jamesnmphs

7 hours ago, pinotlover said:

Poor manners by guests abound on our cruise also. Most revolves around guests screaming at the staff because they couldn’t self serve in the Terrace. Those guests actions were about as intellectually moronic as yelling at a private because of some Army policy! 

 

Another really rude lady was berating their Butler, in the hallway,  for being a Butler and how belittling such class servitude was! Told him she didn’t want any services from him or him even in their cabin.

 

Nothwithstanding any of that, the horrible to non existent Beverage service in the Terrace did not occur to the many of us reporting it here because we suddenly changed personalities in that single venue!   Other problems, mainly understaffing of Beverage servers,  exist. 

 

The Terrace is for Teatotallers! Plenty of other venues on the ship to eat. Leaves more available tables for Teatotallers! Win- Win!

Pinot, on our last cruise, 16 days Miami to Los Angeles, we had a Butler, the first time in my life. On about day 8, he came to our room and said “you aren’t using my services, is anything wrong”. I said “absolutely not, we are very independent people. You have done everything we have asked”, we asked him to make a couple of dinner reservations just to use him. I don’t know why anyone would belittle any staff on the ship. What could they have possibly have done?  While we did not use our Butler to his fullest potential, he refilled the mini fridge twice a day for us. He was always visible and said hello and called us by our names every time we saw him. 

I have ave read this thread from the beginning and I really do not understand it. Maybe things have changed, I only started cruising with Oceania in 2011.  But doesn’t everything change?  What kind of service do you get on an airplane?  I was in first class recently and was told by the air hostess that I could have a package of peanuts, but I could not open them because someone somewhere on the plane might have a nut allergy. REALLY??? That is something to complain about. 

James

I sailed with Oceania last November (2018) and have a cruise booked for 2019 and 2020 all on Oceania. 

3 hours ago, St Paul Girl said:

We spent 21 days last year cruising South America and never had dinner in The Terrace. The drink service for lunch was almost non existent but if I wanted a beer, I had no problem getting some ones attention. Anyway, we will sail with Oceania again as we like what it offers, not for everyone, BUT it's right with us.

I have been reading all of these reviews and I am not sure what everyone is doing wrong. I have sailed with Oceania since 2011 and purchased the premium beverage package on every cruise except in 2011, which was a wine cruie. I never have a problem getting a drink in any bar or dining venue, Terraces included. When I sit down I always ask for the Sommelier and I not only order my drink, but I introduce myself and engage both the sommelier and the head waiter so that they understand my needs and wants. As I told a first time Oceania cruiser in 2018, treat the staff like your friend and you will receive amazing service. 

James

7 hours ago, ORV said:

The issue with the wine server at pretty much all meals on our last Oceania cruise was as you described. I mentioned it on my cruise comment card. Those that say it's intentional to reduce consumption of those on the packages might be on to something. One of the few reductions I've seen on O. 

I have never experienced any delay with wine service and I always buy a premium wine package. As a matter of fact, the sommelier usually stops at the table almost immediately upon being seated with a bottle of wine thst I had the night before and places that bottle very near our table so that if they are busy, the Head Waiter can fill my glass. 

James

1 hour ago, Mura said:

I think you missed my point.  Yes, most of us here do.  But not everyone does.  I just think it's not wise to tell everybody else they are going to love it because some of them won't.  You aren't wrong for loving it, I'm not wrong for loving it, and those that don't love it aren't wrong either.

 

Enough said.

Mira,

you are correct and well said. We are all entitled to our opinions. That is why they make 34 flavors of ice cream. 

James

Jean,

that is so so good to hear. I had very similar results with both of my knee replacement surgeries and experienced the exact difficulties before my first surgery. Now I tell everyone who says they have knee issues to just find a good orthopedic surgeon and have the replacement. 

James

Well, count yourself lucky that your cabin gets cleaned so early! I got the impression when we were on Riviera in August for 18 days, that the cabin stewardess had far too many cabins to clean. We left the cabin early every day and most days came back on board about 12.30-1 for lunch, to find her still servicing our cabin, which was obviously a bit of a nuisance. The same thing in the evening. When we came back between dinner and the show, there she was again! Not a problem we have encountered on the mainstream lines, so can only assume Oceania gives their crew more cabins to deal with. And we always left the card out to show we were gone. Didn’t like to complain in case we got her in trouble and she was a lovely lady.

 

 

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On our last TA on Marina, our cabin was cleaned almost as soon as we left for breakfast and then again when we left for dinner. I don’t know if the room stewardess was watching us leave or if just worked out that way, but she was very efficient. I don’t remember her ever being in the room when we returned.

James

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Hi! I also am looking at Spain Day tours for a trip to the Alhambra. We currently are scheduled to be in port at 7 am, with the tour leaving at 7:30. The ship is scheduled to depart at 8 pm.

 

Spain Day Tours "guarantees" an on-time return to the ship. I am just wondering whether the slightly longer time in port would change one's opinion about a private tour company versus taking the ship's tour. (The latter does not allow much time for actually touring the Alhambra). Thanks for your input!

That should be plenty of time. I did a tour to Alhambra with Spain Day Tours in 2017. We left the port at 8:30 am, as our ship did not dick until 8:00am had a 7-9 hour tour which included not only a 2.5 hour tour of the Alhambra (with guide) but also included free time in Granada for lunch. It is a long ride from Malaga to Granda, but great countryside, olive orchards to look at or take a nap. Spain Day did a great job.

