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4 hours ago, true45 said:

We got this short survey re our upcoming reservation this morning and got this same 404 error message.  

Please read “Sorry You Cancelled Reservation” thread.  This is definitely a Phishing scam that your computer luckily blocked when to tried responding. It was recognized by your malware. 
it seems it was Oceania’s website that got hacked and got all our emails. 

1 hour ago, edgee said:

Many of us find Oceania's (same as Regent's) method of collecting guest input through the end of cruise survey quite frustrating. Surveys can only be done on line while still on the ship..no way to do it after disembarkation. On recent cruises, the end of cruise survey was not even mentioned in writing or in announcements. I actually had to ask how to pull it up on line. Today I received an email from Oceania in advance of my upcoming cruise asking me to click on a link to complete a brief survey regarding the reservation process. When I clicked on the link I immediately got a 404 error indicating an invalid link. Can't make this up. Has this happened to anyone else?

Your computer saved you from accessing a phishing link by blocking it with the 404 error code.  See the thread following this one.

6 hours ago, thebsinmiss said:

Based on the posts there are 3 or 4 "subject lines" being used in these fishing attacks. Cancelation/Help/Website etc...  

 

Bottom line is the are all phishing/spam 

I agree.  Definitely phishing/spam. I received the one asking for the 3 question survey. Who would send out a survey with only 3 questions and here is what comes up when you hit the reply 

8 minutes ago, Lvntrvl said:

Does anyone have a picture of the extended verandas on deck 7 of the Marina? Specifically wondering if they have glass or solid railings. We don't mind the vibration, but we want the view. Thank you for your comments.

This is on Riviera but the balconies are identical.

Today a poster on the Roll Call for my Marina Feb. 14 sailing was told Oceania may not off La Reserve for this cruise. I was really looking forward to it. 

3 hours ago, wencel said:

I should clarify our family of three have 2 side by side cabins (not adjoining) mid ship on deck 7. Creaking in my cabin can get very intense but less so in the other cabin. My SS Nova cabin was also mid ship on deck 6 (I'm motion sensitive so always book low mid cabins). 

 

All the creaking noises are disconcerting... Makes you wonder how quickly they rushed through construction!

Just thought I should add that when I posted earlier about all the loud erratic bangs I was also deck 7 midship.

It is a Vista problem.  I was on the Founders voyage and there was erratic loud banging every night. Sounded like they were still building the ship all night long. 

Just received the latest Oceania brochure and it clearly states La Reserve menus are staying the same. I hope they aren’t shutting down Marina’s La Reserve ahead of the refit when it will become Aquamar.

3 hours ago, Woofa said:

Forgive me if I am mistaken but I thought you could only use it for culinary excursions not culinary classes.  If someone with experience can confirm.

See attachment.

1 hour ago, PhD-iva said:

As MEFIowa mentioned, just be careful about which flavor of OBCs....

The excursion credits cannot be used for anything besides excursions.....and if your excursion gets canceled, you must find another excursion to use them or lose them. Hence, try to schedule usage of your excursion credits early in the voyage to avoid possibly losing them if an excursion later in the voyage is canceled.

Enjoy your cruise!

Remember you can use Simply More excursion credits for cooking classes or La Reserve as they are booked through Destination Services.  Of course these are only available on Riviera, Marina and Vista.

7 hours ago, davencl said:

Apparently the menu's for LaReserve are changing. This according to an Oceania rep.   As a result I cannot book for my Jan. 21st sailing on the Marina.  Anyone have info or updates they can share? 

I was told by the O rep that they were just behind in getting the dates for my Marina Feb. 14 sailing. 

Azamara has a sale on now for solo travelers.

1 hour ago, halfapair said:

Although your itinerary says "Berlin, Germany," your ship will dock in Warnemünde, Rostock, Germany which is a 2.5-3 hour drive to Berlin EACH WAY. I would consider doing something closer to the port. There is actually a lively port scene with shops and restaurants nearby. There are docked boats selling fresh seafood dishes (like food trucks, but boats).

Or consider a tour to Lubeck (about a 90 minute drive) with a private tour company.

