After looking, now I am VERY unsure...

[Balto Bob]

We are seniors and have cruised before.  We are planning a (approx 20 day) cruise out of Florida in January or February 2021.  We both are "tired of HAL" so we looked harder.  We always go for concierge level and like to include laundry, wifi etc.   Both Oceania and Princess were considered and when you include perks to compare equals, the price is about the same for a 20 day trip.  We are leaning to Oceania and now it looks like they are getting bad reviews.   What would the experienced and experts recommend...Princess or Oceania.?????   THANKS!

[pacruise804]

My limited understanding of the premium lines is that Princess will be similar to HAL and Oceania would be a step above.  If you are looking for a sideways move, Celebrity is also consider a premium line compared to CCL/RCI/NCL.  If you are wanting to move up one notch then Viking Ocean and Azamara are other lines to consider.

 

My husband and I have booked Viking Ocean for our anniversary this year and they include wifi, specialty restaurants, some drinks, free self-serve laundry (pay service available), and an excursion at each port.  We sailed Regal Princess a few years ago and while it was a step up from mainstream, it really didn't "wow" us like we thought it would.

 

All lines will have bad reviews, but hopefully you can filter through the noise and determine which bad reviews matter to your sailing preference.

[Cruzaholic41]

Look at Celebrity. Solstice and Edge Class ships are excellent. It’s a nice break from HAL and frankly, I think it’s a step up. 
 

I’ve cruised Oceania a few times and I’m not a fan.  I find it boring and stuffy. 

[Balto Bob]

Thank you both for your thoughts.  We are currently in Antigua and coming to a reality decision on the type of vacations we should take.  We have decided on Jan 2021 for  20 DAY Caribbean on  Oceania out of Florida.  Our choices were HAL, Princess, or Oceania.  Having used the others before, it was a decision to try a new one...Oceania.  Now I am working on what web site will get me the best price.  Can't decide until we return to the US and have decent telephone capability.  

[That sinking feeling]

1 hour ago, pacruise804 said:

My limited understanding of the premium lines is that Princess will be similar to HAL and Oceania would be a step above.  If you are looking for a sideways move, Celebrity is also consider a premium line compared to CCL/RCI/NCL.  If you are wanting to move up one notch then Viking Ocean and Azamara are other lines to consider.

 

My husband and I have booked Viking Ocean for our anniversary this year and they include wifi, specialty restaurants, some drinks, free self-serve laundry (pay service available), and an excursion at each port.  We sailed Regal Princess a few years ago and while it was a step up from mainstream, it really didn't "wow" us like we thought it would.

 

All lines will have bad reviews, but hopefully you can filter through the noise and determine which bad reviews matter to your sailing preference.

A lot of bad reviews are just trolls that got upset over something trivial but seek their revenge via the internet. It must be very hard to criticise a luxury cruise.

[That sinking feeling]

Wasnt there one on here a while ago that criticised one cruise line merely because the dance floor was made of wood?

[ldubs]

1 minute ago, That sinking feeling said:

Wasnt there one on here a while ago that criticised one cruise line merely because the dance floor was made of wood?

 

I think I remember that. The complaint was because it was something other than a wood floor, I think.  

[That sinking feeling]

Ah right. Still a very odd thing to say they wouldnt use that line any more. It takes all sorts I suppose.

[Balto Bob]

Yep.   For years, the only web site I trusted for honesty was based on our scuba diving.  Cruise Critic is always interesting, but most negative comments seem to be very personal, or caused by the writer.  It is often awkward to use comments to help you "make a decision".  Even with a perfect situation, if you approach it in a negative manner it may turn out negative.  We went with Oceania on this trip because of the itinerary.  Equal "perks" when planning Princess versus Oceania are close to the same $.  An example might be the "lack of lounges at the pool caused by people reserving them".  I can not accept the issue if you make a polite request of the crew, instead of attacking them.

 

[cb at sea]

6 hours ago, That sinking feeling said:

Wasnt there one on here a while ago that criticised one cruise line merely because the dance floor was made of wood?

 

Dance floors SHOULD be made of wood!

 

[EasyGoingGuy]

Balto Bob,  in regard to your statement... "...Oceania.  Now I am working on what web site will get me the best price."  On the 'Oceania' board you will find many threads that inside discuss booking with TA's vs, well,  anything else. Here's an example thread (read down into it)...

The general consensus among the more knowledgeable Oceania cruisers (I'm coming up on 11 cruises but only 3rd with 'O' so I'm not one of those) is that "a cruise specialist TA (preferably an Oceania Connoisseurs Club member agency)" is by far the best way to go with 'O'. That said, the actual process of finding one of these, as nearly as I can figure, involves research and comparing different offers for deals you might get. You might want to ask that specific question on the Oceania board. Best of luck and enjoy your cruise.

Edited February 21, 2020 by EasyGoingGuy
spelling

[EasyGoingGuy]

FWIW, I found this

https://www.oceaniacruises.com/find-agent/

on this thread ...

The 'find agent' page that comes up includes the statement "Our network of Travel Agents around the world can help answer your questions and make reservations with Oceania Cruises. For a Preferred Travel Agent (my emphasis) near you, please use the following form. "  So it appears that 'O' is recommending these agents.  The agent I use is nowhere near my zipcode (they do come up on the list though when I type in their zipcode) and that probably applies to many people, but at least it's a place to start.

I would Google any agency that comes up and read the reviews. Again, good luck.

Edited February 21, 2020 by EasyGoingGuy
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[Balto Bob]

I have been communicating with an Oceania agent.  Although he has been tremendously helpful, his price is about $2000 higher than some of the on-line companies for exactly the same stuff, O-Life etc.  That only causes me more hesitation on what is the best and safest way to deal.  

 

[EasyGoingGuy]

The recommendation I see the most is to shop your cruise around and compare. Kind of looks like you're working in that direction.

[That sinking feeling]

6 hours ago, cb at sea said:

 

Dance floors SHOULD be made of wood!

 

Surely for comedy purposes they should be made of very slippery ice.

[That sinking feeling]

6 hours ago, cb at sea said:

 

Dance floors SHOULD be made of wood!

 

Who cares, really?

[iancal]

We view a cruise as a commodity item.  Once we decide on ship/cabin/itinerary the only thing left are price and service.

 

To date we have been fare better off price wise, dealing with our on line TA.  Plus, we get independent advice from her.

Edited February 21, 2020 by iancal

[CPT Trips]

7 hours ago, That sinking feeling said:

Who cares, really?

Derek Hough and a bunch of Russians 

[NantahalaCruiser]

On 2/20/2020 at 9:42 AM, ldubs said:

 

I think I remember that. The complaint was because it was something other than a wood floor, I think.  

Customer service undoubtedly said "they wood if they could!"

[That sinking feeling]

9 hours ago, CPT Trips said:

Derek Hough and a bunch of Russians 

I have no idea who that is.is he a carpenter?