Some information I learned about Oceania today

[meow!]

Why not just give passengers free bottles of free "ship brand" prefilled water. Afterall, it is only water, and shouldn't cost the cruise line much. Why all the fuss, what is the underlying reason for not doing that?

[wripro]

The underlying reason is that for people like yourself who find bottled water indispensable it is a way to make money.

[StanandJim]

No, No Wripro!

 

They need to decrease the fares, supply unlimited free soft drinks and bottled water, provide liquor at cost and increase the staff by at least 50%.

 

Tipping will be retained, but Oceania should always foot the bill.

 

Onboard credits should never be less than the base cost of ones' cruise.

 

All the suites need to be be ripped out and divided into standard cabins with enlarged bathrooms.

 

The Cabanas will henceforth be communal.

 

The Specialty Restaurants need to be run on a "first come, first served" basis.

 

And as to this nonsense about charging extra for Transfers, Shore Excursions and air transportation.........how DARE THEY?

 

Entertainment will remain the same, however, the dress rehearsals will be performed in the nude and filmed. This will then be broadcast on cabin TV in place of those endless repeats of Hocus Pocus and The Omen.

[Rickey 88]

Why not just give passengers free bottles of free "ship brand" prefilled water. Afterall, it is only water, and shouldn't cost the cruise line much. Why all the fuss, what is the underlying reason for not doing that?

 

The "underlying reason" is COST!!!

 

From time to time, other posters have asked for more and more amenities be provided by Oceania an no cost. Their reason is that they do not like to have to sign for "extras".

 

Meow, there are very few "extras" in life that are free. If Oceania were to provide wine, cocktails, soft drinks, tips, shore excursions, specialty coffees, and bottled water, that cost has to be covered from somewhere. To be blunt - HIGHER FARES!!!

 

Let's leave well enough alone and let Silversea, Regent, Seaborne, etc. remain as "All Inclusive" lines and keep Oceania exactly where it is as a one-of-a-kind "Upper Premium Cruise Line"....

[LHT28]

Don't forget all the perks for those big spenders & high rollers:D

[meow!]

I understand all your good reasoning, but there is a difference with water. With alcoholics and even diet pepsi, it costs the cruise line (any line) to procure the stuff. And those who won't pay can drink something else, namely water.

 

But water is something biologically needed, and people in poor countries drink the same amout of water (albeit in different forms and at different purities) as those in rich countries. Yes, the cabin water should be acceptable for drinking, be it "recommended" or not. The point is, if "attractive" forms of water is not readily available, passengers will likely drink more of the (not charged) juices in the restaurants instead, which (unlike the ship processed water) costs the cruise line dearly to procure.

 

So which is more cost effective for the cruise line, supply free "attractive" ship produced bottled water, or in its place have the passengers drink the same amount of (cost to procure) juice? Perhaps the (any) cruise line should hire an actuary to figure it out. As for the customer, juices contain calories, whether they are better or worse for your health depends on your own situation!

[neepawa]

I rather doubt that most cruise ship passengers will drink more juice than water whether it is free or not. I drink at least four glasses of water per day at home and increase my water intake when travelling in warmer climates. When on a cruise, I have juice. coffee and water at breakfast; iced tea and water at lunch; and red wine and water at dinner.

 

Don

[wripro]

I never read in any biology book that we need to drink bottled water. It's not like we're talking about a third class train in China. The tap water on O is perfectly drinkable. I understand why people might prefer bottled water and if so, they have the privilege of paying for it on O. If you want it included sail on Seabourn, Silversea, Regent, Crystal, or Sea Dream.

[LHT28]

I drink the tap water not the juice or ice tea I may have a glass of lemonade once in a while.

I get enough sweets with the ice cream & desserts ;)

 

On our last 2 cruises we got 2 small complimentary bottles of water in the cabin...just fine by me.

 

It would be nice if they gave you a small bottle of water when leaving on the ship's tours though.

 

 

Lyn

[meow!]

I never read in any biology book that we need to drink bottled water.

You misunderstood my point. I was referring to the water content in whatever drink you drink. So if people don't drink bottled water, many of them may drink juice instead, which will cost the cruise line more, unless, of course, they start charging for juice, coffee, and tea!

 

So if people need to consume the same amount of water content, which is cheaper to supply it, bottled water (or tap water for some but not all people), juice, tea or coffee?

[CintiPam]

The Cabanas will henceforth be communal.

 

Thanks, StanandJim, and I know exactly which one I will choose to commune with (in?) come June 5! ;)

[wripro]

Charging for bottled water is hardly unique to Oceania or other cruise lines. Spend $1000 a night for a room at the Georges V in Paris and you'll still have to pay another 8 or 9 euros for a bottle of water. It's a great profit center, easy for them because all they have to do is place the bottle in your room and if you buy it, they make money. There's no staff involved either. That's why they don't include it.

