YoPhilly

On 4/3/2022 at 11:32 PM, Flatbush Flyer said:

Oceania often uses the Intercontinental in Miami. And so do we (at half the price O charges when you understand that O’s price is “per person.”

In any case, if you cruise intercontinentally (and want consistent quality), you can never go wrong with Intercontinental Hotels. 

We use the Miami Intercontinental as well....great view of the cruise port.  I always book directly with the hotel's site.

I'm following...I'd love to do this itinerary someday. 

On 3/30/2022 at 7:47 PM, DeanoNorthPerth said:

It’s true. Just received advice from O that because I am travelling solo in a Cat. E cabin for my Regatta Tokyo to Hong Kong in October, my fare will be reclassified as they are reclassifying all E cabins to solo cabins and pricing accordingly. Woo hoo!!! Not sure of $s saved but all will be revealed.

Great!

On 3/30/2022 at 7:09 PM, RD64 said:

https://www.cruiseindustrynews.com/cruise-news/27118-oceania-cruises-to-add-more-solo-staterooms-to-ships.html

Woohoo!!!  I can't wait to see their pricing.

Have a lovely, lovely cruise.  Enjoy!

Thank you all for your comments.  It's certainly an interesting topic of conversation.

5 hours ago, MEFIowa said:

Can you give us some actual data supporting that "big demographic" claim for cruising? The issue is purely one of solo travelers, someone traveling by him or herself, as opposed to the demographics of single (unmarried) people traveling together, for example. 

Please...I'm not a bean counter nor a census taker.  I'm a married woman whose husband doesn't enjoy traveling as much as I do.  I've traveled by myself all over the world by land, and I belong to several online solo travel sites where we discuss experiences, suggestions and tips - I haven't counted how many people participate; I just know there are a lot - and they all express dismay about single supplements at hotels and on ships.  Clearly, Oceania doesn't NEED any solo business - they're doing just fine without it (ex-COVID).  Again, yes, it's my decision to use my FCCs to pay 200% - and I'm happy to cruise O again.  I'm just saying that they're leaving a potential cohort on the table, so to speak, and that may align with their strategy.  I'm simply pointing out the gap based on my own observations.  Don't shoot the messenger.

I get it.  I really do.  I’m just sayin’… they’re missing a big demographic.

I did a 4 night Australis cruises through Overseas Adventure Travel pre-COVID.  The ship, the crew, the meals - all excellent.  It seemed to me that passengers booked through a tour operator had priority in boarding the zodiacs for excursions so you may want to keep that in mind.  Worked well for us, as our group was always first off the ship.  I would do that cruise again in a heartbeat.

5 minutes ago, PhD-iva said:

Pssst. Here’s a secret my O friends won’t want me to tell you. Sister cruiseline Regent has a long list of reduced single supplement fares currently available with sailing dates up close and far in the future. I booked a SA/Antartica cruise w 25% supplement sailing February 2024.

The list of O itins w reduced single supplement is shorter, currently about 18 itins available and they tend to be sailings departing over next several months.

Let’s start a petition for O to improve their solo pricing! 
Once onboard my first O cruise as a solo, I had a great time. On Riviera, Solo hostess Cristina Hill did a great job hosting multiple, frequent solo get togethers and dinners (alcohol provided by O). We had a big group, about 15+, each time!

Thanks, Diva.  There’s a huge market of people (mostly women) who, for one reason or another, travel solo.  O could do more to tap into that market, hence the pricey solo cabins on Vista.

My point is that there are huge numbers of solo travelers out there, and Oceana is not doing anything to attract them/us.

I recently bit the bullet and booked a 200% cruise fare as a solo.  I know, I know - my decision.  But I’m disappointed that I get no grace at all for the invisible second person.  I asked if I could get any extra specialty reservations, and the answer was a solid No - even sharing a table.  C’mon, O.  There are a ton of solos (sp?) out there, willing and able to cruise.  I’ve agreed to pay 200% of the cruise fare.  How hard is it to throw in one perk!

So sorry to hear that! I always found him knowledgeable and polite.

Your posts have my mouth watering!!  Thanks for the great reviews.  Now I just have to wait until September!

