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@UKstages Funny, I saw the post by the author and was going to reply. Then I said, "Gary, folks are getting on your case for top many post on CruiseCritic.com." So I passed. When I read your post, I had to reply. I agree with @UKstages 100%. I won't even take a NCL Cruise without a Vibe Pass for the week. I like it better then the Haven Sundeck. I have never gotten anything but outstanding service there. It is part of my "Haven Lite" approach. My wife, who does not agree with me much, feels the same way. She loved it. ESPECIALLY the Joy Vibe. That was our favorite. Cruise well and enjoy every moment.

Thank you for being so nice. I hope so too. Cruise well and enjoy every moment.

@GeorginaSpica Sorry this happen to you, anyone would be disappointed. You rated your second Oceania Cruise on your first. I did the same thing with NCL and Celebrity. I as a bit disappointed as well. Hence my change in brand for this cruise. The difference is I and others have NO expectations with Oceania, just the experience I had else where. For me and others, the bar is very low. If I had stellar dining on my first trip followed by below par on my second, that would be enough to have me looking elsewhere. Cruise well and enjoy every moment.

@njhorseman I have a Vista Suite, my guest with us have a Penthouse. This allows me to talk about both. I will compare the Vista Suite to my recent stay in an H2 Haven Owners Suite. Still hard to compare and be fair. I will compare the Penthouse to the Haven Penthouse. I purposely did not put budget in quite yet. It is my intention to do so. It will be hard to compare the cost of the Vista Suite to the H2 Owners Suite because I got a real deal on the Vista Suite. I will do my best to be accurate. The Penthouse suite is much easier. I just have to show what you get on each line for a fair comparison. My approach and would love your feed back is to do the cost, per guest, per day vs. a total amount. Thoughts? Cruise well and enjoy every moment.

Disclaimer: I am working hard to clean up my communication. Reducing the details, using less words and cleaning up my spelling/grammar. It won't be perfect but the effort is being made. I wrote "The Secrets of the NCL Haven VIP Experience". My next cruise is on NCL's sister brand, Oceania Cruises. I was asked to do a comparison of my experience in a Haven Suite vs. a Oceania Penthouse/Vista Suite. My cruise leaves on November 9, 2023 for a 10-Day Mediterranean Cruise. I will attempt to post while on the cruise. If you have any specific questions please feel free to ask and I will attempt to answer as they come up in Real Time. Installment #1: Pre-Cruise Events I got better communication pre-cruise from Oceania Cruises then the NCL Haven. First several months ago, I got a phone call asking if I had any food needs. Second, I got a very professional packet of information that was semi-personalized with Luggage Tags at about 45 days out. Third, all Specialty Restaurants are part of the Oceania amenities, however you are only guaranteed pre-cruise one reservation per specialty restaurant. Like the Haven, if you are in a Penthouse or above on Oceania, you can make those reservation earlier then other cruise guests. Fourth, I upgraded to an upper suite on Oceania with a Paid Guest upgrade. The stateroom is called a "Vista Suite". From a size, location, amenities and perk standpoint it compares to the (H2) Haven Owners Suite on the NCL Joy. I found the pre-cruise gifts, perks, amenities in the Vista Suite far better then the Haven Owners suite. Fifth, all water and soft drinks in the Oceania Staterooms regardless of category are complementary. Sixth, depending on the drink package you have, Oceania Adult Beverages can be served in your stateroom as complementary. Rules vary based on drink package. There is a charge on NCL. Have a question ask it. Just remember, I get on the ship next week. Be patient on my responses. Cruise well and enjoy every moment.

@BSR Oceania seems to be getting a lot of new guests from NCL/Haven and Celebrity/Retreat. Both you and I included. I promise to make comparisons because as with trying any new brand, you only know what you get, after you got it. So far, the pre-cruise communication for me is a lot better on Oceania. I got a call, a booklet with information and luggage takes. All very professional. More to come.

Part of cruising is not always the cruise. All parts make up the experience. So far so good. Pre-Flight Air: One week prior to flight, Delta Airlines in Delta One send you a pre-flight menu and information package. You can choose your meal way ahead of time with options not available on the flight. We choose Beef Short Ribs. The information tells you how to approach the flight for best results. Nice Touch Delta.

