Jayne E

6 minutes ago, Rainbow3fe said:

Aw that's unfortunate. We were told that previously booked cruises will not be changed when the new rates and plans are introduced.  You would have been able to keep whatever you originally chose.

Agree…present bookings are in accordance with a contract and if terms are Cruise Only, it would appear that booking would stay “as is”.

We have only sailed O since 2007. 20 cruises and 5 pending.  
I understand changes happen…..however if O’s excursions weren’t so utterly terrible, being forced to take some of them wouldn’t be such a disappointment come July 1.

Those on this thread who have never cruised O and comment that they look forward to everything being included haven’t gone on O’s overpriced and underpromised excursions.  Nor have they used O air and been assigned 3 stops to Europe. 
There’s a strong reason why many of us love O, but always book Cruise Only.

10 hours ago, steamboats said:

 

As Jacques Pepin has reached a certain age he´s not doing any new restaurants onboard. But regarding the fact how the announced Ember I was expecting a little bit more...

 

steamboats

We were too....a cafe setting OK but with more ambience and elegance as the norm on O dining venues, not a chain style venue.  Hearing that some have refused additional visits there says it all!!

Didn’t feel any difference on Riviera. Mattress was new and extremely comfortable. 

Maybe they didn’t get delivery of enough mattresses and ordered whatever available? Very strange you had different mattresses on a new ship. 

Sorry to go off Embers topic, but has anyone on a Vista Concierge extended balcony cabin had loungers on them?  Heard none provided on several previous Vista cruises 

Thanks so much!

On topic, for a cruise line touted for its food, what were they thinking eliminating Jacques for a casual noisy venue?  We have JR Alexanders here…it’s casual, average food and noisy. We switched a Caribbean cruise from Vista to Marina….similar itinerary and Jacques.  

57 minutes ago, LHT28 said:

So how was  the cruise ? 🤔

Whoops….typo…..2024 but thanks for asking 😄

On 6/16/2023 at 12:22 PM, Sthrngary said:

I have seen this happen on other brands in the past.  Specifically change.  The post here represent the exact same posts from the past.  The question is why?  Change is difficult for MOST of us.  MOST of us like knowing the rules to the game and accepting them.  Human nature really.

 

I have been on this board now since I booked my first Oceania Cruise mid-2022.  I read, learn, post and appreciate most of the quality of members.  The tone that Oceania had to change some of their policies have been discussed, rehashed and debated. The general consensus was, clean up your act Oceania, you are confusing some folks especially the new folks. For me, it took a bit to get the program but after some thought, I got it.  That was with the help of some loyal long time guests so thank you.

 

Now my personal opinion which I don't expect for anyone to agree with or take as important.  Oceania is now attempting to establish themselves with things that would me more like the "All-Inclusive" luxury brands. Reading the notes above, it is more like All Inclusive Lite. If you look at the drink program, nothing much really changes per the notes.  The only real change is you get it and there for pay for the wine and beer program.  If you don't drink, you still have it.  that will make a certain group upset.  On the excursions, many folks don't like the cost of the brands excursions so they do it on their own.  Now they have to use some of what they believe is over price excursions with the credit provided.  Those that so often claim "The only way to go is Cruise-Only" lose that opportunity and feel upset about that. 

 

The reaction is we won't use Oceania again or we will think twice.  From Oceania standpoint, their future if they want truly grow are the converts from Main Stream Brands that want to lift their experience.  This was a business decision to create a much better competitor to brands like Viking. 

 

Change is hard only for those that remember the way it used to be.  The future growth often looks at those that have no frame of reference.  Just my two cents.

 

Cruise well and enjoy every moment. 

Here’s my two cents from a loyal customer with 20 O cruises, all Cruise Only.  As I wind up with extensive shipboard credit…$500 Platinum, TA and Shareholder, we’ve lately taken one O excursion to use up some of the credits. They are way overpriced, often delayed with long wait time in lounge, shortened time than advertised and overall quite poor.
On one, majority of Catamaran seating was on the floor. On another, dropped off at the wrong place and long walk in hot sun. On return, bus was an hour late and waited along the road.  My leg was cut from a sharp piece of metal protruding from seat leg.

I respect your two cents regarding future growth, but yes, you haven’t sailed previously sailed O. 
BTW: if my math is correct, being given cash credit to pay for “full price” excursions compared to paying $100 pp on OLife for excursions priced up to $199 pp, plus a higher priced cruise is a double price hike. Implementing cash credit for any purchase would have been more flexible…..spa, wine tastings, bingo, cosmetics, etc. 
Regarding lunch/dinner with drinks, those on full day private tours do not have lunch onboard. MDR ceased being open everyday for lunch several years ago. Now only sea days. Drinks at lunch in Terrace/Waves will likely be under utilized. 
We’re booked Cruise Only into 2025 and def turned out to be a good thing. Will reevaluate choices comparing to SS or SB. 

