NCL in advanced talks to purchase Prestige Cruise Holdings!!!!!

[BrPanthers99]

http://www.baltimoresun.com/business/sns-rt-us-norwegiancruise-prestigecruises-20140831,0,7774773.story

 

 

This could be interesting..........

[BrPanthers99]

Looks like they combined own 6 older small ships)

 

Not impressed

 

 

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[Seanote]

Looks like they combined own 6 older small ships)

 

Not impressed

 

 

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Five Oceania and three Regent ships.

 

http://www.prestigecruiseholdings.com

[FireEater]

That brand is above my pay scale...I have looked at those brands, but only for when I win the lotto...:o

[UPNYGuy]

I *might* actually consider Oceania then, IF the Lats benefits are reciprocal. Haven't sailed on RSSC yet, but have looked into it.

 

 

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[UPNYGuy]

Looks like they combined own 6 older small ships)

 

Not impressed

 

 

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Considering that these cruises cater to the Haven clientele, you should be. It is a great idea, and a fantastic idea for NCL to improve corporate reach.

 

 

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[SissasMomE]

Wow, this is great! We have been looking at Oceania for awhile now, and if my Lat points were recognized, then that might just be the push that we needed!!

[NLH Arizona]

Wow, this is great! We have been looking at Oceania for awhile now, and if my Lat points were recognized, then that might just be the push that we needed!!

I'm with you, very excited. I love the smaller ships.

[SeaShark]

Not totally unexpected news considering Kevin Sheehan's long established goal of transforming NCL from the mass-market to the premium arena.

 

 

Go where the real money is and leave RCCL and CCL to fight with each other.

[swedish weave]

A lot of the premium lines that "used to be" are either out of business or have been absorbed by the mass market line Carnival.

[soaringfalcon]

I'm really excited about this! I love the smaller ships and this opens up a whole new world. Very interested to see this develop!

[adivineeternity]

I used to work for a company that partnered with Regent and Oceania and thus spent a lot of time on their websites drooling over their cruises... and crying at how very high the prices are.

 

Interesting news for me because of this.

[Ericktina]

Not totally unexpected news considering Kevin Sheehan's long established goal of transforming NCL from the mass-market to the premium arena.

 

 

Go where the real money is and leave RCCL and CCL to fight with each other.

What is the evidence of that?? Freestyle, lax dress code etc. seems the ULTIMATE mass market !!

[UPNYGuy]

What is the evidence of that?? Freestyle, lax dress code etc. seems the ULTIMATE mass market !!

 

 

Oceania is also considered a "freestyle" cruise line with a "lax" dress code. No reservations required for dinner or shows, and resort casual attire is recommended. How exactly is this mass market?

 

 

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[WildcatRock]

What is the evidence of that?? Freestyle, lax dress code etc. seems the ULTIMATE mass market !!

 

Have you looked at what it costs to book a cruise on one of these lines? They aren't mass market cruise lines.

[Orleanscruiser]

Five Oceania and three Regent ships.

 

http://www.prestigecruiseholdings.com

 

3 Regent ships + 1 on order with delivery scheduled in summer 2016, the new ship will be named Seven Seas Explorer

the other ships are

Seven Seas Voyager,

Seven Seas Mariner

Seven Seas Navigator

 

Seven Seas Mariner was refurbished in October 2013 . Seven Seas Voyager recently underwent a similar refurbishment and Seven Seas Navigator was similarly upgraded in 2012.

 

 

Oceania Cruises

 

Insignia

Year Built: 1998

Year Refurbished: 2014

Gross Tonnage: 30,277

Length: 593.7 ft.

Beam: 83.5 feet

Max. Draught: 19.5 feet

Stabilizers: Yes

Cruising Speed: 18 Knots

Electric Power or Voltage: 110,220 AC

Guest Capacity (double occupancy): 684

Crew Size: 400

Guest-to-Staff Ratio: 1.71 to 1

Nationality of Officers: European

Nationality of Staff: European

Country of Registry: Marshall Islands

 

Nautica,

Year Built: 2000

Year Refurbished: 2014

Gross Tonnage: 30,277

Length: 593.7 feet

Beam: 83.5 feet

Max. Draught: 19.5 feet

Stabilizers: Yes

Cruising Speed: 18 knots

Electric Power or Voltage: 110,220 AC

Guest Capacity (double occupancy): 684

Crew Size: 400

Guest-to-Staff Ratio: 1.71 to 1

Nationality of Officers: European

Nationality of Staff: European

Country of Registry: Marshall Islands

 

Regatta

Year Built: 1998

Year Refurbished: 2014

Gross Tonnage: 30,277

Length: 593.7 feet

Beam: 83.5 feet

Max. Draught: 19.5 feet

Stabilizers: Yes

Cruising Speed: 18 knots

Electric Power or Voltage: 110,220 AC

Guest Capacity (double occupancy): 684

Crew Size: 400

Guest-to-Staff Ratio: 1.71 to 1

Nationality of Officers: European

Nationality of Staff: European

Country of Registry: Marshall Islands

 

