RetiredLifer

25 minutes ago, pmatawan said:

I know others have posted that they had great experience with internet since StarLink was installed, but my experience has been different. At times it's pretty good, but much of the time it's no better then my previous experience on other cruiselines prior to StarLink. This is my first Oceania cruise, but have been on board over 3 weeks. Those of us old enough remember dial up and AOl, brings back those memories as it can take forever for a page to load and many times an app will simply time out. Some have said that this part of the world(Far east), may not have good service, but can someone explain why StarLink internet is poor here. The internet manager said while we were in India that they throttle the speed of cruiseships. He said StarLink doubled their bandwidth,  but now Oceania allows 2 logins per cabin, so maybe that has more to do with it. If it were a week long cruise, good internet would not be a big problem, but I'm on an Grand Voyage and some issues can't wait till I get home to deal with.

With that said, I enjoy the Oceania experience, especially the food. 

I am on with you and agree 100% with what you wrote.  In the middle of the night or when most are on shore it is good but the rest of the time it mostly sucks.  What a disappointment.

1 minute ago, Snaefell3 said:

You'll be able to "dine out on" that for years.  😉

 

Glad it seems most of the action was in your rear view mirror, and you didn't have a front-row seat.

There were a few incidents that happened prior to and after we passed certain areas which we read about after the fact.  Nothing that we were aware of in “real time.”

12 minutes ago, Snaefell3 said:

If you visit, two things to notice:

• The number of ships showing "Destination: ARMED GUARDS ABOARD"  

• Ships teleport across the area the Houthi have been attacking (They're turning off their AIS beacons)

We had armed guards aboard.  The Riviera on MarineTraffic.com also showed “Armed Guards aboard”. At one point when we were in the shipping channel just as we had entered the Gulf Of Aden we saw this heading in the opposite direction

13 minutes ago, Snaefell3 said:

Interesting.  When was this?

We entered the Suez Canal on in the early morning of December10th and arrived in Abu Dhabi at 1 pm on December 17th

23 minutes ago, CraigM said:

Well I noticed that it does show only all of the cruise lines, but not commercial shipping. Most of the cruise ships are sailing around in circles in the Med, like Riviera was doing before its dash through the Red Sea.

 

Try MarineTraffic.com if you are interested in tracking commercial shipping as well as cruise ships.  I have used it for years and have been following it quite closely as we went through. If you look at the site now you will see somewhat less traffic then when we went through but there are still a lot of ships in the shipping Chanel, both going east and west. I have been on the Riviera for the last  30 days and did not “sail around in circles in the Mediterranean” nor did we “dash” through the Red Sea.  We followed the revised itinerary while in the Mediterranean and went through the Red Sea at the same pace as the other ships.

2 hours ago, MarianneBD said:

Hello from the Oceania Riviera in Istanbul😳 Not a happy camper, but here we are. I tried everything to cancel. No luck. There are only 400 passengers on board with a capacity of 1250! Did other people figure out a way to cancel that I couldn’t?   My last ditch effort was my credit card, but despite sending them all the requested documentation and repeated phone calls, my case was pending day after day. Finally late last night they told me the insurance examiner will call me on November 30 or December 1!!!

We are trying to be positive and make the best of it. Not off to a good start: just saw that they changed our shore excursion tomorrow morning to 7:00 am instead of 8:30 am. Reason: Ship is leaving Istanbul earlier than planned - at 2 pm. 😩
 

 

We are on this cruise also and have been since Barcelona. The Cruise Director (confirmed by two other crew members) told us that there are 500 aboard for this segment, along with a crew from StarLink who also got on to the convert the internet to StarLink.  We have always had a 2pm departure from Istanbul tomorrow and that still is the case.

It will not be Paul Baya as he is on with us on the Riviera until at least March 20.  Peter the shoe and his sidekick like to work the Marina.  My condolences to you if it’s him. JMO 😔

10 hours ago, Harry Lake said:

It’s ridiculous that anyone should spend $20000-30000 snd more on a vacation snd have to deal with piracy drill

We have been dealing with piracy drills for years.  Nothing new.

Not a scheduled end or beginning of a cruise.  Barcelona is the end of this cruise. 

11 hours ago, Heartfelttraveler said:

Same frustration because, same points awarded per cruise for an  Ocean View cabin or the Owner’s Suite.  I like Oceania, so I accept their terms.

