Bigger

[sparks1093]

8 hours ago, Flatbush Flyer said:

During Oceania’s recent Flash Sale over Memorial Day weekend, there were quite a number of cruises that would meet or beat your price criteria. There’s also a continuing 4 category upgrade sale with a number of shorter itineraries that would easily beat your criteria. You said a week? If you mean 7 days (in a balcony) check this out: 

https://www.oceaniacruises.com/bermuda-cruises/boston-to-boston-NAU240918/?sr=%2Fspecial-offers%2Fupgrade-sale. At $4300 per veranda cabin (without included air or air credit) but with $400 excursion credit, wine/beer at meals, all other available beverages, unlimited internet an all specialty restaurants, I’m sure you’d find that price meets your criteria.

How about 10 days for $4700 (no air) with same perks with an additional $200 in excursion SBC. 
https://www.oceaniacruises.com/caribbean-cruises/miami-to-cartagena-NAU241203/?insider=8j3p-tahryn-nicastro&sr=%2Fspecial-offers%2Fupgrade-sale
And let’s not forget that we haven’t added TA SBC or rebate to the deal.

 

I think that sale is still on for at least a few more days. It includes more than 50 cruises (or course some are more expensive for a variety of reasons. But, Oceania cruises can be quite the value laden bargain if one keeps their eyes open across the multiple sales each year.

Yes, I am aware that sometimes deals are available that would make Oceania a possibility, but unfortunately I've never seen these deals when we are booking a cruise (we typically book about 18 months out, a last minute cruise like this isn't doable for us right now). But for grins I did check out your first link. The $4300 veranda was sold out, and the closest they had would be a Concierge class veranda at $7400. We aren't in a position to take anything longer than 7 days, so a 10 day cruise wouldn't work so I didn't look at that link. (And just for grins a cruise on Carnival to Bermuda during that time frame is $2608. Add in what we use and we're looking at $3900 or so for the week. I know- Oceania is known for higher quality but that isn't a selling point for me.)

[DarrenM]

On 6/12/2024 at 1:57 AM, navybankerteacher said:

I maintain that anyone who believes, without qualification, that “bigger is better” is unthinking.

is there anyone out there saying this?

[DarrenM]

15 hours ago, sparks1093 said:

I specified if "I'm happy with..." so I wasn't assuming anything about anyone, simply talking about me. Frankly I've seen nothing the premium/luxury lines have to offer me, personally, that would entice me to book with them. The "better" doesn't matter to me. Now, if I really could book with them for what I would pay with one of the mainstream lines or even close to it I might consider it. Our week cost $5k or so all in for two people in a balcony for our last cruise and we feel that we received a good value for our vacation dollar. 

I said something similar in another thread. The food on the ship in the MDR is better quality than I eat at home, so not sure why I would ever need to pay even more to better that.

 

How good can it possibly be that can justify ridiculous pricing like that?

 

Give me a decent burger over a steak anyway.

[DarrenM]

I mean I have never finished a meal in the MDR or the Buffet, and thought to myself, I really  wish I had paid $50 for that steak now.

 

As long as I am full, I am happy.

 

If I did happen to pay $50 more a steak, the likelihood is, i would finish and say, well that was nice but it wasnt worth paying all that extra dosh for.

[navybankerteacher]

On 6/10/2024 at 3:58 PM, Aquahound said:

 

Yup.  I think so.  I love the mega ships, and I don't care who gets offended by my saying that.  

It looks as though there is someone saying “bigger is better”.

[sparks1093]

8 minutes ago, navybankerteacher said:

It looks as though there is someone saying “bigger is better”.

But are they saying it without qualification (or thinking about it)?

