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2 registered members (Jim B, 1 invisible),
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 Winter Collection 2008
#183384
07/24/07 04:41 PM
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Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 808
Susan W
OP
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OP
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Posts: 808 |
It is my understanding that the winter collection 2008 which covers the 4th quarter 2008 and early 2009 will be released for reservations beginning August 1. This will include S. America and also they will be doing Australia/New Zealand again, which sold out within the first month last time.
Susan
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Re: Winter Collection 2008
#183385
07/24/07 06:24 PM
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Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 4,395
southernlady
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Re: Winter Collection 2008
#183386
07/25/07 02:34 AM
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Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 1,732
ColonelWes
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Donna, Oceania...e.g., Susan is assisting us with
a South America booking in Dec 08-Jan 09..r/wes
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Re: Winter Collection 2008
#183387
07/25/07 04:22 AM
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Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 808
Susan W
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OP
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There are several 15 day cruises from Auckland to Sydney and an interesting 35 day one from Hong Kong to Athens that includes Vietnam, Thailand, India, and Egypt. Looks like some new and different itineraries will be available.
Susan
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Re: Winter Collection 2008
#183388
07/27/07 12:56 PM
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Anonymous
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Anonymous
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Susan, Stu and I were on the Hong Kong to Athens in April of 2007 and it was the most amazing 35 days we have ever spent!! The itinerary was fabulous..
Jan
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Re: Winter Collection 2008
#183389
08/03/07 10:17 PM
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Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 6,369
Marc
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Here is an Oceania press release I copied from CruiseMates. Oceania Cruises says August 1st set a new record for reservations as the line's 2008-2009 Winter Collection of sailings went on sale for the first time. Oceania Cruises opened its reservation lines at 8 am on August 1st and took more than 400 new reservations in the first hours. At the close of business the line had bested it previous reservations record by almost 30% and some departures were 50% sold.
Bob Binder, President of Oceania Cruises, cited limited availability for its 2008 winter sailings.
The line's new 2008-2009 Winter Collection includes 24 voyages to Asia, Australia, the Caribbean and South America, ranges from 10 to 35 days in length, calls on more than 100 ports of call, and features 46 overnight port stays. Highlights of the 2008-2009 Winter Collection:
A roster of overnight port stays in Rio de Janeiro, Hong Kong, Sydney, Buenos Aires, Luxor, Dubai, Yangon, Bali, Bangkok, Hanoi, Saigon, ItajaÃ, São Paulo, Kyoto, and Taipei.
Nautica returns to Australia and Asia with eight voyages ranging from 15 to 35 days.
Insignia sails an array of 12- to 19-day voyages to the coastal villages of Brazil and the Chilean fjords. Three new 19-day cruises between Rio de Janeiro and Valparaiso offer a look at a grand continent.
It would be interesting to know which cabin categories are actually selling out quickly. Is it the worst and best going first (as on mainstream lines) or are the mid-size suites (comparable to Regent cabins) going first. Also, I wonder how they are doing the "overnights" in Kyoto and Hanoi as both are inland cities (ports are Osaka and Hong Gai, respectively). :D
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Re: Winter Collection 2008
#183390
08/04/07 08:45 AM
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Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 1,732
ColonelWes
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Interesting Marc, count us adding to that 400 # of reservations..we booked a 16 day SA cruise (BA
to Santiago)..per diem is less than $400 per day..whereas SS almost exact same 16 day itinerary, departs one day earlier (19 Dec 08)
is $625 per diem, Regent's SA per diem is 561,
Seabourn's, 531. Thanks to Chatkat's, Susan's, Claudia's and Jan's enthusiastic posts--we choose Oceania...saving 450 day vs SS, 320 day on Regent, and 260 on SB, obviously we can't drink that much per day. And we got a Penthouse
Cabin (323sq feet--comparable to any balcony
cabin on Regent--Claudia raves Oceania has the most beautiful ships at sea)--and no comparison for cabin on Seabourn; would have to pay 100 more for balcony on SS.
Hrprof (a Regent fan), is taking a 28 day (b2b) Oceania SA cruise next Feb (in owner's suite)--will be anxiously waiting his review...Wes
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Re: Winter Collection 2008
#183391
08/04/07 09:51 AM
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Joined: May 2004
Posts: 334
hrprof
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It seems to me that the "land rush" syndrome in the case of "O" is due to several factors - favorable pax reviews, limited number of large suites, only 3 ships, attractive itineraries, high perceived value and a modest financial commitment to lock up a suite.