You are right but the free cruise payoff is:

”Stateroom category will reflect the accommodations most closely matching the typical category selected by the guests on prior voyages.”

so if your points are from an Ocean view cabin then that is what your free cruise is.  We averaged a concierge cabin so that is what we got for our “free cruise.”

https://www.oceaniacruises.com/legal/promotion-terms/

Who is the Cruise Director and do you know how long he/she will be on?  Thanks

Since it is presently 62 degrees in Reykjavik and you are in an A1 cabin, open the door to your veranda. That should help.

Just booked a cruise this morning which is more then 15 days. This is what my guest statement, just received, says:

Guest Cancellation Schedule
The following cancellation charges will be assessed for all cancellations received prior to departure up to the scheduled time of departure.
181 days or more prior to departure 0% of full fare
180 to 151 days prior to departure 12-Jul-24 to 10-Aug-24 $250.00 per person
150 to 121 days prior to departure 11-Aug-24 to 09-Sep-24 25% of full fare
120 to 91 days prior to departure 10-Sep-24 to 09-Oct-24 50% of full fare
90 to 61 days prior to departure 10-Oct-24 to 08-Nov-24 75% of full fare
60 days or less prior to departure 100% of full

MIAMI, June 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Oceania Cruises, the world's leading culinary- and destination-focused cruise line serving The Finest Cuisine at Sea, has debuted a new rare wine collection across its fleet complementing its top-quality gastronomic experiences. The line's newly upgraded, luxury wines and vintage lists will be featured for the first time across the entire fleet's vetted menus. Starting with 80 new labels sourced from Italy, France, South America and more, this global collection not only satisfies, but easily impresses, the world's most opulent wine connoisseurs and spirit reviewers, while also making introductions more approachable for those who are not already well-versed.

With various selections of new and old world options, celebration wines, classic tastings and dessert pairings, each offering has been hand selected by Oceania Cruises' culinary team with every bottle taking 6-8 months to receive from elite suppliers in the industry. Highlights from the new collection include rare wine varieties like the classic Moët & Chandon Cuvée Dom Pérignon, Epernay, France, the famous Château Mouton Rothschild, 1er Cru Classe, Pauillac, France, the elegant Ornellaia "Super Tuscan", Bolgheri Superiore, Tuscany, Italy, the hard to source Mascot, Napa Valley, California and the newly popular Vina Errazuriz Kai Carmenère, Aconcagua Valley, Chile. Guests are invited to try these newly featured labels and more at all restaurants, bars and suites across all seven ships, as well as various size bottles ranging from half sized to magnum.

"As we continue to expand our rare wine program and world-class onboard experiences, we are privileged to rely on the expert knowledge of our top culinary team who are actively collaborating and seeking out new products in the global food and beverage scene," said Frank A. Del Rio, President of Oceania Cruises. "We look forward to hearing the stories of our guests' memorable moments and shared celebrations while enjoying the new collection.

"We're excited to launch Oceania Cruises' new wine collection featuring the highest quality, hand-picked rare wine labels that reflect the global philosophy of the company," said Daniela Oancea, Corporate Beverage Manager of Oceania Cruises. "We are lucky to have built close relationships with the world's most exclusive producers who have dedicated their lives to the art of winemaking and are continuously tasting and discovering new varieties to keep up with modern trends."

Complementing the new rare wine collection and leaning into the popularity of its thoughtfully crafted exclusive wine pairing dinners on its 1,200 guest ships Marina, Riviera, and Vista, the only cruise ships in the world designed specifically for foodies by foodies, Oceania Cruises has additionally launched three new dining experiences and five new pairing menus on its newest vessel, Vista. Taking inspiration from the new collection, guests now have the opportunity to join the head sommelier and his team during a two-hour exclusive Cellar's Wine Luncheon in the fleet's newest restaurant Ember. This hand-selected tasting takes guests on a bespoke dining journey into the culinary world of food and wine, featuring a five-course menu with each dish perfectly and intentionally paired with a different premium wine. New for the line, Vista has additionally added eight-person private dining rooms in its iconic Polo Grill and Toscana restaurants, each delivering two new tantalizing menus featuring a specially curated selection of gourmet dishes paired with premium wines from the onboard culinary team. With only eight guests per night, parties may select from the Polo Classic Menu, Polo Premium Menu, Toscana Classic Menu or Toscana Premium Menu.

