Trying to pick a cruise that works for timing and came up with 4. Azmara, Celebrity, Seabourne, and Oceania. They all offer something different of course, but wondering if anyone can offer comparisons on them. Food and service are very important .The biggest thing I see is beverages that are included or not. Alcohol seems to be the touchy subject, no you can't bring it on board. Also what do you think of a cabin Oceanview vs Veranda. It seems like you are not in your omm that often so would this be a factor??
One more thing....Windstar!! Can anyone share their thoughts on this?
Appreciate all your help!!
WEnday
Athens to Istanbul
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www.cruisecritic.com scads of reviews on all your ships.
Azmara usually best value if budget is good for me
always prefer Veranda aside from day trips out
you will be in your room a lot views are better more space.
so pay a little more for best experience.
Windstar smaller if you like sail vessels appeals to some
Not to me for price...
Always prefer a verandah. You can spend agood bit of time there.
We haven't sailed on Azamara or Seabourne, but we LOVE Oceania. We have found the food and service to be excellent, and they don't object if you bring alcohol on borad--we enjoy trying local wines.
We like having a verandah--eat room service breakfast there on port days; each of us eats while the other uses the bathroom. We also like to have a glass of fine there while relaxing after a day of sightseeing.
Holland America allows you to bring as much wine as you wish on board. We brought a case when done 2 week Black Sea cruise. Definitely get a verandah - we spent a lot of time on ours.
Abram,
Oceania says you can't bring alcohol on board......how did you bring yours on?? I's not like we want to drink our faces off but we want to bring some alcohol on board in our stateroom. Also what do you think of the restaurants on board Oceania?? Do you need to pay extra for them??
Thanks!! Wenday
Thanks everyone for your comments!!! Appreciate it!!
What about Celebrity Crusies?? Anyone out there taken the Istanbul- Istanbul cruise with them?? Also they offer a concierge cabin, is it worth the extra cost?? And what about their bring your own alcohol on board??
Thanks!! Wenday
Back to Oceania, Do they serve lobster and prime rib in the main dining room??
Wenday,
You can bring wine aboard Oceania. But, you are asked to enjoy it in your cabin. If you want to have a special wine you have brought aboard at dinner, there is a steep corkage fee. We have never done that, so I can't say what the amount is.
They frequently serve lobster and prime rib in the main dining room. There is no charge for the specialty restaurants where lobster is on the menu every night in both and prime rib available every night in Polo.
The food on Oceania, along with exceptionally attentive service is why we have sailed with Oceania 7 times and have 3 more booked.
Thank you for that!!
Have been Athens to Venice on Azamara Sept 2009 which was lovely. No complaints, food was terrific, the value was good (gratuities paid) and a reasonable value and good itinerary, although we had been at least half of these places *all of which I love* on other lines. Unfortunately Azamara has added "Club" to the name and jacked up prices, put in smoke and mirror marketing so I can't pick up the phone and get a straight answer easily on how much a cruise will cost without the air which we don't need.....it's trying to emulate Oceania without the need to do such. Id give up on that if I were Azamara. I've frankly given up on both Azamara and Oceania as it's too hard to get a consistent price and they want to sell me air, charge me scads more than I paid on Azamara to drink more than I'd ever buy, with free wine. This is nice for many, to each her own, but Im not going to add hundreds of dollars per person to drink when I don't drink every lunch and dinner.
Athens to Istanbul Sept 2010 on Oceania- Amazing itinerary which was why we chose it, and spent a lot of time hopping Greek Islands....but
The food wasn't any better for a price almost twice Azamara (10 days vs. 12 on Oceania), the cruise director was a nuisance and the biggest deal was made about seeing our "sister ship" somewhere and yelling oopah and waving like wild children -fine in and of itself...but this was such a huge deal, the announcements of it (which were numerous) kept interrupting a movie we were watching.... it was all Carnival-esque and a bit childish....that's what we both remember about Oceania.....Like Carnival without the deals....
Was on Galaxy Rome RT to the Eastern Med, on Millenium Venice to Barcelona, and now just off Eclipse in the western carib.and prefer the VALUE of the bigger ships to paying more for smaller vessels to be on smaller vessels. I plan to travel until I can no longer do so, will avoid cruise lines where figuring out the cost of the ship without the air is a challenge, and will opt for the consistency of Celebrity and RCCL over the smaller ships simply so I can travel more frequently with family. The food has never been a disappointment on the larger ships, Im so I can travel as much as I can.
Next year, it will be the bigger celebrity ships back in the Med for us. Not one thing wrong with them and a lot better use of money in this economy. I hope this is helpful. BTW, we did a last minute Rome RT last July on RCCL Navigator for about $600;00 for the week. It was the best of all the values and fun for three generations of our blended family.