[Flatbush Flyer]

5 hours ago, sparks1093 said:

Yes, I am aware that sometimes deals are available that would make Oceania a possibility, but unfortunately I've never seen these deals when we are booking a cruise (we typically book about 18 months out, a last minute cruise like this isn't doable for us right now). But for grins I did check out your first link. The $4300 veranda was sold out, and the closest they had would be a Concierge class veranda at $7400. We aren't in a position to take anything longer than 7 days, so a 10 day cruise wouldn't work so I didn't look at that link. (And just for grins a cruise on Carnival to Bermuda during that time frame is $2608. Add in what we use and we're looking at $3900 or so for the week. I know- Oceania is known for higher quality but that isn't a selling point for me.)

You may want to get connected with a good cruise specialist TA who sends out regular notices about the best deals available (close in, far ahead, etc) and who provides substantial perks including rebates.

[clo]

15 hours ago, ldubs said:

 

Maybe they found what they enjoy.  Then add the perks and there is much happiness.    

Oh yes. But I'll pretty strongly contend that they're not port oriented but rather ship/sea folks. Not every line does everywhere, do they? Or how they go. When we went to Antarctica it was what I now know was an "expedition" so we could go ashore. Antarctica has a treaty that only ships with (I believe) 500 or fewer passengers can disembark pax. And that's 100 at a time. I'm betting there are other destinations that are similar, either because of the law or the logistics. Just my thoughts.

[ldubs]

55 minutes ago, clo said:

Oh yes. But I'll pretty strongly contend that they're not port oriented but rather ship/sea folks. Not every line does everywhere, do they? Or how they go. When we went to Antarctica it was what I now know was an "expedition" so we could go ashore. Antarctica has a treaty that only ships with (I believe) 500 or fewer passengers can disembark pax. And that's 100 at a time. I'm betting there are other destinations that are similar, either because of the law or the logistics. Just my thoughts.

 

Yeah, I can see how those who are there for the ship experience would likely stick to one line more than those who are itinerary driven.   Then there are those of us that are there for both.  We have, in over 50 trips, been on a few lines.  We are at the top tier perk level on one and pretty high up on another.  We do take some family group cruises that are more of a fun getaway than anything else.  But I would guess 80% of our cruises are itinerary driven (100% when not with a group).  

 

Kind of hard to think of a place with no country having a treaty.   But I know what you mean.  I think the travel restrictions are a UN treaty.  Obviously to keep folks from proving the earth is really flat.  Lol.   

[clo]

3 minutes ago, ldubs said:

Kind of hard to think of a place with no country having a treaty.   But I know what you mean.  I think the travel restrictions are a UN treaty.  Obviously to keep folks from proving the earth is really flat.  Lol.   

You made me curious.

 

The Antarctic Treaty was signed in Washington on 1 December 1959 by the twelve nations that had been active during the IGY (Argentina, Australia, Belgium, Chile, France, Japan, New Zealand, Norway, South Africa, United Kingdom, United States and USSR).

 

The Antarctic Treaty Explained

 

British Antarctic Survey

https://www.bas.ac.uk › ... › The Antarctic Treaty

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[ldubs]

6 hours ago, navybankerteacher said:

It looks as though there is someone saying “bigger is better”.

 

An obvious fact.  There are many people saying that.  Same as many saying smaller is better or somewhere in between is better.  

[ldubs]

6 hours ago, DarrenM said:

I mean I have never finished a meal in the MDR or the Buffet, and thought to myself, I really  wish I had paid $50 for that steak now.

 

As long as I am full, I am happy.

 

If I did happen to pay $50 more a steak, the likelihood is, i would finish and say, well that was nice but it wasnt worth paying all that extra dosh for.

 

Good point.   And no matter where we are on the scale, there is always going to be someone with more extravagant tastes.  I guess the guys flying private jets should be making snide remarks about commercial airline first class passengers.   😀

[clo]

17 minutes ago, ldubs said:

Same as many saying smaller is better

Wouldn't most of us add "for me"? Or "most of the time"?

[clo]

7 hours ago, DarrenM said:

I mean I have never finished a meal in the MDR or the Buffet, and thought to myself, I really  wish I had paid $50 for that steak now.

 

As long as I am full, I am happy.

