Although I've yet to cruise on Oceania lines, I do have a good friend who raved about her Oceania cruise. The only complaint she had was that they have a very strict smoking policy and she was not allowed to smoke on her own balcony. She said that if it weren't for that one rule, she would cruise them again.

We had a cabin next to smokers and both the balcony and the hallway reeked the entire trip. I say good. There are two places on the ship one can smoke and I don't know just where though.

ParrotMom-
So are you going on Oceania? Liz

Liz, I did the Regatta several months ago and loved it. I posted a MEGA review on her at http://www.CruiseReviews.com. Let us know how you liked it.

Tom

In January 2005 at a travel show in Boston we hope to meet up again with the reps from Oceania..they said there were two more ships coming out..I told them we wanted a cruise for a special anniversary and we had a date for 2005 for me to pick their brains and plan. Now that I know they can book directly. I'm going to search their itineraries ahead of time (to me that is the important part of the cruise) and I'm hoping to do a cruise to South America or something that will include ports in Spain and/or trans-atlantic...at least two week cruise...We have done a partial(a highlight in 1992 was the San Blas Islands and the Kuna Indians) of the Panama Canal twice and a full transit on NCL Sky.I've dreamed of going to Manaus to see the Opera House..why I have no idea..lol and I've always wanted to go to Barcelona or Seville or better yet Bilboa. Sooooo I'm going to pick their brains and watch their site to see what they are offering by Jan. 1, 2005 and then I hope to wheel and deal. Parrot Pop and I have two passions...traveling and theatre.. and in 2005 we will celebrate our 50th wedding anniversary and if I let him live (and you women know what I['m talking about).. we will take this special cruise.lol on Oceania

Lest you think I have to wait until next summer or fall, we have just come back from La Romana, in the D.R. and June 13th off on our 10th trip to Bermuda on the NCL Majesty. Can't help it we are BOP. Bermuda Obsessed People.

Tom- Kudos on the excellent report. I couldn't help but notice that Shani Reay is the hostess. When we went to Antarctica on the Orient Line, the Marco Polo was the ship. A Shani Ray was the hostess on that ship. She had just married the ship's engineer. Must be one and the same. An absolutely striking English blonde lady. Most personable lady I ever met. Sang wonderfully. Would you know?
You have completely sold me on the Regatta. You filled in all the blanks and I am sorry I won't meet you as I am sure I would adore Joanie and you both. Thanks for posting about the report. Liz

Parrot Mom-
Sadly I won't be seeing you on board. We will probably do the Panama Canal again mid-January, LA to MIA, as we are off to Africa in a few weeks and then moving to Utah in August. Next March we are hoping to do a 4 country visit to South Africa and then settle in and enjoy Utah for the rest of the year. Keep us posted here about any upcoming cruises as I would certainly like to sit with you at dinner one evening and get to know you. Thanks for posting here and hope to hear more here or on the Oceania board. Since we both love NCL, do you ever go on the Pacific Coastal repo cruises? We usually do one in the Spring on their way to Alaska. Maybe there? I'm sure we'll miss the 2005 Spring trip up though. Maybe the fall return trip. Liz

Alaska----NEVER.....The thoughts of going on a cruise where I would see snow, ice and icebergs and wear a jacket is not my thing.. We are from outside of Boston where there is enough snow and cold, we've been on many whale watches (we even for a time adopted one, Stubb). I would like to do the NCL down the Pacific coast to Mexico--way down..to revisit Cabo, P.V.,Acapulco, etc. I think there is one port we have never been. Ah Africa...that sounds exciting....Everybody raves about Cape Town., the wines and the scenery... As for me I'd like to go on a safari before our Golden Years get too tarnished. Let us know how the cruise goes..

