Why should we cruise with Oceania?
We asked Oceania why you should cruise with them, here's what they said...
You can sail to the far corners of the globe on Oceania's small, luxurious ships, but you’ll always feel like you’re coming home to family. From the moment you step on board, you’ll feel cared for and cared about because our dedication to service comes from the heart. Our ships radiate warmth and character among their true elegance. All boast exquisite appointments and details one would only expect to find in a luxurious, private estate. With up to six open-seating, gourmet restaurants to choose from, dining is a central highlight of the Oceania read more Cruises experience and guests may dine when, where and with whom they wish.
What destinations are Oceania exploring this season?
Alaska Asia Australia Caribbean Europe & Med New Zealand Northern Europe South America More...Oceania snapshot
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The low down on Oceania from our expert team of advisors at Global Journeys...
Oceania Cruises is best described as upper-premium cruising with a strong luxury edge - known for small-ship ambience, destination-rich itineraries and a cuisine-first onboard experience. Depending on which ship you select, they carry either arounf 680 to 1,200 guests, creating a calmer, more boutique feel than mainstream and many premium cruise lines. Oceania also bundles meaningful value through "Your World Included', with specialty dining, gratuities, Wi-Fi, non-alcoholic beverages, and laundry included, reducing surprise onboard costs. From 2026, Oceania becomes an adults-only (18+) cruise line, reinforcing its tranquil, sophisticated style.
Who cruises with Oceania?
Semi-retired or retired world travellers who appreciate good food and wine, culture, enrichment and cuisine; Oceania also has a high number of repeat travellers.
What are Oceania known for?
Longer stays in port and more overnights, the Finest Cuisine at Sea, and an elegant-casual dress code with no ties required.
Are Oceania's fares all-inclusive?
Not all-inclusive but almost. Includes specialty dining, Wi-Fi, gratuities, non-alcoholic drinks, selected laundry services, plus your choice of wine and beer or a shore excursion credit.
What extras will we need to pay for, on top of the cruise fare?
Addtional premium alcoholic beverages, shore excursions, spa and salon services, personal training, laundry service and some specialised classes or seminars also cost extra.
Are gratuities included?
Yes.
Are shore excursions included?
No, although you have the option with Ocenaia's Your World Inclusions to a choice of wine and beer or a shore excursion credit, based on the length of the cruise.
Is there WiFi on board?
Oceania Cruises provides complimentary, unlimited high-speed Starlink Wi-Fi fleetwide as part of your standard cruise fare. Enhanced WiFi packages are available.
Does Oceania have a loyalty program?
Yes, past guests received additional benefits on future bookings.
They also have a loyalty program at various levels for additional benefits on board.
Is Oceania a family friendly cruise-line?
Oceania is an adult only cruise line.
Are any onboard activities included?
Guest lectures, seminars, destination-focused activities, evening entertainment, complimentary dining and group fitness classes.
Are there casinos on board your ships?
Yes.
Are there any onboard activities that cost extra?
Specialty onboard seminars and Culinary Centre classes on select ships incur additional charges. Personal training, some specialised fitness programs, spa and salon services also cost extra.
Are there specialty restaurants on board Oceania's ships?
Yes. Specialty restaurants are complimentary, with a surcharge only for La Reserve and private dining in Privee.
Are there dining packages for purchase?
No.
Are non-alcoholic beverages included?
Yes. Bottled water, soft drinks, fresh juices, specialty coffees and teas are included.
Are alcoholic beverages included?
As part of Your World Inclusions, you can opt to have included the House Beverage Package, which includes beer, wine and champagne anywhere on the ship during lunch and dinner.
Do Oceania sell any beverage packages?
Yes. The Prestige Select Beverage Package offers unlimited Champagne and wine by the glass, beers, spirits and cocktails, available at any onboard venue as well as through room service during bar operating hours. If you've selected complimentary wine & beer through Your World Inclusions, you are eligible to upgrade to the Prestige Select Beverage Package for 50% off. Normally $79.95 per person, per day (subject to change).
Do Oceania offer room service?
Yes. Complimentary 24/7 room service is available.
Are spa and salon services available?
Yes. Spa and salon services are available for an additional charge.
Are there gyms onboard Oceania's ships?
Yes.
Are fitness classes available onboard Oceania's ships?
Yes. Group fitness classes are complimentary, although some specialised training programs may incur additional charges.
Do Oceania offer personal training?
Yes. Personal training is available for an additional charge.
Are there self-service laundry facilities?
Yes. Complimentary self-service laundries are available.
Do Oceania offer a laundry service?
