bob brown

19 hours ago, CintiPam said:

Very interesting article in many ways. Thank you for the link.

Agreed…I noticed the reference to maybe expanding future new builds by a modest “5,6, or 7%”.  
And keeping the present space and staff to passenger ratio…🙂
 

Astoria, Oregon port provides a free shuttle to downtown shopping district and on to the Maritime Museum.  
More fun is the nearby trolley car which runs all the way from the port area to 39th Street, stopping at every block, and narrated the whole way.  Fare is only a dollar donation.

19 hours ago, Flatbush Flyer said:

Vista will not do an ATW.

I’m going to save that quote for the release of the 2026 itinerary…😉

2 hours ago, PaulMCO said:

Spells only one thing...  Retirement of the R class ships on a phased basis.

While I haven’t heard of any specific retirement dates for R class ships from “O” insiders, I did hear that they will not receive any more extensive drydockings from Oceania…only what is necessary to keep them going until sold/retired…

IIRC, those two ships are U S built, hence could be re-registered as US, as I believe they originally were.  Then they could do all sorts of coastal cruises along the Intracoastal Waterway to lots of ports that large ships can’t access, and no need to do closed loops or visits to near foreign ports.  After the Great Lakes, they could do a series of New England, then reposition to Mid-Atlantic, and eventually around Florida to the Gulf Coast, to “follow the sun”.

If they can make it on the rivers with US crews, they should be able to on coastal cruises as well.

They could sail to New Orleans, and offer combination cruises with their riverboats.

A little imagination in their marketing department is all that is required…🤔

3 hours ago, PhD-iva said:

With this information, now the speculation that perhaps O and Regent might be merged someday seems more plausible.

Just a WAG…..

I don’t think so…why would they want to give up a niche in the cruise market?  Would they elevate Oceania to Regent’s level, drop Regent to Oceania’s level, or bring them to somewhere between the two?

46 minutes ago, shepherd really said:

I would be willing to place a modest wager against that happening.  They can't even fill an R ship for an Around the World Cruise.

I won’t take your bet, as nothing is ever for certain, and lots could happen…😉

As for filling the ship, other cruise lines have been doing that for years, with much larger ships, albeit usually on somewhat shorter ATW itineraries…

Heard from an ‘O’ insider that for the 2026 ATW cruise, it will be on the Vista.

I suppose it had to happen sooner or later.  I am not sure how that will impact itineraries or ports used.

1 hour ago, bob brown said:

Seward, Alaska has a free shuttle making a loop from the cruise port to the ARR station, and various places around town…

https://sewardcitytours.com/free-shuttle

Seward, Alaska has a free shuttle making a loop from the cruise port to the ARR station, and various places around town…

2 hours ago, golfguyhhi said:

Bob,

I am converting my 20th cruise to SimplyMore.  Then I am telling O that it is my 20th cruise.  I doubt they are going to then tell me they are retracting parts of the cruise (beverage and shoreX allowance) that are actually included in the cruise description.  That would be like saying I could not make specialty restaurant reservations, or even eat in the specialties.  The cruise content description for Cruise Only for SM cruises only drops out air.  Nothing else.  That's why I doubt that what your Ambassador has told you will turn out to be true.  Considering how this SM thing has been sprung on everyone, I think some details are still to be ironed out.

I hope our OCA was wrong, and you are correct, but since there will be an almost 2 year overlap of the old O Life and new Simply More programs,  I would imagine they will differentiate the two, according to what you have.  Some time in 2025, everyone will have the same.  At least until they decide to make more changes…😉

By the way, ours is only 12 days, so no need for pro rating fares…

12 hours ago, Coach Tom said:

Folks, anyone called Azamara lately?? Their service went right to the bottom.Hold times of 1-2 hours, or hangups.After an hour on hold I got a message "please call back tomorrow when we will be in" !! Not kidding -- go look at the cruise critic forum for their world cruise, many, many complaints. I used to be an Azamara fan!

Perhaps I should ask this on the Azamara forum,  but I will try here…

I recall when Azamara was spun off from Celebrity, to expand parent RCCL’s market coverage.  But why did they end up divesting it?

Subsequently, they acquired Silversea, but they are more like Regent’s niche. 

11 hours ago, bob brown said:

Interesting…I am in the same situation.  My milestone cruise is already booked for this December, and wonder if It would make any difference in the total cost if I changed it from “cruise only” to “simply more” (if that’s even allowable on a free cruise)?  The difference might be in the not included port taxes and fees, if those went up along with the fare increase.🤔

Got the answer later today from the O Club Ambassador…

On the free cruise, one cannot receive O Life, or even Simply More perks, even though the latter is now included for full fare paying passengers…

2 hours ago, golfguyhhi said:

Our 20th cruise is this December and I've just told our TA to convert it to SimplyMORE so the beverage package is included and I don't have to purchase it separately.  Will also be able to take an expensive car and driver excursion somewhere along the cruise.  And all for free.

For me, SimplyMore worked out perfectly for the 20th milestone/complementary cruise.

