Am I Seeeing a Trend?

[srb]

And what is it telling us?

I'm booked on the June 1 Regatta Baltic Cruise. I have been following the various Oceania message boards for the last three months and, of late, I have not seen a very many positive reviews or discussion.

Three months ago when I was deciding on a trip there was overwhelming praise for the Regatta, its crew and Oceania's concepts. Since that time I have noticed a steady decline even as the company launched it's newest ship. My question is "What's the story?' Have things changed? Has there been a reduction in Oceania's performance? Were the initial positive reviews and comments unjustified? I have seen many thoughtful responses on these boards; some from clearly frequent participants. I have also read a few unfair comments and some nit picking. My question is what do you think is going on? I thought I had a handle on Oceania but now I see numerous mixed signals. I would love some feedback because there has been a lot of useful information provided by many of you on these sites. Thanks for any thoughts..

SRB

[cowboycork]

We just returned from 10 days on the Insignia, and loved it!
We would definately go with Oceania again. I don't know what others are experiencing, but we think that Oceania is only 2nd to RSSC (but much less expensive).

http://escati.linkopp.net/cgi-bin/countdown.cgi?trgb=000000&prgb=32CD32&cdt=2004;04;10;17;00;00&timezone=GMT-0500

[meow!]

Life is never perfect, and products are not always uniform. An orchestra will perform slightly differently from concert to concert, and a pound of ham of the same brand and grade may also be a bit different from day to day. Besides, different commentators have different tastes! It is hard for any one to tell whether there is a trend one way or another, because few of us are cruising frequently enough on the same ship to make definitive generalizations.

I empathize with your question, and I ask similar questions frequently on this board myself. However, sooner or later, we'll have to decide one way or another, based on incomplete information, because information can never be complete!

Like so many things else, all you can do is read/listen to the various opinions, and take your bet based on your own feelings, hope for the best, and cope with what comes. This applies not only to Oceania, but to all cruise lines, and indeed to most choices in life!

[gr8aunt]

I, too, am a little concerned about the comments I'm seeing. Of course, there will always be those who cannot be pleased no matter what, but the trend doesn't seem to be coming from the malcontents. I am booked on a cruise in mid June which has already cost a lot of money. From what I see on Oceania's web site, the tours are considerable more expensive than comparable tours with other cruise lines. As a former Ren cruiser, I'll have to wait and see about Oceania. I just hope they don't provide "beer" at "champagne" pries.

[gr8aunt]

Oops! Last word in my previous reply should be prices.

[peggyann]

Hello, I just responded to your same message on the Yahoo board. All I can tell you and those reading this message board is that my husband and I were on the Regatta in Sept and enjoyed every minute. So much so that we, like you, are now on the June 1 Baltic cruise. New crew seems to have contributed to a bit of concern, but by now things should be fine. As said above, some folks always find something to complain about.

I will admit, I've never sailed on the Crystal level of ships so my experience is from "below". Many cruises on the newest Celebrity ships were delightful, but no way can compare to Oceania.

Hope to meet you on board. Have a great time. Regards, Peggy

[Ernst]

Well, I am booked on the 08/17th sail of Insignia and I am a little bit concerned about the different reports. Considering the promises by Oceania this will be a high luxury cruise. But the price isn't.

Five years ago a high luxury vessel (MV Europa) retired and the line built a new one. Unfortunately the daily price is now doubled. Nearly at the same time this line introduced another ship into the market (MV Columbus, maybe a few of you know this ship cruising the great lakes). The price for a cruise onboard this ship was quite reasonable. What happened? Many former passengers of the Europa went to the columbus. But they didn't realize, that this ship could and never will be a luxury ship. So many of the passengers were very disappointed.

So let's draw a conclusion: Oceania isn't as expensive as Radisson or Silversea or Seabourn. So I will never expect luxury like at Silversea, but I expect a fair product, good food and service, a well maintained ship and a lot of experience. I really don't expect luxury.

