PhD-iva

6 hours ago, Stockjock said:

There's actually a good reason.  I received several Amex Offers, where if I booked or added $1,000, I'd get a $200 rebate.  So it made sense to chip away at those offers and on the last one, I was nearly paid in full, so I completed the payment.

I have that same offer once again ($200 back), but I'd have to pay $1,000 on a fully paid-up booking.  I thought about doing that, as I have no perks (no drinks, spending cash from Oceania, etc.)

I'm with a big Wall Street firm, and we're paying 5% on new money into preferred savings, but it's hard to argue with a 20% rebate.  I also received a $300 onboard credit and invite to a wine tasting from Amex Platinum (cruise must be booked through an Amex qualified agent - there are plenty out there.)  So all of that helps.

Oh man! My Platinum AMEX doesn’t ever have that great offer. Am envious!

Enjoy your cruise!

51 minutes ago, Stockjock said:

FWIW, I paid the cruise in full at least a year before the sail date.  I know that I didn't have to, but I did.

Stockjock! The days of “free money” have ended! You can (finally) earn some interest on your money. Why prepay instead of collecting short term interest?

Yes, I submit after final payment date. Most recent cruise it was posted same day. It will be listed on page 3 of your Oceania invoice. Call O and ask for a new invoice.

Unless your TA gives you a big discount (in lieu of good service), time to look around for another……

I know some will say you should get big discounts AND great service……but you should get at least one, am I right?

Enjoy your cruise!

Thx for the clarifications!

Oceania has the same (or similar) deviation policy as Regent. Pay to talk….

Someone will chime in if I’m mistaken……

https://oceaniacruises.zendesk.com/hc/en-us/articles/360005308274-How-do-you-handle-custom-air-requests

2 hours ago, redraider1966 said:

Not only does Regent pull a fast one on the hotel offer, but also on their business class air.  We're trying out Regent at the end of May '24 for what may well be our final Med swing -- long plane flights having become more challenging.  The tantalizing promise of business class air plus an included pre-cruise night's hotel stay and an Italian-French intensive itinerary is what sold us.  Regent's BC itinerary, when finally offered well after FP, had us making two flight connections in Europe and arriving in the embarkation port (Valletta) at 9 PM the night before embarkation! This, plus reports of at least two prior cruises this year on the ship in question, Voyager, experiencing noro outbreaks and extended Code Red periods, means we will declare that we after this cruise that we will have been on Regent twice -- our first and last time.

It’s always a best practice to pay the deviation fee and come to an agreement on your business class itinerary as soon as the window opens. This way you will know what your flight itinerary is, and you can discuss modifications with Regent and whether your preferred business class itinerary would include an additional fee. Passengers who wait until the cruise line is ready to book you can only take seats that are left over. 
I was on Voyager in February, and I was very pleased with the service, the food, almost everything. I had no issues with the condition of the ship. Yes, we were under code red for quite a while. It distracted little from my enjoyment.

I hope you have a terrific cruise!

Sister cruiseline Regent offers this as well for Concierge-level suites and above. The Regent forum has had several passionate threads about R notifying pax well after FP date that there’s no block of hotel rooms available and here’s a meaningless token amount of compensation that many consider isn’t enuf to pay for a centrally located, nice hotel plus transfers. Not to mention that a Concierge suite is much more expensive than the next level down although it is no larger in size ( IDK if location is preferable).

8 minutes ago, clo said:

There is a slim but not unknown situation where passengers didn't get to board. 

I believe you are referring to a specific situation where several passengers were not able to board a Royal Caribbean cruise. I do not believe you are referring to an Oceania cruise, but if you are, please provide your source.

Try scopolamine patches (Rx needed). They are very effective and are non drowsy. I am very prone to seasickness and now only the worst weather affects me.

Enjoy your cruise!

On 3/19/2024 at 4:21 PM, DDDweller said:

Same thing just happened to me. Booked and paid for a Regent Seven Seas Cruise in July, and was unable to book excursions for half the ports because they are sold out. Regent Seven Seas advertises "unlimited free shore excursions." Clearly deceptive advertising since they do not have enough shore excursion capacity to meet demand and you are left with no excursion in half the ports. BUYER BEWARE.

“Booked and paid for…..” 

You likely got a great deal on a last minute booking, right? So, if you have to pay for one or more non Regent excursions, you’re probably still ahead.

Enjoy your cruise!

2 hours ago, Hlitner said:

Ahhh, so if we understand, folks who pay a much lower price (for their cruise) do not accrue any loyalty benefits other then to save money?  I guess this means that the folks actually are paying for those loyalty benefits which means they are not really a benefit but rather something bought and paid for!

