Thinking about Oceania

[Lynniepoo]

Thank you all to your posts, both positive and negative!

 

I know no cruise line is perfect and all have their plusses and minuses. From what I'm reading, we might represent a younger demographic than Oceania usually has, but that's okay with us.

 

We like to be active and do things but generally go to bed fairly early and rise fairly early, so the shows are not a huge concern as long as there is stuff to do while onboard! No constant selling is definitely a plus. We have grown weary of the constant barrage of soda sales, coffee sales, liquor sales, jewelry sales, etc. etc. etc. on Princess. (We have found a polite way to say "no" with predjudice after so many sailings!).

 

The 2 in 1 being not as they are describing is worrisome. A 12 day cruise I was looking at was over 4K per person - that's astronomical IMO, but reasonable for 2 ship fares.

 

We also love food, not exactly foodies, but I love to try new cuisines and new flavors. From what I heard, I think the choices of food would be fine for us.

 

As for people, I have to say that I've met extremely rude ones and extremely nice ones (and everywhere in between) on Princess sailings, so I'm too worried about the people on the ship. DH and I would have fun regardless.

 

If anyone wouldn't mind, could you give us more details on how the 2 in 1 works if it's really not 2 in 1?

 

And thanks again, for all the feedback!! :D

[ORV]

One thing for sure, it's easy for me to know whose opinion to respect, and whose not.

 

Having been in trouble for it before I won't make any member directed comments

[hypercafe]

Thank you all to your posts, both positive and negative!

 

I know no cruise line is perfect and all have their plusses and minuses. From what I'm reading, we might represent a younger demographic than Oceania usually has, but that's okay with us.

 

We like to be active and do things but generally go to bed fairly early and rise fairly early, so the shows are not a huge concern as long as there is stuff to do while onboard! No constant selling is definitely a plus. We have grown weary of the constant barrage of soda sales, coffee sales, liquor sales, jewelry sales, etc. etc. etc. on Princess. (We have found a polite way to say "no" with predjudice after so many sailings!).

 

The 2 in 1 being not as they are describing is worrisome. A 12 day cruise I was looking at was over 4K per person - that's astronomical IMO, but reasonable for 2 ship fares.

 

We also love food, not exactly foodies, but I love to try new cuisines and new flavors. From what I heard, I think the choices of food would be fine for us.

 

As for people, I have to say that I've met extremely rude ones and extremely nice ones (and everywhere in between) on Princess sailings, so I'm too worried about the people on the ship. DH and I would have fun regardless.

 

If anyone wouldn't mind, could you give us more details on how the 2 in 1 works if it's really not 2 in 1?

 

And thanks again, for all the feedback!! :D

 

The two for one is just marketing along with the free air. You can not take the real price of the cruise for one person and think it is for two because it is not. I do not know what trip you are looking at or what room type however 4 K pp for a 12 Day trip seems ok for a low end room. Go on the Web site and do a trial booking and you will see the price. If you do not want the air you can op out and get a credit. As for the rest of it, it's a step up from Princess on much smaller ships, food is good, ship is Very quiet, however it is just a cruise not a trial visit to heaven.

[thunderbird56]

Thank you all to your posts, both positive and negative!

 

 

If anyone wouldn't mind, could you give us more details on how the 2 in 1 works if it's really not 2 in 1?

 

And thanks again, for all the feedback!! :D

 

Lynniepoo:

 

No details needed on this one. Just ignore it. It's strictly marketing. If it says the brochure price is 8500 per person and the 2 for 1 fare is 4250, just use that as the going rate. NO ONE pays the 8500. If that rate also includes air you can ask Oceania or your TA what the air credit is on your cruise. If , for example it is 1000 and you want to book your own air, then your cruise rate is 3250. Start from there and good luck. Don't hesitate to ask more questions if there are other confusing factors. There are lots of good folks on this board that love to help.

 

Dennis

[buggins0402]

Depending on the itinerary you are looking at, sometimes it is the included airfare that makes the price work out to not much more than the mass markets. For example, a R/T high season ticket to Europe from many cities will be $1600.

 

Personally, when booking O, we are willing to take a step down in cabin level from what we would book on a mass market, in order to enjoy the overall ambiance of an Oceania cruise. And, with a good TA, you might get a wonderful last minute upgrade offer, if the cruise has not sold out.

[Rob the Cruiser]

My goodness, I thought the people on the Celebrity forum were cranky but this brings things to a different level. :)

 

At the risk of getting flamed, I think there are a lot of people, including myself, who browse this forum to determine if Oceania would be a good upgrade from previous lines. In my case from Celebrity. For DW and I, it looks as if the answer is yes.

