Oceania vs Celebrity pricing

[weregoingcruising]

23 hours ago, Ex-Airbalancer said:

Somepoeple are writing that it much better to cruise Oceania than Celebrity

So I decided to compare pricing 

We are booked on a  16 night TA on the Connie Rome to Tampa , so I compared to a 15 night Oceania Rome to Miami 

Celebrity cruise with in a V-1 balcony with Always included is $4200 CAD , for 2, the Oceania cruise is $11,300 CAD for 2 

Even if add speciality and premium drink package Celebrity price is 1/2 of Oceania , and Oceania does not include alcohol 

so I will be staying with Celebrity 

 

 

Wow! You really got them all fired up with 3 pages worth so far.

Edited May 18, 2023 by weregoingcruising
# correction

[Sigyn]

What is the average age of Oceania passengers vs. Celebrity? I'm assuming it's similar, or perhaps a bit older?

Edited May 18, 2023 by njsmom

[Ex-Airbalancer]

16 minutes ago, Ken the cruiser said:

I will say Oceania does have some unique port intensive itineraries. I will give them that. We went twice around Cuba on a 16-day B2B in an aft-facing A1 cabin on the Sirena, back when it was briefly open for cruise ships, and had an awesome time! 😁

Been to Cuba multiple times first back in ‘94 

 Cayo Largo  probably has some of the nicest beaches around , sand was like baby power 

 

[Loracpin2]

20 hours ago, Treasure Hunter said:

We have been on five Oceania ships from the smallest 650 passengers to the 1200 Riviera. Every stateroom no matter how large should be compared to Celebrity Retreat. On Celebrity, we have sailed in veranda cabins, concierge, basic retreat cabins, celebrity suites and once a Royal suite on the Edge. The food on Oceania ship wide is as good as Luminae if not better. The free included specialty restaurants on Oceania are far better than any specialty restaurant on Celebrity except for the seafood tower on Raw on Five. The lack of crowds , never fighting for a lounge  ( and we were desperate in the retreat on the Edge  to find a lounge chair  in the shade after paying a fortune for a aRoyal suite) means that Oceania is not really comparable by price alone. Both have great service. One is a very nice mainstream line and one is a premium line. 

BRAVO!!!!!

 

[basenji56]

30 minutes ago, njsmom said:

What is the average age of Oceania passengers vs. Celebrity? I'm assuming it's similar, or perhaps a bit older?

Based on my one TA on Oceania, I would say significantly older. I was the only person who wasn’t retired. Not to say there weren’t others I didn’t meet. But it was a very experienced group of cruise lovers. 

[hawkesbaynz]

Passengers on Oceania, in our experience, were older particularly on the Florida sailing where the ship seemed to be a cheaper option than the old folks home. On a tendered port we were concerned that we would not be able to get off in an emergency wit h all the walkers and wheeelchairs.

[QuestionEverything]

Interesting discussion.

Every consumer purchase should be based on a "value for money" analysis; not strictly cost. Such an analysis is very specific to each consumer.

 

Celebrity is a significantly different product than Oceania. Making a purchase decision based on only 1 criteria, price, is not comprehensive analysis.

 

The Connie is my favorite ship along with the QM2. But that does not mean I choose to sail with either. Today I sail for destinations; not food, entertainment etc. So I will pick the cruise line supplier that meets this key criteria and then analyze the other variables to determine a supplier.

 

What is obvious is there are many Celebrity cruise patrons who are now also or now exclusively sailing with Oceania - that is a business issue for Celebrity. 

 

[basenji56]

11 minutes ago, QuestionEverything said:

Today I sail for destinations; not food, entertainment etc. So I will pick the cruise line supplier that meets this key criteria and then analyze the other variables to determine a supplier.

 

What is obvious is there are many Celebrity cruise patrons who are now also or now exclusively sailing with Oceania - that is a business issue for Celebrity. 

 

In the Carribean, the destinations are very similar.  But, yes, interesting and different destinations are a reason to try other lines.

 

For the people who put a high value on food, I see them switching to Oceania or Virgin Voyages.  The food definitely seems to have declined on Celebrity and Royal.  (Flame suit on).

[NutsAboutGolf]

2 hours ago, basenji56 said:

In the Carribean, the destinations are very similar.  But, yes, interesting and different destinations are a reason to try other lines.

