Another quick Celebrity vs. Oceania price comparison (suite)

[Orator]

4 minutes ago, TMaine said:

As someone who doesn't go to the casino, drink alcohol or use internet, my questions would be more focused on food and entertainment.   Does Oceana have specialty restaurants with up charges?  What is the  entertainment like?  I have heard the food is much better than what Celebrity is currently serving. 

Food is better in the MDR on Oceania. I found the entertainment better on Celebrity. If you like a smaller ship: Oceania. If you like a larger ship: Celebrity. I found the passengers more to my bias on Oceania. The officers and crew more friendly on Celebrity. These are MY options and some might differ.

[D. B.]

58 minutes ago, PTC DAWG said:

Very small one I believe.  I would be bored stiff after dinner. 

Marina has a casino.

 Viking ships do not and Azamara removed their casinos.

 We did one Azamara for it's itinerary but will not do another.

[D. B.]

15 minutes ago, TMaine said:

As someone who doesn't go to the casino, drink alcohol or use internet, my questions would be more focused on food and entertainment.   Does Oceana have specialty restaurants with up charges?  What is the  entertainment like?  I have heard the food is much better than what Celebrity is currently serving. 

we are doing our first O cruise (Marina) next week so we will find out about the Food comparison.

 With the Olife and maybe all O cruises you get to eat in each specialty restaurant Once included and again IF there are reservations available as I understand it.

 I know there is only one performance in their main theater every evening at 9 something and that is later than we like as we always do the 7pm shows on Celebrity.

 As we booked our cruise more than a year ago with a free 4 category upgrade I doubt we will do another O cruise with their new prices.

[Lastdance]

I have one cruise on their new ship, Vista, booked before SM(Simply More).  The price includes 3 speciality restaurants and their spa which had a few things that I found very interesting.  In addition, I have Wifi, along with a total of $1,100 OBC, so plenty for gratuities and drinks if so inclined.  My PH1 was for a 12 Day TA, from Miami to Lisbon, on May 1, 2025.  All PH’s are waitlisted at this time.  Spending extra time in Portugal was our main reason to book, along with price, itinerary and ship.  In addition, trying out a different line was also inviting.  Now, with SM, the prices have increased, along with us not being interested in shore excursions, or alcohol packages.  Total Price: $8,918 for us.

Edited July 7, 2023 by Lastdance

[phoenix_dream]

1 hour ago, micruiser2002 said:

Also aren't the Oceania ships much smaller than the Apex?  I think you would be better comparing to a smaller Celebrity ship.  The bigger ships are usually more expensive because they offer more onboard.

I think the bigger ships are usually more expensive because they are the newest ships.  I see little price difference usually between M and S class ships with comparable itineraries, even though S class are considerably larger and almost (not quite) the size of E class.

[mac_tlc]

38 minutes ago, Lastdance said:

I have one cruise on their new ship, Vista, booked before SM(Simply More).  The price includes 3 speciality restaurants and their spa which had a few things that I found very interesting.  In addition, I have Wifi, along with a total of $1,100 OBC, so plenty for gratuities and drinks if so inclined.  My PH1 was for a 12 Day TA, from Miami to Lisbon, on May 1, 2025.  All PH’s are waitlisted at this time.  Spending extra time in Portugal was our main reason to book, along with price, itinerary and ship.  In addition, trying out a different line was also inviting.  Now, with SM, the prices have increased, along with us not being interested in shore excursions, or alcohol packages.  Total Price: $8,918 for us.

I'm waiting for one of those PH's to become available! I waited too long ----- because I booked the 11/1/24 Beyond and then they cancelled it --- now no PH's available.

 

Another example of how Celebrity's tone deaf policy regarding the Beyond deployment has impacted its "loyal" customers. 

 

@Silkroad, will we be meeting on the Vista someday???

 

 

mac_tlc

 

mac_tlc

Edited July 7, 2023 by mac_tlc

[Lastdance]

6 minutes ago, mac_tlc said:

I'm waiting for one of those PH's to become available! I waited too long ----- because I booked the Beyond and then they cancelled it --- now no PH's available.

 

Another example of how Celebrity's tone deaf policy regarding the Beyond deployment has impacted its "loyal" customers. 

