1 EastEnder

Initially we were told, and I use Oceania's exact words, "you take this cruise or you lose your money". This trip was for myself and my two daughters. The entire trip cost $30,000 but that was the entire trip. The cruise part cost $21,000. I wrote letters to the CEOs (Messrs. Sommer and Del Rio) to no avail. Also letters to a couple of newspapers. Oceania would not communicate with me. I was forced to go through my credit card company and on the advice of my son-in-law, filed a complaint with the Better Business Bureau and that is how a settlement was reached. I considered myself fortunate in getting some money back and a future cruise credit. I believe others were not so lucky. I would also add that the Oceania staff and TAs did their best, but they had to go by company decisions. I believe these decisions were short sighted to say the least. I understand war - I spent my childhood and formative years during WWII - I just didn't understand the executives' cavalier attitude towards its passengers.

Hello. In answer to your question, I did go through my credit card company and I also filed a complaint with the Better Business Bureau. Because of these two actions, I was able to get some money back via the credit card company and also received a Future Cruise Credit. Whilst I didn't get all of my money back, I think I fared better than some.

I can understand Mary229's reluctance to travel again on Oceania. It’s not just a case of a disrupted cruise. It’s the ripple effect. I booked a month-long trip, which included this cruise, to celebrate my daughter’s return to better health. It was exciting to buy cruise clothes and book excursions. And then it all changed. The acrimonious dealings with Oceania in reaching a settlement, the hours I’ve spent on the phone trying to cancel flights and hotels and having to pay a lot more to do so. Disputed Oceania charges on my credit card has held that card up until the dispute is settled; up to ninety days. I have automatic charges coming out of that card. I have an 824 credit rating and I’m having to call vendors and explain the problem if their automatic charges are denied. Last year my trip on the Trans-Siberian Railway was canceled because of the Russia/Ukraine conflict. I was fortunate with this travel agency; all moneys were returned. This year my trip has been ended because of the Israeli conflict. I understand war. I was born in the East End of London, two-thirds of which was destroyed in WWII. I spent my formative years down in an Anderson shelter listening to the drone of bombs. For me now the writing is on the wall. The world is an unstable place. Time for me to reflect on the wonderful places I’ve seen during my many years of travel and the nice and funny people I met along the way. Time for me to pack away my suitcases and gallop off into the sunset. Except I’m too old to get on a horse. Oh, well, guess I’ll just shuffle off. Happy and safe travels everyone. I’m signing off now. Cheers.

Hello Everyone. Just an update. When one of Cruise Critic members posted regarding the ship encountering storms and seasickness, I decided to cancel the cruise. On the advice of my son-in-law I called my credit card company to dispute the charges, which they did. I also filed a complaint with the Better Business Bureau. Oceania agreed to put a small money amount back into my account and gave me an FCC. Note this new future cruise has to be booked by the end of THIS month. Very short window, but that cruise can be taken in 2024 or 2025. It just has to be booked by the end of this November month. My understanding is that it is not transferable. I paid for myself, and my two daughters and Oceania sent three certificates, one for each person. I called the Oceania TA and asked what happens if either or both of my daughters couldn't go with me on a future cruise. The TA said I should get both girls to write individual emails, on their email accounts, transferring their certificate and share of the future cruise over to me. Again, these emails had to be sent before the end of this month. I hope this helps. On a side note, I know I have to book a future cruise by the month's end but frankly the way this company has handled this situation has left such a bitter taste in my mouth that I am reluctant to step on any ship that has Norwegian has its parent company.

Are you able to share what advice the attorney gave. Did he or she suggest a class action lawsuit, or any recourse?

On a separate subject, as I'm forced to go on this cruise, can anyone tell me about the alcohol policy? I was told you/anyone could bring on six bottles of wine/alcohol. Is it six per person (I'm traveling with my two daughters) or six per entire cruise or six whenever you get off at a port and get back on the ship? I asked an Oceania staffer, and she said just six and the crew will hold the bottles for you. I'm really confused. Any clarification anyone? Thanks.

oops, the reply went off before I had completed it. I have all of Oceania's statements printed out and know exactly what excursions I prepaid. I just don't understand why moneys have not been credited back and why their reluctance to send me an itemized statement of their charges. I can see the charges on my credit card. I just want to know what they are for and why the cancelled excursions are not being credited back. I merely put this on Cruise Critic to see if anyone else was having a similar problem.

As a retired legal secretary, I'm well organized and have printed out all of the paperwork

Sorry for the typo. Should read "bad enough".

Hello. I paid for ship excursions for myself and two daughters in Israel, Jordan, Oman. These ports were all cancelled. Oceania cancelled the ports and the excursions. So far Oceania has not credited me back. When I called them and waited a considerable time on hold, the staffer seemed confused saying I was credited back $500. I've paid in excess of $2500. I have requested an itemized statement of all Oceania charges. I know what has been charged on my credit card, but I want an itemized statement from Oceania detailing what these charges were for. There was reluctance on the staffer's part to provide this. Surely this is usual for someone to ask for and receive an itemized statement. Or is this another part of their contract which reads if Oceania cancels excursions, the passenger doesn't get his/her money back. It's back enough I'm forced to go on a cruise I don't want to go on "go on this cruise or forfeit your money" but then not to get an itemized statement of charges. What kind of a company is this?