Oceania Prices Soar

[digby]

In 3/06 we took a Beijing to Hong Kong cruise on Nautica in an OS. It was a wonderful cruise. We paid $7,999. each - minus the $1000. air credit each. This week I got the brochure for next years Asian cruises. The cost for basically the same cruise on the same ship will be $15,999.each. What could possibly justify such a price increase? Certainly not inflation. About 4.5 years ago we took a Venice to Barcelona cruise on Regatta also in an OS. The price was the same as we had paid for the Asian cruise of the same length.

[computerworks]

In 3/06 we took a Beijing to Hong Kong cruise on Nautica in an OS.

 

So, that was 7 years ago?

[JimandStan]

In 3/06 we took a Beijing to Hong Kong cruise on Nautica in an OS. It was a wonderful cruise. We paid $7,999. each - minus the $1000. air credit each. This week I got the brochure for next years Asian cruises. The cost for basically the same cruise on the same ship will be $15,999.each. What could possibly justify such a price increase? Certainly not inflation. About 4.5 years ago we took a Venice to Barcelona cruise on Regatta also in an OS. The price was the same as we had paid for the Asian cruise of the same length.

 

[LuAnn]

prices on O to have gone up for the '13 and'14 T/A's ...which is what we usually book. I think at this point demand is driving this...many more CCers and others are finding out about O.

 

We booked our spring '14 T/A with Azamara...with an incredible deal. We have sailed them before and enjoy their product..and we can transfer our =X= level to AZ. Since we sailed with them they have increased the items included in the cruise price...so will be interesting to give them a try again. While I really prefer the O class ships on O...will be fun to be back on an older R ship!! LuAnn

[ronrick1943]

LuAnn, your right that's to high...We use and like "O" a lot, we also love the Owners suite on all the ships of "O". But I agree too high of a jump-we'll be looking at other lines if that is "O"s trend.

Rick

[spindrift]

Of course, I'm not an agent as many are on the board, but I, too, am seeing unbelievable rate increases as we have been with them from the beginning.

 

We love "O" but we can learn to love other lines as well as we are now retired and we just can't keep up with these increases on our "retired" income. Makes me sad. We still plan to do 4 or 5 trips a year, but it looks like the trips we want we can't do on O.

 

But, unbelievable, we have found some great itineraries on a couple of other lines in staterooms that are equivalent or better and so much less. We actually have booked 2 of those lines for next year instead of with "O."

 

We always love getting onboard and feel like the crew are family, but this can be established with the other lines as well.

[Hawaiidan]

So, that was 7 years ago?

 

That's somewhere around 9 to 10%...... hardly a rip off in my book

 

How about oil and food....its doubled in the same period... and don't get into housing, cars, ..... Remember Volkswagens sold new in 1959 for $695 .

and Corvetts in 1966 sold for $3600....

[thunderbird56]

That's somewhere around 9 to 10%...... hardly a rip off in my book

 

.

 

Did I miss something in my math Dan? I believe the OP said it was 8000 each in 2006 and 16000 each in 2014. That's 100 % in my figuring. I think 10-15 % would probably be more reasonable.

[YoHoHo]

That's somewhere around 9 to 10%...... hardly a rip off in my book

 

How about oil and food....its doubled in the same period... and don't get into housing, cars, ..... Remember Volkswagens sold new in 1959 for $695 .

and Corvetts in 1966 sold for $3600....

I think most folks would be happy to see their investments take a 10% rise each year. That said, the OPs increase is a lot more than 9-10%

 

From Measuring Worth. The best measure of the relative value over time depends on if you are interested in comparing the cost or value of a Commodity , Income or Wealth , or a Project .

For $7000 from 2006 in 2011 dollars it ranges from $7190 to $7900.

 

A simple Purchasing Power Calculator would say the relative value is $7,810.00. This answer is obtained by multiplying $7000 by the percentage increase in the CPI from 2006 to 2011.

 

Not to 2013 of course but not a lot of change if including 2012.

Certainly no where near $16000. $7000 over 7 years would be increasing at a very strong 12.5% every year to become $16k. 9% would only achieve $12,700.

 

I am just taking the $7000 and $16,000 from the OP. I am not saying I have compared the same cruise prices over that period.

 

In 3/06 we took a Beijing to Hong Kong cruise on Nautica in an OS. It was a wonderful cruise. We paid $7,999. each - minus the $1000. air credit each. This week I got the brochure for next years Asian cruises. The cost for basically the same cruise on the same ship will be $15,999.each. What could possibly justify such a price increase? Certainly not inflation. About 4.5 years ago we took a Venice to Barcelona cruise on Regatta also in an OS. The price was the same as we had paid for the Asian cruise of the same length.

Much too long post shortened to this:

I agree, prices are up. They have two new magnificent ships we need to pay for. The brochure price is only part of the increase as well.