Yes. Laundry service is available for an additional charge and if guests are in a Concierge Veranda room category or above, laundry is included.
Recent Oceania reviews
The most disappointing issue was that Oceania read more automatically charged US$100 to our credit card at the beginning of the cruise as a security deposit, without obtaining our authorisation. What is even more frustrating is that, despite the fact that we did not overspend our onboard credits or have any outstanding charges, the US$100 has still not been refunded. It has now been almost 30 days since the cruise ended, and we are still waiting for the money to be returned. We find this particularly disappointing and feel that the way this was handled was not consistent with the level of customer service we would expect from a premium cruise line.
More generally, we found that the overall level of service on Oceania—including organisation, entertainment and customer service—was noticeably below what we experienced with Viking. We were also not particularly impressed with the level of marketing during the cruise, which at times felt rather aggressive. Overall, our experience with Oceania reinforced our very positive impression of Viking, and we would certainly consider travelling with Viking again in the future. Thank you again for all your assistance over the years. We very much appreciate it.
Oceania's most popular trips this month...
Why should we cruise with Viking?
We asked Viking why you should cruise with them, here's what they said...
A Viking ocean cruise is the discerning traveller’s dream. Whether you choose to visit Scandinavia, Asia, the Mediterranean or the Americas, our itineraries are designed to immerse you in the history and culture of each destination. With us, you could be exploring a local food market with our head chef one day and experiencing an exclusive behind-the-scenes tour of a world-famous museum the next.
Our state-of-the-art small ships take you right into the heart of each destination, and you won’t find any casinos or kids on board. Plus, our fares read more include just about everything you need - from meals, beverages and Wi-Fi to a culturally enriching shore excursion at every port of call. This unique combination of features has become affectionately known as ‘the Viking difference’.
Viking is the world’s leading small-ship cruise line, and we can’t wait to welcome you on board to discover the Viking difference for yourself.
What destinations are Viking exploring this season?
Alaska Antarctica Arctic Asia Australia & New Zealand Baltic Canada & New England Caribbean More...Viking snapshot
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The low down on Viking from our expert team of advisors at Global Journeys...
Purpose built and newly launched in 2017, Viking now boasts 16 mid-sized ships each accommodating between 930-998 guests, as well as 2 expedition ships (max 378 guests) that explore the world's most remote destinations. Already award winning, their itineraries are varied from worldwide journeys to smaller explorations of the Nordic region, Indian ocean, Asia, Oceania, Caribbean and the Med. Viking position these cruises as 'The Thinking Person’s Cruise', with included and optional shore excursions covering each destinations cultural and historic highlights. So if you are looking for water-slides, children's facilities and casino's, then perhaps read more another cruise company is more suited.
Who cruises with Viking?
Retired and semi-retired world travellers.
What are Viking known for?
Adults only cruising, Scandinavian design, destination-focused experiences and no casinos.
Are Viking's fares all-inclusive?
No. Premium beverages and some excursions cost extra. House beers and wine are included with meals and a courtesy shore excursion is offered at each port.
What extras will we need to pay for, on top of the cruise fare?
Premium beverages and selected shore excursions, plus some onboard experiences such as The Kitchen Table, cost extra.
Are gratuities included?
Yes, but only for Australian and New Zealand passengers.
Are shore excursions included?
Yes. One courtesy shore excursion is offered at each port on classic cruises; expedition cruises include at least one shore excursion per landing day.
Is there WiFi on board?
Yes. Complimentary WiFi is available.
Does Viking have a loyalty program?
No. The Viking Explorer Society offers credit and referral rewards to past Viking passengers only.
Is Viking a family friendly cruise-line?
No. Children under 18 are not accepted.
Are any onboard activities included?
Enrichment lectures, film screenings, presentations, daily expedition briefings, scientific programs in The Laboratory, complimentary dining, evening entertainment and free WiFi.
Are there casinos on board your ships?
No.
Are there any onboard activities that cost extra?
Some experiences, such as The Kitchen Table, incur additional charges. Specialised fitness classes may also cost extra.
Are there specialty restaurants on board Viking's ships?
Yes. Viking offers seven complimentary restaurants on its mid-sized ships.
Are there dining packages for purchase?
No.
Are non-alcoholic beverages included?
Yes. Purified water is provided in all staterooms; soft drinks are included with lunch and dinner, and specialty coffees and assorted hot teas are available 24 hours a day.
Are alcoholic beverages included?
Complimentary house wines and beers are served with lunch and dinner.
Do Viking sell any beverage packages?
Yes. For premium cocktails or wines and spirits, Viking offers the Silver Spirits beverage package.
Do Viking offer room service?