With the highest percentage of culinary personnel devoted to the dining experience with one chef to every ten guests, exceptional cuisine has been a hallmark for Oceania Cruises since its first sailing in 2003. Earning the reputation as the cruise line of choice for epicureans, Oceania Cruisesuses the freshest ingredients with all dishes prepared à la minute from its onboard Michelin-star quality galley. From exquisite fine dining partnerships to top interactive mixology experiences, Oceania Cruises continues to prioritize innovation in this sector with the finest culinary experiences offered while en route to dreamy destinations.

59 minutes ago, FeelingCruisy said:

We are in the same boat.  Obtained the visa before covid, and canceled our land trip.  HOWEVER, I cannot confirm this, but China has since cancelled all active visas and if we were to go there again, the current stamp in our passports are no longer valid, so has to reapply.   This is just according to my friend who travels a lot to China.  I would definitely confirm this before attempting to go there again.  

Edited 58 minutes ago by FeelingCruisy

Here is the latest from the Embassy of the Peoples Republic of China.  Visa issued before March 28, 2020 are again valid as of March 15, 2023.

http://us.china-embassy.gov.cn/eng/lsfw/zj/notice/202303/t20230315_11041658.htm

48 minutes ago, LHT28 said:

 

1 hour ago, RetiredLifer said:

All i really want from Oceania is their continuing support and assistance in putting together non hosted, informal Veteran get together(s).  As far as I’m concerned, they need do nothing more. So far all the CD’s have been great in that regard.

 

They have done the  meetings  at least since we started sailing with O in 2004  so I cannot see them changing  now

But you never know

 

I have been on cruises where there have been no meetings, I have been on cruises where the CD, on his/her own initiative, scheduled a meeting and I have been on cruises where Vets like MEFIowa or myself request a meeting be put together which would not have otherwise have happened.  A Veteran’s get together is not an every Oceania cruise SOP item like many of the meetings that happen on every cruise. Someone has to initiate it.

Anyway, my point was not that I was afraid they may stop doing the meetings altogether (I see little or no chance of that) but rather my point was that if that is all they do as it concerns Vets, that’s okay with me.

All i really want from Oceania is their continuing support and assistance in putting together non hosted, informal Veteran get together(s).  As far as I’m concerned, they need do nothing more. So far all the CD’s have been great in that regard. All have done at least “a check in” to see that all is going well. CD Paul Baya spent the whole time with us for the two get togethers which he put together under his  watch. My guess, based on past get togethers, is that between four and five percent of the passengers are Veterans from various countries.  Harters, your father in law would have enjoyed one of my very favorite get togethers which was on the Marina in 2019 when we had multiple men and women Vets from 5 different countries.  
 

As a veteran, all I ask is the opportunity to occasionally meet and interact with a fellow Vet (which Oceania helps me do). That and an occasional “Thank you for your service” and I am just fine.  The rest is between my government and me.

Vietnam Combat Vet1968/69.

About 2.7 million men and women served in the Vietnam combat theater during the 11 years of the war. The Disabled American Veterans Organization estimates there are fewer the 580,000 still alive. Those being at least in their mid 60’s with the median age of 74.  Many of us still suffer from PTSD and/or health issues from exposure to Agent Orange.  I have attended a number of Veteran get togethers on Oceania cruises over the years and in the beginning there were a few Korean War Vets in attendance but that is no longer true.

On Serena in mid January through February I and CD’s Dotty and Gary put together a total of 4 get togethers which were well attended.  A number of Vietnam Combat and Vietnam-era Vets and other Veterans with service up to the present.  These also included a number of men and women Combat Vets from the Iraq and Afghan wars.  

18 hours ago, Psoque said:

 

I had more conversations with my TA regarding what’s going on with Oceania and all other cruise lines.  Apparently much less people are booking cruises, and many are cancelling the existing reservations in droves, resulting in a bunch of empty cabins on future cruises.  My TA thinks that this is because “the middle class” is truly going broke, which is a known fact.  That does not fully explain why brands like the new Crystal Cruises is also struggling to fill their cabins for their inaugural sailings on their re-deployed cruise ships, but perhaps even those slightly well off retirees are feeling the pinch.

