Amenities: PH versus Concierge Balcony

[Wendy The Wanderer]

Okay, so I'm doing some research for 2008, as a possible first-time Oceania cruiser. I'm curious about what differences in amenities and perks there are between a Concierge-level Balcony, and a Penthouse stateroom. Do you get the "better" hairdryer in both, for example? Mini fridge?

Aside from the overall size, are there other "class" differences? (Fair disclosure: I'm addicted to RSSC, I've cruised 52 nights so far, so I'm used to a large stateroom.) Is the bathroom larger in the PH?

[Paisley12]

In my opinion, the Penthouse is definitely roomier. Especially the bathroom, you get a tub with shower. The Conceirge cabins have a small shower and room. You get a higher class of toiletries in PH. You also get to go to the specialty restaurants twice and your butler can make the reservations as soon as you board. The PH have butlers which was VERY nice!! We had a great butler ... his name was Julian. You'll like Oceania!

[hondorner]

I've not been in a PH, but from everything I've seen and read, the hair dryer, mini-fridge, and toiletries are the same in concierge and PH. Likewise the lap robes, DVD player, embarkation and disembarkation privileges, etc. Other than size, the primary difference appears to be butler service and the color of your on-board card (gold, not silver). Size is significant for many people. The bathrooms are larger, and include a tub. However, there is not a separate shower, and one would have to step over and into the tub to shower.

I prefer the walk-in shower, wouldn't know what to do with a butler, and the size of the concierge-level cabins is more than twice as big as our RV, where we spend a lot more time, so I'm perfectly happy with the smaller size.

[dwelsh]

The 7 balcony rooms look small when you first see them but we found the size to be ample as soon as we acclimatized. There was more than enough closet and draw space. Yes, the bathrooms are very tiny but we managed. They could do with an extra rail in the shower to keep your balance in rough sea. We wouldn't know what to do with a butler, room service was always prompt and accurate with the order, the amenities offered were more than adequate so I suppose it depends on your personal requirement for square footage and your pocketbook!!

[Wendy The Wanderer]

Yeh, well that's what it really comes down to, doesn't it? I'm used to spacious cabins on Regent, but would wonder if I could "get by" with the smaller cabin on O and save myself a small boatload of $$. I've never had a butler, and although I would know exactly what to do with him, I could certainly do without. The small bathroom is a possible issue, but not a showstopper. The specialty restaurant boost might be nice, and I assume the "better" hair dryer, but again, not a show stopper.

Thanks, this is about what I thought.

[Jancruz]

Hi Wendy,
As you know I have cruised both cruise lines and definitely suggest the PH (any of the 3 categories) I feel you will be diappointed especially in the bathroom in an A, after your 52 nights on Regent..be sure to book a stateroom as soon as they come out for your best choice and price!!
I am excited we leave again 3/29 for 35 nights on Nautica and really looking forward to it!!
Regards,
Jan
*************
By the way, there is another oceania board you might want to try....http://groups.yahoo.com/group/oceanacruiser/

[Wendy The Wanderer]

Oh lovely, how great is that! I presume you're going to Asia or South America or something. Thanks for the advice, Jan. I have made-do in the minimum cabins on the PG several times, and don't mind that size, just not sure I want to go much smaller (when you count the balcony.)

[ChatKat in Ca.]

Wendy,

Some really great posts and answers for us Regent cruisers. June will be here before we know it and I will try to get some photos of the different cabins.
For me, the smaller cabins (as I had on the Paul Gauguin) without a balcony were too small - the bath was a small tub with shower head. The Voyager, Mariner and Navigator had full baths where two people could share them (sort of). If the cruise were maybe 7-10 days and the itinerary very port intensive, a small cabin might be ok but any longer would be harder.

[shedevil]

In my opinion, the Penthouse is definitely roomier. Especially the bathroom, you get a tub with shower. The Conceirge cabins have a small shower and room. You get a higher class of toiletries in PH. You also get to go to the specialty restaurants twice and your butler can make the reservations as soon as you board. The PH have butlers which was VERY nice!! We had a great butler ... his name was Julian. You'll like Oceania!

The space in the penthouse suites is worth the price. We cruised in a penthouse with friends in a conceirge level cabin and we were glad we upgraded to the larger cabin. In addition, the balcony is larger due to the width of the cabin.

Paisley is right - we had Julian on a Baltic cruise and I tried to get him to come home with us......he made our cruise the best vacation we have ever had!

[meow!]

I'm used to spacious cabins on Regent, but would wonder if I could "get by" with the smaller cabin on O and save myself a small boatload of $$.
If you want to save money, get a B2. The A1 is already half way in price to the PH. So go to the PH and have adequate room, or save everything other than the balcony. Paying half the difference to a PH to stay in the same cabin is not worth the while! (I think the subdivision into A, B, 1, 2 and 3 is a profit management gimmick, which most cruise lines use, not just Oceania).

[hondorner]

removed duplicate post

[hondorner]

If you want to save money, get a B2. The A1 is already half way in price to the PH. So go to the PH and have adequate room, or save everything other than the balcony. Paying half the difference to a PH to stay in the same cabin is not worth the while! (I think the subdivision into A, B, 1, 2 and 3 is a profit management gimmick, which most cruise lines use, not just Oceania).
I think that very much depends on the cruise. For example, the latest cruise at which we are taking a close look quotes (in round numbers) $8,200 for a B2, $8,800 for an A2 and $10,200 for a PH2. While the $600 difference from B to A is significant, it is not close to halfway to the PH. I agree that for many, the differences between an A and a B are not worth the extra $$$ for the A -- that's an individual decision.

As for the differences between A or B 1, 2 or 3, there is a significant difference that is worth the couple of hundred dollars to move between categories -- the "1"s are closest to the center of the ship, where the "ride" is the best. The "2"s are further out (all the way in the B category), and the "3"s are the closest to the ends. If I expect the seas to possibly be rough, as in the transAtlantic we have booked for next November, I want to be as close to the center of the ship as possible. I would not consider anything on the ends, including the OS and VS, even if I was willing to spend the $$$. However, I would definitely consider the A and B cabins sandwiched between the OS and VS in the front and rear of the ship if I expected the seas to be relatively calm.