[neepawa]

We have sailed with Celebrity and Princess. Oceania is definitely a step up especially with regard to food.

 

Cheers,

 

Don

[LHT28]

 

If anyone wouldn't mind, could you give us more details on how the 2 in 1 works if it's really not 2 in 1?

 

And thanks again, for all the feedback!! :D

 

Look at the colum Promotional Fares that is the price PP but remember it includes airfare & taxes

Some other lines will add the Taxes to the rate posted

 

Maybe try a trial booking depending on the cabin type you will be most happy with

& compare the bottom line

 

It may be worth the extra $$ to you to try Oceania

We are not foodies but do enjoy the quality of the Oceania product

 

Enjoy whatever cruise you choose

 

 

Lyn

Edited February 20, 2015 by LHT28

[planitohio]

I've done Oceania and Princess-only one on each. I find it a toss up on all but price. oceania was definitely more expensive. I did like no photographers or soft drink sales, but I found that the daily activities mainly involved sales-casino games, bingo. I did get so bored that I started going to needlepoint. As we don't play bridge, there were limited options. But I also sailed during rough seas and the pool and sun deck were closed a few days. Tea is nice on Oceania. I'm gluten free and Oceania really struggled with this. Oceania breakfasts were amazing, but for the other meals we preferred Princess. We did not care for Toscana at all. We do like shows and did miss those. We also found the room used for those and almost every other gathering to be very uncomfortable and have horrible sight lines.

[Floridiana]

Taste is subjective. On two months worth of Princess cruises and two months worth of Oceania cruises, we always thought that Oceania served better and more varied food in the main dining room ... and the special restaurants are included in the price, no extra charge. The buffet on all the Princess ships was a zoo versus the buffet on Oceania ships is a delightful dining venue with Sushi and outdoor seating.

[WendyG]

Thank you all to your posts, both positive and negative!

 

I know no cruise line is perfect and all have their plusses and minuses. From what I'm reading, we might represent a younger demographic than Oceania usually has, but that's okay with us.

 

We like to be active and do things but generally go to bed fairly early and rise fairly early, so the shows are not a huge concern as long as there is stuff to do while onboard! No constant selling is definitely a plus. We have grown weary of the constant barrage of soda sales, coffee sales, liquor sales, jewelry sales, etc. etc. etc. on Princess. (We have found a polite way to say "no" with predjudice after so many sailings!).

 

The 2 in 1 being not as they are describing is worrisome. A 12 day cruise I was looking at was over 4K per person - that's astronomical IMO, but reasonable for 2 ship fares.

 

We also love food, not exactly foodies, but I love to try new cuisines and new flavors. From what I heard, I think the choices of food would be fine for us.

 

As for people, I have to say that I've met extremely rude ones and extremely nice ones (and everywhere in between) on Princess sailings, so I'm too worried about the people on the ship. DH and I would have fun regardless.

 

If anyone wouldn't mind, could you give us more details on how the 2 in 1 works if it's really not 2 in 1?

 

And thanks again, for all the feedback!! :D

 

Hi,

 

From a Princess regular (23 of my 38 cruises have been on Princess) we are trying Oceania for the first time next month. Not sure what itinerary you were looking at, but there are some phenomenal deals running in March for the Caribbean, I have been getting emails from several online agencies (which are true 2 for 1 deals!)

[warburg]

Ever since discovering CC, I notice that there are always a few people who post awful comments about aspects of cruising. The focus may differ, but the vituperation is the same. However, these people keep cruising. They have been on this and that ship. So much is wrong, and they are treated unjustly. Under the circumstances, the only conclusion I come to is they are masochists. Why else do something that is so unpleasant so often?

[ORV]

Hi,

 

From a Princess regular (23 of my 38 cruises have been on Princess) we are trying Oceania for the first time next month. Not sure what itinerary you were looking at, but there are some phenomenal deals running in March for the Caribbean, I have been getting emails from several online agencies (which are true 2 for 1 deals!)

 

Yep, if you don't have to fly there are some great deals right now.

 

I personally went on Princess once. I'm sure they have a good product and forming an opinion on one cruise, on one of their ships is certainly not fair to the cruise line, but I'll never cruise with them again. It was the most crowded cruise ship I've ever been on, (Golden Princess) and that includes cruises on Royal Caribbean, Costa, & Carnival. Dinner was a zoo, food wasn't that good, theater was horrible, tiny seats, had to get there 30 or 45 minutes before the show. It wasn't for me.