 

If I did happen to pay $50 more a steak, the likelihood is, i would finish and say, well that was nice but it wasnt worth paying all that extra dosh for.

But I've had a few dishes on a ship that were the very best of that dish that I've ever had. For instance, escargots in Jacques on Oceania. Not a dollar value but the best. And I'm "into" food.

[ldubs]

4 minutes ago, clo said:

Wouldn't most of us add "for me"? Or "most of the time"?

 

Sure.  Most all of us would automatically assume that.  I can spend all day explaining why I like or don't like something. 

Edited June 13 by ldubs

[clo]

6 minutes ago, ldubs said:

 

Sure.  Most all of us would automatically assume that.  I can spend all day explaining why I like or don't like something. 

Ditto. Neither my husband nor I like cucumbers, zucchini or watermelon 🙂

[ontheweb]

3 hours ago, clo said:

But I've had a few dishes on a ship that were the very best of that dish that I've ever had. For instance, escargots in Jacques on Oceania. Not a dollar value but the best. And I'm "into" food.

My food tastes are much simpler. But last summer at the Local (a free comfort food) restaurant on the Prima, the hot fudge sundae just did it for me. 😊😊😊

[navybankerteacher]

13 hours ago, DarrenM said:

… The food on the ship in the MDR is better quality than I eat at home …

If the ship you are referring to is one of NCL’s fleet, and the MDR food is better than what you eat at home, I  strongly suggest that you invest in a cookbook.

[Flatbush Flyer]

7 hours ago, navybankerteacher said:

If the ship you are referring to is one of NCL’s fleet, and the MDR food is better than what you eat at home, I  strongly suggest that you invest in a cookbook.

Absolutely.

[DarrenM]

7 hours ago, navybankerteacher said:

If the ship you are referring to is one of NCL’s fleet, and the MDR food is better than what you eat at home, I  strongly suggest that you invest in a cookbook.

Never been on an NCL ship. and dont intend to start any time soon.

 

Only been on Celebrity.

 

As for buying a cookbook, I have never owned a cookbook. Nor never will.

 

And now I have found Just eat, I dont think I need an oven any more.

[DarrenM]

15 hours ago, ldubs said:

 

Yeah, I can see how those who are there for the ship experience would likely stick to one line more than those who are itinerary driven.   Then there are those of us that are there for both.  We have, in over 50 trips, been on a few lines.  We are at the top tier perk level on one and pretty high up on another.  We do take some family group cruises that are more of a fun getaway than anything else.  But I would guess 80% of our cruises are itinerary driven (100% when not with a group).  

 

Kind of hard to think of a place with no country having a treaty.   But I know what you mean.  I think the travel restrictions are a UN treaty.  Obviously to keep folks from proving the earth is really flat.  Lol.   

You mean the earth isnt flat?

 

[clo]

18 hours ago, ontheweb said:

My food tastes are much simpler. But last summer at the Local (a free comfort food) restaurant on the Prima, the hot fudge sundae just did it for me. 😊😊😊

See? You know what I mean. 🙂

[ontheweb]

1 hour ago, clo said:

See? You know what I mean. 🙂

It was a large, really good hot fudge sundae. 😊.The funny thing was DW looked at me and said, "you're not going to really eat that whole thing." I mean we had just celebrated wedding anniversary #46 a few days ago, and yet it was like she did not know me at all. 🤣 

[clo]

17 minutes ago, ontheweb said:

It was a large, really good hot fudge sundae. 😊.The funny thing was DW looked at me and said, "you're not going to really eat that whole thing." I mean we had just celebrated wedding anniversary #46 a few days ago, and yet it was like she did not know me at all. 🤣 

Oh, I get it. And we've only been married 36 years 🙂

[ontheweb]

47 minutes ago, clo said:

Oh, I get it. And we've only been married 36 years 🙂

And we both in a thread earlier in this very forum discovered the secret to a long successful marriage---one partner has a great sense of direction and one has absolutely no sense of direction.