 

@Silkroad, will we be meeting on the Vista someday???

 

 

mac_tlc

 

mac_tlc

The only thing we can count on is change; I hope that your “waitlisted” comes through and the price with SM is reasonable too.  I hold out hope that Silkroad and you will meet on Celebrity/Oceania, or any ship in the future.  Maybe I will also be onboard to share in the experience.

Edited July 7, 2023 by Lastdance

[C4HCG]

2 hours ago, NMTraveller said:

We have found similar pricing.  I would much rather cruise on Oceania.

How did you find Oceania when you sailed with them in comparison to Celebrity? And do you have any more booked with either of the lines. I am sure you won’t have any booked with Celebrity as I know you’re not their biggest fan so that might be a silly question!

[NMTraveller]

39 minutes ago, C4HCG said:

How did you find Oceania when you sailed with them in comparison to Celebrity? And do you have any more booked with either of the lines. I am sure you won’t have any booked with Celebrity as I know you’re not their biggest fan so that might be a silly question!

Laura Hodges Bathge is that you 🙂

 

I do have a cruise booked with Celebrity.  I just have not booked any new ones...

[C4HCG]

1 minute ago, NMTraveller said:

Laura Hodges Bathge is that you 🙂

 

I do have a cruise booked with Celebrity.  I just have not booked any new ones...

😂 i post my honest, first hand observations NMT, not paid to post positive things about Celebrity and certainly don’t work for them! The day i have something negative to post about them you will hear it first here.

 

Still interested in your Oceania comparisons………

[Silkroad]

1 hour ago, mac_tlc said:

I'm waiting for one of those PH's to become available! I waited too long ----- because I booked the 11/1/24 Beyond and then they cancelled it --- now no PH's available.

 

Another example of how Celebrity's tone deaf policy regarding the Beyond deployment has impacted its "loyal" customers. 

 

@Silkroad, will we be meeting on the Vista someday???

Given the Beyond debacle, followed by the “vaping trial”, I wouldn’t rule it out. I’m gathering data on O, so please let me know how you like your cruise. It would be great to meet up with you two again😎

[jagoffee]

3 hours ago, CruisinShips said:

Wifi - included in both.

OBC - that's valid...just looked, $600 edge to Celebrity.

 

 

I am not trying to trigger anyone here...just having a discussion!

Celebrity’s Sky Suite comes with the premium WiFi and the premium drink package.  For an Apple to Apple comparison you would need to get the streaming internet in Oceania.  Celebrity’s Premium drink package is much better than Oceania’s best drink package IMO. Also the gratuities are included.  Your TA should give you additional refundable OBC instead of the gratuities, since they are already included.  

 

The Specialty Restaurants are included for not extra cost on Oceania.  We found the overall food to be better in Oceania, so I suggest you try it.  You might want to pay for an Oceania Suite above the PH suites since you seem to imply you need something the size of a CS.  That category will give you a higher priority for Specialty dining reservations.

[Ex-Airbalancer]

Just price a balcony on O against the price we have on the Connie this November 

15 nights on the Sirena is $11,200 CAD with house drink package and $500 OBC for 2 

on the Connie 16 night we are $4200 CAD for 2 with Always include, with $1000 CAD OBC 

There is no way i would book Sirena at that price 

[NMTraveller]

4 hours ago, jagoffee said:

Celebrity’s Sky Suite comes with the premium WiFi and the premium drink package.  For an Apple to Apple comparison you would need to get the streaming internet in Oceania.  

For an Apple to Apple comparison you would also have to compare itinerary.  For example Oceania will port on the Amalfi coast.  For Celebrity it is 2 hours there and 2 hours back bus ride wasting 4 hours of time.  For a port day why spend half of your time on a bus?

 

Of course you must also compare the food.

 

I have not seen a Celebrity vs Oceania food comparison where Celebrity wins.

Edited July 8, 2023 by NMTraveller

[soniam]

Oceania looks interesting. We have friends who really like it. Virgin and Viking Ocean look interesting too. However, the Virgin itineraries are still not very interesting to me. Maybe a New Years Eve one. Viking Ocean has a lot of really long itineraries, which look really cool, but kind of expensive with that much time. Nothing planned beyond our current Beyond in about 1.5 weeks and a Disney on the Wish during xmas.

