Oceania seems overpriced

[Cruise Junky]

I totally "get" Hawaiidan's pricing. Just adding on airfare, drinks (they even pay for water on mainstream cruise lines), the charge to dine in specialty restaurants (many "free" restaurants are rubbish) and other incidentals would easily be 2 1/2 times the cost of the cruise.

 

Not sure why anyone that can afford Oceania would sail on a mainstream or premium cruise line. If you have yet to sail on Oceania, you might not "get it".

 

I can't even find a 16 TA that ends in Spain so let's go with 17 days on Royal Princess

 

$1949 for a balcony before TA discount and Princess does allow discounts

17 x $50 pd for. Drink package $850

$221 for gratuities

$120 for 4 nights of specialty dining

$1,300. For air. One way to Ft LauderdLe, one way home from Barcelona

 

$4,400 for all I can drink in a balcony - deduct $700 if you're in an inside.

 

Dan's math doesn't hold water

[Paulchili]

I can't even find a 16 TA that ends in Spain so let's go with 17 days on Royal Princess

 

$1949 for a balcony before TA discount and Princess does allow discounts

17 x $50 pd for. Drink package $850

$221 for gratuities

$120 for 4 nights of specialty dining

$1,300. For air. One way to Ft LauderdLe, one way home from Barcelona

 

$4,400 for all I can drink in a balcony - deduct $700 if you're in an inside.

 

Dan's math doesn't hold water

 

This math makes a lot more sense to me.

[LHT28]

Dan's math doesn't hold water

 

Not just his math ;)

[Flatbush Flyer]

Haven't checked the math and don't need to because there's more than the issue of cabin cost - specifically food quality, smoking policy: crew ratio, etc.

Nonetheless, in any dollar comparison, stock also needs to be taken in the value of the O Life perks and added TA OBC, which can be substantial if you're using a top producer.

[roothy123]

Haven't checked the math and don't need to because there's more than the issue of cabin cost - specifically food quality, smoking policy: crew ratio, etc.

Nonetheless, in any dollar comparison, stock also needs to be taken in the value of the O Life perks and added TA OBC, which can be substantial if you're using a top producer.

 

Yes, there are a lot of intangibles that are hard to quantify. I'd also add the intangible value (to many of us, anyway) of being able to stop in more ports. I just looked at a mainstream cruise heading out on a New England/Canada cruise. It goes directly to Halifax from New York. That's way too much time for eating, drinking, lying by the pool, and using the spa and casino for me, but of course there's money to be made by a cruise line, so some do it. On the Oceania fall cruise that interested me, there are 5 other ports before reaching Halifax. I also recently saw what at least one New England port charges cruise ships - not exactly peanuts! Port charges for 5 extra ports would certainly make the price of a cruise go up, but for me, it's worth it.

[pthjudy]

I totally "get" Hawaiidan's pricing. Just adding on airfare, drinks (they even pay for water on mainstream cruise lines), the charge to dine in specialty restaurants (many "free" restaurants are rubbish) and other incidentals would easily be 2 1/2 times the cost of the cruise.

 

Not sure why anyone that can afford Oceania would sail on a mainstream or premium cruise line. If you have yet to sail on Oceania, you might not "get it".

 

We have taken 35 cruises with 3 on Oceania. I will agree that Oceania far surpasses mainstream cruise lines in many areas, although not all. That being said, I will still continue to sail on mass market (Princess is our favorite) for a variety of reasons valid for us at the time. Obviously we can afford Oceania but sometimes a great deal comes our way and it's hard to resist. Will I be comparing these to the Oceania experience? Maybe. But it will by no means lessen my enjoyment of the cruise I am on. I love cruising and I can honestly say that although I love eating in a top rated restaurant, sometimes a fast food double cheeseburger with fries is just as satisfying!

[gr8life]

Based on the level of service received, I would agree that Oceania is indeed overpriced. For $5500 pp for a 7 day cruise there should have been someone available to wipe my butt 24/7.

 

Ewwwwww, At any price, can't you wipe your own butt?