I would suggest taking the train to Rostock. Less than 30 min. ride and train runs every 20 minutes.  The ticket station is right in Warnemunde. Need euros and see if you can buy the return ticket at the same time.  There is not very much to see in Warnemunde other than a cute lighthouse and some great spaetzle and beer.  Rostock is a beautiful town with amazing churches you can climb up in to see great views. Wonderful shopping street. Enjoy.

Santorini is a huge problem, even with fewer ships than that.  Getting up the hill was not mentioned by the previous poster.  The line is formidable to get up but years ago we did find a way around that which I’ll explain in a minute.  We found no good option for back down.  We tried walking down once, but never again, two of our group slipped and landed in donkey poop. 
Back to our arrival after getting off the tender.  We saw numerous small boats offering to take us to the other end of the island. Some offered a mini tour which included a bus ride up the hill at that end by Oia which is my favorite part of Santorini, and a bus ride back to the town where the cruise ship is. Worked out perfect and we just took a local bus back to town, less than a dollar at the time and really scenic. Still couldn’t avoid the huge wait for the lift down. If there are no tour offerings with a bus ride you can walk up the road at the far end of the island. 

Some use there shipboard credit for bingo.

8 minutes ago, osandomir said:

I hope that’s the way how it will work. Simple or not simple - it makes a lot of sense for those who utilize ship tours. It’ll allow to book some of your excursions for the discount price that’s cheaper than the regular tour price. I realize that we’re paying for the part of the discount (excursion credit) upfront with Simply More, but there’s an additional discount when you’re booking a certain amount of tours.

I don’t see the shore excursion as a fixed dollar amount as good a deal.  The old O Life choice of shore excursions gave you eg. 4 shore excursions and charged you $100 each which you could use for shore excursions worth up to $199 each.  I found you only needed one one more shore excursion and you were already in the 25% off tours bracket. Now with SM with the dollar value they give you it may only buy 3 or less tours.  It will now make it much more expensive to even reach the 25% off level. 

29 minutes ago, LHT28 said:

You may still have to show your card for  a year or so  until everyone on board is under the new program of SM

Not everyone will be switching to SM

JMO

 

I have cruises booked until May 2025 under the cruise only program as I definitely do not like the SM program.  I am hoping it will die a swift death. 

I wonder what the “free cruise” will look like when “Simply More” takes effect Oct. 1st?
Will it be Simply More or Simply Less?

11 minutes ago, lj77346 said:

We had our "free" cruise on the Riviera in February 2023.  We paid taxes and fees, but we did receive the Oceania Club benefits for the platinum level on that cruise - $500 OBC, gratuities and $150 pp spa credit. Instead of the bottle of wine, we received a bottle of champagne.

 

The interesting thing is that you do not officially become "platinum" (i.e. get the pin, bag, etc) until the cruise after your "free" cruise, which is your 20th paid cruise.

We were also on Riviera for our free cruise and we were two days into it (Feb. 1) when Concierge called us and said Miami head office had just changed the rules and we would get all the perks from our upcoming level on our free cruise.  They were all in our stateroom that evening including “Cap & Gown” (pins, caps and tote bags).  We didn’t get our Champagne, Dom Perignon, until our next cruise which was on the Vista Founders voyage.

48 minutes ago, Sthrngary said:

Prior to asking this question, I did every search I knew how to do.  I want to say that upfront because I know how many feel about asking the same question over and over that has been covered. I respect everyone on this board and wanted you to know that.  Any assistance would be appreciated.

 

I have just secured the Vista Suite on the Oceania Riviera #12001 for a 10-day Mediterranean Cruise in November 2023.  It is clear that the Vista Suites square footage is a range of 1200 to 1500 / 111 -- 139 veranda. It seems clear that this Vista Suite would be on the smaller end of the square footage which is just fine.  Has anyone on this board stayed in this suite (12000 or 12001) and if so can you provide me with some input. I am aware of the location and that the bridge is below and the Outdoor Area of the Spa is above.  I get what that means.  It is the layout of the actual room and balcony differences I am hoping to uncover.  

 

Thank everyone in advance for your feedback and input. 

 

Cruise well and enjoy every moment. 

I stayed in the Vista Suite 8002 for the maiden and inaugural on Riviera. Wonderful suite, loved the hot tub on the balcony with tv viewable in bright light. Amazing bathroom with giant shower and huge jacuzzi tub.  It even had a fitness room.  The separate bathroom for guests as well as us was so useful. Our friends had the owners suite and they liked ours better. Their balcony was broken up and ours was ginormous.