 

Maybe it was 'too cheap' in 2006. Maybe it is too much now. Whether or not the price is worth the experience is for each of us to decide. Our vacation time and money is not limitless. While still looking at various cruising itineraries for the first time in a long time we are considering alternatives including cultural experiences from land based trips again (Tuscany time, touring in Turkey, eastern Europe escape, Victoria Falls, so many things yet to do.)

[Andromeda93]

But, unbelievable, we have found some great itineraries on a couple of other lines in staterooms that are equivalent or better and so much less. We actually have booked 2 of those lines for next year instead of with "O."

 

Spindrift, we also love the O product but can't afford to sail O as often as we would like.

 

Knowing the O product as you do, would you mind noting which lines/staterooms you feel are a good value alternative, if we cannot choose O for every cruise either due to $ or itinerary considerations? Many thanks for any tips.

[pacheco18]

The market sets the price.

It's a business. If they can fill the ships at much higher prices for a much higher profit they will do so. Wouldn't you all do the same if you owned the company?

 

Fortunately, we all have other alternatives.

I love Oceania but I am not a slave to one cruise line. I look for value for my money, especially since we take several major trips each year.

[Hawaiidan]

The market sets the price.

It's a business. If they can fill the ships at much higher prices for a much higher profit they will do so. Wouldn't you all do the same if you owned the company?

 

Fortunately, we all have other alternatives.

I love Oceania but I am not a slave to one cruise line. I look for value for my money, especially since we take several major trips each year.

 

12 even 13% is not to me that great considering the value one gets. and with a little research its pretty easy to earn 10 to15% a year on investments . But that's another issue.

 

I only take one maybe 2 cruises a year but they are 30+ day cruises. I cant find even a mass market ship than beat the overall value one gets on Oceaina with air tips, liquor, no charge dining options. is over all , to me

I came to Oceaina from both Holland America and Celeb. both of which will over all cost more than similar cruises on Oceaina.

 

Hey, I cancelled a Holland America Cruise of 33 days. in a regular rock bottom veranda. They wanted $33,500 for 2 + $2,900 for air fare+$989 tips+ an average of $80 a day in extra charges tips. dining, wine etc that's $3440 for 43 day = $40,829 total door to door total or $940 a day That's close to Regent and Crystal !!! both all inclusive lux lines.

 

My next Oceaina cruise is for a oversize veranda $18,800+ air incl ,Tips incl., prem liq pkg @100 a day, $3300. no other extra charges= $ 21,100 or $669 a day. Heck, id I throw in business class air that only$3200 that's only $96 a day more That's still $175 a day cheaper than Holland

 

So, $271 a day more expensive to sail a nickel and dime mass market line. on ships with 2000 + in faux luxury rather than 700 to 1200.in true luxury.....

 

The fact of the matter for me it is just not practical to sail any other lines because of the pure economics and intrinsic value... I cant beat Oceaina ;)

[Hawaiidan]

Spindrift, we also love the O product but can't afford to sail O as often as we would like.

 

Knowing the O product as you do, would you mind noting which lines/staterooms you feel are a good value alternative, if we cannot choose O for every cruise either due to $ or itinerary considerations? Many thanks for any tips.

 

Because I cant find any values in any of the mass market lines... I tried them all. You can beat Oceania if you get the cheapest inside cabin, drink ice tea all day and eat in the buffet every meal, and can walk or drive the the cruise port. That's the compromise you need to make

I consider as should everyone, the total cost of the entire cruise door to door, not just the cruise fare ( which is just the start in the mass market boys game)

[Paulchili]

Because I cant find any values in any of the mass market lines... I tried them all. You can beat Oceania if you get the cheapest inside cabin, drink ice tea all day and eat in the buffet every meal, and can walk or drive the the cruise port. That's the compromise you need to make

I consider as should everyone, the total cost of the entire cruise door to door, not just the cruise fare ( which is just the start in the mass market boys game)

 

If you do your homework well, you can find bargains and do not have to limit yourself to a mass market cruise line, stay in inside cabin or drink only ice tea and eat at buffets.

Our current Silversea 26 day cruise from Cape Town to the Canaries along West Coast of Africa is $512/day for the 2 of us. That is significantly less than your O cruise at $669/day.

Pros - Silversea has larger cabins, even at lowest category, than O verandah; it is all inclusive (better "drinks package"); smaller ship & more attentive service.

Cons - formal dress code. Price does not include air (even including economy air on AF it would only add $129/day - still below $669).

Fortunately for me, we are flying business roundtrip for miles :)

So, bargains can be had if one looks hard enough or has a great TA (as we do) :)

YMMV

[tallship]

Our recent Regent cruise came out to less 500/day

[Mura]

The fact is that O's prices have increased regularly from Day 1, and I have often said that they are pricing us out of the market.

 

But our solution has been to travel less frequently, which works out for us since DH has decided he doesn't really want to travel all that much.

 

Unfortunately for us, we prefer the higher end cabins which on the "R" ships is usually a PH. But it is nothing new that prices increase constantly.