James

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I was at the hospital recently and observed a Great Dane service dog. He was helping a lady walk who obviously had balance problems. The 30ish aged lady leaned into the dog as she walked and he supported her. The dog had the appropriate service animal vest on and was clearly concentrating on assisting the lady to walk. Service dogs come in all sizes.:)

What I think most people are forgetting is the difference between “service animals” and “emotion support animals”. While I do not have a problem with a legitimate service animal providing a service to its owner, I do have an issue with people bringing an animal with them on a cruise, dressing then up, pushing them around in a stroller and feeding them at the dinner table.

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(y):wine-glass::cocktail:(y)

I am with you Pitbull

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Guess I will never be able to take my grand dog on a cruise. She certainly provides great companionship when my daughter goes on vacation and we dogsit.

Evidently you can. As long as your grand dog is an emotional support animal and you don’t cruise on RCL.

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Wonder if I can get away with this variation...

 

Let me know if you do, so I can try it.

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Do your therapy religiously and you’ll eventually forget you ever had a problem with that knee.

 

 

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I concur. I have had replacement surgery on both knees, did the PT religiously and never looked back. Playing tennis (on hard courts) 4-6 times a week without issue.

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I always think that if a tip is automatically added, then that is enough.

James

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Yep, I have had to not go into a store because no handicapped or close parking and I can't walk far and couldn't get my scooter out. Yah, for getting a new wheelchair on Monday that is lighter than my scooter and I can manage from any distance in.

That is what I meant. People who really need something (handicapped parking, Service Animals) can’t use them because of all the fakers taking advantage of the system.

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Doctor's also need to be responsible for writing those notes. If doctor's would be accountable for the notes they wrote there might be less.

The same doctors that write the letters for every able bodied person to get a handicap hang tag are writing the letters for Emotional Support Animals.

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I find this ridiculous

 

 

 

https://www.aol.com/article/news/2018/08/17/southwest-airlines-is-formally-allowing-miniature-horses-on-its-planes-as-service-animals/23504071/

It is ridiculous!!!! How much is Southwest charging passengers to allow them to bring their miniature horses on the plane? Do the horses have a seat? How many passengers are allowed to bring their miniature horses on an individual flight?

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It does NOT go away, when the untrained, fake service dog or ESA dog distracts my fully trained service dog or lunges at my dog therefore distracting him from doing his job. I am his job and this puts me at risk for injuries.

 

 

 

I want to enjoy my cruise and be happy. I will respect others and I expect the same. People who bring untrained dogs are not respecting others and imposing on them.

Well said

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We have been on most major lines and not once did I see a load anywhere We haven’t been on RCCL in a while. Are you saying there are loads of crap everywhere on their ships? Disgusting.

No Sam, that is not what I am saying. You are the one who posted the quote “just walk around it”. I don’t want to “just walk around it” when I am on vacation on a cruise ship. What I am saying is that “emotional support animals” have no place on a cruise ship.

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How does a load of dog poop affect you so much? Just walk around it for heavens sake.

 

 

 

Where was the constant tapping? Are you just imagining it?

I am sorry, but when I pay in excess of $8,000.00 for a cruise, I do not want to have to be on the lookout for dog poop. Perhaps I am strange and that way.

I am glad I don’t cruise with a line that does not allow “emotional support animals “ at least none that I have ever seen.

Sam, what cruise line do you sail on? I want to make sure I avoid it, if they allow dogs to urinate and deficate, and no one is concerned about the issue.

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Was it really Bullseye? 20 years ago I moved across the country and flew my dog and my infant daughter with me. Ticket for my dog was over $400 and he had to be under the plane in cargo. My infant daughter’s seat was only around $200. Drives me insane that dogs are allowed on board a plane or a ship nowadays for a very small fee if any . (I was on harmony last month and a dog left a nice surprise for everyone near elevators by Central Park. Any responsible owner would always be on the lookout for this. Service dog or emotional support dog.)

YES, it really was bullseye. Although, there are a couple of them with more waiting in the wings. He was in full makeup (red bulls eye around his right eye). The handler/Trainer lives north of LA on a ranch and Bullseye only flys first class.

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My question is: Are the people with “Emotional support animals” paying to have these animals with them?

Several years ago I was on a Delta flight in first class, half way through the flight I noticed the seat in window seat in front and across the aisle was empty. When we landed, Bullseye, the Target dog sat up in the seat and looked out of the window. I did not know until that moment that the dog was in the seat. Yes, Bullseye’s handler had to buy or was given the seat. Bullseye has been making a public appearance at a children’s hospital.

I am not sure what kind of emotional support a bird, Turkey, chicken, snake, lizard or goldfish can give.

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This whole problem goes away if people just mind their own business and enjoy their vacation. Some peoplle just love to complain, so I guess everybody is happy.

 

Have a great cruise!

The problem does not go away “when people mind their own business”. I don’t want anyone serving me food after they have been petting any animal without washing their hands.

There is a difference between “service animals” and “emotional support animals”. I don’t have an issue with someone who requires an animal to alert them to a health issue or for guidance (in the case of a seeing eye dog). But to say your dog is an emotional support and you are pushing it around in a baby carriage and dressing it up is totally absurd. If you need that as your emotional support, maybe you need to say home.

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I understand someone having a “Service animal” to assist with a legitimate disability, but an emotional peacock?? Really??

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Southwest cracks down on emotional support animalshttps://www.aol.com/article/news/2018/08/15/southwest-airlines-cracks-down-on-emotional-support-animals/23502622/

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