 

Then I went on Oceania, and we've been back 8 times. I also enjoy Celebrity, been on about 10 cruises with them.

 

What's important is to understand the product you are going to get. It's not for everyone.

[kimanjo]

Frequent Celebrity cruisers... We switched to Oceania last year. I know its not Princess, but why we switched might help. I have sailed Azamara as well.

 

We wanted smaller ship, less people and "noise" than what Celebrity had become to us. It was fine with the children, now the kids are grown, DH and I wanted quiet time.

 

Very few, if any children.

 

Included air... For us, it is far cheaper to use O's air. Most people, I bet not. Example, I live in Memphis. Air on my own to Europe this June would have been about 1700.00 per person. You have to know your "air" market and do the math.

 

Smoking policy very important. "O"s is about as restrictive as you can get. We like that.

 

We don't do shows and don't really do "activities". We just enjoy each others company. We self entertain.

 

Food.. Very subjective. We are not "foodies" at all. I am happy with waffles and fresh fruit for breakfast and Ceasar Salad and a steak for dinner. And a real coffee shop. O has very good food. Actually very very good. Love the Terrace, not your usual "buffet". Also, THEY serve you, and I love that! No germs from other pax. Included specialties are great as well.

 

We do not drink, so non-alcoholics bevs included is great for us.

 

Country Club casual... DH loves this. No Jacket required.. Dress trousers and a nice button down... Done, easy peasy.

 

Laundry room on board. For us light packers, fantastic.

 

 

We are 52 and 53.

 

Thats basically why we switched.

 

Hope this helps.

Edited February 20, 2015 by kimanjo

[LHT28]

Hi,

 

I have been getting emails from several online agencies (which are true 2 for 1 deals!)

 

While I do not doubt there are deals out there I do doubt they are for Oceania

 

I find it hard to believe that you can get it 1/2 of the promotional rates that Oceania is offering

 

Even one of the popular online sites does not offer it that much less that O

[WendyG]

While I do not doubt there are deals out there I do doubt they are for Oceania

 

I find it hard to believe that you can get it 1/2 of the promotional rates that Oceania is offering

 

Even one of the popular online sites does not offer it that much less that

 

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using Forums mobile app

 

It's oceania.

You can email me if you'd like....

[WendyG]

I will forward you the email....

 

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using Forums mobile app

[LHT28]

It's oceania.

 

Maybe you can just mention the Cat & price offered

 

Is it for Florida residents ?

[Lynniepoo]

Hi,

 

From a Princess regular (23 of my 38 cruises have been on Princess) we are trying Oceania for the first time next month. Not sure what itinerary you were looking at, but there are some phenomenal deals running in March for the Caribbean, I have been getting emails from several online agencies (which are true 2 for 1 deals!)

 

Thanks Wendy! I don't want to ruin any plans you might be looking forward to, but be careful of chikungunya and dengue fever, which was on the rise in the Caribbean. You can check the CDC or WHO website for more info and I hope this doesn't ruin things for you!!! :(

 

As for us, we were looking at a 12 day Alaska in June.

[Lynniepoo]

Thanks again to everyone! I understand now. the 2 for 1 was the already discounted price per person, most likely including an allowance for airfare. I emailed my TA and asked him what he could quote and we will see.

 

I got very seasick the one time I went on a smaller ship, so that will be a consideration. But I feel much more knowledgeable!! :D

[WendyG]

Thanks Lynniepoo!

 

I never heard of those diseases (and we go to the caribbean often! ) I just checked the cdc website and Belize and Honduras (our ports of call) aren't on their list! :D

 

I will watch out for mosquitos though and nothing ever ruins my cruise vacation plans :)

 

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using Forums mobile app

[sammiedawg]

We've done a number of Princess cruises and for some itineraries like Alaska they have a great product. Step up a level and try Oceania, we are very glad we gave it a try and we are now happy repeaters. The food is tremendous, you will see a large portion of your cruise fare is allotted to high quality food beautifully prepared and presented. The array of food options will impress, the free specialty restaurants, the great buffet and grill options, Waves poolside grill.

 

Regarding the included air fare, the value definitely depends on where you live. If we have an Oceania booking we watch air fares closely, then decide whether or not to take the air credit. If you participate in any frequent flyer or bank card point programs check to see if this is a better option. Read through posts here to get an idea how the included air works.

[oregon50]

The food is tremendous, you will see a large portion of your cruise fare is allotted to high quality food beautifully prepared and presented.

 

Yes, it could be up to 3% of your fare. For the cruise I had booked....and later cancelled, it was just over 1%.

Edited February 21, 2015 by oregon50