[Hawaiidan]

This math makes a lot more sense to me.

 

 

one way air lax-Mia, coach $250 One way coach BCN-lax $3350.

$3600 for air alone

as per UAL pricing

[Cruise Junky]

one way air lax-Mia, coach $250 One way coach BCN-lax $3350.

$3600 for air alone

as per UAL pricing

 

No sane person books transatlantic air that way. Using cruise air you'll get the same route for around $600 plus your flight to Ft Lauderdale

Edited May 30, 2016 by Cruise Junky

[rallydave]

one way air lax-Mia, coach $250 One way coach BCN-lax $3350.

$3600 for air alone

as per UAL pricing

 

Have no idea where you got $3350 for BCN to LAX?? Simply go to matrix.itasoftware.com and one way is anythere from about 700 euros to about 2000 euros depending on the airline. A better way might be to buy a round trip from BCN to LAX and just not use the return. Prices there for UAL about 1600 Euro round trip and others for less and more but, no pricing like the $3350 you are quoting.

 

And for cruisejunky many main stream lines don't do air at all and don't believe any will sell BCN to LAX for anywhere $600 but, if cruise air is available it will be much less than Dan's $3350 Aha, just went to UAL and the $3350 is for unrestricted which no sane person would use. Strange the UAL website doesn't show lowes fare but, putting in round trip gives about $850 round trip and simply throw away the LAX to BCN ticket. Be sure to begin your trip in BCN as you have to as if you don't take the first leg, they will cancel the return.

[Cruise Junky]

You could definitely use 1/2 the ticket. I'm looking at Celebrity's Choice air site right now for their Oct 25 Barcelona to Lauderdale cruise. $440 with one stop in Newark or Dulles on United. $473 on AA through Philly $483 on Delta through Atlanta $524 on KKM through Ansterdam. Tons of choices. All Barcelona to LAX

[ORV]

We have taken 35 cruises with 3 on Oceania. I will agree that Oceania far surpasses mainstream cruise lines in many areas, although not all. That being said, I will still continue to sail on mass market (Princess is our favorite) for a variety of reasons valid for us at the time. Obviously we can afford Oceania but sometimes a great deal comes our way and it's hard to resist. Will I be comparing these to the Oceania experience? Maybe. But it will by no means lessen my enjoyment of the cruise I am on. I love cruising and I can honestly say that although I love eating in a top rated restaurant, sometimes a fast food double cheeseburger with fries is just as satisfying!

 

Pretty much agree, just substitute Celebrity for Princess.

 

I totally "get" Hawaiidan's pricing. Just adding on airfare, drinks (they even pay for water on mainstream cruise lines), the charge to dine in specialty restaurants (many "free" restaurants are rubbish) and other incidentals would easily be 2 1/2 times the cost of the cruise.

 

Not sure why anyone that can afford Oceania would sail on a mainstream or premium cruise line. If you have yet to sail on Oceania, you might not "get it".

 

There is a world of reasons why many of us that can afford Oceania would sail on a mainstream line. I'll start with two:

 

You are traveling with family or friends that either can't afford Oceania or isn't comfortable spending that much money on a cruise.

 

You are traveling with family or friends that have children or grandchildren along as a family (extended) vacation.

 

It's debatable as to who actually "gets it".

[Travelcat2]

Pretty much agree, just substitute Celebrity for Princess.

 

 

 

There is a world of reasons why many of us that can afford Oceania would sail on a mainstream line. I'll start with two:

 

You are traveling with family or friends that either can't afford Oceania or isn't comfortable spending that much money on a cruise.

 

You are traveling with family or friends that have children or grandchildren along as a family (extended) vacation.

 

It's debatable as to who actually "gets it".

 

Okay - I did not think about family and/or friends that can't afford Oceania or are traveling with children. I agree completely about children but think that an entry level stateroom on Oceania would be better than sailing on a mainstream cruise line where you are paying for every little thing and can rack up a ton of money for things that are included on Oceania.