@LauraS Thank you. Completely unexpected and truly appreciated.

@FeliciaLee I will do my best to be fair and balanced. Cruise well and enjoy every moment.

@Jayne E Your opinion is respected.

@EJL2023 Thank you and I agree. If anyone is uncomfortable with my posts, please use the Ignore Feature or simply skip them. I acknowledge my post are to long. In life, you have to clearly accept criticisms as way to improve if it is true. The complaints about my posts are true.

Point made!! Corrections in process. Thank you

I recently have been told that my post are to long and wordy. "Word Salad" was the term used. In addition some comments were made that CruiseCritic.com should not be used as a "personal blog". I have heard these comments clearly and appreciate them. Yet I have been encouraged to do a "Semi-Live Review/Blog" of my upcoming experience with Oceania Cruises. I will give a bullet point overview below of some facts for perspective below. I will attempt to be brief vs. detailed in my responses. I am posting this a week earlier then we cruise so whomever has a question can give me a heads up and I will try to answer it as it happens in real time. I will post when I have some time with the emphasis being having a great vacation. Here are some fact to take into consideration: Group Cruising: We are a group of two couples from 64 to 76 years old. My wife and I have cruised for 44 years, our guest are on their first cruise ever. Everyone is relatively healthy with minor mobility issues. Airfare: We booked our own with Delta Airlines. Because of the unique nature of this cruise, we are all now flying Business Class Delta One. We are also all flying together. We are coming in one day early and having an extra day in Barcelona at the end of the vacation. Ground Transportation/Transfers: I have pre-booked and paid online, all ground transportation for a Mercedes-Sprinter Van that can hold four (4) people and all their luggage. I rarely use Cruise Brand Transfers. Pre/Post Hotels: The hotels were for Athens, Greece and Barcelona, Spain. We booked them directly with the hotel rather then using Oceania's hotel option. Both hotels use the Marriott Frequent Guest programs so my status provided perks. Cruise: This is a 10-Day Mediterranean Cruise on the Oceania Riviera. We have two (2) cabins. A "Vista Suite" and a "Penthouse" (PH2). Both staterooms started as Guarantees. We choose Oceania for the Itinerary and to enhance our cruising experience. My wife and I would usually cruise on NCL in the Haven or Celebrity in the Retreat. Excursions: We are doing all our own excursions and not using any of Oceania's offerings. Drink Package: Three (3) of us have the "Prestige Drink Package" and one of us does not drink alcohol. Cooking Class: My wife and I are doing a cooking class onboard during the only sea day. The focus is Mediterranean Cuisine. If you have question, feel free to ask them. I will look at the list and answer when time permits. I will summarize my days on being new to Oceania and comparing to what I have been used to on other cruise lines, staterooms and level of accommodation. Cruise well and enjoy every moment.

@edgee Thank you for sharing. Other feedback is quite different then the recent opinions given. Yet it is each member’s responsibility to respectfully to all opinions. The message has been received. Cruise well and enjoy every moment.

Don't give something then take it away. Don't promise something and give me an excuse why you can't do it. If a employee tells a guest they have until a certain date to make a decision, the company has to support that promise. This is a cruise industry issue.

A different perspective. I will not debate this issue. What I will say after 44 years of cruising on most all the brands, I have noticed a lacked a true understanding of what guest truly need, when issue happen. In most cases, the brand comes around and does the right thing eventually. However by that time the brand makes the right decision to take care of their guests, the damage to the relationship has been done. I could never understand why it took so long. When a brand makes a promise verbal or in writing, then the take it back, reputational damage is done. Do many guest calm down and book the brand again, "YES". Many also go to another brand. The hardest thing in business is building Advocacy. When you lose an Advocate, it is very costly. All this can be eliminated or reduced with very clear, professional and concise communication. That corporate consistent communication is in my opinion is what is missing. Also missing it the very important training on how to handle these situation for the brands staff. The Corporate staff is left to say things just to get off the phone with the angry client. The decision to give a refund or FCC is called "Goodwill". You can't give it to one guest and not to another or it is called "Bad will". If I always have to be the squeaky wheel to get what is right, it simply gets old and frustrating. Counter to the corporate office is the majority of crew and team members actually on the ship. They, for the most part, work so hard just to make us happy. Shame, the executive can learn a lot from the crew on a cruise ship. Do the right thing early and boost about it. Do it after lots of angry complaints and loss advocates. Simply as that. This is not an Oceania Issue. It is an industry issue. Cruise well and enjoy every moment.

