willidc

Hard to determine since we have conflicting information from passengers not making all aboard time vs NCL statement. I know who I believe. From personal experience, we have returned to the ship late three times (beyond sail time) on Oceania tours since 2012 in Saint Tropez, Sri Lanka, and in Vietnam this past Feb(due this time to an entitled shopper), and the ship did wait.

+1 We finished reserving our Specialty dining for our 20th sailing this past week. We booked Toscana at 6:30 on the first night. The first night is typically the night we want the earliest dinner at a table for two in a quiet atmosphere. After the travel, the embarcation, Terrace for lunch, unpacking and a shower, it is so nice to just RELAX over a quiet dinner. We have had some success with requesting that Specialty on embarcation, but not 100% success for the restaurant we prefer. So, now we lock that reservation 60 days prior and usually get another Toscana reservation near the end of the sailing by requesting it if available, or by using the waitlist. It all depends on what you prefer. The GDR does tend to have an opening rush on the first nights due to new Oceania guests thinking a line will form. Once they realize that it is not necessary, the GDR becomes a lovely venue for dinner whenever you decide to enter. Islabahia--Welcome to Oceania! Enjoy your cruise!

I am not sure if this is an appropriate comparison, but we were in Istanbul after an Oceania Cruise ending on September 16 and spent a couple of days after the cruise. We saw very little change compared to when we were there in 2012 other than modernization, increased security, and more traffic. The port is new, huge, well marked, and well run when we left the ship. We flew Turkish Airlines back to US, so can only comment on their area of the huge, new airport which had its own exit from the main highway to the airport. Speaking only of Turkish Airlines, I can say that security is greatly elevated from 2012 experience. Checked luggage scanned twice before getting to counter to check it. Hand luggage was scanned at least 4 times. Before boarding at the gate, passengers get a private pat down. Not sure if this is standard procedure or if there was an alert that day. We did not perceive much being different as far as touring from 2012. But we did notice people in public dressing in more modest or religious clothing than in 2012. We did not revisit any of the mosques, but were told that access and dress code is now more strict. We did not have concerns being there due to obvious security, but we were there mid September and now may be a different situation. You will be in an Oceania group with your pre-cruise in Istanbul. They have done an excellent job on pre-cruises we have taken and it would be a shame to miss that part of your trip. We have felt safe on both of our pre-cruise tours in Abu Dhabi Nov 2022, and Thailand in 2018. Perhaps someone else has additional information for you.

Your last paragraph hits the nail on the head! Last month (Sept 2023) we sailed on a two-segment Nautica cruise (Malta to Venice, Venice to Istanbul), single booking number and (of course) single invoice. At booking we were told that this was called a "combo cruise". The O Club and OCAPP gratuities were the same as yours and our invoice reflected that we should receive the $250/cabin in lieu of O Club grats for the second segment. However, our account on the ship showed that $250 had been posted then removed. We tried to work with Reception and were told "the system" had removed the OCAPP. Since our invoice showed we were to get the $250 we argued our case. After a few days, we were told that Miami does not do that anymore. In fairness, our booking was from early 2020 on one of the last sailings Marina made prior to shutdown for Covid. So, your comment (“luck of the draw” as to who in Miami answers the phone when you or your TA call for clarification) hit home for us. I am glad the right person answered the phone for you---karma for all of the valuable information you share with others on this board.

We have sailed both O and Viking. To be honest, the Viking was a one and done. Details if you PM me. The only saving grace on V was that we made friends with two couples the first evening and that made the sailing enjoyable. The excellent conversation at meals diverted our attention from that food on V.

We just left Nautica on Sept. 15 and stayed in 4041. Previously stayed in 4045 and 4043 (twice). Those Oceanviews at the front of Decks 6 and 7 are roomier and we have appreciated the extra space, but it is so hard to beat the convenience and midship smoothness of those starboard OVs on Deck 4. Seems like there is much less need for elevators. Enjoy your cruise!

