I currently hold reservations on 2 cruises. Both are 21 day voyages from San Francisco to NYC. They leave 3 days apart in Sept of 2011 and have virtually identical itineries. One is a GS on R Navigator, the other is a Vista on O Regatta. Other than finding it curious that the owners would place 2 of their ships in direct competitiion sailing the same route in the same month, we are contemplating what we should do. We have sailed on both lines so are aware of the plus's and minus's of both (not too many minus's on R). The 2 suites are identical in size and both are forward facing.

Considering all the credits and charges R is $33,600 and O is $21,200. Have to decide by Tuesday.

What would you do?


Ted

I have sailed with R 4 times and enjoyed them all w/o a single complaint. I have my first O cruise booked for July so can't compare yet but assuming you enjoyed your previous O cruise(s) why on earth would you spend an additional $14k for what sounds like the same trip? Doesn't seem likely that you could consume $14k in included wines. Nice dilemma tho.
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Helen :ohmy:

Ted, as I recall you've posted positive experiences about Oceania so I will be very interested if you decide that Regent is worth the extra expense. As was said, it can pay for a lot of wine and excursions. When I think about trying Oceania, I gravitate toward the Marina, though I'll be curious to read reviews once she's actually sailing. Also, fares on her will be closer to Regent, especially if one wants a PH.

It's a nice dilemma to be facing.

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Eugene

Ted,

With the suites you've chosen, I think the decision in favor of Oceania is a no brainer. The fare difference works out to about $590 per day less on Oceania. Oceania marks up their two top suites much less than Regent.

However, if you compare a PH1 suite on Oceania with a Category E suite on Regent Navigator (they are roughly comparable), the Regent cruise would be $1000 more expensive for a couple. This works out to about $48 per day which is de minimis in my opinion. Moreover, since you've cruised Regent before, you would get a $475 fare discount as a Seven Seas Society member. This brings the fare difference for a couple to $50 or less than $2.50 a day. In this case Regent is clearly the better choice pricewise.

Dave

An interesting observation - we place a premium on space so only look at OS or VS on Oceania. I was unaware that the O top suites were priced that much less. A fare increase seems to be indicated. O has just started getting a 20% deposit on top suites. With the numbers you've given, included internet for gold elite would probably erase the difference even without valuing all-inclusive items.

My Regent numbers take into account the $1500 Seven Seas discount.

Ted

Ted, I am not too familar with O so I don't know what is included. Will you receive airfare, tips, internet and excursions on O? I know alcohol is not included but not sure about the rest.

With alcohol, tips, excursions and internet, I would rack up quite the bill daily on O.
If you figure excursions for 2 usually runs us around $200 a day for the basic excursion, our alcohol would problably be around $100 a day (though did I hear that O is now serving wine at dinner, gratis??)
Tips I have no idea since it's been ages since I have had mandatory tipping so not sure what that would be a day and I don't know what O charges for internet, which I use quite a few minutes daily.

I guess my opinion would be, if you can afford it and after considering what the daily extras would be, I would choose the all inclusive as there were too many years when I wished Regent would go AI!!!

Karen

Air is included in both - we do our own - air credits are included in numbers. Our outstanding TA got us prepaid gratuities on O, so that is a wash, a laptop comes with the O suite but internet is not included. My R gold status is huge on that one! We did a west bound canal trip on R mariner a few years back and we have made all of the port stops on this itinerary, so Shore excursions will not be a major factor. I don't believe that O includes any wine.

Having said all that - I really, really don't like signing for anything!! It detracts from the feeling of being a guest. While I'm not overly price sensitive, one has to be practical regarding value. Those are the horns of this dilemma!

Ted

Karen,
Unfortunately Oceania does not include wine. Interestingly Azamara that is trying to compete with Oceania is offering wine with lunch and dinner. I mentioned this to Oceania and was told that they don't have any plans at this point to include complimentary wine.

Ted -

We solved the signing for stuff issue on Oceania by going to the Sommlier on the first day and buying a wine package. They offer some premium wines from a cellar collection at fair prices. We bought enough to last the full cruise and we only needed ask for a bottle or glass from our pre purchased "cellar" at any bar on the ship. Some how it was always within a minutes delivery. Non Alcoholic drinks were not an issue. Water is now included and we had them supply us with a half dozen waters so we never ran out in our cabin.

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.

I think you made a very good decision... A $14k Diff is MASSIVE!!!! I am a Regent fan but sometimes value has to come into play, $14k!!!! Unless you drink 24/7 and live in the Spa I cannot see how it would be possible to ever breach that number. I know signing can be a pain sometimes its worth it..

FV