Vallesan

I agree. Looks like all lines are looking to the ‘future’ and realise that the new 50/60/70 somethings will be looking for a far different experience to the current cruisers! Cant really blame cruise lines for looking towards their futures!

Think it’s a minute past midnight. If I’m wrong somebody will jump in !

Interesting! Does that information come from ‘someone who knows’?

Don’t be put off. In general those who have great cruises don’t post in here! Sailed on the R ships a number of times and never been disappointed. Go and enjoy!

We will also be disappointed! We booked thinking the ship may not be out of dry dock but now, considering they have cut way back on the refurbishment, we feel more optimistic. Our hotels can be cancelled but the flights can only be changed at a nominal charge. It will be what it will be!

I’m fine with SimplyMore but if you aren’t and in your opinion the food has declined where is your next best?

Unfortunately in the UK we haven’t had any of these offers! I just checked our gold and BA Blue. Never mind!

Yes I agree. I’m sure they have already decided and maybe they are just trying not to completely alienate their ‘loyal’ customers. So maybe they could make a few tweaks if the surveys suggest too much dissatisfaction. The one question that we found difficult to answer was: Would you prefer to ….. Frequently receive smaller rewards OR Receive larger rewards less frequently My reading of that, and I must admit we weren’t quite sure which was to answer, was that either way they were going to reduce the ‘perks’. To be honest I’m not interested in the ‘pins’, ‘totes’, ‘hats’ or even their ‘special’ bottle of wine or cocktail parties, I’d be quite happy with just a 10% reduction on the cruise price, combinable with all other offers! Maybe I’m asking for too much!

We had a email survey from Oceania this morning questioning our thoughts about the current loyalty program. At the moment we are silver so gratuities are included but now that Oceania has started to include gratuities in the UK we get a small OBC in lieu of that ‘perk’. Makes me think they are going to overhaul the loyalty program as well as introducing SimplyMore!

Sorry you weren’t impressed with all your experiences on the Vista but then nothing in life is perfect. You can’t really compare Silversea to Oceania as the former is classed as ‘ultra luxury’ whilst Oceania is ‘premium’. We sailed Silversea last summer and have sailed many times with Oceania. Firstly, with Oceania we have found with shorter cruises, especially in the Caribbean the experience is different to that on longer cruises and in other parts of the world. We have only sailed three times in the Caribbean but there was definitely a different ‘vibe’ maybe more laid back and usually a much younger set of passengers. Although really that should make no difference. Silversea, last year, was really good but it was our first time sailing with them and as with all lines, the regulars were saying how much it had changed since pre 2020 so it may not be as good as you remember. Also there has just been the most enormous hike in prices so you may find with the price differential now Oceania offers better value, if that’s important to you.

You might just meet some great people in the ‘laundromat’ !

They also have self serve laundry rooms on each deck, I think, which are free to use and soap etc is provided.

Enjoy tour trip!

Same with us for our May sailing. We got all 4 @ 7.30pm just for 2. In fact we have never had a problem with tables but are quite happy to share anyway.

I have to say I was ‘tempted’ just by the Regent ‘price’. BUT … when I look back to our one and only cruise with Regent in 2019, I realise that the ‘price’ is only so low because the cruise isn’t selling and also that I really didn’t like Regent last time! Why would I think to book again when it’s probably worse than it was in 2019!! Mustn’t be blinded by price alone! When I think back to our Regent cruise it was a real disappointment, so much so we cancelled a future cruise whilst on board! I think I just need to get my head ‘back into gear’ !

I actually think his reports are quite authentic. If he doesn’t get ‘free’ cruises, as posted above, then maybe we should take notice of his reports. I just have no idea what’s going on at the moment. Silversea have upped prices to a silly amount, but all lines are putting up their prices. Regent have an amazing sale on their oldest ships… obviously not selling! Seabourn have also increased prices but not to the same extent as Silversea. Guess we should all take a bit more care before ‘automatically’ booking our ‘favourite’ lines. Times ‘they certainly are a’changin’! P.S. Have a great cruise. Looking forward to your feedback.

I have no idea but they could be selling more ‘guarantees’ . Who knows!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5ZcSszfgXow This video by Gary Bembridge May just be of interest. He’s explaining some of the differences with cruising in 2024.

I suggested a Gary Bembridge YouTube video a little earlier and took another look myself. I came across this one and thought it might just be of general interest. Whilst not related to Oceania directly it just gives some pointers as to what the cruise industry in general is doing at the moment: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5ZcSszfgXow

I last sailed with Oceania 12 months ago and if I remember correctly in the MDR there wasn’t a separate veg/vegan menu but there were two options in the mains. There will always be at least one option in the starters too. If you eat fish then you will always find something acceptable. I am a fish lover and was never disappointed unless I had to resort to one of the three staples,which appear every night in the MDR, salmon, which was never good! The speciality restaurants all serve fish dishes and if you eat lobster that’s also readily available. You definitely won’t starve!

Yes they started to include gratuities in the UK pricing several months ago. I have a feeling it coincided with the up to 50% (now 40%) sale. It was probably done that way so nobody would spot the price increase! As you say, some things are attractive to some people but not to others. One of our pleasures on Seabourn is a chilled glass of champagne by the pool just before lunch! There are many others too!

Thank you! I’m sure we will enjoy it! I’ve really enjoyed the R class ships over the years but we took a last minute cruise on the Riviera just before she was refurbished and decided that actually we preferred the choice of restaurants on the larger ships. That was confirmed when we sailed on the Sirena a few months later. As you say, you have to go up to a PH on the smaller ships to get the equivalent size as Seabourn’s entry level. No brainer really.

Are you familiar with Gary Bembridge on YouTube. I caught one of his videos where he was saying how Azamara had gone down after the new owners took over but was improving. Might be worth taking a look.

I agree with you. We cruised with Silversea for the first time last year. It was an amazing cruise but that was probably due partly to the itinerary, we were in the Norwegian Fjords and we had amazing weather. Oceania and Seabourn are my best fit at the moment. In fact we are sailing on the Quest next month our first time on 450 passenger ship! I’m looking forward to it as the ship is a few thousand tons larger than the R class ships but 10 years younger and with only 2/3 of the passengers! Explora seem to mainly have 7 or 8 night cruises and the B2B become overpriced in my opinion. Also I don’t find the itineraries that stimulating. Maybe wait for more of their ships to come into service.

I do some research into Azamara before you book. Apparently they have suffered more than others in the recent past mainly as a result of having new owners.