Thread: Why Dont More People Cruise Oceania?

In doing my research for my Med cruise this summer, I was looking for a cruise that:
1. Went to Spain, France, italy, and Greece;
2. Provided great value for the money;
3. A cruise that was between 7 days and 12 days;
4. A cruise that didnt stop in a country I wouldnt feel safe.

After looking at the itineraries of all the cruise lines, I kept coming back to a cruise line that I had previously known very little about: Oceania! They offered a 2 for 1 price with "free airfare". They were actually less expensive than similar offerings on Princess, who I cruised with before and really love. The more research I did, the more I came away convinced that Oceania provides the best value of any cruise line today. They provide the luxury cruise line experience and yet dont charge the high rates that it typically costs to sail on a luxury line. As a matter of fact, they are cheaper than many mass market lines! I have read numerous reviews and countless internet threads talking about this little known cruise line. My question is: Why dont more people sail with the best kept secret in the cruise industry today, Oceania?

Great question Jeff,

Honestly, I think it is due to a few things...one being is they are a "luxury" cruise line...and my feeling is that it scares people away...thinking it is going to be insanely expensive. The free airfare (just pay taxes and fees) is a great deal...and a savings on average of $1000 pp...throw in the 2 for one pricing...and you have an awesome deal!

They are a smaller ship than some of the HUGE ones now...but it is nicely intimate and I feel a great cruise experience!

You made a top notch choice...

Wow, they really sound worth checking out. You make them sound very tempting and a great value.

Originally Posted by djgifford

Great question Jeff,

Honestly, I think it is due to a few things...one being is they are a "luxury" cruise line...and my feeling is that it scares people away...thinking it is going to be insanely expensive. The free airfare (just pay taxes and fees) is a great deal...and a savings on average of $1000 pp...throw in the 2 for one pricing...and you have an awesome deal!

They are a smaller ship than some of the HUGE ones now...but it is nicely intimate and I feel a great cruise experience!

You made a top notch choice...

A top notch choice is an understaement. My sister paid only $1,700.00 total, including R/T airfare and hotel in 1999 when she and my Mom flew to Athens, Greece to join the ship.

Wow - I'll have to look into this one!

Originally Posted by zydecocruiser

Wow - I'll have to look into this one!

We are cruising from Barcelona to Athens on August 11th. Why dont you join us?

[quote=jeffs; My question is: Why dont more people sail with the best kept secret in the cruise industry today, Oceania?[/quote]

My guess is because some people get used to one thing and tend to stick with it. They like RCCL, NCL, Carnival or whatever they always sail, and that's what they go with...and that's that. Sort of like going to a favorite restaurant in town. You don't even want to know if there's a better place up the road. If that's "your" restaurant it becomes your favorite.

Also, I think some people have preconceived ideas that luxury cruiselines are stuffy and everybody walks around with white gloves and tuxedos asking each other if they have any grey poupon. That's about as far away from the truth as it can be. The time I sailed with HAL I saw way more people dressed to the nines than I ever saw on any luxury cruise line, ever. But if people really believe (incorrectly) that it's a stuffy atmosphere then they most likely aren't going to book it for fear that they won't fit in, or it won't be as much fun.

Those are my guesses!

I have generally not even looked at this cruiseline simply because of the name.

(Right or Wrong) I associate then with the cruise ship sinking in the early 1990s off the coast of South Africa when the crew simply ran away and left the guests to save themselves. (you've probably seen the video before) This is the kind of action that will never be forgiven or forgotten.

Is this the same cruise line?

Whether it is or is not, they should change their name to disassociate themselves from that incident!

Chuck, I tried doing a search for that story and was not able to find anything about it. Can you cut and paste something here for us to read?

I wonder if it's the same as what we are discussing. Was Oceania the name of the ship or the cruiseline in that accident?

MTS Oceanos was a French built and Greek owned cruise ship which sunk off South Africa's eastern coast in August, 1991.