Interesting…I am in the same situation.  My milestone cruise is already booked for this December, and wonder if It would make any difference in the total cost if I changed it from “cruise only” to “simply more” (if that’s even allowable on a free cruise)?  The difference might be in the not included port taxes and fees, if those went up along with the fare increase.🤔

3 hours ago, Globalfish said:

On August 15, 2022 I made a $500 deposit on a 14-day Great Lakes cruise on the Ocean Voyager for August 10, 2024 beginning and ending in Chicago.  I was notified by an AQV reservations agent on March 28, 2023 that the cruise was cancelled because the Ocean Voyager and Ocean Navigator will not be operating next year.  No reason was given so the news in this thread that these two vessels are being sold is extremely interesting.  The AQV reservations agent told me it will take 60 days to receive a refund.  When I still hadn’t received the refund after that time, I called AQV on May 30 and spoke to a different reservations agent, who told me it can take up to 90 days for the refund and that it was processed on March 28, 2023.  90 days came and went and I still haven’t received a refund.  So I just called my credit card company and upon investigation they credited my account accordingly.  Good luck to any of you in a similar situation with a cancelled AQV Great Lakes cruise.

So…they’ve known this since at least March 28th, and still (July 1st), they have not officially notified me…

Doesn’t instil much confidence in the viability of this company…🤔🙄.

2 minutes ago, Rainbow3fe said:

      We love  Oceania.  I doubt there is another cruiseline that would make us happy.  Unless  we spent double and went to Regent. 

    We "experimented" with lower priced lines in higher categories. We didn't enjoy Princess nor Celebrity. Too many things to explain here. 

     We know Oceania costs more but why eat at McDonald's if I blessedly can afford Le Cirque. 

    Just saying🦋❤️🌊🌻😎

 

Granted that Oceania holds a unique niche that measures “just right”, on most things for most of the people on this board.  But if it is just food you are comparing, the lower fares would allow you to select a specialty restaurant on the lower priced lines every night.  IMHO, NCL’s “Cagney’s Steakhouse” is at least as good as Polo…🤷‍♂️

2 hours ago, jonthomas said:

for those of us that do not drink any alcoholic beverages nor do ships tours, this is seen as a real  blow...

 

granted, there may not be many of us....

 

so we will pay more for those that will enjoy the drinks and the tours...nothing new about that...

 

as for me, not fretting too much....have 10 O cruises booked into May of 2025 and hope that I can keep things as they are....of course if there is a sale, to rebook and benefit from it, will have to rebook and book with the new O ...so that will not be an option...

 

bottom line...as long as food is still the best we can do and the ambiance stays as it was, we will be happy....

Or, you can switch to a cruise line with lower fares, and “a la carte” pricing, paying extra only for those things of value to you, and not “subsidising” those that are not…

6 hours ago, Jancruz said:

No we will be on Insignia December 29 to January 14 through Panama Canal

We will also be on Regatta April 20 for 11 days..

Jancruz1

Bon Voyage!🙂

On 6/27/2023 at 5:12 AM, pinotlover said:

Trivia might be fun if they block out all internet services in the Lounge and disallow the use of all portable electronic equipment. 
 

We stopped playing years ago, because we were playing for fun. We could never compete with those blatantly cheating for big O points! 

We have had two different CD’s on our ATW cruise, and both (with humour), emphasise that using electronic devices will not be tolerated.

So far, it has not been a problem, and all of the players (as many as 21 teams of up to 8!), seem to really enjoy it…

On 6/23/2023 at 4:50 AM, American Queen Voyages said:

Hi there! What sailing in September 204 were you booked on? We are disappointed to hear that you were not made aware of the cancellation at an earlier date.

On 6/23/2023 at 11:36 AM, bob brown said:

September 28 - October 10, Ocean Voyager, Chicago to Montreal…

What I am disappointed in, is that after promptly answering your inquiry, I have heard nothing further from you.

Further, my travel agent reached out to your office, and after almost a week, also has not received a reply to his inquiry…🙁

7 hours ago, Hambagahle said:

I disagree.  I have been on both lines and in suites on Regent (Seven Seas Aft was my favourite).  But I find the suites on Oceania to be better looked after (though hopefully Regent has caught up with that) and we loved the ones we have had - on Riviera the Owners Suite, Vista suite and Oceania suites.  All top notch.  Food is great and since as a rule we don't take excursions (though we are happy to drink!) Oceania's current pricing suits us.  But it is to change in two days time...we have to see what they offer.

I can’t fairly judge, as I haven’t been on Regent yet.  I can only compare the online brochures where the lowest to highest cabins on each line are shown.  Regent doesn’t have anything less than a large balcony (no insides or ocean views), and their largest and most lavish suites are simply “over the top”. 
It puzzles me that that their service doesn’t seem to measure up to your expectations…but again, I haven’t been aboard Regent, and do have to agree with you that Oceania’s stewards are excellent.🙂
 

1 hour ago, DeanoNorthPerth said:

Married by Ray Carr? That can only mean a marriage filled with laughter. Great choice!

Ray did most of the ceremony, but the Captain made the final official pronouncement.🙂

6 hours ago, shepherd really said:

The finest cuisine at Costco, now we need a hot dog thread.

There’s no need for that…Oceania’s grilled hot dogs are just fine, as they are…😉

On 6/25/2023 at 11:12 AM, cbb said:

 

We may cruise Christmas '23

On the Vista Dec 18 - 30?

Betsy and I are on that one…hope you join us!

Betsy says, hi!

9 hours ago, Jancruz said:

o my God I cant believe its almost 4 years..

Congratulations to you both

Hi Jan!

Betsy says, hi!, too.🙂🙂