While not disagreeing with your basic premise that loyalty benefits are overhyped, and perhaps not worth the cost - I just want to clarify that door-to-door prices include transportation from your home to the cruise ship, and then back home again. So you are paying for more than a loyalty program. Just a clarification.

7 minutes ago, Gilly said:

@welshfamily thankfully we're able to rise above the embarkation experience, safe in the knowledge that it will all be worth it in the end.  There were three ships in the Rio cruise port, all welcoming guests at the same time.  Organisation was sadly lacking (as was signage - i mean, who wants to be misdirected onto the wrong ship?! 😱)  A road tunnel was closed in the city as well, meaning that a fairly short transfer from hotel to ship turned into an hour long traffic jam, but we are here and we are happy to move on from all of that.

 

Thanks for the Voyager cocktail recommendation.   Tonight, the legend in the Observation Lounge that is Kevin served me my perfect G&T, first time round!  That's a Mermaid gin over ice in a tall glass with a bottle of Fevertree tonic on the side. Bravo Kevin!   Definitely worth a mention in dispatches and happy times on Voyager to come, wouldn't you say, @Steve Q ?

KEVIN! Bless his heart. He and Rommel really made my Voyager cruise from Buenos Aires to Santiago so memorable. Kevin remembered me from our previous cruise together. He came up to me in the horizon lounge on the first evening, right about Sailaway. It really touched my heart deeply that he remembered me and came up to greet me.
Later that night, Benji, who was maitre’d at one of the specialty restaurants did me a great service, and finally that night it was great to reunite with Rommel, who was seating us in Compass Rose. It was so great to be on Voyager. 

For those of you interested in accruing loyalty benefits, I believe that Silver Sea does not award any loyalty nights when you book Port to Port. 

5 hours ago, A Tucson Guy said:

I do not see your email in your signature. Am I missing something?

All set? I look forward to hearing from you. 

My latest application was processed the same day, IIRC it was approved less than an hour after submission. 
In the past when there was a delay to receive my shareholder benefit, I resubmitted the application and I got a response that I was submitting it too early. Now I wait until after final payment date and then I submit the request.
When is your final payment date?

1 hour ago, MSEm said:

This must be another example of reduced services provided by Oceania.

I don’t think it’s “reduced services,” instead Regent (generally, IMO) provides a better experience than Oceania. However, you pay for that. 
I’ve sailed on Regent twice and Oceania thrice IIRC. I used to like that O provided an unbundled experience and cruisers could select which amenities had value to them, and only “pay for what you need”. No longer. 
Anyway, Regent is positioned as a luxury line, although if you spend time on the R forum, you’ll find some will disagree. Oceania is positioned as a premium line.

I’m not super happy with either cruiseline and am thinking about other options starting in a few years……

Not sire, but I think a good TA would have more “pull” than you, on your own…..

Good luck!

13 hours ago, WildWanderers said:

 

Hi All,

 

The only excursions available in Colon were seemingly the Oceania Select called the Colon Oscopy, and the special at the Montezuma race track, called the Trots.  Many people stayed onboard, however, enjoying the newly renamed Terrace Café, now the Poop Deck.

 

I can’t stop laughing!!!!

There is a sticky thread at the top of the Regent forum with a review of Voyager suites. Take a look, And enjoy your cruise!

On 3/13/2024 at 12:23 PM, fudge said:

Thats very thoughtful of you, are we allowed to share e mail addresses on here please?

You are allowed to share your own email address (see mine in my signature). This is a nice way to solicit some private / additional information off-line….

On 3/5/2024 at 6:05 PM, mamaclark said:

We used trains for a trip from Budapest - Vienna - Prague. Trains were on time, clean and comfortable. We absolutely loved it! I do agree with your stations and luggage statement though. Now I am looking at luxury train travel with time spent on and off the train and someone else handling all the details.😁

Please share (if allowed) sufficient details so I and others could evaluate this luxury train option. Thx!

When I had a serious issue with my previous travel agent, I tried calling the travel agency that she worked for. They explained that they are a franchise, and they have no leverage over their agents. Perhaps that was bad information, but it was the information I was given.
For me it all worked out in the end after many headaches and a lot of stress. I got rid of her fast. 

Try disputing the charge on your credit card since the travel agent did not process payment on the correct cruise that you told her or him to do. Good luck!

I think that valet laundry service is no longer returned same day. Not sure what the turn around time is these days…..

Also, I’m not impressed with the Regent aluminum water bottles; they are not insulated and sweat if you put cold drinks in it. Loses its chill quickly. 

I love Regent!

My experience in Miami was also awful (after a TA on Oceania). The only thing in my favor was my scheduled flight was later in the afternoon. Allow time!