firstforty2012

Sounds like a great time.  Ive looked at Scenic but really need help understanding the value.  Ive taken dozens of cruises on many lines and have settled on Seabourn and Crystal as my go-tos if I can.  To me, they are near perfect.  Then I see Scenic with prices of $1k a night.  Id be interested to know how such a price point makes sense?  You can only drink so much wine.   Thanks

As expected my Viking Ocean cruise (7/26) was cancelled today. I had this same cruise booked in 2019 but was "bumped" when Viking said they were overbooked. That cruise also included airfare. As a result I was offered a certain dollar credit and a future cruise where I would be given a suite. This was then booked for late July 2020. Now I was told that when this cruise was cancelled I would be offered 125% future cruise credit but no airfare and no suite. As a result, booking the same cruise next year will cost me $9000 over and above my credit for their lowest level cabin. Not happy and not impressed .  I take 2 or more cruises a year and i think they have just lost my  future business.☹️

I dont find most of the search tools for finding and comparing cruises very useful.  No price drop alerts, no way to compare choice, prices don't include all costs (taxes, internet, tips etc), no ways to just look at just the lines you  normally like.  Am I crazy?  Has anyone found a better way?   What do you consider when you chose a cruise?

Im  considering my first Viking cruise.  Im a veteran having taken just under 50 around the world.  My normal lines are Crystal, Azamara and Oceania.  How does Viking compare?  One thing I have noticed is dont call the sales line off the website unless you want to browbeaten into submission.  I have never had such rude, high pressure people speak to me about a cruise.

Comments?

Just returned from 28 days on Sirena. We found the Tuscan/Steak undesirable....,meat touch, lamb chops so tough it would take a cleaver to slice them. The asian restaurant was far superior... overall food this time was a total disappointment and aside from the fact that expensive items like lobster, large shrimp and exotic cheeses were plentiful. The cooking was what I have gotten on RCL. I am hoping it just the chef on this ship.

This thread seemed to be for O vs Azamara comments but has broadened. Ive taken perhaps 6 on O and 4-5 on Azamara. I just returned from 28 days on Sirena and up to this point would always say the food on O was much better. Not this time. Having taken many ships I try to think about how many things on the menu really "taste great". My Crystal cruise last fall I had commented 90% of everything I had tasted great. On Sirena I say perhaps 10%. From prior cruises the cooking had dropped way down. The still serve high end offerings and you can get lobster every day. But seasoning had been eliminated. I would say "suitable for those on a bland diet".

Regarding Azamara I now think the food and entertainment would be on par. I prefer the open bar approach as I enjoy my cocktails. Plus for the same money you get more on Azamara: Amazing evening events are generally spectacular; White night parties are elaborate and terrific. Azamara gives the captain and ships officers higher profile...a welcome touch. O offers neither.

So my three lines of preference are now Crystal, Azamara and O.

We have taken many, many Celebrity cruises. Azamara is a step up and Oceania is a big step up. Keep in mind you will not see the scale of entertainment on an R class ship but the food and service we found to be fabulous. Drinks are expensive. Consider the package.

Ive done 6 cruises on Oceania and am booked on the 28 day Athens to Miami next August. I have opted for the OLife drink package which includes some wines and beers by the glass at lunch and dinner (only). This is amounting to $30/day per person.

Ive not had this on prior cruises. Drinks with dinner are important to us. What are your impressions of this value compared to simply buying wine and drinks? I recall from prior experience, drinks are pretty expensive.

Is O offering any kind of a corkage option?

Is $10/drink $40/wine bottle what Ill likely pay if we order at the bar or has it gone higher?

We have done two cruises on Oceania and have another booked. Our travel agent is encouraging us to try Crystal, as they have a sale going on now. Would love to hear from those who have done both. Highs and lows, demographics, ... Thanks

We have done perhaps 40 cruises, 6 on Oceania and one on Crystal. Im booked in a 28 day O next August Athens to Miami and cant wait.

Having taken both I would say that Crystal offers more for more. Slightly bigger ship, much better entertainment and open bar. If I can get a price near what O charges I would opt for Crystal in a blink but I am still a loyal customer of O.

Ive taken many cruises and many have included some sort of OBC. My question is this: who actually pays the OBC? The Cruise Line or the Agent? Recently I was offered a cabin upgrade by the line but my TA told me that in doing so the cruise line would withdraw the modest OBC included with my former cabin. I found this hard to believe as I had a pretty clear understanding that the TA offers OBC from their commission.

Anyone have the real skinny?

Has anyone had experience with the inside Cat F and G rooms? Im looking at a pretty long cruise and there is sizable price difference. The cat G appears to be the same cabin but perhaps in less desirable areas. Anyone ever use this cat and if so what do you think?

Air Deviation.... (excuse spelling error....no way to edit the title on this archaic board) .

Im looking at a cruise in 2018 and the economics of O's appear to favor taking their price including air. We do however want to come in early to tour before the cruise. In doing this I was told there will be a $175 surcharge. Of course its too early to actually compare of book at for a cruise in 8/18. Im unsure just how much air credit I will get when the time comes. Has anyone worked with them on this as how did it work out? Thanks

We have over 20 with Celebrity but enjoy Azamara more if the value makes sense. We have been on HAL 3 times and find HAL ships inconsistent in terms of quality. We prefer X if there is a choice between the two.

Im back on Azamara in a week and have looked the Chef's Table option. Does anyone have an opinion who has tried it?

Hummmm... very surprising. We have had 4 cruises on this line and we have been delighted in most every way.