Thank you all for your help - the pre-purchase of wines is a great idea - hed previously done a serial signing of one bottle at a time. Have sent the following to our TA this AM:

Would you please deposit Oceania for the SFO-NYC cruise and get a refund from Regent.

While the expense difference was a factor, it was not a determinant. Considering all the plus's and minus's, money was a stand off. The tipping point was the suite and specifically the forward facing view. This is important to us given the nature of the itinerary - leaving SFO, the Canal, arriving NYC (assuming that we don't jump ship in Charleston). The floor to ceiling view from both LR and BR were attractive compared to the small window in the BR. Also, the port stop in Fort Lauderdale was far from inspiring!

Thank you for your help and we would ask that you continue to monitor the possibility of the O West Africa itinerary in the fall of 2011.