[CU64]

14 hours ago, Texed said:

 

Unless I am remembering incorrectly, Oceania does not even have a casino.  

 

13 hours ago, Texed said:

Absolutely!

Not only that, no one is in there playing. Small casino & dead. 

[lexmiller]

21 hours ago, Texed said:

 

Unless I am remembering incorrectly, Oceania does not even have a casino.  

Exactly, (though I think they have a teensy one) and their entertainment does not even remotely compare to Celebrity, particularly when you're talking about the theater in the Edge Class ships.  The cruise lines in the luxury category are not as all-encompassing as what Celebrity has to offer.  The best of both worlds we feel is any suite on an Edge Class Celebrity ship - it's a ship within a ship.  We just have to make sure the casinos on Celebrity are smoking/vaping free.  And that's the quandary - what if smoking/vaping, IS allowed permanently across the Celebrity fleet?  Only cruise option is to move up to Luxury category - but as I said, the casinos are SMALL if they exist at all (husband loves to play cash game Poker, Texas Hold Em cash games at night and the poker tournaments during the day), and we love the Celebrity Life Activities and the amazing entertainment in the theater particularly on the Edge Class ships.  SO, not sure we would care for Viking, heard lots of different opinions......so land tours for us from now out?  We do love Uniworld for river cruises......but ocean cruising would no longer work for us, Celebrity WAS the perfect match for us until this ridiculous vaping issue!  Indoor smoking/vaping has no place anywhere!

[caviargal]

22 hours ago, NMTraveller said:

We have found similar pricing.  I would much rather cruise on Oceania.

 

After just getting off Equinox, I could not agree more.  They are nowhere near comparable in onboard experience, demographic and quality, not to mention the nickel and diming on X. 

Equinox was LOUD at main pool and crowded, with chair hogs out in full force before breakfast.  Overpriced extras as well.  And demographic not the same based on my experiences.

 

[SSFrance69]

On 7/7/2023 at 1:21 PM, TMaine said:

As someone who doesn't go to the casino, drink alcohol or use internet, my questions would be more focused on food and entertainment.   Does Oceana have specialty restaurants with up charges?  What is the  entertainment like?  I have heard the food is much better than what Celebrity is currently serving. 

I sailed on O in March and can confirm the food is much better (I'm comparing to Celebrity 5 years ago when the food was supposedly better and before cutbacks)... Oceana's food is better across the board, whether in the main dining room, buffet or specialties. No charge for specialty dining. They also have a very nice afternoon tea every day. Room service is free and plenty (though we only ordered breakfast once). We were on Riviera in a standard verandah and the bathroom and shower were huge (another bonus for me). You get free soft drinks at any bar and also stocked in your mini fridge. Also get free Vero still or sparkling water in your room every day. The water was very good and I'm picky about my water. Specialty coffee also included. I enjoyed the entertainment, but it's not nearly as sophisticated as Celebrity's. Night life is more quiet on O, no disco but nice live music in the evenings, such as a piano player in the martini bar. The crew is warm and very accommodating. They make you feel like family. Even the entertainers can be found around the ship performing other duties, such as the muster drill and were very friendly and we got to know them, which was nice. I should add that the Waves grill has VERY good burgers and they also have surf and turf on the menu that you can order every day (filet mignon and lobster). I had the Texan burger and it was honestly the best burger I've ever had on land or sea. In the evening Waves grill turns into a nice pizza cafe, with toppings like burrata and prosciutto and was wonderful. Waves menu attached. This is probably more than you needed to know, but I wanted give you a good idea of what it's like. Hope it helps. One thing to note, the smaller older ships on O, don't have as many of the restaurants and don't have the large bathrooms. Stick with Riviera, Marina, or the brand new Vista for the best experience.

[SSFrance69]

Forgot to add that Oceania does have a casino, though it's much smaller than what you find on Celebrity ships.

[NMTraveller]

On 7/8/2023 at 6:24 AM, lexmiller said:

Exactly, (though I think they have a teensy one) and their entertainment does not even remotely compare to Celebrity, particularly when you're talking about the theater in the Edge Class ships.  

