Bobtails12

thanks - but they were specific queries related to a specific cruise - and the norm for an online query i would think is 48hrs response - norm with most companies.

if people say it takes weeks- then i am old school in how companies treat their customers- and think that is both disrespectful and incompetent.

thanks - but i like things in writing so that companies like oceania - cannot back out of what they have agreed to.

i don't have a TA - based in europe and TA's are not really part of the culture for my generation- as we travel a lot so are used to making online queries and bookings- but then that's with companies who bother to reply and respect the customer.

it seems from what you are saying Oceania does not respect it's customers and so dosen't bother replying for weeks - if ever.

we were trying to decide between Oceania and other options - but seems Oceania is premium in price only and not customer service.

thanks - that makes up my mind up.

Hello,

I am wondering if this is the norm for Oceania? I emailed several queries to them a few days ago specifying an email response - but get called during a meeting today from a travel adviser who later emails but has no response to my queries.

So they passed on my details but not my queries to him - and when i replied by email that i had sent a few queries and wanted them replied by email - nothing back.

Is this the norm for oceania- just incompetence and bad service? Have to say as someone looking at them for the first time- not getting a warm feeling.

thanks

thanks pinotlover - good to know on daily "specials" - especially as we often don't eat lunch or breakfast onboard- but might have a pre dinner drink or after returning from the day.

thanks ORV - i should update that i am in france.

i only just clicked as a long time lurker - but new poster that you can't state the website you booked from - apologies - that asterix' are obviously not an expletive but a name.:)

thanks ORV

we actually have already stripped out airfares - as they were from frankfurt(********** booking) and we are taking the train down and back at our leisure.

but don't think their model is to strip out the olife offers - or if we insisted would be reduced by eur200 obc value not the value of the drinks package- so we wouldn't be any better off.

yes but then I won't use the excursions or the onboard credit (only 200 offered for both of us combined- 7 days ) really wouldn't cover us to have a glass of wine each a day and a cocktail - so better off taking the house package offered and paying the extra to upgrade so i can have a cocktail or champagne before dinner.

if we don't take the house package - we would not use the other life options - and so for 20 a day we can have a pre or post dinner drink- and the rest is really on the basic package- and as you say coffee and water is included.

i know i see great deals in the states on offer- but obc offered in europe for new customers really means nothing much vs the offered basic drinks that you can upgrade to use more freely

(exception being royal clipper where obc credit (offered to return customers) was used against the very reasonably priced bottles we bought and shared with friends at dinner- but the variety and quality and value of royal clippers drinks is one of the best).

absolutely agree- if you never want things to be different then you should never travel and never leave the house. you have to accept things as an experience in their own right( but its nice when they have live up to the sold product too).

just trying to get a handle on finalising our booking and taking into account best way to book packages etc on what we might use.

interestingly the beverage packages have worked out well for us - not because we drink much alcohol but a lot of water. and its funny on here everyone assumes the value in the packages is alcohol- when for me its usually a lot of perrier and espressos - and then a small amount of alcohol that i like - not bathing in stuff i don't like.

thanks for all the help.

thanks so much.

now i understand - the azamara / o models were getting married in my mind.

thanks to all

thanks ORV.

I actually assumed the degustation menu had both a different food and wine offering than generally available- hence the additional fee.

so if i am understanding this right- then i should be able to pick the food and wine pairings from the menu degustation - without any additional fee if i have the prestige beverage package as the wine is the same as the general wine list and the food is not additionally charged in MDR.

So excuse my stupidity - but how can they charge extra- as wine is available to all at dinner and the food options aren't any different than general menu?

again apologies - if this is obvious and i am just not getting it.

thanks for taking time to clarify.

http://www.thepreismans.com/riviera_mayan_menus.htm#gdr

i am looking at the main dining room menus - on the preismans page - under the menu degustation.

thanks

Thanks.

I had actually just assumed I would need to upgrade to prestige for Perrier- as that is what was the case with azamara( first time looking at oceania).

I know the basic packages always include a sparkling water - but if you drink a lot of water - you notice the sodium difference. As I don't drink soft drinks or juices - so the water being available matters.

ORV

On the GDR menu they have Degustation menu where they list wines to pair with certain dishes

thanks - so the degustation menu wines - are indeed only available by the bottle?

Thanks for explaining- am trying to see if there is more choice to wines by the glass. As there seems very limited european french wines- even on the european based cruises.

We have the house drinks package included in our potential fares but as we plan our own day trips and will be upgrading to prestige for perrier water( drink about 4-6litres a day) - was wondering what was the choice on included wines - or a greater choice not on the menu.

thanks for the feedback

Hello,

I am hoping someone can clarify something for me. Thanks in advance.

I have been looking at the preismans sample menus for the main dining rooms - and see there are additional fee items that can also be ordered (menu degustation)- and these have wine pairings by the glass.

does anyone know if you have a prestige beverage package can you order these wines by the glass - without choosing the matching courses? as some of these wines seem nicer and not on the by glass list.

thanks