Alaska is the best cruise most people say. The scenery, the ruggedness, the smaller fishing towns you visit, it shows this country at an earlier time. Things are still slow up there. The tours are absolutely beautiful, even going out on a glacier by helicopter. That just took our breath away. It is colder there even in the summer though.
We were going to take the NCL Star to Mexico this winter until we decided to try the Regatta. It still is a hard decision between the two. We must make the final decision in a few days.

Africa is like entering a different dimension. I hear Capetown is great, but we've never been and probably never will visit there. We head straight for the bush as soon as we get off the plane and stay there every minute until we leave. It becomes addictive. Can't wait to get back. Fixes last for shorter and shorter periods. Soon you want to go every year. Sigh! Liz

Liz...when you see Åfrican Grey parrots, grey birds with red tails...think of me and my Ms. Mellie. I have very mixed emotions about seeing them there..they are being caught by crude and cruel methods and their numbers are decreasing rapidly.. fortunately they are not allowed brought into the U.S. My Ms Mellie is a talkative wonderful bird, the most intelligent of all birds with the thinking ability they say of a six year old..emotional stability of a two year old.

Parrot Mom-
Now I understand your name. I've never seen parrots in the wild in Africa. Must be the West Coast or northern part of the continent. Sadly there is a thread on the Africa board just now I have been posting on about the dwindling species in Africa and the tragedy of it all. I understand your feelings and they are very valid today as never before.
By the by I happened onto a thread on the Oceana board from a recent returnee of the Regatta that I think decided the fate of our Panama Canal cruise for now. I guess it showed us that Oceania is like every other cruise line with its ups and downs. I think we have decided to wait a while before testing it. Too much going on right now for us to risk getting ill with a nasty virus. We'll stay with the tried and true NCL. Kinda our kind of ships. So thanks for everybodys help. You all were wonderful and showed once again that Fodorites are the very BEST! Liz

Liz, Yes indeed, Shani is one and the same as you remember. Married to the greek captain. I think she is now on the Insignia. We really liked her.

The reason that the Yahoo board was named Oceana was that was supposed to be the name of the company -had to be changed due to some legal issues with the name, I think because there is already a Princess Oceana ship.. but the name on the yahoo board stuck.. I have no idea why it never got changed. It is not to keep new people from joining. Please join.

<<I couldn't help but notice that Shani Reay is the hostess. When we went to Antarctica on the Orient Line, the Marco Polo was the ship. A Shani Ray was the hostess on that ship. She had just married the ship's engineer. Must be one and the same. An absolutely striking English blonde lady. Most personable lady I ever met. Sang wonderfully. Would you know?>>

Sorry for the delay in responding, I believe she is the one and same. She is very memorable. Have a great cruise.

Tom

Am leaving in 5 short days for Barcelona to get on the Regatta .........can't wait. I chose it for the port-intensive itineraries, the smallness of the ship (under 700 pax) and the good reviews of the food (although that's usually not important to me!) By now, you've heard that it provides all that and more - just don't expect great broadway shows, huge casino, cheap shore excursions, or fabulous, quick response if you email their Miami office. However, an email friend of mine just came back from one of their cruises and he said it did NOT disappoint!!!1 SO - 5 days and counting - and CAN'T WAIT! I'll write a review when I return.

roothy,

I am so happy for you! I can't wait to read your review. We aren't going until January and then on the Insignia, but it will really be interesting to hear all about your cruise. The two ships are "sister" ships, aren't they?

Anyway, have a wonderful time!

I hope for all of your sailing that they have improved since the March 15 Transatlantic. The worst of 17 cruises.

To PeggyAnn, I've been trying to find out about the Regatta for days now. Am planning cruise in October but have never been on a smaller ship. Do ships this size do a lot of rolling and heaving. I tend to seasickness but love to cruise. The big ships don't do a whole lot of this and I wondered about the Regatta. Can you tell me. Thanks

I was on the Regatta in May in the Med. Loved it; just booked Panama Canal trip in Jan. 12 days was not too long; didn't feel anything close to seasickness.