Yes. Complimentary 24/7 room service.
Are spa and salon services available?
Yes. Spa access is complimentary and spa and salon services are available for a charge.
Are there gyms onboard Viking's ships?
Yes.
Are fitness classes available onboard Viking's ships?
Yes. Classes may include yoga, Zumba, TRX and Body Conditioning; specialised classes may attract a charge.
Do Viking offer personal training?
Yes and charges apply. Not available on expedition ships.
Are there self-service laundry facilities?
Yes. Complimentary self-service laundry.
Do Viking offer a laundry service?
Yes. Charges apply.
Recent Viking reviews
Be aware there are a few sea days extra as we missed Falkland Islands high winds. Extension Iguazza Falls brilliant read more but very tiring as no free time longs days. Advice is this is extended by one day in both Brazil and Rio! Great memories so glad we saw parts of South America 🌺
One bit we found a bit perhaps unfair is when they release the excursions, the penthouses, owners suites, Explorers suites etc get to choose & book first, thereby making it harder to get a spot in places where there is a very big highlight…such as Alhambra. We booked our excursions the second they were sent to us & still missed out. Three of the restaurants stand out, Manfredi, Chefs Table & The Restaurant - excellent food choices & high standard but not snooty at all, but that is not to say the casual restaurants & cafes were anything other than very good. You do not need to dress up, just smart casual is fine. It’s never been our choice to go to any of the shows so can’t comment. It will be nearly impossible for us to choose another company to sail with in the future.
Viking's most popular trips this month...
The Verdict - Oceania Cruises vs Viking Cruises
Oceania and Viking both offer premium, destination-focused cruising on smaller ships, but the onboard experience and inclusions are quite different. Viking’s ships are deliberately consistent, adult-only and Scandinavian in style, while Oceania offers more variety in ship size and accommodation, with a particularly strong focus on food and wine.
Which ships will suit me best?
Viking’s ocean ships are very similar in design, with all-veranda accommodation, understated Scandinavian interiors, no casinos and plenty of quiet indoor and outdoor spaces. Guests must be 18 or over, which gives Viking a distinctly adult atmosphere. Oceania’s eight-ship fleet offers more variety, from intimate Regatta Class vessels carrying around 670 guests to larger Marina, Riviera, Vista and Allura, with accommodation ranging from inside staterooms through to expansive suites. Oceania also has casinos onboard and a more traditional country-club-style atmosphere, while both lines tend to attract mature, well-travelled guests more interested in food and destinations than resort-style attractions.
Which offers better value?
Viking generally costs more upfront, but one shore excursion in every port, all onboard dining, Wi-Fi, beer, wine and soft drinks with lunch and dinner, specialty coffee and tea, self-service laundry and access to the Nordic Spa are included in the fare. Oceania now includes specialty dining, Wi-Fi, gratuities and non-alcoholic drinks for all guests, plus your choice of either wine and beer with lunch and dinner or a shore excursion credit. Oceania also gives you the option of booking a less expensive inside or oceanview stateroom, so the better value really depends on whether you’ll make use of Viking’s broader inclusions.
Which has the better dining experience?
Both lines take food seriously, but Oceania makes cuisine a particularly strong part of its identity, with a wider choice of restaurants and culinary experiences across the fleet. Specialty dining is included on both lines, although Oceania offers more variety on its larger ships and is particularly well suited to travellers who see food and wine as a major part of their cruise. Viking’s dining is more consistent from ship to ship, with all restaurants included and menus that place plenty of emphasis on regional cuisine and the destinations being visited.
Which has the better shore program?
Both are strongly destination focused, with longer port stays, overnights and excursions designed to go beyond the main sights. Viking includes one shore excursion in every port, usually an introductory walking or coach tour, with a broader range of optional paid experiences also available. Oceania offers immersive options such as Go Local and culinary-focused excursions, and under Your World Included you can choose a shore excursion credit instead of complimentary wine and beer with meals. Viking therefore includes more shore touring as standard, while Oceania gives you more flexibility over whether you want excursions or drinks bundled into your fare.
Which has the better itineraries?
Both cruise extensively around Europe, Asia, Australia, Alaska, the Americas and other regions, with plenty of longer voyages and destination-rich itineraries. Oceania’s larger and more varied fleet gives you a broad choice of sailings, while Viking tends to offer a particularly consistent style of itinerary with a strong emphasis on cultural immersion, longer port stays and point-to-point journeys. For most destinations there is plenty of crossover, so the choice may ultimately come down to whether you prefer Oceania’s culinary focus and flexibility or Viking’s more inclusive, adult-only experience.