Best regards

Ernst

[goeurope]

>> I have been following the various Oceania message boards for the last three months and, of late, I have not seen a very many positive reviews or discussion.<<

Really? I haven't had that impression at all.

>>Three months ago when I was deciding on a trip there was overwhelming praise for the Regatta, its crew and Oceania's concepts. Since that time I have noticed a steady decline even as the company launched it's newest ship. My question is "What's the story?' Have things changed? Has there been a reduction in Oceania's performance?<<

If you look closely, you'll see that a lot of the complaints have come from a small number of people. The same phenomenon occurred on the Silversea a while back, with a few people posting gloom-and-doom complaints about everything from a switch in the house brand of Champagne to rumors (which turned out to be false) that caviar was no longer free. Then, after a few months had gone by, people who had been reading the complaints (and, in some cases, expressing concern) went on their own cruises and came back to report that Silversea was as wonderful as ever.

Mind you, it's always possible that Oceania's quality has taken a plunge, but unless the negative posts are coming from passengers who praised Oceania in the past, that seems pretty unlikely. Stil, if you're concerned, you might want to visit the other Oceania forum (the one on Yahoo) which is busier than this one and therefore will provide you with a much larger sample to use in making a judgment.

--
Durant Imboden
Europeforvisitors.com

[Jancruz]

There are some very verbal people on now..Claudia for one that will be back soon and I am sure she will tell everyone what they want to know..Then I will be on June 14 and June 26 (Insignia) and always post as I go along..so watch for my posts and feel free to ask questions..only a month way now!!

Jan
*************

[jfb128]

We loved our Oceania cruise last summer and emark again on June 15th and another on August 31. I have talked to some who have been on Oceania post our cruise and their experience was likewise delightful. There was a trio of people who flooded this board and the Yahoo board with complaints after their March cruise.Others who were on the same cruise respectfully disagreed with their assessment. I, like others will post after our next cruise.

[stebul]

I'm booked on the December 9 Regatta Caribbean trip, and share the originators concerns. My thoughts:

I never cruised on Renaissance, but it seems like there is a lot of comparison between Ren and Oceania that may or may not be warranted. I think I'm really going to enjoy the mid-sized ship with a balcony and I like the look of the ship's interior. Princess also has 2 former R ships. Are people comparing Princess to Ren?

Oceania's marketing is still trying to find its niche. Passengers and travel agents are still figuring out whether Oceania is the "right match". Are you looking for lively nightlife and lots of shipboard activities? This may be the wrong cruise line, and you might be "bored". Do you want Ritz Cartlon / St. Regis luxury? Again, this doesn't appear to be the right cruise line for you. Maybe Oceania will emerge with a personality similar to Renaissance, but I don't think the dust has settled yet.

Speaking of rates, as other posters have pointed out, Oceania's rates are somewhere between HAL / Celebrity / Princess and Silversea / Seabourn / Crystal. Oceania rack rates are closer to the Silversea rates, but it seems just about every cruise is 2-for-1 and some also have free airfare. Just ignore the Oceania rack rate. The old adage "you get what you pay for" applies.

The bottom line is that I am still booked for my cruise in December, although I continue to monitor these boards. Please keep posting your positive as well as negative reviews here and on the Yahoo board!

[joan24]

jfb,
We are also on the June 15 Regatta. This is our first Oceania cruise and we're looking forward to it. I admit being a little concerned about the number of negative posts, mostly about Regatta. We plan on going with open minds and making our own decisions about Oceania. Hope to meet you onboard.
Joan http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_smile.gif

[srb]

Thanks to everyone who has responded so far. I too am looking forward to my June 1 cruise. I would really like to hear from anyone who has been on the Regatta since the transalantic cruise. Clearly people on last spring and summer were quite pleased. I love the Oceania concepts as stated above. My question is related to the current delivery on that promise. I have reasonable expectations and hope for an experience as articulated by last year's cruisers. Hope each of you has a great trip whenever you go and again, thanks for the responses so far.

