Oceania raises prices after record month

Oceania Cruises raised prices on 40% of its 2010 departures effective Sept. 1, and said another price increase is slated for Jan. 1.

The decision comes after a record-breaking month. Oceania said August was its best month ever for cruise bookings, and that pricing has rebounded to 2007 and 2008 pre-recession levels.

Oceania added that 32 of its 2010 cruises have sold out.

The upper-premium line said Aug. 23 to 29 was its busiest week on record, and that Aug. 31 was the best booking day in its history.

The company credits the record booking activity to sales on Europe cruises that expired at the end of August.