Marina

 

Year Built: 2011

Tonnage: 66,084

Length: 785 feet

Beam: 106 feet

Maximum Draught: 24 feet

Stabilizers: Yes

Cruising Speed: 20 knots

Guest Decks: 11

Total Decks: 15

Electric Power or Voltage: 110, 220 AC

Guest Capacity: 1,250 (Double Occupancy)

Staff Size: 800

Guest to Staff Ratio: 1.57 to 1

Nationality of Officers: European

Nationality of Staff: International

Country of Registry: Marshall Islands

 

Riviera

Year Built: 2012

Tonnage: 66,084

Length: 785 feet

Beam: 106 feet

Maximum Draught: 24 feet

Stabilizers: Yes

Cruising Speed: 20 knots

Guest Decks: 11

Total Decks: 15

Electric Power or Voltage: 110, 220 AC

Guest Capacity: 1,250 (Double Occupancy)

Staff Size: 800

Guest to Staff Ratio: 1.57 to 1

Nationality of Officers: European

Nationality of Staff: International

Country of Registry: Marshall Islands

Edited September 2, 2014 by Orleanscruiser

[garycarla]

Looks like two threads about the same thing.

 

Click Here

[Travelcat2]

Just a simple clarification..... RCCL and RSSC are not the same cruise line. RCCL is Royal Caribbean Cruise Line and RSSC is Regent Seven Seas Cruise line. It is Regent that may be part of this deal. Yes -- it is a very expensive, upscale cruise line that would give NCL three levels of cruising options: mainstream - NCL, Oceania -- premium plus and Regent - luxury.

 

It has been our experience that not everyone who enjoys NCL or other mainstream cruise lines will enjoy Oceania or Regent. Both cruise lines are casual and have small ships but they are also very sedate. In other words, there are not many dining or lounge options, there are few if any children during the school year and not many activities to choose from (trivia, bingo and a few others). There are no special places for children to go -- only one small pool and a couple of Jacuzzi's that would have to be shared. It is for passengers that want a quiet vacation. You could probably get an inside cabin for a week for $3,000/person (perhaps less in the Caribbean). Economy air is included. Sometimes there are specials when tips and/or internet is included. Oceania's two new ships are probably the most beautiful at sea. Absolutely amazing.

 

Regent, on the other hand, has two all-balcony ships, (700 passengers each) one 80% balcony (490 passengers) and one that is expected to exceed the Oceania's ships in terms of being most beautiful ship at sea. Assume it will be all balcony and will hold close to 750 passengers. None of the Regent ships have inside or blocked view suites. Prices start around $5,000/per person for 7 nights and include airfare, tips, alcohol and most excursions. So, if you are looking at a Regent cruise, expect to spend between $10,000 and $30,000 - depending upon suite size for a week.

 

I do think that this will be a positive addition to NCL. Both cruise lines have been running full - have very loyal customers - have incredibly good service and food. And, despite some rumors to the contrary, we are quite friendly:D

Edited September 2, 2014 by Travelcat2

[UPNYGuy]

Just a simple clarification..... RCCL and RSSC are not the same cruise line. RCCL is Royal Caribbean Cruise Line and RSSC is Regent Seven Seas Cruise line. It is Regent that may be part of this deal. Yes -- it is a very expensive, upscale cruise line that would give NCL three levels of cruising options: mainstream - NCL, Oceania -- premium plus and Regent - luxury.

 

 

 

It has been our experience that not everyone who enjoys NCL or other mainstream cruise lines will enjoy Oceania or Regent. Both cruise lines are casual and have small ships but they are also very sedate. In other words, there are not many dining or lounge options, there are few if any children during the school year and not many activities to choose from (trivia, bingo and a few others). There are no special places for children to go -- only one small pool and a couple of Jacuzzi's that would have to be shared. It is for passengers that want a quiet vacation. You could probably get an inside cabin for a week for $3,000/person (perhaps less in the Caribbean). Economy air is included. Sometimes there are specials when tips and/or internet is included. Oceania's two new ships are probably the most beautiful at sea. Absolutely amazing.

 

 

 

Regent, on the other hand, has two all-balcony ships, (700 passengers each) one 80% balcony (490 passengers) and one that is expected to exceed the Oceania's ships in terms of being most beautiful ship at sea. Assume it will be all balcony and will hold close to 750 passengers. None of the Regent ships have inside or blocked view suites. Prices start around $5,000/per person for 7 nights and include airfare, tips, alcohol and most excursions. So, if you are looking at a Regent cruise, expect to spend between $10,000 and $30,000 - depending upon suite size for a week.

 

 

 

I do think that this will be a positive addition to NCL. Both cruise lines have been running full - have very loyal customers - have incredibly good service and food. And, despite some rumors to the contrary, we are quite friendly:D

 

 

 

I agree, Oceania is perfect for the guests who stay in the lower level Haven suites (RSSC, the higher end Havens), that are looking for the entire shipboard experience to be akin to The Haven.