 

The day will come when we are priced out but so far we are managing ...

 

There were regular cruisers in the past who we met who HAVE been priced out. But it would appear that they have been replaced by newer passengers.

 

Mura

[Andromeda93]

Cost certainly does matter, and we probably all have our own 'non-negotiables.' I'd love to try some of these other luxury lines when there are bargains to be had on certain sailings. But...until I can be 100% certain that the prior guests in my assigned cabin didn't smoke inside, I can't.

 

I recently contacted Silversea, Seabourn and Crystal about whether they designate any cabins on their ships for nonsmoking guests. They all said they do not. Of course, the probability is low that we'd get the cabin vacated on embarkation day by chain smokers. But that possibility is enough to keep me on O for now, as it seems to offer the best 'nonsmoking cabin' fleet/cuisine - albeit at a premium over many other lines.

 

Elegant design, amazing cuisine, wonderful service, and healthy cabins - guess we all have our reasons for loving O and being willing to pay for their offerings, to a point.

[cruisewmn]

Crystal just announced changes to its smoking policy. No more smoking allowed in any cabins. :)

[Mura]

Good news! It's about time.

 

Mura

[Hambagahle]

Our recent Regent cruise came out to less 500/day

 

Correct, Tina but you were on a trans-Atlantic cruise and therefore "re-positioning" which is always cheaper than a "normal" cruise.

 

Nonetheless I do not find the increase in price mentioned in the lead post on this thread to be at all shocking. Why? Quite simply the huge drop in the US dollar. Oceania and most other lines charge dollar prices but are paying for goods and services (including oil) in other currencies. In 2006 the USD converted to the Swiss franc (I live in Switzerland) at roughly 1.20. Today it is struggling to be at .90 Swiss cents. That is a huge difference and one I feel almost every day!! (Especialy with petrol (gas) here at about US$8 per gallon.)

[Hawaiidan]

If you do your homework well, you can find bargains and do not have to limit yourself to a mass market cruise line, stay in inside cabin or drink only ice tea and eat at buffets.

Our current Silversea 26 day cruise from Cape Town to the Canaries along West Coast of Africa is $512/day for the 2 of us. That is significantly less than your O cruise at $669/day.

Pros - Silversea has larger cabins, even at lowest category, than O verandah; it is all inclusive (better "drinks package"); smaller ship & more attentive service.

Cons - formal dress code. Price does not include air (even including economy air on AF it would only add $129/day - still below $669).

Fortunately for me, we are flying business roundtrip for miles :)

So, bargains can be had if one looks hard enough or has a great TA (as we do) :)

YMMV

 

Yup' I totally agree that you can dig up some bargains on top lux ships like Seabourn, Crystal , Silversea and Regent. My thesis is that the best value will be getting a deal on one of those lines and not the mass market ones which we all know.. Not by slapping your self on the back by getting a low cruise only fare which is only the start . Like the 99 cent breakfasts in Vegas...to get you in the casino the low ball fare is to get you on board where the "games begin" with your wallet.

So, you sailing Silversea with air for $641 Or me On Oceania for$669 are true bargains... but when you compare to Holland or Celebrity at 800to $900+ a day is no bargain for a far ,far lesser experience.

[wripro]

Why does someone always have to mix apples with oranges? Start a thread about anything and surely someone will chime in that none of it matters because of the smoking policy. This thread was about the higher cost of cruising on O, not the smoking policies on luxury lines.

[Andromeda93]

Why does someone always have to mix apples with oranges? Start a thread about anything and surely someone will chime in that none of it matters because of the smoking policy. This thread was about the higher cost of cruising on O, not the smoking policies on luxury lines.

 

Sorry wripro; I didn't know the s-word was a forbidden topic in this thread (I am a relative CC newbie). Just meant to say even though O's prices have gone up a lot, we still find the product worth the cost for the combination of amenities delivered, even if we can't afford it as often as we would like.

 

It is a shame O may eventually be out of reach for some of its long-time guests, if the comments in this thread are reflective of the economies of the broader O fan base.

[Hawaiidan]

Sorry wripro; I didn't know the s-word was a forbidden topic in this thread (I am a relative CC newbie). Just meant to say even though O's prices have gone up a lot, we still find the product worth the cost for the combination of amenities delivered, even if we can't afford it as often as we would like.

 

It is a shame O may eventually be out of reach for some of its long-time guests, if the comments in this thread are reflective of the economies of the broader O fan base.

 

 

However, as I see it those priced out are going to be priced out of pretty much all cruising. Oceania has such a outstanding value and in most cases your going to be paying as much if not more with others.

[Wendy The Wanderer]

However, as I see it those priced out are going to be priced out of pretty much all cruising. Oceania has such a outstanding value and in most cases your going to be paying as much if not more with others.

 

Huh? If someone is "priced out" of Oceania, they will go downmarket where it's cheaper. What am I missing?