44 minutes ago, the more ports the better said:

I’m booked on Riveria in February 2024 from Bangkok to Hong Kong, Hong Kong to Seoul and Seoul to Tokyo.  Not sure where it goes after that but I can pretty much guarantee it will be in the Pacific after I get off in Tokyo.

We’re on Riviera April 2023, Tokyo to Singapore, Singapore to Dubai.  The Riviera is reason we booked this “bucket list” cruise now. We only use small ships for short cruises, 7 days NYC/Bermuda on Insignia in Sept.

Wish they would return Marina to Tahiti

12 hours ago, ak1004 said:

 

Agree with your assessment mostly (small correction: 3 ports missed, not 4), and it was nice to meet you on the private tour.

Sorry, but we missed 4 ports. We were on the prior 10 day cruise and missed Amalfi port, for total of 4 

On 6/12/2023 at 2:40 PM, hankandteri said:

Did they say there was a port strike when there was none? Yes, they did.

 

Did they give a full explanation of why they really cancelled? No, they did not. Did they dissemble in their follow-up explanation? Why, yes they did.

 

I'm not speculating about the lie or the cover-up. They happened. You were there. I've been forthright in pointing out that I absolutely was speculating as to the real motives behind the decision since the cruise line wasn't interested in sharing them. Playing amateur detective/forensic accountant can be fun.

 

I'm kind of curious, AK, are you a TA or Oceania employee? You were on the same cruise I was, and your relentless defense of behavior that was not in your best interest puzzles me.

I was also on this cruise. We were initially told there were port strikes and that wasn’t true. I feel captain came on several days later with more detailed explanation only due to passengers quite angry when they learned there was no strike. 
Absolutely nothing added to sea day activities.  O made no attempt to liven up the day. 
This was our 20th O cruise, so we’re quite aware that this is not a cruise line known for day/night entertainment.  Food and service remained outstanding and we enjoyed ourselves despite missing 4 ports. 

21 minutes ago, mallie24 said:

We are booked but not yet paid final payment.  Itinerary includes three days in Myanmar.  There is a DO NOT TRAVEL advisory for both Canada and the United States, yet Oceania will not declare any changes to the itinerary.  We already have five sea days in an Itinerary of 20 days so an additional three would also represent "a cruise to almost nowhere".  Thoughts?

Search older Oceania CC boards.  A few months ago another party had multiple posts regarding having made final payment and wanting to cancel due to DO NOT TRAVEL advisory for Myanmar.  Initially not allowed but he was persistent...don't remember how it was resolved.

2 hours ago, mauibabes said:

@JayneE

We have hit and missed Amalfi several times, it is always a weather issue along the Amalfi coast. Same for Sorrento. We were diverted to Naples but were still able to get our private tour to meet us there and take us back to Ravello and Amalfi. Absolutely beautiful views from Villa Ruffolo in Ravello. We would love to take in an evening with a Summer Concert there one day. 🙏👍.

Bring your lucky whatever along on your trip. 🙏🤞

Mauibabes

Yes, if we had gone to Naples, would have been able to go back to Ravello again. A favorite place!. Breathtaking views.  Unfortunately we went to Salerno.  Guess we’ve been fortunate not to have missed Amalfi in the past. 

2 minutes ago, sunlover12 said:

May I ask why you missed Amalfi?  My Nautica cruise in August is scheduled to go there.

Told due to sea conditions.

Strange that Marina was able to embark in Lisbon 2 days prior to our cancelled ports. Oceania knew they had to get those passengers on board….no cancellation there!
Wasn’t a strike possibly imminent that day also?  I believe from posts that Vista stops in Portugal we’re also cancelled. 

Other than Portugal ports, this was a fairly lackluster itinerary. Overnight in Cadiz underwhelming and 2 additional boring sea days. We were also on the previous cruise and missed Amalfi which was replaced with Salerno….nothing much to see there at all, but at least Oceania attempted to avoid another sea day.

On the positive side, food and service was excellent and fortunately we’ve been to Lisbon and Porto on prior cruise. Majority of passengers very disappointed. 

32 minutes ago, steamboats said:

Sounded like a strict "No". Every Concierge Level cabin gets the same furniture.

 

steamboats 

So what was the purpose of moving all extended verandah cabins from B3 to A3-2-1 if no loungers other than price increase & concierge?  
Will contact our TA but doesn’t look good. Hopefully they’ll order more loungers or will go back to a B cabin. 
Also, do A4 cabins on Vista all have bathtubs as on Riviera?

On 6/3/2023 at 10:17 AM, steamboats said:

We had a forward cabin... therefore I never used the aft elevator and didn´t see that it doesn´t stop on deck 5. But actually when you check the deck plans... the elevator/stairs would end up in the galley on deck 5. So there is no place to go there for passengers.

 

Some collegues had the large balcony and asked for loungers and were told the same. No loungers, everyone gets the same furniture.

