pmatawan

3 hours ago, Vallesan said:

How is the cruise apart from the in port time issues? We should have been on the cruise with you but had to cancel at the last moment. Would be interested to know what we are missing!

This is our 1st Oceania cruise and I'm spoiled by the food and great staff. Couldn't go back to the lesser cruiselines. Especially  impressed by the lobster and shrimp available at Terrace Cafe every night. Only other disappointment has been with the slow internet. I had expected it to be better than pre StarLink.  It has gotten somewhat better, but was not so great at start of cruise in India and Sri Lanka.

2 hours ago, Vallesan said:

Yes I would to but not sure that everyone would like hear that there was a problem with the engines!

At least we could understand why so much time has been cut from ports.

6 hours ago, Vallesan said:

Do you think passengers would be happier in the knowledge that the ship had ‘engine trouble’???

I crave truth and transparency only.

4 hours ago, Snaefell3 said:

"Slow steaming".  Could indeed be because of motor (or generator) problems, but more likely done to lower fuel costs -- you'll note we haven't been seeing Fuel Surcharges despite higher fuel costs.

I have never heard of a ship charging fuel surcharges even when fuel prices were higher then now. I asked the crew at reception why port times are being shortened and they say only " operational issues". When I followup with additional questions, they say port conflicts. When I ask are there port conflicts at 9 of the 10 ports on this segment, the answer goes back to " operational issues". So apparently, the crew is unable to communicate the truth, whatever it may be. They do deny any problem with the engine.

2 hours ago, Eloise4Ever said:

 

This is great news as previous posts indicated that Simply More shore excursion credit would simply go to waste if ports were cancelled or hours in port were shortened. I hope this is now official O policy across all their ships. It is only right that guests receive onboard credit to replace the shore excursion credit that they cannot use due to circumstances outside of their control.

Caution: my response that a canceled  excursion would be returned as refundable ship board credit was in response to post that indicated the cruiser had $600. Simply more excursion credit but spent an additional $400, of his own funds to purchase excursions.

5 hours ago, Queen of DaNile said:

My understanding is that the port times have been altered because of a engine issue.That could be why we're moving so slowly!!

If that is the case,  the changes have been made by corporate and they should give the captain permission to inform the guests rather than have us believe the changes were made for some other reason. 

Only one of my tours was canceled when we first got on board but they have since found another operation that can work with the shortened port times. 

Well, I heard that also. But the crew at reception deny there is any problems with the engine. When asked further, I was told only "operational issues", like port conflict issues. So as far as I can tell, we are not being given the truth. 

7 hours ago, clo said:

I may be misunderstanding here but we have what I think would be called "multi segment" and because of Simply More I've booked excursions on both segments.

I was able to book excursions for all 6 segments prior to boarding ship. Once on board, I can only book current segment.

4 hours ago, shepherd really said:

Interesting, but it raises a question, in my case I have an upcoming cruise with $600pp SM excursion credit but spent closer to $1000pp on excursions. 

 

So, if they cancel a couple of excursions are they going to claim that "those were the ones paid by the SM credit" based on order of booking (or some other criteria) or will they refund up to the amount I paid in cold hard cash (by credit card obviously) since that portion has nothing to do with the SM credit?

 

 

 

 

They will convert the canceled cruise excursion cost to refundable shipboard credit. 

On Riviera now and I am able to get tickets for our group, no questions asked.

3 hours ago, osandomir said:

Would you please find out what kind of refund is offered for cancelled tours booked with the Shore excursions credit. Will it be again pretty useless Shore excursions credit only to book another ship tour or some other more flexible form of refund? This information will be very appreciated and will help to choose ship tours for our future cruises.

As far as I know, under simply more program, it's use it or lose it for shore excursions only.

2 hours ago, Tranquility Base said:

Can you please expand on this.

I'm trying to understand the status of ship's tours at your various ports on this current segment. 

Apart from Manila, what are some of the shortest port times elsewhere.

Thanks.

Most ports still have 7 or 8 hours in port. Hue is now 6 hours. Na Trang is 7 hours but is a tender port.

I canceled a private excursion to Hanoi as I anticipate they will shorten the port time. Not knowing till a day before cruise segment starts is the worst part.

2 hours ago, Tranquility Base said:

Can you please expand on this.

I'm trying to understand the status of ship's tours at your various ports on this current segment. 

Apart from Manila, what are some of the shortest port times elsewhere.

Thanks.

They changed our departure time from Manila from 5pm to 1pm. All full day tours previously booked were canceled and will be refunded. Only 1 tour with either a 7:45am or 8:15am departure remains.

3 hours ago, CurlerRob said:

 

You may find this previous thread of interest as to the rationale offered by O ...