4 hours ago, zoncom said:

Look up Os web site- special offers.  Lists 7 singles offers( usuallly many more.) But those offered are on either Marina or Riviera.

Thanks, I did take a look.  None of them match my interest so I've waitlisted a cabin on the itinerary I had my eye on.  Maybe in the future I'll find something with a low single supplement.  That, or I'll have to convince my husband to get with the program!! 🤣

15 hours ago, PhD-iva said:

Between you and me, I just booked a 2024 19-day South America cruise on O’s sister cruiseline, Regent. 25% single supplement. Couldn’t pass it up. Regent is more expensive but is all-inclusive, including biz class air. With the low single supplement, per diem prices on Regent compare favorably to paying double on O, especially when factoring in the other costs (tips, excursions, alcohol, biz class air).

There were many more itins w reduced single supplement available on Regent, even 2 years out!

Thanks, Diva, this is great info to keep in my back pocket for the future.  This year, I need to use up my O FCCs but clearly, they need to up their game for single travelers.  My husband, who is older than me, is less and less inclined to travel internationally, and my aim is to travel until I can no longer walk!!

4 hours ago, PhD-iva said:

BTW, The last time I looked there are currently eight itineraries that are listed with a reduced single supplement. You can search cruises using the special offers button on the left-hand side. Scroll down to the bottom to select the reduced single supplement.
I think the website is not very good about identifying the cost to travel solo with a reduced single supplement. Probably have to work with your TA or call O directly. 

Thanks, Ph.D, I saw those handful of cruises but I’m interested in fall sailings, of which none are listed. 

4 hours ago, PhD-iva said:

I just remembered, I think you can click on my profile and easily look up my previous posts. You might have to scroll through a few more recent ones that are not on point. But, let me know if you’re unsuccessful and I can help you later today.

 

I looked through your postings, but you are a prolific contributor!  I did see you mention that the assistant CD organized some get-togethers and MDR dinners for solo travelers.  Do they automatically do that on every sailing, or would I have to request something special?  The Med itinerary is port-intensive so there's not much chance I'll get lonely or bored.  Then again, it's a whopping amount of $$$$ for single occupancy, and I want to get the most out of the experience.

Like so many people, I have FCCs to use this year, and I'm considering a 10-12 night Mediterranean cruise without my husband.  (It's not intentional - he can't travel this year.). I've been planning a couple of weeks in Greece and thought - why not combine it with a cruise?  🤩.  I'd love to get feedback on your experience.  Any and all perspectives are appreciated.  Thanks!

2 hours ago, Arizona Wildcat said:

Wondering why you have several.  We use a couple times and recycle them 

I use them as grocery bags.

We were on Summit for 5 days last month and wore masks whenever we were out of our cabin and indoors.  We sat far from other people in Horizons.  Very careful about hand washing, not touching my face, etc.  My husband did develop bronchitis a few days later.  He tested negative for COVID on 4 subsequent days at home and again at Urgent Care.  Moral of the story, be careful but remember that there are still other non-COVID viruses out there just waiting to glom onto us. 😁   We're booked on a TA cruise in March, and I'm still looking forward to it.

We stayed in Aqua Class last month and received the heavier tote that comes folded into a a zipped case.

3 hours ago, Flatbush Flyer said:

Of course, the yachties would be pis*ed off at yet another cruise ship eating up the anchorages. But, sharing a few Painkillers with them at Foxy’s on Jost Van Dyke would make all OK. (https://www.liquor.com/recipes/painkiller/

Painkillers . . .  my favorite island beverage!  So good and they go down way too quickly! 😜

16 hours ago, cruisingxpert said:

See if you can book an excursion to Jost Van Dyke from Tortola.  Gorgeous beach and Home of the famous Soggy Dollar Bar

 

Funny story....my husband and I stayed in BVI for our honeymoon in 2001 and took a local "ferry" over to JVD.  Onboard the small boat - front and center in front of our feet - was a casket, accompanied by the funeral party.  Fittingly, the name of the boat was "Paradise Express"!

20 hours ago, HiFi43 said:

We are retired after high pressure careers. We now love starting every day with nothing to do and finishing the day with only half of it done.

My thoughts exactly, HiFi.  Very well-stated!