The entertainment is at best B grade shows on Celebrity.  I would not miss them.

 

This weekend we saw Shin Lim.  Typical entertainment that I would actually go see.

Edited July 9, 2023 by NMTraveller

[SSFrance69]

20 minutes ago, NMTraveller said:

The entertainment is at best B grade shows on Celebrity.  I would not miss them.

 

This weekend we saw Shin Lim.  Typical entertainment that I would actually go see.

We didn't miss Celebrity's entertainment at all. I know it's subjective but we actually enjoyed the entertainment on Oceania more. I don't know what it was about it. The performers just seemed to really enjoy what they were doing, and it seemed more warm and genuine than the large productions on Celebrity. Oceania also had good trivia, not to mention they have the cooking classes and art classes (for a fee).

[Ex-Airbalancer]

3 hours ago, SSFrance69 said:

I sailed on O in March and can confirm the food is much better (I'm comparing to Celebrity 5 years ago when the food was supposedly better and before cutbacks)... Oceana's food is better across the board, whether in the main dining room, buffet or specialties. No charge for specialty dining. They also have a very nice afternoon tea every day. Room service is free and plenty (though we only ordered breakfast once). We were on Riviera in a standard verandah and the bathroom and shower were huge (another bonus for me). You get free soft drinks at any bar and also stocked in your mini fridge. Also get free Vero still or sparkling water in your room every day. The water was very good and I'm picky about my water. Specialty coffee also included. I enjoyed the entertainment, but it's not nearly as sophisticated as Celebrity's. Night life is more quiet on O, no disco but nice live music in the evenings, such as a piano player in the martini bar. The crew is warm and very accommodating. They make you feel like family. Even the entertainers can be found around the ship performing other duties, such as the muster drill and were very friendly and we got to know them, which was nice. I should add that the Waves grill has VERY good burgers and they also have surf and turf on the menu that you can order every day (filet mignon and lobster). I had the Texan burger and it was honestly the best burger I've ever had on land or sea. In the evening Waves grill turns into a nice pizza cafe, with toppings like burrata and prosciutto and was wonderful. Waves menu attached. This is probably more than you needed to know, but I wanted give you a good idea of what it's like. Hope it helps. One thing to note, the smaller older ships on O, don't have as many of the restaurants and don't have the large bathrooms. Stick with Riviera, Marina, or the brand new Vista for the best experience.

What was your  cost per night per person ? 
This times I have “O” it was around $300 per night compared to $100 per night for Celebrity 

[SSFrance69]

9 minutes ago, Ex-Airbalancer said:

What was your  cost per night per person ? 
This times I have “O” it was around $300 per night compared to $100 per night for Celebrity 

It was $362 PP per night for a standard verandah on a Caribbean sailing. That includes the taxes and port fees, a basic drink package (we upgraded to premium for $30 per day) and specialty dining. I don't think I've seen any recent Celebrity cruises for $100 per night. Maybe for an inside cabin on a good deal. I find O to be a good value when you consider the level of food and all the extras that are included. For our upcoming Summit sailing in an Aqua cabin to Bermuda, we paid 306 PP per night, also including taxes, port fees, basic drink package... and that was with a discount on the second passenger.

[Ex-Airbalancer]

14 minutes ago, SSFrance69 said:

It was $362 PP per night for a standard verandah on a Caribbean sailing. That includes the taxes and port fees, a basic drink package (we upgraded to premium for $30 per day) and specialty dining. I don't think I've seen any recent Celebrity cruises for $100 per night. Maybe for an inside cabin on a good deal. I find O to be a good value when you consider the level of food and all the extras that are included. For our upcoming Summit sailing in an Aqua cabin to Bermuda, we paid 306 PP per night, also including taxes, port fees, basic drink package... and that was with a discount on the second passenger.

Our TA in November is a t $131-CAD, ( $98 USD )

per night with always include for a balcony with all taxes and fees 

and that is with about $700 OBC , when I send in for our SHC 

Sorry I find “O” to pricey for me and we are usually traveling with friends and we can had over 10 people for dinner 😁

For is Celebrity has be very good bang for our $