An example of luxury vs premium

[clo]

1 minute ago, ronrick1943 said:

I wasn't referring to anyone else, just my opinion.  I just don't need a menu as soon as I sit down, In like to give my drink order in and sit back and relax before I even consider a menu.  But that's me..........

Yep and you're unlikely to give or get a drink order as the server was nowhere to be seen.

[ronrick1943]

3 minutes ago, clo said:

Yep and you're unlikely to give or get a drink order as the server was nowhere to be seen.

Then that would be a different problem to me---I've just never have had that happen on "O" or Regent or Silversea, I've always had the beverage of choice within a proper wait time for me. 

[clo]

6 minutes ago, ronrick1943 said:

Then that would be a different problem to me---I've just never have had that happen on "O" or Regent or Silversea, I've always had the beverage of choice within a proper wait time for me. 

Yes, dear.

[ronrick1943]

1 minute ago, clo said:

Yes, dear.

Why so sarcastic....I'm just stating my personal experience and my preference.  What's important to one person isn't the same for everyone.  That's why we all have choices so we can make a decision how we spend are money and what cruise line we choose to cruise on.

Sorry if I offended you--but thier are two sides to every story (both most likely are true).

[1985rz1]

1 hour ago, clo said:

I think waiting 20 minutes to get a minute is cause for annoyance. And the rest of the service was similar. And I KNOW what's acceptable and what isn't.

Was this experience pre-covid, or post-covid when staffing shortages impacted all cruise lines, or was it recently when staffing approached near normal levels?

[pinotlover]

In all my experiences with Oceania, except TC and Waves obviously, we have always been escorted to our table from the hostess station; seated, hand our napkins placed; and handed a menu. Always! There was never a wait to get a menu. If Clo experienced anything other than this procedure, it was definitely out of the norms. We never received a menu from our waiter.

 

How long we might have to wait to place an order can vary significantly, but never having a menu.

Edited May 14 by pinotlover

[1985rz1]

13 minutes ago, clo said:

Yes, dear.

You don't  have to be so snarky about someone else's experience..

Edited May 14 by 1985rz1

[osandomir]

1 hour ago, clo said:

I think waiting 20 minutes to get a minute is cause for annoyance. And the rest of the service was similar. And I KNOW what's acceptable and what isn't.

No need for the capital letters. And what’s is acceptable to you doesn’t mean it’s the same for everyone. Anyway you were so unlucky. We haven’t experienced the service to be bad to that extent on any of Oceania ships. But if I was so dissatisfied with the service I would look for another cruise line.

Edited May 14 by osandomir

[clo]

13 minutes ago, osandomir said:

But if I was so dissatisfied with the service I would look for another cruise line.

Well, we didn't eat there again. But we choose travel for the destinations. IIRC our next cruise was a Patagonian/Antarctica expedition with 400 pax and I don't even remember the food the trip was so amazing. And after that was a Norwegian coastal cruise with 100 pax and the food was outstanding.

 

spare ribs, red cabbage, vegetable risotto, salad

[Hlitner]

2 hours ago, clo said:

I think waiting 20 minutes to get a minute is cause for annoyance. And the rest of the service was similar. And I KNOW what's acceptable and what isn't.

Now you are being "judgmental" (using your words), bless your heart 🙂

 

Hank

[ak1004]

2 hours ago, Woodrowst said:

The exclusive activities were not listed online or in print.  They were announced at the evening briefing for the next day’s activity.  It is possible that SS limits the exclusive activities to expedition voyages since those tend to be more inclusive in terms of activities (zodiac rides, kayaking, and landings/tours).  Perhaps someone who has been on both a SS traditional and expedition ship can chime in as to whether this happens on a SS traditional ship.

We are near the end of our third SS cruise, never had any exclusive activities.

 

In fact, excursions were probably the most inconsistent part of the whole cruise. Guides varied between excellent to really bad, and the worst part was the group size, with few excursions having 30-35 people. This is not how I would imagine ultra luxury line, especially considering that the excursions are included, which is reflected in the price.

[Liao]

On 4/22/2024 at 4:29 PM, Woodrowst said:

My point wasn’t about alcohol.  It was about a level of service above and beyond a premium line.  

I’ve not sailed Silversea but I totally got your analogy, and I don’t drink either.  