 

I just copied this from the Oceania website..... interior cabins are from $1,299/person. We have viewed the interior staterooms on the Riviera and they were lovely.

 

7 Night Adriatic Gems

Brochure price $5,298. Save up to 75% off brochure price!

Departs from Civitavecchia (Rome), Italy

Oceania Cruises — Riviera

 

Ports of Call: Civitavecchia (Rome), Italy - Naples, Italy - Catania, Sicily, Italy - Argostoli, Kefalonia, Greece - Kotor, Montenegro - Zadar, Croatia - Koper, Slovenia - Venice, Italy

 

Bonus Offer

 

EXCLUSIVE - $200 FREE Onboard Spending!

Exclusive Offer-Transportation Credit. Must Call!

EXCLUSIVE - $300 FREE Onboard Spending!

CALL: Up to $300 FREE Onboard Spending!

 

P.S. Thanks for getting this thread back on track.

Edited May 30, 2016 by Travelcat2

[Flatbush Flyer]

We have taken 35 cruises with 3 on Oceania. I will agree that Oceania far surpasses mainstream cruise lines in many areas, although not all. That being said, I will still continue to sail on mass market (Princess is our favorite) for a variety of reasons valid for us at the time. Obviously we can afford Oceania but sometimes a great deal comes our way and it's hard to resist. Will I be comparing these to the Oceania experience? Maybe. But it will by no means lessen my enjoyment of the cruise I am on. I love cruising and I can honestly say that although I love eating in a top rated restaurant, sometimes a fast food double cheeseburger with fries is just as satisfying!

 

 

Only if it's "In and Out."

[Paulchili]

Okay - I did not think about family and/or friends that can't afford Oceania or are traveling with children. I agree completely about children but think that an entry level stateroom on Oceania would be better than sailing on a mainstream cruise line where you are paying for every little thing and can rack up a ton of money for things that are included on Oceania.

 

I just copied this from the Oceania website..... interior cabins are from $1,299/person. We have viewed the interior staterooms on the Riviera and they were lovely.

 

7 Night Adriatic Gems

Brochure price $5,298. Save up to 75% off brochure price!

Departs from Civitavecchia (Rome), Italy

Oceania Cruises — Riviera

 

Ports of Call: Civitavecchia (Rome), Italy - Naples, Italy - Catania, Sicily, Italy - Argostoli, Kefalonia, Greece - Kotor, Montenegro - Zadar, Croatia - Koper, Slovenia - Venice, Italy

 

Bonus Offer

 

EXCLUSIVE - $200 FREE Onboard Spending!

Exclusive Offer-Transportation Credit. Must Call!

EXCLUSIVE - $300 FREE Onboard Spending!

CALL: Up to $300 FREE Onboard Spending!

 

P.S. Thanks for getting this thread back on track.

 

This is not exactly a fair comparison as this is an unusually low promotional price - i.e. not representative of normal O fares. Some of these Med cruises are not selling well for some reason - ? terrorism fear in Europe, exclusion of Istanbul/Egypt or some other reason.

Just to illustrate this - we are on a June 7th seven day cruise on Marina (B2B) in a PH and have received an offer to move over to another cruise (like the one you are quoting) and sail in an OCEANIA suite AND receive over $4,600 back in cash !!!!

PS - quoting you:

"We have viewed the interior staterooms on the Riviera and they were lovely."

Are they lovely enough for you to have actually stayed in one of them?

[rallydave]

This is not exactly a fair comparison as this is an unusually low promotional price - i.e. not representative of normal O fares. Some of these Med cruises are not selling well for some reason - ? terrorism fear in Europe, exclusion of Istanbul/Egypt or some other reason.

Just to illustrate this - we are on a June 7th seven day cruise on Marina (B2B) in a PH and have received an offer to move over to another cruise (like the one you are quoting) and sail in an OCEANIA suite AND receive over $4,600 back in cash !!!!

PS - quoting you:

"We have viewed the interior staterooms on the Riviera and they were lovely."

