sugarbird

Perhaps Seabourn and Silverseas higher -quite a bit - cruise prices allows them to offer shorex at lower prices' date=' since their profits are already secured and don't have to rely on 'extras' to meet the bottom line![/quote']

I don't find Oceania prices that much different---except for the airfare perhaps---We typicall book a penthouse 1,2 or 3--because this cabin is similar in size to Seabourn and Silversea standard cabins (280 square feet w/o veranda).

We travel on Oceania because they have great itineraries and a highly enjoyable travel experience.

My wife and I have sailed more on Silversea and Seabourn but have done 5 Oceania cruises.We think the food on Oceania is excellent---but slightly behind Seabourn--maybe equal to Silversea today--but not in years past.

The cruise experience on Oceania is excellent and a good value.

My wife and I were in Hakodate last year on a Silversea cruise---the fish market is outstanding and large!! You can eat fish as well as observe the market.

Also there is a Starbucks on the waterfront near the center of town.

You will dock at WICO or Havensight to the east of town. cruisett.com shows you docked on JUne 4 with Freedom of the Seas, Disney Fantasy, and NCL Getaway - 15,000 cruisers! FOS comes in later but the others are in early with you. Good day for a daysail or someplace out of the way...

 

http://ports.cruisett.com/schedule/US_Virgin_Islands/620-Saint_Thomas/June_2014/

I believe that all Princess ships dock at Crown Bay which is near the airport--and a little further from downtown Charlotte Amlie

Yes, but Seabourn and Silversea are small enough that they do not have to deal with brokers but can deal with tour guides independently.

I am confused!! Before you said that smaller ships+ smaller cruise lines = higher prices--now you say that smaller lines deal independently and get a better price?

Anyway---we have found that the quality of tour guides are consistently higher on these 2 smaller lines. The original question was why is Oceania higher in price---maybe its because of the economy air being included in the cruise fare.

Smaller cruise line + smaller ships = less discount from excursion suppliers, therefore larger price

 

Basic economies of scale.

Seabourn and Silversea have smaller ships than Oceania and lower priced excursions--so that does not explain why Oceania is higher.

Also Seabourn and Silversea do not crowd you up on a bus. I think the only explanation is that Oceania uses it as a major profit center. If one enjoys the entire Oceania experience-- as my wife and I do--there are ways to overcome the cost of excursions.

Last year my wife and I did Vancouver to Tokyo. It was a"great" trip"!!!

The highlights for us were Petropavlovsk and Hakodate. The ATV tour was bumpy but "awesome"!!! This ride and seeing the fish market were great excursions.There are 42 volcanoes on the Kamchatka peninsula.

My wife and I have done 6 cruises on Oceania--and done about 12 on Seabourn and 8 on Silversea. We have enjoyed our Oceania Cruises--however, there weak spot is their shore excursions. We generally do private tours with other guests or arrange outside companies to take us on tour. For example in Natal, Brazil the thing to do is the dune buggy ride on the enormous sand dunes that run up the coast to Fortaleza. Oceania wanted approximately $350 per person (2 years ago--Rio to Barcelona cruise). We had been there before on Seabourn--so I looked up a company on the internet and we booked a ride for $60 per person---All 6 of us had a great time.

Oceania has great itineraries, excellent food, etc. but the shoes excursions are overpriced.

Did you call to sign up for global services before you went?

My wife and I have owned a home In St.John for 35 years and spend 4 months a year there,

AT&T is used by all "locals"---it is the same as being in the continental USA--local calls and calls to the mainland or Puerto Rico are included in your monthly plan.

All other USA carriers treat The US Virgin Islands as an international destination---roaming.

United is my least favorite airline for many reasons--including poor employee attitude---except for the portions that were Continental. In international business class Delta is much better than United.

As for South Africa---My wife and I have flown Delta and SAA business class from USA and both were excellent. Going through Europe has some appeal because you can break up the trip--if you can afford the time.

Best I have ever had was at the Chinese restaurant in the Peninsula Hotel. Their "beggars Chicken" is also excellent.

I know these cities have a plethora of dining. We would like some recommendations for upscale food that is not over the top expensive, and we like to have reservations. We have 3 nights in both cities. Just your favorites would be perfect. If you lived there, where would you go on a Sat night?

 

Thanks in advance for helping me, I know I need to reserve in advance and I will be there in a couple of weeks.

Sabatini de Roma in Tokyo is a must!!!

My wife and I have used the Heritage Line--Siem Reap to Saigon.

It was an excellent cruise.

For the last 15 years I have bought eye glasses in Hong Kong. I use Tai Kwong Opitical at 28 Mody Road. I wear progressive lens and have always had high quality here. They carry designer frames. Many friends have used this place also and have been very happy.

I have also had good luck with Capitol Optical in Singapore---3 locations

My price is usually about 1/2 of what I would pay in the USA.

So just booked Silver Shadow for a cruise in March - Singapore to Hong Kong, 11 days via Thailand and Vietnam

 

Have cruised with Azamara and Oceania and been quite happy but wanted to try Silversea.

 

Any thoughts?

 

Are there still formal nights? Heard those were a thing of the past but maybe not? Dark suit enough? What about informal nights? What do we need to wear? (2 gentlemen)

 

Have read some reviews that food is hit and miss. We've been happy with Azamara and Oceania - so not sure how SS will compare?

 

Really appreciate any insights to make this an awesome cruise.

My wife and I have sailed on both Oceania and Silversea ---5 or 6 times on each.We have not been on Azamara.

We were on the Silver Shadow this September--Vancouver to Tokyo.

Over all, we think that Silversea is a small step up from Oceania..

The food is about equal. Shore excursions are cheaper and generally better on Silversea.Oceania has improved but still likes to " nickel and dime" you---meaning tips, charges for alcohol, etc.

Oceania is a very enjoyable experience --and we do like the casual approach to evening dress. As for formal night on Silversea--a dark suit is very ok---I wore a blue blazer and a tie on the Shadow's formal nights.

Both lines provide top notch cruises---we just slightly prefer Silversea.

PS Our favorite is Seabourn.

Thank you... Are taxi's safe?

We have been to Viet Nam 4 times and never had a taxi problem.

Our last time in DaNang we hired a taxi on the dock for 1/2 day.

Hi we are on the HAL cruise arr DA Nang 26 Dec... again looking for ideas of what to do and where to go?

 

Hate doing ship's organised tours.. so any advice gratefully received.

Take a taxi from ship to Hoi An---it is a wonderful town---and visit China Beach.

My DH and I have been Celebrity loyalists for almost 14 years, but have found some of their policies not to our liking. We are looking for a change.

 

We've cruised on Azamara and found that the smaller, intimate ship very nice.

 

We'd like to know what are the distinct differences between the two lines?

 

Thank you in advance for your comments.

My wife and I have have done 3 Celebrity( approx. 36 days) and 4 Oceania cruises( approx. 60 days). We also have 136 days on Seabourn and about 60 on Silversea.

In our opinion Oceania is a significant step up from Celebrity. Open seating, better food, dress code,and the type of passenger.