Tipping and gratuities are very personal and subjective. When commenting, someone will have a different opinion. I also love the pre-cruise gratuities program. With Oceania, unlike NCL, I also like that the Butlers are included which is why your daily gratuities are a bit more. My wife and I started our live out together as employee's of Shoney's Big Boy Restaurants. We were both poor and both in college. Our parents could not help us so we were on our own. I was the Night Manager and she was the head server. I share this so those that find my opinion off can see why I might feel the way I do. Besides the gratuities program, I also tip extra. The amount varies based on the service I receive. This might be when the service is provided by a server at a Restaurant, bar tender. It might be upfront with a butler because of many conversations I have had with butlers in the past. It might be at the end. This is just my way and at this stage of my life, I am happy to share a bit more for those that make me feel good about my vacation. Hope that helps. Cruise well and enjoy every moment.

@ToxM Thank you. I have watched this video many times. I then compared it to the video's mostly done by travel agents three years ago. There is no difference in the suites hence my question. I am just curious. The Suite looks outstanding. I also recently watched the Ship Tour done after the Dry Dock Refurnishing. Lovely ship. My entire group is looking forward to our experience which is now in 9 days. Cruise well and enjoy every moment.

@ToxM Yes I was Tom but I thought those were not refurbished. You corrected me on that and it was nice to know. Also, only if you know, was the Vista Suites Refurbished. From everything I can find out, it looks like they were done some years ago. Love to know if you know. Cruise well and enjoy every moment.

@Yesimapirate You are right about this. I emailed the hotel for a pre-arrival upgrade and to find out the Bonvoy Benefits. They confirmed due to my status they would provide an upgrade for both rooms. Seems this hotel nor the EDITION provided Breakfast as part of the Perk. Also, when I asked about the Club Level Access, which is provided at most Marriott Hotels, it was not here. The quoted me double the room rate for Club level. Still, I agree with you. $20.00 is a steal for a RC. Cruise well and enjoy every moment

This is the outcome of my Oceania Guarantee Journey. We booked two PH3 Guarantees in early September 2022. I normally would not do a Guarantee unless there was a financial benefit. With Oceania, there really is none. I booked two (2) staterooms at the PH3 Guarantee because it was the best value with a 4-Catigory upgrade promotion. That was a long time ago. Here is the results, FINALLY!! The first Guarantee: This was my cabin and I took the advice from this board and asked Oceania for a "Paid" Guest Upgrade. Long story but I paid and upgrade and got a Vista Suite. The second Guarantee: This was for my guest/friends coming along with us. The Cruise is on November 9, 2023. That is 10 days away. Today they issue our friends a Stateroom. It is a PH2 so they got a nice upgrade. I am thrilled because this is on the the newly refurbished cabins where some of the PH3 were not. The best part is they are the cabin under ours. That was a nice surprise. So would I do a Guarantee again, only under the same situation of a 4-Catigory upgrade. That seems to be the best way to gain a benefit. Long journey with what I consider a nice result. Cruise well and enjoy every moment.

Plus 1

@the more ports the better I will change my online name to "Stingray". I have Grey hair and ever joint in my body Sting on a daily basis. Love it. I love the fact that the Yellow Metro is close. Thank you for sharing. Cruse well and enjoy every moment.

@ORV "NO" as if this time. Most ports are Greece, Italy and France. My gut tells me Istanbul is NOT going to happen. That is based so many post I have read saying that Istanbul was always cancelled and the protests they had there yesterday. Thank you for asking. Cruise well and enjoy every moment.

@PinonNoir That is OUTSTANDING. I love your line at the end. "Bottom line, don't mess with retired people who have time on their hands." You have given a GREAT example of "Never Giving Up" when you know you are right. Bravo. Cruise well and enjoy every moment.