[Bruin Steve]

I have it on pretty good authority that Oceania is strongly considering including bottled water and soft drinks in the near future.

 

It doesn't really matter that much to me. I have no problem with paying for things I want.

 

Remember also that on NO cruise line is ANYTHING really "free"...It is "included" perhaps...A cruise line is a business. Somewhere at Oceania (and every cruise line) headquarters, there is an accountant who runs the numbers...Cost of the ship, cost of advertising, payroll, overhead, provisions, fuel, etc. They can average the numbers of every cruise they offer and come out to a total "cost"...Then they run the figures on income: Cruise fares, drink sales, gift shop sales, shore excursions, casino, bingo etc. In the end, they need to project to make a reasonable profit...a return on their investment that outstrips other uses of the money...

 

If you take a line item like bottled water and soft drink sales and move it to the other side of the ledger, you're taking out maybe $3 million a year in income (those sales add up--think 3 ships, 50+ weeks per year, 680 customers per ship) and putting the cost into expenses...You've got to account for it somewhere to maintain your profit.

 

Cruise lines that provide free alcohol, for example, merely jump up their cruise fares to account for whatever it costs them...plus a profit...

 

The key here is the expectations of the customer. The customer in a no frills deal expects everything to be an extra charge...The customer in an "All inclusive" expects his price includes everything. Cruises are traditionally somewhere inbetween. You expect a lot to be included, but some items--specifically those that are utilized far more by some customers than others--are typically extra...Shore Excursions--which not everyone takes, alcohol--not everyone drinks, etc....A ship doesn't have to buy shore excursions for everyone as it would if it included them in the price, they don't have to supply drinks for everyone...So, those are normally "pay if you want them, don't if you don't"...But they COULD include items like that...but it affects EVERYONE's price...So, if you don't drink, you are subsidizing the cost for the other guy who does...

[Veronica13]

Please tell me this subject is not REALLY going into it's 7th page...:rolleyes:

[Cruise Junky]

I have it on pretty good authority that Oceania is strongly considering including bottled water and soft drinks in the near future.

 

DING, DING, DING...we have a winner!!! Didn't they just announce this with their Europe 2010 Itineraries?

[Bruin Steve]

DING, DING, DING...we have a winner!!! Didn't they just announce this with their Europe 2010 Itineraries?

 

Look at the date of my post...and what day were the 2010 itineraries announced?

 

My post was on MARCH 27...

 

Oceania released the 2010 Europe schedule--with the "anouncement"--on April 1...

 

Give me a little credit, okay?

[Cruise Junky]

Look at the date of my post...and what day were the 2010 itineraries announced?

 

My post was on MARCH 27...

 

Oceania released the 2010 Europe schedule--with the "anouncement"--on April 1...

 

Give me a little credit, okay?

 

I was complimenting you :)

[Bruin Steve]

I was complimenting you :)

 

Sorry...I misread you...

[Veronica13]

Sorry, I missed the announcement. Does that mean I'll be paying for water and soft drinks on my October Europe sailing?

 

That's sounds about as fair as when I was the LAST cruise to incur fuel surcharges:rolleyes: - the date they set was while we were at sea, so I was stuck with the surcharges.

[paulista1950]

DING, DING, DING...we have a winner!!! Didn't they just announce this with their Europe 2010 Itineraries?

 

I went to Oceania's site and couldn't find it. :confused:

[neepawa]

Go to this website:

 

http://www.oceaniacruises.com/email/Brochure/europe_10/10europe_calendar.pdf

 

The info is on Page 3 under "New For Europe 2010"

 

"Unlimited complimentary soft drinks and bottled water

Government Fees and Taxes now included in cruise fares"

 

Don

[Veronica13]

Just got off the phone with them (prefer to go to the source). They explained the same sailing will be $1K more than my October cruise, which does not include water and soft drinks, "free" taxes and fees.

 

So, it's a wash.

 

Same with Regent, when I figure out how much my excursions, alcohol, etc. will cost, it's still a bit less than the "built in" price for Regent.

 

Nothing is "free". :D

[Huddler]

Nothing is "free". :D

Of course we men have known this brutal fact of life since high school...;)

[LHT28]

"free" taxes and fees.

 

 

Nothing is "free". :D

 

The Taxes & fees are not free.

Now they will be included in the brochure price like the included air but air taxes will still be added.

[ORV]

From the original post:

 

"They place themselves a step above Princess, HAL and Celebrity, but not quite at the luxury level."

 

 

I guess they are changing that position as their 2010 catalog stated;

 

"The best value in Luxury Cruising"