 

For the people who put a high value on food, I see them switching to Oceania or Virgin Voyages.  The food definitely seems to have declined on Celebrity and Royal.  (Flame suit on).

 

Absolutely agree with the food downgrade yet just pointing out on X you can buy a specialty package in roll that into the price...Same for Royal and in addition, they also allow you buy a "premium" steak and/or lobster for a fee in the MDR which is something I'm baffled X doesn't do considering how hard it is to get a specialty dining reservation before 9pm once on board if a non-suite guest.  Also when in port we eat dinner off the ship whenever can, you get a sense of the local scene and food, we find many ports with great restaurants we found on the tripadvisor forums.  Usually the cost is less than the specialty cover charge yet if you're wanting expensive alcohol it would be more expensive

[caviargal]

On 5/17/2023 at 8:25 PM, Ex-Airbalancer said:

The purpose is there been enough people posting that Oceania is better price than Celebrity and I want to check it out 
Why would I compare a suite? I don’t cruise in a suite , only balcony 

Is Oceania a premium line ? 

 Oceania is a premium line.  I would choose an inside on O over anything on Celebrity, all day, every day.

Your price comparison is apples to oranges. 

O ships are 1000 persons max.  You are not inundated with photographers, sales of this and that.  Specialty dining is included.  There is no nickel and diming.

If you are looking for lower price, then you found it, but the two do not compare.

[PTC DAWG]

4 minutes ago, caviargal said:

 Oceania is a premium line.  I would choose an inside on O over anything on Celebrity, all day, every day.

Your price comparison is apples to oranges. 

O ships are 1000 persons max.  You are not inundated with photographers, sales of this and that.  Specialty dining is included.  There is no nickel and diming.

If you are looking for lower price, then you found it, but the two do not compare.

Keep stirring. Me, I’d rather stay home than cruise an inside cabin on a ship with nary a thing to do after 10PM.  

Edited May 23, 2023 by PTC DAWG

[Ex-Airbalancer]

37 minutes ago, caviargal said:

 Oceania is a premium line.  I would choose an inside on O over anything on Celebrity, all day, every day.

Your price comparison is apples to oranges. 

O ships are 1000 persons max.  You are not inundated with photographers, sales of this and that.  Specialty dining is included.  There is no nickel and diming.

If you are looking for lower price, then you found it, but the two do not compare.

When was the last time you were on a Celebrity ship? 
There was no photographers roaming the ship at dinner time this month even on Chic night 

and didn’t real notice any sales at all 

This was on a transatlantic with a lot of seadays 

[Ex-Airbalancer]

Inside cabin on Oceania is still double what my balcony on Conny is with alcohol included 

I am glad I can slum it On celebrity and have a great time with friends 

 

[caviargal]

5 hours ago, Ex-Airbalancer said:

When was the last time you were on a Celebrity ship? 
There was no photographers roaming the ship at dinner time this month even on Chic night 

and didn’t real notice any sales at all 

This was on a transatlantic with a lot of seadays 

It's been years, since the last 2 were so disappointing.

 

We are taking the extended family on Celebrity in 6 weeks as the lines we enjoy are not a fit for kids.  I have VERY modest expectations.

[PTC DAWG]

3 minutes ago, caviargal said:

It's been years, since the last 2 were so disappointing.

 

We are taking the extended family on Celebrity in 6 weeks as the lines we enjoy are not a fit for kids.  I have VERY modest expectations.

IMHO NCL strikes a good balance for kids and adults...and I agree, managing expectations is the key in many aspects of cruising different lines.  

[CelebrityBrownWater]

Unfortunately, comparing one random booking with another one, months apart, without considering anything but price and included alcohol, means absolutely nothing.

 

…Other than making ppl feel warm and fuzzy about sticking with Celebrity. Which is the reason most are here.

 

Still not sure why they call this place cruise critic.

 

[neverlaysup]

On 5/18/2023 at 4:09 AM, mac_tlc said:

I’ve done the Celebrity vs Oceania comparison a lot lately, given the current Retreat prices. All pricing was done within the last 30 minutes. I think this is a valid comparison:

 

Celebrity Beyond TA 11/1/2024 14 N vs Oceania Vista TA 11/20/2024 15N

 

S1 on Beyond is $15,615 for 2 with $1,200 OBC

 

Vista A2 is $9,198

Vista PH3 is waitlisted but would be $11,598

 

Let’s do some adjustments:

 

Celebrity Beyond adjusted for OBC = $15,615- $1,200 = $14,415

 

Grats on O are $19pppd = $570 for 2

Upgrade drink package on O = $30pppd = $900 for 2

 

So, Beyond at $14,415 vs

Vista A2 at $10,668 vs

Vista PH3 at $13,068

 

Only thing I did not do is add another internet account to O to make it even with X. One could say I shouldn’t have deducted the entire X OBC to account for any specialty restaurant charges since all are included n O. 
 