Here is a screenshot of the specs of all the Vista suites on the O ships.

2 hours ago, ak1004 said:

 

My point was to show that itinerary changes are not unique to O, they can happen on any line.

Read the thread O changes cancellation policies.  A poster said that cruises over $25,000 incur the 10% policy.  So the statement 10% - 250 admin fee, is an either rule. No very clear on there website.

When has O ever sent us all there changes amongst all there constant flyers?

So if you book a world cruise and cancel right away you are out $1000 per couple. Is this the way it always was?

4 minutes ago, 1985rz1 said:

I though tit would be worthwhile to put Oceania's new cancellation schedule in perspective, i.e., compare it to other similar lines. I'm quoting Lyn because her post has Oceania's new cancellation schedule for comparison. This way folks can decide for themselves if Oceania's new schedule is out of line. The sailings below are ones we have booked.

 

Seabourn Cruise beginning July 17, 2023
Cancellation period began on March 18, 2023: deposit of $2000 pp or $4000 total (4 months/120 days in advance)
Final payment due on April 17, 2023 (3 months/90 days in advance)

(We had to cancel this one)

 

Viking Cruise beginning July 13, 2025
Penalty period begins immediately upon booking April 10, 2023: deposit of $100 pp or $200 total
Cancellation schedule begins March 16, 2025 at 20% (4 months/120 days in advance)
Final payment due on June 12, 2024 (13 months in advance) 
Note: we have a second cruise booked with same instant cancellation period, but because of the other trip we have a 6-month- in-advance final payment due date

 

Regent Cruise beginning April 20, 2021
Penalty period began immediately upon booking March 6, 2019: $100 pp or $200 total (deposit was $4,262)
Cancellation schedule began on November 20, 2021 at 15% (5 months/150 days in advance) 
Final payment due on November 20, 2021 (5 months/150 days in advance)

 

Azamara Cruise beginning January 21, 2024
Penalty period began immediately upon booking April 22, 2021: $75 pp or $150 total (deposit was $2200).
Cancellation schedule began on September 23, 2023 at 25% (4 months/120 days in advance) 
Final payment due on September 23, 2023 (4 months/120 days in advance)
 

 

I would say from reviewing this that Oceania’s new policy is by far the most expensive, especially for a short cruise.

13 hours ago, LHT28 said:

I posted this in another thread  but it may need  it's own  thread

 

Just noticed  they have changed some of the cancellation penalties as of April  2023

note the  part I highlighted in red  for less that 15 day cruises

Also the time limit has changed

Time to re read the new fine print 😲

 

 https://oceaniacruises.zendesk.com/hc/en-us/articles/360005306234-What-is-your-cancellation-and-refund-policy-

 

The following cancellation charges will be assessed for all written cancellations received up to the scheduled time of departure.

Cruises of less than 15 days: 

DAYS PRIOR TO CRUISE SAIL DATE - CANCELLATION AMOUNT 

180-91 Days Prior - 10% of Fare - $250 Admin Fee pp
90-76 Days Prior - 25% of Fare 
75-61 Days Prior - 50% of Fare 
60-31 Days Prior - 75% of Fare 
30-0 Days Prior - 100% of Fare 

 

Cruises 15 days or more except 180-Day Voyages: 

DAYS PRIOR TO CRUISE SAIL DATE - CANCELLATION AMOUNT 
151-180 Days Prior - $250 per guest administrative fee+
121-150 Days Prior - 25% of Fare 
91-120 Days Prior - 50% of Fare 
61-90 Days Prior - 75% of Fare 
0-60 Days Prior - 100% of Fare

And note the admin fee for Canadians : $350 each. 

4 hours ago, LHT28 said:

If you have a GTY  you will be on the ship someplace

If all PH sellout   they will make offers to pax to move off the sailing 

 

They  may offer upsells to the suites or downsells if lower categories are still open

 

 If people are going to cancel they should do it a month before final payment so they do not lose  their deposit  (not everyone reads the fine print )

You do not need to take the new  perk that is coming  July 1st  unless you want to

JMO

Hi LHT28, I forgot to link to your post but I commented that the cancellation policy is now a minimum of 181 days depending on your stateroom category and no longer a chance to use the admin fee on another booking.