PS to Durant: I had already posted the message on Yahoo and todate I have only gotten one response. By the way I have enjoyed your website in preparing for my trip. Thanks

[Merriem]

Don't go to the Yahoo board, if you expect honest comments. They are not open to anything but postive thoughts. So do not believe everything you read on that board.

[goeurope]

Merriam, if your comments haven't been well received on the Yahoo board, it has nothing to do with a collective predisposition toward "positive" posts--it's because sweeping statements like "This was the most horrid trip that I have ever been on" and "This was the worst staff I have ever dealt with" inspire skepticism (especially after members have seen other posts about a small group of chronic complainers who made the cruise unpleasant for other passengers).

Maybe you're right; maybe the cruise was "horrid" and the staff was the "worst" imaginable. But the majority of reports we've seen have said otherwise, and in any case, most rational people don't put much stock in hyperbole.

--
Durant Imboden
Europeforvisitors.com

[Merriem]

Well, this cruise was horrid. Apparently half of the staff left and went to the Insignia, and were replaced with a very poorly trained new group. There are many comments about this Transatlantic trip and they are not positive. Read some of the reviews on this site under the Regatta.

Yes, the staff was the "worst imaginable" and when you get on a ship that has received a lot of hype, you expect something special.

The Regatta is beautiful and clean, but on "our" trip, the staff did not know what they were doing most of the time.

I do not know if this is a trend, or a one bad experience, but it was our money that paid for it, and we did not receive what was advertised in the brochure.

Now, do I have the right to my opinion????

Also, the TA was the biggest seller of Oceania, and we were "encouraged" to sail in luxury.

Out of 17 cruises, I have never written a letter before this about a poor experience because we have very pleasurable trips.

http://www.epinions.com/content_138832940676

[Jancruz]

Whoever the TA was..should have told you more about Oceania and perhaps you would have not been so unhappy or not even gone..O is NOT for everyone and a good TA will be able to advise you..people that go with discount agencies dont necessarily get the best advise on the cruise that is best for them..Their have been many reviews since yours and things seem to be wonderful again..I am never sure why people seem to want to hear about the bad stuff only..I am sure there is good on every cruise..I took Carnival for a week with my family..did I love it..NO..did they ..YES ..I assume since O was not for you you will not travel on it again..thats what I would do if I was unhappy with a ship..

Jan
*************

[srb]

For me the question is not "honest comments" because I believe everyone who takes the time to participate does honestly believe what they say. The issue is accuracy and assessing realities. I must agree with Durant in that I find the truly vitriolic comments lacking in credibility. There are also some people who consistently write in support of Oceania and appear as cheerleaders. My guess is that on every cruise people have both positive and negative experiences and that their enjoyment is clearly more subjective than objective. In all cases, when someone writes a clear well reasoned opinion with both details and personal mindset we all gain insight.

But Merriem...I have gotten straightforward information from all the boards including yahoo and would recommend them to everyone. In general, since writing the initial posting, I have recieve some very positive comments from recent travellers which I find reasssuring. I think the key to gaining real understanding is with current information, especially for a company as new as Oceania. So to all you oceania cruisers out there please do not abandon us after your trip...you can provide the best "state of the art" information. Thanks to everyone, keep up the dialoque on all the sites.

Stephen Ballis
(June 1st Dover to Stockholm and ready to go)

[Ernst]

Truly I am really concerned about the recent postings. I booked the 08/17 cruise onboard the insignia. To cancel without costs would be only possible until the beginning of June. So let's draw the bottom line: Shall I try Oceania or should I cancel the cruise and book a line, which I know? Consider: I bet a lot of money on a unknown horse

Thank you

[Merriem]

Jan,

FYI, I did not book with a discount travel agency.

[Jancruz]

Sorry I made that assumption, but Oceania is not a luxury ship..so whoever you did book with did you a disservice by saying that it was..

