Orator

If you are in Aqua Class or above you are required to take the AI program even if you have loyalty perks that are better than AI. It was this that encouraged me to find Oceania and I've really am pleased that I tried Oceania

The freedom to select "cruise only " option is removed resulting in much higher fares for people who would have selected that option. I don't drink alcohol or take ship's excursions so I don't need to pay for items I don't use. I guess they can see how it works and then remove part of it, or the whole thing.

"SimplyMore" means simply higher fares as you are paying for items you don't need or want. Just about every cruise line is going to some form of the program since they all need to improve their margins to meet debt requirements and increased costs. So long as people are willing to pay the price it will continue to rise. Supply and demand rule!

It is Zenith. Many have made it to that level including members of the Blue Chip Club (gamblers) who receive free cruises. Benefits cost money and I suspect that many lines will cut benefits.

Celebrity for there top level includes unlimited free dry cleaning and laundry. Free premium drink package. Free unlimited premium internet. Upgraded bath products and usually a lunch with senior officers and more.

I am a Zenith on Celebrity with over 100 cruises and decided to try other lines like Crystal, Viking and Oceania because of cutbacks to Celebrity's loyalty program and the increase of price. I have one Celebrity cruise scheduled in October ands one Oceania cruise scheduled in November. I need to see the impact of the SimplyMore program . As others have said, the debt service for cruise lines needs to be reduced if they have any hope of survival. The easiest way to do this is the increase prices and reduce benefits. This will most certainly drive away some cruisers that have been loyal. To answer the question posed by the OP: I can see some areas where, IMO Celebrity excels and some areas where Oceania is superior. Celebrity based of my experience is superior in the entertainment, specialty restaurants, especially Tuscan Grille and Murano's and the passenger friendly officers. I give the edge to Oceania in the meals in the MDR, design to the ships and the lack of rudeness of the passengers. The sound levels of the music are not to loud or annoying on Oceania. I have not experienced the E Class on Celebrity since I like real balconies and found that I really enjoy the friendliness of the smaller ships.

Personally, I would not book a cruise that features a new program unless I felt that it was a benefit to me.

Been on over 100 Celebrity cruises and they've reduced their loyalty program especially for their most loyal passengers. They now require Aqua Class or higher to purchase AI which has less benefits than Zenith. That's why I question theSimply more program.

On Viking Neptune. Love the ship and crew. Had lots in common with my fellow passengers. The lecturers were top notch. Didn't care much for the included excursions. Italian speciality restaurant was in my option a few steps up from Oceania. MDR on Oceania was slightly better than Viking. I enjoyed the shows on Viking. One experience may not be typical. I've been on enough cruises to know that even a B2B on the same ship might be different.

I enjoyed the old Crystal. Waiting for reviews before I book Crystal under the new ownership so I can see if it's up to the former quality. IMO, definitely an upgrade for O in quality and price.

Simply not interested in "SimplyMORE " since my medications don't allow mw to drink alcohol and sugared drinks and I've been to most ports many times and simply stay on the ship or walk around port area. For me, the ship is the destination. We all look for different things and I hope Oceania provides a cruise only option.

Some may look at other lines as price increases and like what they see. That has happened with other lines when they raised the prices. I have seen many former "Celebrity loyalist" on the Oceania boards and on the ships.

Celebrity and others are doing as you suggest. Increasing bottom line is the motivation and they will get what the market will allow. I can't blame them since Covid increased the debt service.

Totally agree with your comparisons. The one speaker we had on Oceania was a male and very few people showed up after the first day. Decided to give him a chance and left after the third day.

How did compare to your Viking cruise?

You never know when there will be a problem. Took three cruises to Israel and made it once. Take land tour rather than a cruise to lessen the possibility of a cancellation.

My experience is quite different. I was a Zenith two months after the program started and we noticed a real difference in treatment by the officers and crew.

They are hitting their target cruiser.

The charter company owns the ship for the length of the charter. They negotiate what is included and what is not included.

Pet peeve: People who loudly whistle in the theater. One person did this behind me and I had a ringing in my ears for several days.

Take Ginger and Green Apples.

We took the train from Civi to Rome and got off at the closest station to the Vatican. Check the schedule to see if it works for you. The do it yourself will save a ton of money. Take a tour if you feel uncomfortable doing it yourself.

Saw many former Celebrity passengers on the Oceania Riviera including Paul Baya, the former Celebrity CD who was CD on the Riviera. His next ship might be the Oceania Vista.

There are strict rules that govern the hours worked. If they open 15 minuets early they must find the 15 minutes from something else. There is a domino effect of every decision how to use staff.

I was once in Blu with a group of about 30. They opened Blu early so that they could accommodate the group.