Hi, ORV! Exactly my thought! And OP been sailing longer than us. With only one post under that screen name. Hmmmmm. Anyway, we were on Nautica December 2022 as well for the MidEast sailings. Differences we noted were mostly some common sense economics like two pats of butter under the cover for a table of two at breakfast vs four or more. Bread baskets more in line for two diners. Portion distortion trimmed down a bit with always an offer of “more” if the plate was clean. I could go on. Quality for us was never an issue with rare exception. But food opinion is so subjective, we can only say that there were no more “misses” than in 2012 when we began sailing Oceania 19 cruises ago (which is fewer than you have.) We are on Nautica now ( in Venice) in the middle of a B2B and can say service is pretty much back to pre Pandemic. Terrace (never our favorite) has been exceptional on this sailing and I may begin visiting there because I want to rather than I have to after a late tour return. With several other discussions on this same topic, beginning a new one brings up either redundancy or the question “Why?”.

"I'm not sure what happens regarding payment for the 20th when it's dependent upon us completing the previous ones. In fact, we haven't even completed our 17th yet." We have made final payment on 20th and we are leaving next week for #19. Everything works out with a certain level of expertise and trust on both sides. Enjoy your cruises!

We are taking our 20th cruise at the end of January 2024. We had originally booked the cruise as an OLife 15 day. With the SM announcement, we knew there would be changes. The OLife went away and we booked the same 9 excursions we were going to book under OLife. We did get the 25% discount. We were pro rated for the 15th day since the 20th allows 14 days max. And we were permitted to upgrade our stateroom with an upcharge. They did not permit us to add Air to the invoice even though we said we would pay. They reinvoiced us and, while not free, it was one heck of a discount. Since it is a 15 day sailing, our final payment date was August 31. We decided to make final payment last Friday, However, none of our "Gifts and Amenities" were shown on the invoice (which is typically significant). We were told that those would be showing up at a later time? Keeping our fingers crossed. Enjoy your cruise!

When we first began sailing with Oceania in 2012 (Riviera), there was either half and half or coffee cream on the table. Post pandemic, the default for coffee lightener seems to be whole milk. However, i drew the line one morning in GDR when skim milk was placed on the table for my coffee. If you request "cream", some sort of a heavier lightener will show up. On a longer cruise, a familiar server will remember for you. Enjoy your cruise!

You are quite correct. On the Nov Nautica 2022 sailing, we were invited to join two officers for dinner in GDR. With many rumors going around even at that late date after return to sailing, we asked if it was true that approximately 30% of crew did not return post-pandemic and they emphatically said that was true. My yardstick is "are crew members trying to please and are they working hard?" If that answer is "yes", I become a most patient and understanding person.

sorry...double post

It appears brochure deck maps that only single star rooms are Concierge across from laundry. And single star indicates a triple with sofa bed. As LHT28 has indicated, the only quads are insides on R ships with two beds that drop down from ceiling. This info from the 2024 collection brochure 'big' book. Hope this helps.

I am thinking that many of the disappointed diners who have posted in the past year may have still been experiencing some of the "return from Covid" issues. In 2022 we had four O cruises (Jan-Marina, April-Riviera, Sept-Regatta, Nov-Nautica), and with each sailing we experienced a bit more of the return to 'normal' that we had enjoyed with O since 2012. We enjoyed all four 2022 cruises and felt blessed to be able to be on all four. July 2023 (last month) on Marina to Norway has been our best sailing post-covid. If there must be some temporary cost cutting here and there in order for them to stay in business, or substitutions (a different bacon) due to supply chain issues, so be it. We have not been able to find a better match for us (and our money) than Oceania. As for Viking, one river and one ocean cruise. And done. Everyone needs to find their personal niche. May you all enjoy your cruise, in your personal niche!

I just finished going through this in late July.. My TA had heard in late June prior to the launch of SM (without official confirmation), that the 25% would be kept, but Unlimited would be gone. I confirmed at that time with my Oceania rep that the Unlimited Passport would be gone after July 1. We had booked four cruises prior to July 1 so we could have choices in the future not knowing what what was ahead with SM. Last week we booked our tours for our late January cruise and the Unlimited was not there. On the positive side, we were able to book our Olife as usual (even tho the language said SM) with the four included Olife tours and the remaining five with the 25% discount. It might be worth a call to Oceania and ask for the shore excursion department to see how you are able to proceed. You do not need to go through your TA. They have always been willing to talk with us. Enjoy your cruise!