Are they lovely enough for you to have actually stayed in one of them?

 

Paul, Tried finding this 75% off on the O website and could not find it. Based on the wording in that advertisement, it appears this might be from a TA's website. With 4 separate offers, 3 of which are OBC plus the comment "up to 75% off" difficult to believe $1,299 pp plus a total of $800 in OBC plus transportation credit.

 

Sure would be good to get a link to that offer to see, as Paul Harvey used to say "The rest of the story".

[buggins0402]

This is not exactly a fair comparison as this is an unusually low promotional price - i.e. not representative of normal O fares. Some of these Med cruises are not selling well for some reason - ? terrorism fear in Europe, exclusion of Istanbul/Egypt or some other reason.

Just to illustrate this - we are on a June 7th seven day cruise on Marina (B2B) in a PH and have received an offer to move over to another cruise (like the one you are quoting) and sail in an OCEANIA suite AND receive over $4,600 back in cash !!!!

PS - quoting you:

"We have viewed the interior staterooms on the Riviera and they were lovely."

Are they lovely enough for you to have actually stayed in one of them?

 

It's cutting both ways on Turkey. Celebrity is giving away their itineraries that include Istanbul. I saw a deal today..S class, 13 nights balcony, $300 OBC, upgraded drink package, gratuities and free internet for under $1400. Europe is a tough market this year, particularly the Eastern Med itineraries. FDR and the head of Celebrity both stated that Europe bookings were weak, offset by stronger Caribbean and Alaska bookings, in investor updates/meetings a few weeks ago.

 

But, I feel the same way. I'd rather sail a lesser cabin on O, then a mass market, primarily because the itineraries and on board experience are so much better. Given similar itineraries, I might mull it over a bit more.

[roothy123]

The Oceania cruise that always makes me look twice is the 7 day one with only one sea day that goes to the Baltic and Russia, with airfare and O Life, for $2500 per person. Granted, most people won't want to stay in an inside cabin, and most won't want to only go for a week. However, to spend $2500 to visit a number of places in expensive but enchanting Scandinavia plus 2 days in awesome St. Petersburg sounds like a deal to me. Many people spend that much for a 9 day vacation in North America or Hawaii or the Caribbean - or possibly even just going to Florida so the kids can see the mouse. That $2500 price has remained the same for at least a year, so I don't think Oceania is having trouble filling that particular cruise. I know it tempts ME every time I see it.

 

I'm happy some cruise lines are still willing to go to Istanbul - fantastic place.

[Flatbush Flyer]

Paul, Tried finding this 75% off on the O website and could not find it. Based on the wording in that advertisement, it appears this might be from a TA's website. With 4 separate offers, 3 of which are OBC plus the comment "up to 75% off" difficult to believe $1,299 pp plus a total of $800 in OBC plus transportation credit.

 

Sure would be good to get a link to that offer to see, as Paul Harvey used to say "The rest of the story".

 

 

I seem to remember some website with O in its name that, upon first glance, looks like an official site. But, it is a TA.

[buggins0402]

The Oceania cruise that always makes me look twice is the 7 day one with only one sea day that goes to the Baltic and Russia, with airfare and O Life, for $2500 per person. Granted, most people won't want to stay in an inside cabin, and most won't want to only go for a week. However, to spend $2500 to visit a number of places in expensive but enchanting Scandinavia plus 2 days in awesome St. Petersburg sounds like a deal to me. Many people spend that much for a 9 day vacation in North America or Hawaii or the Caribbean - or possibly even just going to Florida so the kids can see the mouse. That $2500 price has remained the same for at least a year, so I don't think Oceania is having trouble filling that particular cruise. I know it tempts ME every time I see it.

 

I'm happy some cruise lines are still willing to go to Istanbul - fantastic place.

 

That is the cruise that hooked me on O. On each end, because it is a point to point, there are two great cities ...Copenhagen and Stockholm, both deserving of extended land stays. It's a great cruise for someone that is still working and has limited time off. Chug some hotel points for the land portion and you have a much better experience than a mass market itinerary.