[Woodrowst]

On 4/23/2024 at 1:36 PM, Hearthosesteeldrumsplayin said:

I agree with your assessment that there is a difference between premium and luxury lines.  We sailed Regent and had a wonderful experience; but, we also had a wonderful experience on O.  It really depends on what you are wanting from a particular cruise.  Does included business class air matter to you?  What about drinks and entertainment?  They vary depending upon the type of line (as does the price point!)  Everyone has to make that judgement for their own preferences. (And I now have future cruises on both Regent's and O.)

But, it is helpful to hear from someone who has experienced both to provide some insight!  So, thank you @Woodrowst.

After being flattered I have to fully agree with H…. ( the long title must be derived from Welsh).  The difference from premium to luxury is a matter of degrees.  Which means  you can certainly have a wonderful time on a premium line.  If that were not true I would not have signed on for five Oceania cruises to date.

[Cruisedreamer1]

It's crew, crew, crew that make the difference.

[Syd58]

On 4/22/2024 at 5:12 PM, ak1004 said:

 

In the last 3 years we sailed twice on S and 3 times on O.

 

We found nothing on SS that makes it any more luxury than O and justifies the 40-60% price difference. Maybe the cabins, but that's it.

 

As non drinkers, your example doesn't really mean much to us, but service in most other areas was comparable to O. In fact, we had much longer waits on SS in the morning and afternoon buffet for things like water and coffee. We asked for Perrier, the impression was they are bring it from another ship. After two times we gave up and settled for their sparkling water, which is pretty bad compared to Perrier.

 

If you read SS board, there are a lot of complaints about service and food. I don't know how it was before Covid, but now we just cannot justify their prices and consider them in the same league with O. 

 

Maybe SB and Explora are different, but not SS.

Many SS ships have a greater space/passenger ratio. I consider this an advantage of many ‘luxury’ ships. Now, many SS prices are competitive with O prices. With the elimination of SM, SS is likely going to become even more appealing.

Edited September 24 by Syd58

[Mareblu]

On 5/15/2024 at 4:32 AM, clo said:

Well, we didn't eat there again. But we choose travel for the destinations. IIRC our next cruise was a Patagonian/Antarctica expedition with 400 pax and I don't even remember the food the trip was so amazing. And after that was a Norwegian coastal cruise with 100 pax and the food was outstanding.

 

spare ribs, red cabbage, vegetable risotto, salad

With all due respect, that is not a particularly appetising plate of food.  Risotto and salad together would be frowned upon in Italy, and would simply become a confusing offering.  I could perhaps understand if all those components were collected willy nilly from a buffet.  

Edited September 24 by Mareblu

[ronrick1943]

21 hours ago, Cruisedreamer1 said:

It's crew, crew, crew that make the difference.

This is about the best answer yet!  Couldn't agree more................

[Vallesan]

14 hours ago, Syd58 said:

Many SS ships have a greater space/passenger ratio. I consider this an advantage of many ‘luxury’ ships. Now, many SS prices are competitive with O prices. With the elimination of SM, SS is likely going to become even more appealing.

 
Maybe the prices are competitive between Oceania and Silversea in the US but they are certainly not in the UK! 

[ak1004]

21 hours ago, Syd58 said:

Many SS ships have a greater space/passenger ratio. I consider this an advantage of many ‘luxury’ ships. Now, many SS prices are competitive with O prices. With the elimination of SM, SS is likely going to become even more appealing.

 

space/passenger ratio is a theoretical measure. While it is useful, in my experience Riviera never felt more crowded than SS (Dawn/Spirit). One possible explanation is that the ratio is on the whole ship, but the cabins on SS are 20-25% larger on average, so less space is left for public areas, and space per passenger ratio of public areas is not necessarily better on SS.

 

Regarding prices - this really depends on the category you select.

 

Entry level FV on Vista are around $450-500 USD per night per person for most European cruises, while SS entry level cabins are around $700-800. I realize that this is not apples to apples, but if 240 sqft is enough for you, than the difference is very significant, even when you account for all the inclusions. 

[ak1004]

On 9/23/2024 at 4:36 PM, Cruisedreamer1 said:

It's crew, crew, crew that make the difference.

 

Yes!!!!!!!!!!!

 

We just returned from SB cruise on the Quest, and the crew was the best we had in our 24 cruises. And this is what really puts SB a step above O in my opinion.