 

It appears that NCL holdings is taking a different position than the “Doom and Gloom” position your TA is taking.   

From today’s first quarter earnings PR:

”Cumulative booked position for the remainder of 2023 continues to be at record levels and at higher pricing.”
 

https://d1io3yog0oux5.cloudfront.net/_d069b1cb84725b4996c6bab1efa49678/nclhltd/news/2023-05-01_Norwegian_Cruise_Line_Holdings_Reports_First_545.pdf

Harry Sommer during the conference call:

“Our target consumer remains resilient with a persistent desire for travel and experiences. Our booking window, which is our best forward-looking indicator, remains strong. In fact, we were encouraged to see that even with the banking sector-driven financial market volatility in March, we did not experience any unusual booking or cancellation activity across any of our brands.”

“onboard revenue generation, which is our best real-time indicator of how consumers are feeling financially, is also performing exceptionally well."

This last January/February we did a back to back to back on Sirena.  Not only did they allow transfer of non refundable SBC from cruise to cruise (we had to change rooms twice), I received a call a day or two before disembarking telling me I had about $100 left in my account.  I asked if I could apply that as a gratuity for the crew and their response was they would do that and thanked me.  Final accounting showed remaining balance amount zeroed out with “gratuity paid.”

Was Bagan an Oceania overland package?
From the Oceania site:

“Packages & Amenities - Cancellation Amount 

• Pre- and post-cruise hotel packages within 60 days prior to departure - 100% of fee
• Pre- and post-cruise land packages within 60 days prior to departure - 100% of fee
• Overland packages within 60 days prior to departure - 100% of fee
• Shore excursions within 36 hours prior to the shore excursion - 100% of fee
• Shore excursion packages on or after embarkation - 100% of fee
• Private transfers within 36 hours of departure - 100% of fee
• Executive Collection - private cars & vans within 36 hours of departure - 100% of fee
• Visa packages within 60 days prior to departure - 100% of fee
• Airfare once ticketed (beginning 60 days prior to departure) - 100% of fare
• Custom air fee once accepted - 100% of fee
• Air supplemental fee within 60 days - 100% of fee
• La Reserve by Wine Spectator or Privée reservations or Culinary Center classes within 36 hours of scheduled reservation or class - 100% of fee”

Correct  me if I am wrong, you did cancel within 60 days prior to departure. Correct?  Not saying it is right, only pointing out what Oceania says.

This is the thread

April 6, 2023
 Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings to Offer Starlink High-Speed Internet On Board Fleet
Enhanced Connectivity at Sea Aligns with Company’s Commitment to Continuously Improve Guest Experience
MIAMI, April 06, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd. (the “Company” or "NCLH") (NYSE: NCLH), a leading global cruise company which operates the Norwegian Cruise Line (“NCL”), Oceania Cruises and Regent Seven Seas Cruises brands, today announced its plan to improve connectivity for guests and crew at sea by offering SpaceX’s Starlink high-speed internet on its ships. Using advanced low earth orbit satellites, Starlink delivers industry leading broadband internet connectivity which will improve the capacity, speed and reliability of internet on board. The Company is currently testing Starlink, beginning with Norwegian Breakaway, with the intent to rollout this game-changing technology across its entire world class fleet in a phased manner.
“We are thrilled to offer Starlink on board our ships to improve internet connectivity at sea. This initiative is a testament to our continuous quest to find new and innovative ways to enhance the experience for both guests and crew while sailing on our award-winning brands,” said Harry Sommer, president and CEO-elect of Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd. “Ensuring that this technology meets our high standards of excellence for our guests is incredibly important to us, which is why we are introducing this cutting-edge technology across our fleet in a phased manner. Once deployed, guests and crew will have a faster and more reliable method to stay connected with friends and family including by sharing in real- time the incredible memories they create while at sea.”
If trials are successful, the Company is targeting to equip 7 additional vessels with Starlink by year-end, including all three of the Company’s exciting new additions this year, Oceania Cruises’ Vista, Norwegian Viva and Regent’s Seven Seas Grandeur. A comprehensive rollout plan is under development and details regarding timeline and availability on specific ships will be communicated once finalized. In addition to enhancing the guest and crew experience, the extra bandwidth will also allow for more flexibility for onboard services and improve the ship-to-shore connection for operational needs.