Vista = brand new, Beyond = almost brand new. If you price the Ascent’s 10/26/24 TA, which is only 13 days, an S1 is $18,225 ——YIKES 

 

So WWYD? I’m on the Beyond TA, but booked it about a month ago for $3200 less for an S1, At that time, I thought the prices between O and X were a push, and the Beyond dates were better for us. 
 

I think we will try the Vista sometime in the next 2 years—- maybe a Panama Canal transit.

 

mac_tlc

For that money, I will sail on the Regent TA in November of '24 for $6800pp. This cruise includes absolutely everything including business class airfare to Europe.

[goofysmom99]

6 minutes ago, neverlaysup said:

For that money, I will sail on the Regent TA in November of '24 for $6800pp. This cruise includes absolutely everything including business class airfare to Europe.

Ditto, plus they had a solo fare for me, too.  Sweet deal that equated to many, many thousands less than X; their deposit was $1K but it's refundable to my credit card (not X's current direction), less $100 admin fee, until final payment.  My plan B is the Nov 2024 Silhouette TA with specialty dining every night (I do love Lawn Club and Murano).  This year's Connie TA will be my last long cruise on an M-class (using up final FCC).  Although I prefer M-class ships, their limited specialties are the deal-killer.  Don't care for Le Petit Chef (I'm gluten free) and Tuscan has been a pretty sorry affair on my last six visits.  In fact, the last two Tuscan dinners were refunded by F&B Mgr/Hotel Dir.  If they ever discontinue LPC and reinstate something like a Murano, I'll reconsider.  Meanwhile, I'm also zeroing-in on an Oceania booking for next spring.  It took a long time to reach Zenith but now, after following lots of "live" threads/reviews written by people I know and whose opinions I respect, I too am getting out of my former comfort zone (AKA rut) and trying new things. 

[PTC DAWG]

Almost always good to try new things..I’m not quite yet to where the luxury lines are calling my name…I like a little more night life..lively casino action etc..

 

Choices are always good, and I’ve learned some things in this thread.  

[NutsAboutGolf]

1 hour ago, CelebrityBrownWater said:

Unfortunately, comparing one random booking with another one, months apart, without considering anything but price and included alcohol, means absolutely nothing.

 

…Other than making ppl feel warm and fuzzy about sticking with Celebrity. Which is the reason most are here.

 

Still not sure why they call this place cruise critic.

 

 

Exactly with pricing, the cruise industry like most of travel, use occupancy based dynamic pricing

[C4HCG]

2 hours ago, caviargal said:

It's been years, since the last 2 were so disappointing.

 

We are taking the extended family on Celebrity in 6 weeks as the lines we enjoy are not a fit for kids.  I have VERY modest expectations.

I hope your expectations are hugely exceeded and if that happens, hope you post here to tell us all about it as I expect you will if as you expect, you aren’t impressed.

[C4HCG]

On 5/18/2023 at 2:52 PM, jonthomas said:

 

 

I would not sail on C for free.

 

Really? Yet you are on this board, why?

[RichYak]

2 hours ago, CelebrityBrownWater said:

Unfortunately, comparing one random booking with another one, months apart, without considering anything but price and included alcohol, means absolutely nothing.

 

…Other than making ppl feel warm and fuzzy about sticking with Celebrity. Which is the reason most are here.

 

Still not sure why they call this place cruise critic.

 

The price comparison made in the original post was deceitful and disingenuous. Thankfully, this thread has (mostly) evolved into a substantive discussion about the two lines.

[RichYak]

1 hour ago, PTC DAWG said:

Almost always good to try new things..I’m not quite yet to where the luxury lines are calling my name…I like a little more night life..lively casino action etc..

 

Choices are always good, and I’ve learned some things in this thread.  

I am my own night life and avoid casinos. Choices are definitely good.

[jonthomas]

1 hour ago, C4HCG said:

Really? Yet you are on this board, why?

Doing my good deed in telling others.  Thank you for asking.