[Travelcat2]

This is not exactly a fair comparison as this is an unusually low promotional price - i.e. not representative of normal O fares. Some of these Med cruises are not selling well for some reason - ? terrorism fear in Europe, exclusion of Istanbul/Egypt or some other reason.

Just to illustrate this - we are on a June 7th seven day cruise on Marina (B2B) in a PH and have received an offer to move over to another cruise (like the one you are quoting) and sail in an OCEANIA suite AND receive over $4,600 back in cash !!!!

PS - quoting you:

"We have viewed the interior staterooms on the Riviera and they were lovely."

Are they lovely enough for you to have actually stayed in one of them?

 

That is a fair question and I'll give you an honest answer. Before responding, however, I need to say that some posters on this thread have never sailed on Oceania and I am puzzled as to where their perspective even comes from.

 

Our two Oceania cruises (both on the Riviera) have been in a PH and Vista suite. We did tour of some of the other suites which included an inside suite. My DH and I both felt that the inside suites would be fine if we could not afford a larger suite. In a way, this reminds me of real estate. Buying the least expensive house in the best area. This, to me, is booking any suite on Oceania vs. a mainstream cruise line.

[Cruise Junky]

That is a fair question and I'll give you an honest answer. Before responding, however, I need to say that some posters on this thread have never sailed on Oceania and I am puzzled as to where their perspective even comes from.

 

.

 

I would be guilty of that. But I've never said they weren't worth it. I only corrected Dan's math that taking a mainstream line was comparable or in fact more expensive than Oceania. That is absolutely not true in most cases.

[doublebzz]

Sorry to resurrect this thread after 14 months but just realized I never provided feedback.

 

We eventually did book a 14 day Southampton to Barcelona cruise on Nautica at a very good price. To those that have sung the praises of Oceania, I can only add my strong concurrence. Service, food, accommodations were all outstanding. We met some wonderfully interesting and personable fellow guests with whom we went touring. High winds prevented us from anchoring at Biarritz but the captain added speed and gave us an overnight in Bilbao which more than made up for it.

 

It appears, as some have mentioned, that prices for standard inside/outside cabins on Oceania are about the same as suites we normally book on the mainstream lines. For me, all of the qualities that Oceania offers trump a luxury cabin on a mainstream line.

[RJB]

sorry to resurrect this thread after 14 months but just realized i never provided feedback.

 

We eventually did book a 14 day southampton to barcelona cruise on nautica at a very good price. To those that have sung the praises of oceania, i can only add my strong concurrence. Service, food, accommodations were all outstanding. We met some wonderfully interesting and personable fellow guests with whom we went touring. High winds prevented us from anchoring at biarritz but the captain added speed and gave us an overnight in bilbao which more than made up for it.

 

It appears, as some have mentioned, that prices for standard inside/outside cabins on oceania are about the same as suites we normally book on the mainstream lines. For me, all of the qualities that oceania offers trump a luxury cabin on a mainstream line.

+ 1

[roothy123]

Sorry to resurrect this thread after 14 months but just realized I never provided feedback.

 

We eventually did book a 14 day Southampton to Barcelona cruise on Nautica at a very good price. To those that have sung the praises of Oceania, I can only add my strong concurrence. Service, food, accommodations were all outstanding. We met some wonderfully interesting and personable fellow guests with whom we went touring. High winds prevented us from anchoring at Biarritz but the captain added speed and gave us an overnight in Bilbao which more than made up for it.

 

It appears, as some have mentioned, that prices for standard inside/outside cabins on Oceania are about the same as suites we normally book on the mainstream lines. For me, all of the qualities that Oceania offers trump a luxury cabin on a mainstream line.

Glad to hear you loved your cruise. Once I cruised on Oceania, I was hooked. If you want to save money and still have a wonderful cruise, I'd suggest trying Oceania's inside cabins. Unless you're claustrophobic, I think you'll give them a thumbs up - fairly large, quite nice, and affordable all at the same time.