In December of last year we were put on a wait list for an OS on a cruise in February of '08 - 14 months in advance. All that was required was a 2K deposit to hold the reservation for a 28 day B2B. Susan worked her magic and confirmed us in an OS for both legs, still with only 2K out there until November when final payment is due. The opportunity cost of $2000 is low enough to get in on the ground floor without too much commitment. I contrast this with a booking we just made on the Navigator for 3 segments of the fall "discovery cruise". There are no MS or GS available, so we made an $8500 deposit to get on a priority wait list - no indication of having the suite clear, but it does require a little thought to put that money out there.
Yes, we're accepting some risk of disappointment with "O", but it looks good to us.
Wes, that Iguacu excursion I referred to is $2600 for two - charter flights, one O/N. A bit pricey, it seems to me.
Ted
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Re: Winter Collection 2008
#183392
08/04/07 04:09 PM
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Anonymous
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Anonymous
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Oceania is very unusual as it sells from the top down as opposed to other lines..the first to sell out are the Owners and Vista Suites..next are the Penthouses..and then the balconies..the last staterooms always left are the window..All of Oceanias land tours sell out..usually before the ship sails..when we were on the 35 day trip, many people were disappointed as there were only 118 spaces on the charter to see the Taj Mahal and it was sold out well in advance of people boarding the ship.
Stu and I will be on Jan24 and February 8, Nautica to New Zealand and Australia, anyone else going?
Jan
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Re: Winter Collection 2008
#183393
08/04/07 04:25 PM
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Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 11,641
joannapv
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Originally posted by Susan W:
There are several 15 day cruises from Auckland to Sydney and an interesting 35 day one from Hong Kong to Athens that includes Vietnam, Thailand, India, and Egypt. Looks like some new and different itineraries will be available. Thanks Susan we will call you and refer our friends should we be interested in Oceania - thanks to all of you at B&K for incredible TA service - you are the best!!! Joanna
Joanna
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Re: Winter Collection 2008
#183394
08/04/07 05:30 PM
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Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 4,215
adrenn
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So true, Joanna. Susan, I'm glad to hear you're also working with SeaDream. Lots of choices so clients can choose the best cruise for them.
Cheers, Anne
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Re: Winter Collection 2008
#183395
08/04/07 06:04 PM
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Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 8,358
Denise
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B&K is FULL service! No need to shop around, as B&K is one-stop cruise shopping!!
Thanks, Susan!
Denise
Retired and loving it!
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Re: Winter Collection 2008
#183396
08/05/07 08:07 AM
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Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 2,637
Claudia
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I am doing the b2b Jan. & Feb. '08 Auckland to Sydney and Sydney to Thailand..in OS..booked it the sec it became available... since there are only 6 on the ship and they are the best  then penthouse would be my next choice. While the Vista Suites are "basically" the same as the OS I prefer not to be in the bow of the ship. I think Ted you were very lucky to have done the waitlist and then snagged an OS for the cruise..are you also doing this one?
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Re: Winter Collection 2008
#183397
08/05/07 04:38 PM
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Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 808
Susan W
OP
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OP
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Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 808 |
Yes the owner's suites and vista suites definitely appear to book first. When I was on the ship I could not decide which I liked better. In fact, I had to race from the front to the back several times to look at them both and try to compare. Claudia sounds like you will have a great time.
Susan
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Re: Winter Collection 2008
#183398
08/06/07 03:32 AM
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Joined: May 2004
Posts: 334
hrprof
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We were torn between the VS and OS - typically, we prefer a forward facing suite ( we think the GS on Mariner is one of the nicest available),however, the Valparaiso to BA leg and its cold temps along with the additional space made us opt for the stern facing OS. We are hedging our bets a bit by reserving one of the forward facing cabanas for the two segments.
Claudia,We're currently "cruised out" for '08 - 28 days on "O" for SA in Feb., 30 days on Lindblad for British Isles and North Cape in May, and, if it clears, 44 days on Regent in October.We are also looking forward to seeing the '09 Regent World Cruise Itin.
Ted
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