 

 

 

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[bphman]

I would agree that RSSC is out of reach for most but not so with Oceania. When you consider what is included in the Oceania fare, such as free air and specialty dining and a more upscale experience, it is not excessively priced. This is a definite win for NCL and it's brand image.

 

RCCL does have an upscale line in Azamara. Our cruise to Greece and Turkey did not have a single negative. Carnival had Windstar which they sold. Seabourn and Cunard remain and are both great experiences. What RCCL and Carnival did was to essentially leave the day to day operations to the individual lines and I am sure NCL will do the same. This gives each line it's unique experience.

 

One thing I am curious about is whether this is the same Apollo that provided food services for Celebrity in it's early days? They had a great product back then.

[hondorner]

...One thing I am curious about is whether this is the same Apollo that provided food services for Celebrity in it's early days? They had a great product back then.

No. Apollo Global Managent is an investment firm. The Apollo Group provides ship chandler services to Oceania and Regent and Island Cruises; they may have supplied Celebrity back in the day? Their motto is "More than Great Food". They are based in Miami.

[hondorner]

I *might* actually consider Oceania then, IF the Lats benefits are reciprocal. Haven't sailed on RSSC yet, but have looked into it.

 

 

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Based on past history, and providing that the management of Prestige would be retained, it's doubtful that Latitudes benefits would be extended to Oceania or Regent. Each has it's own loyalty program, and they are not compatible with each other. Oceania counts by cruise, not by days, and while Regent does count by days, the benefits are unique to a luxury line. Neither adds benefits for booking in advance (almost everyone does so, to get their preferred cabin) or for booking a suite, as does NCL.

 

There is another major difference in making reservations -- prices on Oceania are at their lowest immediately after the itineraries are announced, and tend to go up as the cruise gets closer. It does not pay to wait for the last minute to book. Also, there are few upgrades, although upsells are fairly frequent. These conditions are essentially because the cruises tend to sell out.

 

Other differences are that smoking is heavily restricted, with only two tiny areas, one inside in a glassed in corner of a lounge and the other in one restricted area of the pool deck. Smoking in one's cabin or balcony is strictly prohibited and enforcement is removal from the ship. There is NO smoking in any public room, including the casino.

 

The dress code is a little more restrictive, called Country Club Casual, it calls for long trousers and a collared shirt for men, and no jeans or shorts for anyone, in the dining rooms (except the Terrace, which is still more elegant than an NCL buffet). No jackets ever required, and definately no ties -- the CEO deliberately did not include tie racks in their new ships. He is also famous for saying if he saw someone in a tux, he would assume they were a maiter 'd.

 

Unlike most cruise linex, the CEO reads Cruise Critic every night (I would not be surprised if he's reading this -- Hi, Frank) and often posts comments. Folks on Oceania and Regent feel they know him as a friend. If this acquisition goes through, and if he is not retained as chief of Prestige, there's no telling how many guests would abandon the cruise lines. Oceania and Regent folks are terrified that NCL would cheapen their experience.

 

Just a few tidbits about your prospective sister cruise lines...

[Travelcat2]

I agree, Oceania is perfect for the guests who stay in the lower level Haven suites (RSSC, the higher end Havens), that are looking for the entire shipboard experience to be akin to The Haven.

 

 

 

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You seem to understand the concept perfectly!:)

 

While we have not seen the Haven suites on NCL, the top three suites on Oceania's new ships are amazing. The Oceania suite is 1,000 sq. ft. with a media room. The Vista suite is 1,500 sq. ft. with a small work-out room and the Owner's suite is 2,000 sq. ft. with a huge living room and grand piano. All three suites have indoor and outdoor whirlpool tubs (there is also a television on the balcony by the tubs). They all have 2 1/2 baths (the Oceania suite may have 1 1/2 - not sure).

 

I hope that tours are given of these ships as they are truly one of a kind. When Regent's "Explorer" comes out it is suppose to surpass the beauty of Oceania's ships. I cannot imagine what it will look like but we are definitely looking forward to it.

Edited September 2, 2014 by Travelcat2

[dalgirl]

My first time trying to book a European cruise I saw one of Oceania's misleading free air included sales and booked. I was lucky to get out of it and rebook with NCL instead at a truly good price. Not impressed.

 

 

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[AAAAmerican]

Thank you for posting , but as we say, "The limos ARE NOT IN THE DRIVEWAY YET"!

 

DO YOU REALLY THINK IT WILL BENEFIT US CONSUMERS OF CRUISES?

 

It is like HSY :Hersey saying they are increasing Chocolate Product Price(s) next year. We bought Herseys Chocolate Syrup last week , it shows Fifty Percent More Chocolate... oh you say .. as we did.. but ZERO Chocolate Shows on the Ingredient Label, required.

 

That wonderful old adage is such a truism eh..

 

(( BUYER BEWARE )) :mad: