Booked Oceania Istanbul-Venice, instead of Navigator

[Daw6id]

We've just booked the 14 day cruise from Istanbul to Venice on the Nautica. While this will be our first Oceania cruise, we were on the R7 from Barcelona to Dover about 8 years ago, so we know the boat. Since then, we've become Radisson devotees, on the Mariner to Alaska and the Paul Gauguin in French Polynesia. We were snowed by the level of service on Radisson - after one day on the boat, four different people knew I wanted a Diet Coke [room stewardess, bartender, buffet waiter and restaurant waiter] and brought it without being asked - at no charge. However, Oceania's cruise in this part of the world was twice as long as Radisson's - for about the same price, and included stops in Dubrovnik and Montenegro, as well as a terminus in Venice, and I figured I could buy a lot of $1.50 Diet Cokes with the money I saved.

 

Anybody else care to react? Anybody else sailing in that cruise? I'm interested in this board's reaction. I'm also gonna post on the Oceania board.

 

David

[Iamboatman]

There are a lot of people that cruised with Renaissance and enjoy the ships. Also, Oceania has some great deals if you are willing to pick and choose. I cruised some of those ports on the Diamond two summers ago (and others on other lines) but the itinerary you have chosen isn't something RSSC is offering this year. My one criticism - you don't get to stay late in Santorini, where the sunsets are fantastic. (Oh, such problems!)

 

While the cabins are smaller, since the itinerary is excellent and very port intensive, I could easily see overlooking that. As for the cost of the diet cokes, I just figure in the entire cruise price (whether inclusive or ala carte), just as you have.

 

Are you planning on spending some extra time in Istanbul? It is well worth it.

 

Enjoy!

[Dolebludger]

Well, you really can't just keep cruising the same line over and over again. The most important reason is that, after a number of cruises on the same relatively small cruise line, you will tend to run out of itinerairies that appeal to you. Especially if you are "port-oriented" as we are. Another reason is that the onboard experience tends to be pretty much the same on different ships of the same line. So onboard, you may get the feeling that you are taking the same vacation over and over again. No matter how good, this can get old. We reached that point so, with no bad words for Radisson, we booked our next cruise on a Silversea special which (at the time) carried a lower per deim than Raddison with similar itinerary. (That "special" is now $1200 pp higher, due to Silversea's "transitory" specials.)

 

Oceania has succeed in gaining a good "repeater" and "fan" base in a short time. That's good, as we are badly in need of competition in the "better than mass market" segment. We have never cruised Oceania, for reasons particular to us, and not nexessarily to others. For one thing, we are a bit claustrophoebic, and don't really care to go on a cruise longer than 7 days in a cabin/suit smaller than the Mariner's base suites. On Oceania, that means a Penthouse Suite. Everytime I have priced cruises, this factor has eliminated any Oceania cost advantage, even before the cost of "extras" are figured in. Those who don't need close to 300 sq. ft. of living area for a cruise often do find a cost advantage on Oceania, especially if they don't drink very much of anything. So I think this is a case where hou have to figure out what you want and need on a cruise, and do your own math.

 

Thanks,

Richard

[Leejnd4]

David,

 

I recently went through a loooong analysis and decision-making process, trying to choose between a Radisson cruise vs. an Oceania cruise. I finally settled on a Radisson Mariner cruise. If you're interested in what led me to my choice, here's the thread:

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=274932

 

I went through a pretty detailed analysis between the two lines. I'd be interested in hearing your comments about it! And I'll also be very interested in hearing what you have to say about your Oceania cruise upon your return, and how you felt it compared to RSSC.

 

LeeAnne

[Joanandjoe]

We're just poor (well, not so poor, or we wouldn't have cruised on Radisson) working stiffs with limited vacation time, and we've been unable to fit in an Oceania cruise. In November, 2004, due to cancellation of vacations early in the year, we had a 19 day vacation window, and none of Oceania's 10 day cruises fit within the window (astounding1), but a 14 day Windstar cruise did. We loved our two weeks in the Med. on the Wind Surf.

 

Our real problems with booking Oceania, even if we can somehow fit their longish cruises into our normal vaction periods (2004 was unusual due to illness in the family), are twofold: the small room sizes and the "nickle and diming". The lower half of the cost scale consists of insides or outside rooms that are too cramped to consider. That eliminates the cost advantage. We priced an Athens to Istanbul cruise on Oceania with free air, so it looked cheap. By the time we added in transfers (not included), air taxes, Turkish visa, port charges, cost of an adequate size room, etc., etc., it was about 50% more than the quoted price, and no longer a bargain. We did not book Oceania.

[Dolebludger]

Exactly:

 

Before one concludes that Oceania is REALLY at less cost than Radisson, Silversea, and Seabourn, one must insure that he/she is comparing "apples to apples". I've done "the math" several times, and have yet to find the TOTAL COST of an Oceania cruise to be a "good deal" in light of our need or want for a more spacious cabin/suite than Oceania's more base offerings.

 

Oceania could be a good value for those cruisers who view cabins/suites as "size doesn't matter":D , and those who don't drink much of ANYTHING. And oh, yes, those who arrainge their own shore activities, as Oceania far from shines in this area.

 

On the other hand, and to be fair, the interior decor on Oceania is far more traditional (and more to my liking) than the contemporary/deco interior design of the lines I mentioned above. But, if my prime motivation were merely to live in highly traditional interior decor, I'd just stay home!

 

Thanks,

Richard

[Leejnd4]

Richard, I totally agree with you -- especially about the decor! I was very drawn to the decor I saw in pictures of Oceania's ships. Not that I don't like Radisson's decor -- but to be honest, while it's cleanly elegant, I find it a bit too simple and contemporary for my tastes. Those Oceania ships looked absolutely exquisite, and much more to my liking!

 

But I just couldn't deal with the other issues -- mainly, the stuff that is just too close to the mass-market irritants. The nickle-&-diming (and outrageous costs to boot -- $2.50 for a small bottle of water!) was a big issue for me. Then there were all the discussions I read about the "class" system -- that those in the higher category suites get some benefits and treatment that the "unwashed masses" in the lower categories don't get, mainly reservations to the specialty restaurants. The more I read about that, the more I found it distasteful. It was too reminiscent of all that I've read about the QM2, which has a widely-known and quite stark differentiation between the "upper class" and the "lower class" on board, even so far as having lounges and restaurants that the great unwashed aren't even allowed into! I admit that I do not travel among the jet-setters in my daily life, but I certainly do NOT want to be sharply reminded of this while on a luxury cruise.

 

Another huge issue for me is the excursions. I've read way too many negative reviews of Oceania's excursions for comfort, whereas RSSC seems to draw almost universally raving reviews...not just for the experiences, but for the cost and value as well.

 

I may still someday end up on an Oceania cruise -- I think they have much to offer. But there would have to be some very compelling factors -- an amazing itinerary, an incredible value -- to draw me away from the other luxury lines, as at this point I'm just not convinced that they are in the same league.

 

But I'm definitely eager to read more reviews, and perhaps as they settle into their place in the cruise world they'll develop more refinements.

 

LeeAnne

[Daw6id]

Thanks to all for your comments - LeeAnne, I remember your thread, which played into my decision process. I don't expect Oceania to be cheaper than Radisson, just a week longer. By the time I pay $300 for tips and who knows how much for Diet Cokes, price will be comparable to the 7 day Navigator cruise. Room will be smaller [even with a balcony], and excursions will be riskier. But I'll get to go to Montenegro and Dubrovnik and Amalfi, in addition to the places the Navigator goes, and schedule works out better for us. I am not much of a drinker, but I am a real foodie - so 14 days of good meals is a strong selling point.

 

David

[Dolebludger]

David:

 

Looks like you did "your math" correctly for your situation and expectations.

 

Another factor not mentioned above is that, on the Navigator, one must upgrade all the way to a category E balcony suite to get what I'd call a "good suite." We have always booked the odd-numbered, regular sized suites on deck 6, and they have previously been in category F. Recently they were changed to category E by Radisson in a "hidden" (?) fare increase move. Book a lower category, and you'll get only a window suite, or one of those ridiculous even-numbered window suites on deck 6 where the window overlooks a crew deck (!) or perhaps a balcony suite with vibrations.

 

And then there have been those disturbing reports on this board that the Navigator has developed a list, even when docked! While some recent cruisers on this ship dispute this, the reports of a list are enough to raise a "red flag" for me. I can stand a little vibration. But I was on a non-Radisson ship once that listed. Never again!

 

And we've been to some of the ports you mention on the Mariner (one fine ship!), and found they were ports better "done on your own" without booking a ship's excursion. So, if you find Oceania's shore excursions to be a bit lacking (as some have reported), it may not be much of an impact in your case.

 

Good thing is, if you post a question about line choices here, you WILL NOT always get a "Radisson come heck or high water" answer. Experienced cruisers know there is no "one size fits all" line, and that things change rather constantly. For example, after 11 weeks on Radisson in the past four years, I recently went looking for my next cruise. I checked all reasonable alternatives, did "my own personal math", and chose ------- Silversea!

 

Thanks,

Richard

[Leejnd4]

David:

 

 

Good thing is, if you post a question about line choices here, you WILL NOT always get a "Radisson come heck or high water" answer. Experienced cruisers know there is no "one size fits all" line, and that things change rather constantly. For example, after 11 weeks on Radisson in the past four years, I recently went looking for my next cruise. I checked all reasonable alternatives, did "my own personal math", and chose ------- Silversea!

 

And I'm leaving in two weeks for my next cruise....on Windstar! Can't wait! :D

 

David I'm glad my analysis added to your decision process. I'll be VERY interested in hearing your feedback on your Oceania experience, especially given your involvement in these discussions. You know the things we are interested in and concerned about, so I'm sure you'll make note of how things measure up.

 

The food thing is, I must admit, a big draw. ;) As is the decor and ambiance. Another draw for me is the long itineraries -- for me, if I'm going to go to all the trouble of going on vacation in some exotic locale, I prefer it to be for longer than a week! I feel like a week is just enough time to start to enjoy yourself and feel at home on the ship...but then you gotta leave. I thought my 11-day Med cruise was just about perfect -- and could even have been a bit longer. It'll be interesting to see how I feel about my upcoming 18-day cruise -- don't know if that will feel a bit too long.

 

Anyway, thanks for sharing -- and do let us know how it goes! I'm especially interested in hearing if the reports of the "class system" are true. If so, that right there would keep my off their ships.

 

LeeAnne

[nearly there]

We did a med cruise last summer on Oceania's Insignia after cruising with Silversea and Radisson previously. We were cruising with extended family who love Oceania's policy of country club casual (which, by the way, was great..especially in August in the Med). We had a Vista suite, so benefited from the "class system" in terms of specialist restaurant bookings. However....the nickel and diming does affect you no matter what cabin/suite you are in. I suppose, in the long run, it was still less expensive than a comparative cruise on Radisoon, but we've decided we'd rather pay a bit more and have the illusion of luxury. It wasn't just the charges for alcohol..that we expected..although with 6 of us at dinner and sometimes 3 drinking wine, sometimes 4, sometimes all 6 (always me!), it was do we want 1 bottle or 2, is it worth buying another bottle, etc and I longed for Radisson where glasses would just be re-filled. However, I was prepared for that. Having the same conversation about the bottled water was more irritating as was having small water bottles sold to you on the way off the ship to excursions instead of being given to you, charging for the shuttle from the port, etc. We also missed the little extras, like lovely hot canapes served in the bar.

I don't mean to sound too negative, because our extended family loves Oceania and thinks the casual ambiance outways any negatives, and many things (especially the food) were great!

We'll see what we think of the Navigator in August; we loved the Voyager so hope we're not disappointed.

[jhp]

daw6id, it will be interesting to hear your report on your return. As they say, "forewarned is forearmed". You have already been on the ship, so that's a major factor. You are well aware of the extra charges for EVERYTHING. If you like cc casual, that's a plus because you don't have to bring on formal wear. Not sure what cabin you have chosen...if it is comparable to RSSC standard suite, no reason you should be disappointed. Lots of folks really like Oceania. One lady I know books the owner's suite. Well, that's not apples to apples in comparing to a standard suite on RSSC, but she loves it! You have done your research, go into this with your eyes open, that's why I am interested to hear of your experience. I am (ugh) a smoker, and their policy of no smoking on the verandahs keeps me away. That's okay, because I respect that some non-smoking folks really have problems with the smell, even from an adjacent balcony! It is nice there is a line that totally protects the sensitive non-smoker.