OCEANIA CRUISES RAISES THE BAR ON ENTERTAINMENT UNVEILING BROADWAY-CALIBER ENTERTAINMENT ABOARD NEWEST SHIP VISTA
Star-Studded Production Team Includes "Dancing with the Stars" Dance Pro and Choreographer Britt Stewart
MIAMI, March 30, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Oceania Cruises, the world's leading culinary- and destination-focused cruise line, has unveiled new show-stopping entertainment options on board Vista, the first of two ships in the line's new Allura Class. In addition to introducing new signature dining offerings, destination-rich itineraries and the most luxurious standard accommodations at sea, Oceania Cruises is completely reimagining Vista's entertainment program starting with three uniquely designed shows when she launches in May 2023. Headliners, The Anchor Inn and Into the Night are Broadway-caliber, immersive-style productions featuring recognizable songs by some of the world's most beloved artists and contemporary dance numbers led by "Dancing with the Stars" choreographer Britt Stewart.
"With Vista, our first new ship in more than a decade, we have worked thoughtfully on how to raise the bar even higher on ourselves in every department," said Frank A. Del Rio, President of Oceania Cruises. "Long renowned for our stunning design, exquisite culinary offerings and intriguing itineraries, it was time to put the same 'wow' into our entertainment programming. This new lineup is groundbreaking for us, and these three new productions are just the beginning. We are extremely excited to unveil our never-before-seen series of elevated entertainment for our guests to enjoy aboard Vista."
"I'm honored to have the opportunity to develop innovative shows for Oceania Cruises, pushing limits on creativity and theatrics, assembling a star-studded team with credentials
  
spanning television, movies, Broadway, the West End and beyond, resulting in programs that are truly fresh and fun for Vista," shared Kai Alan Carrier, Director of Artistic Theatrical Entertainment, a new role created at Oceania Cruises to elevate entertainment offerings. "Knowing that our guests love recognizable songs and, more importantly, are lively and adventurous, I leaned forward with our offerings. The goal was to truly offer entertainment from a new perspective, which I know we have achieved."
THE PRODUCTIONS
Vista will feature three main productions when she launches in May, each with a distinct personality, with another to follow later in the year. Thoughtfully created by a passionate team dedicated exclusively to each of the shows, an extensive team of performers, producers and technicians has been involved in bringing Oceania Cruises' newest entertainment to life.
Into the Night, choreographed by renowned "Dancing with the Stars" pro dancer and choreographer Britt Stewart, is a dance-centric show featuring an unexpected mix of dance, style and design meant to invoke the excitement of the Video Music Awards, the glamour of "American Idol" and the high-energy drive of "Dancing with the Stars." The contemporary elegance of the show is inspired by the essence of Vista herself. Sophisticated and exciting, Into the Night will leave audiences awestruck as it combines dance with design, exuding a powerful feeling only a live stage show can offer.
Headliners takes guests on a VIP concert journey showcasing a stunning cast performing some of the most recognizable songs in the world. Celebrating the music, not just the artist, Headliners approaches pop favorites in an inspirational way that is simply designed to be a great time. Led by Vista's talented onboard vocalists, complete with fun choreography, guests will have an unforgettable night with music from some of their favorite artists, such as Cher, Celine Dion, the Bee Gees and Adele, in a way they have never seen before.
The Anchor Inn is a light-hearted UK-centric song-and-dance performance with a sprinkle of West End flare. Set in the lively Anchor Inn Pub, a group of regulars celebrates good times, sporting losses and romantic wins to the tune of chart-topping hits by artists like Dusty Springfield, Rod Stewart, Madness, Shirley Bassey and Tom Jones. This hand-clapping, toe- tapping production will leave guests feeling decidedly British, no matter where they are sailing.
An additional edutainment-style production titled The Music Triangle will open later this year, which tells the roots story of nearly all music we love today.
The 1,200-guest Vista sets sail on her inaugural voyage on May 13, 2023, from Rome. 

49 minutes ago, JoePDX said:

Our trivia team the “Universals” got a perfect score of 18 this afternoon.   
 

🏆🏆🏆

 

So far we have two 2nd Place finishes and two 1st Place finishes.

 

Joe

As CD Gary says:

”All right, all right, all right!!”