 

🍺🥌

This confirms for me that Oceania can not effectively communicate to their guests about issues that are important to us. We are not even receiving notice on Riviera as others have. Only way to find out about port change times is to compare previously posted schedule with times published in Currents. Sad to see a Cruiseline with such great food and service fail in guest relations and communications.

They are cutting our upcoming port visit by 4 hours in Manila on our Riviera cruise. A total of 14 hours affecting every port except 1. They canceled every ship tour except 1. It would t be so bad if they made these changes in advance of cruise, but we ate receiving notification only a day before cruise segment begins and only by reviewing schedule published in Currents, no other notification. No one can convince me that they can't do a better job of communicating these pre planned port reduction times well in advance. I do understand  that weather conditions can impact ship operations,  but this is not the case.

2 hours ago, WNcruiser said:

 

I have been cruising over 35 years on over 100 cruises and have never, ever heard of this. It sounds to me more like a propulsion or engine issue slowing the ship. Of course that is a complete guess in my part but can’t imagine “Miami” making these decisions. 

Nothing wrong with ship. It seems to be the norm lately as I have read here about these issues on cruise critic and Facebook. I'm guessing it is a cost saving issue. When I say Miami makes these decisions its a direct quote from cruise director and others on board. On a multi segment cruise, crew knows nothing about future segments. Can't even book a ship tour on next segment yet. So planning for upcoming ports is difficult without firm information of port arrival and departure times. I canceled a private excursion going to Hanoi as I anticipate we will depart 1 hour earlier than what's currently on the schedule.

2 hours ago, clo said:

So they just do this and offer no rationale?  I'm continuing to get a creepy feeling. I haven't looked at our actual itinerary in ages. Guess I should.

The only rational given in the official notifications say " Due to operational issues". If you enquire at the services desk you can sometimes  get a more detailed  explanation. As for the shortened port schedules, it's Miami  main office making these decisions. The slower the ship, the less fuel is used. I have heard elsewhere it may be for environmental reasons as faster ships injure domains and other sea creatures? What is most bothersome is the fact that these seem to be decisions with little advance notice. The " Final cruise vacation summery" supplied just prior to cruise does not reflect what happens on board.

2 hours ago, Vineyard View said:

Is this normal?  Why would Miami be making these calls?  Shouldn’t these changes be due to the port authorities, or weather/safety decisions made by the captain? 

Crew says Miami tells ship what speed to cruise at  and other navigational issues and this information is only provided to them a day or 2 before segment of cruise starts. On board changes due to weather conditions are made by the captain

Currently on Riviera. Just started another section of a grand voyage. Received notice through a revised schedule published in Currents that they have shortened port times in every port stop with the exception of 1. Later port arrival and earlier departure times. They cut 4 hour off of stop in Manila. Really screwing up private excursion bookings. Crew on board says that take direction from main office in Maimi and only get notified a day or so before start of segment so hard to plan in advance for rest of cruise.

7 hours ago, Tranquility Base said:

Are you due there next month ?

We are on a cruise through there at a later date.

If you remember, could you post back here as to your experience please.

Thanks.

Will do.

Can anyone who sailed on Oceania recently tell me if the ship tendered into port or docked at the new cruise port terminal?

Same on Riviera, specialty restaurants are available if you are willing to share. Just ask at the reservation desk. We were asked also as we entered the main dining room. Our ship is only about 80% full now, probably no so easy when ship is full. Riviera has the upgraded wifi, but doesn't seem any faster then pre- StarLink internet. Maybe it's because 2 logins per cabin are allowed?

6 hours ago, MomC said:

Thanks so much for the info.  Sounds like I will be paying by the drink or hitting happy hour.  I’m not a big drinker but I do like a pre-dinner cocktail.

Expect to pay $12. +20% gratuity  for a Mai Tai or similar drink.

On Riviera now, they are in terrace Cafe and I've seen them around the ship, but I fill mine from the water left in the Vero water bottle in cabin. Shame that they didn't buy insulated bottles.

54 minutes ago, IWantToLiveOverTheSea said:

Curious - did they give a price?  I think it's $89, but I may be wrong.

Not sure, I heard it was $99.

20 minutes ago, Tranquility Base said:

Posting this excursion booking query on this thread as it concerns SM.

Whilst we have our 2025 cruises booked under O-Life, the ones we made onboard recently for this year are under SM.

 

When booking excursions online under SM, is the programme set up to use in order :

1. SM excursion SBC;

2. Other SBC which is already showing in your account (eg: Oceania Club benefits)

3. Credit Card payment.

 

Also, let's say each person has $400 SM excursion credit,

The first 2 excursions booked have used up $350,

When booking a 3rd excursion will the programme use the remaining $50 then the remainder from other SBC ?

 

Would be good to hear from anyone with actual experience before I call O.

You are correct in all you assumptions.