely replenished. A nice touch was a night light in the bathroom. The cabin also had a DVD player with over a 1000 DVDs available to borrow from reception. The fridge was filled with soft drinks which were replenished daily. A down for me was the lack of a kettle; I can’t get out of bed until I’ve had my tea. Room service took between 4 minutes and 25 to deliver a tray but this I suppose would be at their busy time when they were delivering breakfasts. The bed had a gel mattress topper and was the most comfortable one I’ve ever slept on. They were for sale for $3K+. There were bath robes and slippers and an umbrella. I liked the adjustable bed side reading lights, why can’t all cabins have theses. Our cabin steward looked after 24 cabins but she had an assistant who got to clean the bathrooms, I suppose they have to start at the bottom! Whenever our cabin steward saw us in the corridor we were addressed by name, which we thought was quite nice.

The main dining room had freedom dining. We usually went for dinner about 7:30 and there was never any need to wait if you were willing to share. However most nights we had a table for 2 and only once had to wait and that was only for 10 minutes. We used the buffet for breakfast, the tables were already set and waiters brought drinks. You were served at the buffet and there was no shortage of waiters wanting to carry your plate to the table. There was never the scrum in the buffet which happens on other ships but I don’t know why. At lunch the buffet had a sushi bar. The snack bar also had the tables ready set and you ordered your food at the bar, sat down and a waiter brought it when ready. My favourite food here was turf and surf, which was lobster and fillet steak. There was also an ice cream and milk shake bar (free). There were 2 speciality restaurants, Italian and a grill; you were allowed to pre book 1 night in each, more if you were in a suite or had high loyalty, although you could ask each day if there was any space and in this way we got 2 more. There was no charge. I was fascinated to be given an olive oil and balsamic vinegar menu in the Italian Restaurant; you certainly don’t get that in our local one. Afternoon tea was served in Horizons (crow’s nest). Food is very subjective but I found the food on Regatta to be exceptional. I never saw one green bean or a courgette. (one of my pet P&O hates)

Glasses of wine ranged from $8.5 to $12.5 plus 18% tip. Spirits were $9 plus tip. All soft drinks are free. Speciality (not alcoholic) coffees were also free. Happy hour was 5pm to 6pm when cocktails were $5.We had an included drinks package which is not something we would pay for since we don’t drink that much but it was fun trying out cognac at £20 a glass!

Entertainment was about what I expected on a ship this size. What I did find interesting were the singers, 2 boys and 2 girls (who were very good), doubled up during the day as entertainment officers and ran the quizzes and games. There was an orchestra, a string quartet and a piano player, a guest speaker and several guest performers.

The crew and officers came from 45 different countries and I never heard any talking to each other in their own language. It reminded me of when we were on Spirit of Adventure and I saw a notice on the back of a door leading out of the crew’s quarters saying “you are entering passenger accommodation, speak only English”. The captain was Danish but we never saw him about the ship. He made an announcement most days but it was quite stilted. There was however free drinks from 6pm to 8pm in all the bars for his cocktail party (P&O take note); such a good idea.

At the Lifeboat drill, muster was either in the dining room or in the lounge, names were taken and you were then walked out to the boat station which I thought was good. What I didn’t like was that the tables were set in the dining room ready for dinner, norovirus here I come!

American immigration went like a dream; anyone involved in Arcadia’s Los Angeles fiasco should try a US ship.

Excursions were very expensive, almost twice the price of P & O but since we mostly DIY this didn’t affect us. At each port the local tourist board came on board and gave advice and maps etc. from a table in the reception area. The cruise director was at the gangway giving out free bottled water when you went ashore and not just if you had bought a trip. There was never a queue to get off even when we tendered. The tender crew were not as safety minded as P&O’s are and it was quite usual to see people trying to get off before the tender was fully tied up!

There was a mid-cruise questionnaire but without the questions, simply a square to write your comments and guess what, they read them. I wrote among other things it would be nice to have a magnifying make-up mirror in my cabin and the next day it was there. Someone also rang and discussed the other points I’d raised.

For a variety of reasons our on board account was zero which has certainly never happened before.
There are no on board photographers, although they did sell a cruise video of the ports and on board activities.

Without exception I found the crew friendly with excellent service, many of the crew had the ability to make you feel special. Would I cruise Oceania again? Oh Yes.

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jay-ell71
Senior Second Officer
Senior Second Officer
Posts: 892
Joined: January 2013
Location: Cotswolds

Re: Oceania Regatta

#2

Post by jay-ell71 »

Thanks for the review Janet. As you might have seen (review on here) we too went with Oceania for the first time in September.

I must agree with everything you say. We were on Riviera which carries 1200 passengers, so a slightly different experience but the same main dining arrangements applied, we could always get a table for two if we wanted, I don't think we ever had to wait, certainly not longer than it took to re-lay a table. No beans or corgettes.. I noticed that too. Did not realise I was not the only one who never eats them!!!!!!

I wish I had asked for a magnifying mirror!!! When I suggested a sun lounger (on that questionnaire) for our double depth balcony, one turned up. They phoned later and thanked us for our input. The buffet worked well as you say. We too had the drinks package for free, but I am not sure we would pay for that as we don't drink quite enough to justify it. We Brits get that extra sometimes I discovered, the Americans don't seem to be offered it for free. We had morning every day in the cabin, it never took longer than 5 minutes, really. It was a good service for us.

The point you made about the Boat Drill applied to us too. Our Muster Station was the main dining room and it was all laid up, and I thought it was not quite hygienic, anyway there was no NV on board thank goodness. I think that is partially due to the fact that the buffet food is served to you, you cannot help yourself. The downside to that was sometimes you got a larger portion than you might have taken yourself, but on the whole it worked very well and was much better for protection against the little bugs and it was definitely not a "piggery".

We never saw our Captain around the ship!! He was Italian and his English was not the best. All the general announcements were given over the public address by the CD. We did see Captain once in a lounge when he introduced the crew and gave out some "best crew member of the month" awards.

Glad to hear US immigration was easy.... Yes we were involved in the Arcadia LA debacle!!! The following time we entered the US it was Miami. Another nightmare this time at the airport and we have vowed never to go to America again. It must be even worse now that they are checking passengers for ebola.
Once again thank you for your review, I am glad you enjoyed your "O" cruise as much as we did ours.
Jay

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Solent Richard
Second Officer
Second Officer
Posts: 242
Joined: January 2013

Re: Oceania Regatta

#3

Post by Solent Richard »

:D Nice review and just about the same experience we had on a sister ship, Nautica...

http://solentrichardscruiseblog.com/201 ... on-cruise/

I think the major difference was that we picked up a reasonable on board account. :D But we did have a full 21 nights on board and I couldn't let all that excellent steak go down without a good Châteauneuf-du-Pape or Chianti Classico.

You are certainly spot on about no scrum for buffet breakfasts. Oceania and Hapag-Lloyd are the only cruise lines that I have willingly gone to a buffet breakfast other than when time is of the essence.

Oceania is in a 'class' of its own and we will certainly be repeating the experience in the not too distant future, though I would think next we will try Marina or Riviera.

Thanks again for taking the trouble to write a decent review.

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barney
Deputy Captain
Deputy Captain
Posts: 5607
Joined: March 2013
Location: Instow Devon

Re: Oceania Regatta

#4

Post by barney »

Lovely review Janet

Cheers

I had a look at Oceania but it was a bit rich for my blood. Hopefully one day :thumbup:
Empty vessels .. and all that

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