noel07
February 6th, 2005, 11:49 PM
I read mostly favorable comments on Oceania but can't help wondering if we're the only ones who noticed some management bungling on this cruise. I'll list a few things:
On Valparaiso boarding, our passports were pulled (expectedly), but also our Chile 'Sworn Statements,' needed for every port of call in Chile. At Puerto Montt, tour starts were delayed an hour while we all had to scramble for our passport numbers and fill in new Chilean Sworn Statements.
Arrival at Puerto Madryn was delayed several hours because of 'heavy seas' (surely not that heavy that they were unanticipated). All tours were cancelled, and as you may know there isn't much else to do in that town. We later learned that the same thing happened on the previous cruise leg in ports of call on the West Coast of S. America.
After an on-time departure from Puerto Madryn, the ship returned to port and hour later, allegedly to pick up a passenger, but we saw the ship's tender go in and return without a passenger. Best rumor of the day -- we forgot to comply with a departure formality.
As a result of this delay, arrival at Montevideo was hours late. All morning tours were cancelled and the all-day tour was shortened.
On arrival in B.A. disembarkation took hours because of a customs formality 'beyond our control.'
On eventual transfer to the B.A. Marriott, there were NO early check-in rooms available. We were told to check back at 3 PM. In the meantime, we could wait in the crowded small lobby or go for a walk in the record breaking 95 degree hot weather. There were many unhappy cruisers in that lobby and we all had some thoughts as to how the situation could have been handled better. Interestingly, passengers who had made independent bookings at the hotel were able to get rooms without delay.
The service on the ship was great; the food between excellent and so-so, depending on the day and the restaurant selected. This seems to be a generally happy place to post, but when you shell out the big bucks for a 17-day cruise, you expect a little better planning and organization. And this was on a cruise that had the Chairman of the Board of Oceania on board.
Happy cruising, but don't expect perfection.
On Valparaiso boarding, our passports were pulled (expectedly), but also our Chile 'Sworn Statements,' needed for every port of call in Chile. At Puerto Montt, tour starts were delayed an hour while we all had to scramble for our passport numbers and fill in new Chilean Sworn Statements.
Arrival at Puerto Madryn was delayed several hours because of 'heavy seas' (surely not that heavy that they were unanticipated). All tours were cancelled, and as you may know there isn't much else to do in that town. We later learned that the same thing happened on the previous cruise leg in ports of call on the West Coast of S. America.
After an on-time departure from Puerto Madryn, the ship returned to port and hour later, allegedly to pick up a passenger, but we saw the ship's tender go in and return without a passenger. Best rumor of the day -- we forgot to comply with a departure formality.
As a result of this delay, arrival at Montevideo was hours late. All morning tours were cancelled and the all-day tour was shortened.
On arrival in B.A. disembarkation took hours because of a customs formality 'beyond our control.'
On eventual transfer to the B.A. Marriott, there were NO early check-in rooms available. We were told to check back at 3 PM. In the meantime, we could wait in the crowded small lobby or go for a walk in the record breaking 95 degree hot weather. There were many unhappy cruisers in that lobby and we all had some thoughts as to how the situation could have been handled better. Interestingly, passengers who had made independent bookings at the hotel were able to get rooms without delay.
The service on the ship was great; the food between excellent and so-so, depending on the day and the restaurant selected. This seems to be a generally happy place to post, but when you shell out the big bucks for a 17-day cruise, you expect a little better planning and organization. And this was on a cruise that had the Chairman of the Board of Oceania on board.
Happy cruising, but don't expect perfection.