Jan
*************

[Merriem]

Jan,

I am aware that you are a TA, and on page one of the Oceania brochure it says:

POINTS OF DISTINCTION

Finest cuisine at sea, served in four distinctive open seating restaurants

Gourmet culinary program overseen by world-renowned master chef, Jacques Pepin

BEST VALUE IN LUXURY CRUISING

And so forth............apparently their brochure says they are a LUXURY cruise line.

[Jancruz]

You are right..but any agent that has been on a "Luxury " cruise line ie Radisson, Silverseas etc. and Oceania knows there is a difference..thats all I am saying..a good TA will try to suit you to the line they feel you would be happiest on..Some agencies want to sell you on a line they make the most commission with..there is nothing wrong with that..I just think it is better for the client to know up front as much as they can....I happen to love Oceania, have been on many times and know exactly what to expect..

Jan
*************

[Gardyloo]

I just gotta chime in here.

Premium vs. luxury vs. small ship vs. large ship...? How many angels do you want to dance on pinheads?

I regard well-prepared, diverse, beautifully presented food as luxurious. You should try my cooking by comparison. Or not.

I regard a good bed with soft sheets made daily by someone who knows what they're doing luxurious.

Did I expect perfection on Oceania? Of course not, nor did I receive it. But value for money? Sure, especially when you compared it to comparable accommodation and food costs on shore in the Mediterranean. By my calculations, our per diem rate on the Insignia last month, compared to hotel and restaurant costs we paid before and after the cruise, meant the travel portion of the fare was basically free. A free sail along some of the most beautiful coastlines in the world? Helluva deal.

[Jancruz]

Thank you Gardy loo..you said what I meant!! Now I will go back to lurking unless asked a question..

Jan
*************

[Juanito]

I have signed up for this board to help me plan my first Oceania cruise (Insignia, Oct. 10). Please stop wasting my time with sniping about other posts.

Juanito

[douganswerphone]

"I, too, am a little concerned about the comments I'm seeing. Of course, there will always be those who cannot be pleased no matter what, but the trend doesn't seem to be coming from the malcontents. I am booked on a cruise in mid June which has already cost a lot of money. From what I see on Oceania's web site, the tours are considerable more expensive than comparable tours with other cruise lines. As a former Ren cruiser, I'll have to wait and see about Oceania. I just hope they don't provide "beer" at "champagne" prices."


gr8aunt:

When we were aboard Insignia, we thought the excursion prices were comparable to what other lines charge. Not that I think they're cheap.

Other than a shuttle or two, we haven't bought a ship tour on the last 6 or 8 cruises we've done. We prefer to rent a car or find a private guide. It's a little more work to set up, but you see more [of what interests you], generally have more fun, and usually save money.

So far as comparing "O" to "R", in some areas O is about the same, in many areas much better, and in one significant area, much "worse". Their pricing is about double what Ren used to charge <sigh>. Still a good value on most cruises, though.

Doug n Sherry

[northern exposure]

Question for Merriem: Which Oceania cruise were you on. I was wondering if we were on the same cruise.

[Merriem]

We were on the Transatlantic, 14 days, from Miami to Lisbon. Departure March 15th.

[et2]

I am sick of hearing the same comments from one cruise. It may be coincidence, but Merriem has a web site that is very pro-Kerry and the cruise she was on had a pro-Bush speaker from the Pentagon. Maybe it was a bad taste of politics that set off the group of passengers. Either way I would like to write off the one cruise and move on. I will be on my first Oceania cruise on Monday and am curious to compare.

[Merriem]

et2,

Do you think that politics belong on a cruise?

Remember the old saying "you do not discuss, religion, the civil war, and politics". I sure do not want to hear about it on my vacation.

However, I did not go to this guys "enrichment lectures", but saw him on the tv and my husband went.

On a South American trip we had a Geologist from the University of Georgia that spent two weeks giving lectures about the area we were in. Now that is enrichment. Hope you have a nice vacation.