 

They still need to communicate that Ember is ment as a "fast dining" option.

 

steamboats

Any idea if refusal of loungers on extended balcony cabins is temporary or permanent?  We have 2 Vista cruises booked and moved from B3 to A2 for extended verandah. Additional cost $1,300 and $700.  If no loungers, wondering if it’s worth booking A2. We have no interest in Concierge amenities. Upgraded to A2 strictly for loungers. 
Welcome all opinions!  Thanks!

We are on Riviera and Lisbon & Porto ports both cancelled for 5/25 & 5/26 due to “impending port worker strikes”.  We were notified of this on 5/23.

Appears you boarded 5/23. Were there strikes going on?

On Riviera.  Received flyer for this sale. None have an A1 to PH3 upgrade available as in the past. 😢

On Riviera now. There have been many reduced “specials” offered for massage treatments. Appears that price increase to $240 incl. grats for 50 min massage has resulted in much less bookings.
HOWEVER, if you are Oceania Gold and above, you cannot use your $150 spa amenity towards payment of any “special”.  This is the 1st time I’ve been told that the spa credit is not combinable with a special. It was always treated as cash and reduced your service cost $150. Manager told me that other managers may operate the spa differently.  
Shipboard credits can be used towards reduced spa specials.

Has anyone heard Oceania’s radio advertisement?

Is anyone at all somewhat concerned about this sale? Thousands of dollars less. Upgrades and FCC to those beyond Final Payment. Makes me think back to Renaissance Cruise Line when prices were being reduced every few weeks and every time you called you received a refund check.   

2 minutes ago, Doubt It said:

OK, check this out.

I have a cruise booked in August, paid in full. Have booked the shore excursions and paid additional $ for the extra excursions over the 8 "free".

Here is what my TA was given by Oceania:

 

Do we want a non-refundable shipboard credit applied to the reservation for $5,940 total

Or

I can ask for a non-refundable future cruise credit, they’ll have 1 yr to book, 1 yr to sail. Same amount $5,940 total.

________________

Good God, I can not use $5,940 of anything on the current cruise - we do not drink much, do not do spa nor buy stuff, only the gratuities. 

Put I have a cruise booked in February, deposit down. Could I use the future cruise credit to pay down the total costs of this upcoming cruise?

We have to pay in Cdn $, so anything is helpful.

 

Would appreciate your analysis of best value to me.

Kindest Regards From A Newbie!

 

 

 

Future cruise credit can be used on next booking. Great that O was very generous considering that “technically “ they could have given nothing. 

9 hours ago, Bakingnana said:

I am always told the pricing is never cheaper. I just don’t understand how the price I get from my TA is always higher and she says I can’t go by the published brochure lower price….why not…. Getting a straight answer is hard. Maybe time for a new TA. 

Today a neighbor tells me they are on their 1st O cruise this August. They have no idea about sale. Say their TA would have let them know if there was one. Sure enough, I look and their cruise is included in Ultimate Sale.

They say the cruise is almost $15k for A4 10 days on Riviera with Air and all 3 amenities OIife. I have them call their TA and she initially tells them their cruise is NOT included in sale. My phone is open to their cruise and tell her it is. She then says A4 and up is Waitlisted. I suggest they have her price a B1 or B2 with Ultimate Sale as cabins are available. They ask TA to do this and she tells them it’s only a $300 difference. They accept this answer. Time for me to desist. Their travel agent is dishonest or incompetent. 
A4 is on Guarantee and would be $7,958 plus PE air upgrade.  Even worse they have a tub/shower cabin and they think they have the new large shower cabin.

I now appreciate my TA even more than ever. She will give me a detailed breakdown of my options when rebooking due to a promotion and let me decide. 
If anyone in doubt on TA price, call O or a different TA. 

Nothing more I can do for my neighbor. They believe their TA.

21 minutes ago, ORV said:

I'm not drinking today, so my figures could be off. Or I might have missed something. Since I have included deviations I might go in early and do my own tour, I might be able to book a hotel a couple of nights and take a few tours and keep the Ultimate. 

Might want to price the nightly rate at the hotel offered on Pre/Post cruise. On Tokyo cruise the Hilton is about $500 nightly. Two 1/2 day tours included, breakfast and transfers.  O sells this as $1,700-$1,800 pp which is quite high, but to be expected as O needs to be compensated.  For those who are not giving up prior discounts, it’s free and a good promotion. We had to forego $1,750 past cruiser discountm so we deck8ned and chose our hotel and location.

39 minutes ago, jonthomas said:

It's like it was said here, the agents don't want us to benefit from the sale and lose something off their commission. 

I called O and the rep said one portion is Definitely on sale but it would be up to the agent to break it up and see what the total would come to.

A good agent would do that. Ours aren't willing to.

You can run the numbers yourself as 2 cruises. Then remove your B2B discount. Also remove any On Board Booking discount. If it’s still worthwhile, call your TA and insist to be rebooked.