ShopperfiendTO

Having sailed both Azamara (both ships) and Oceania (Regatta and Marina)' date=' I have to say Terrier1 is spot on. I've enjoyed both cruise lines with great itineraries and food; they are my first choices for cruising. The main difference - aside from A being a bit more inclusive than O - is as Terrier pointed out: the friendliness and participation of the officers on Azamara is head and shoulders over Oceania's aloofness![b'] Perhaps FDR can assist in encouraging more interaction between officers and passengers[/b].

Please don't. We need variety to be able to have choice in what we like and try. If it isn't a perfect mix, then cruisers would select one that is most acceptable (i.e., least compromises). If interaction is a deal breaker, then choose Az. Differences are good. Otherwise what point is there having two cruiselines if they're offering the same product. Yes, I expect politeness because that's just good service. But interaction is hardly a requirement for officers who are professionals - they're duties are the safe and efficient/smooth operations of the ship, not to be Chatty Cathies or Charming Charlies.

Thank you for the review. I am not sure the Captain co-leading an excursion is a plus for me. While it might be nice to interact with the management, I would be more comfortable with them sticking to their professional duties. But, we are all entitled to our own preferences.

We agree.:cool:

I am looking for an early January Caribbean myself. However, they have shortened their cruises as well and I can't see myself going for only a week, 10 days, or for that matter 12. It would mean two segments. I understand Regatta does the Caribbean as well and that might be a possibility. We have been on Mayan Mystique two times and we do NOT like that itinerary at all. Waiting...waiting! LOL

We are thinking of booking a Mayan Mystique itinerary and wonder if you might provide your thoughts on why you did not like the itinerary at all (and if you didn't, why did you go on it twice?).

Is it the ports, the order, the port times? Because you specifically said itinerary, it sounds like it wasn't specific to the cruise, like bad weather, big crowds (other ships in port), etc.

Shopperfiend is correct; the brochure describes several voyages in which the transfers are included. However, the entire section starting on page 16 is in regards to Grand Voyages. Investigating further, at the very end of that brochure is a link to Oceania's Terms & Conditions. On that page, there is a link to Promotional Terms & Conditions (http://www.oceaniacruises.com/corporate/legal/promotiontermsconditions.aspx)

 

There, we find the following:

FOR THE AROUND THE WORLD IN 180 DAYS CRUISE (MIAMI TO MIAMI | INSIGNIA | JANUARY 10, 2015), THE 180-DAY WORLD ODYSSEY CRUISE (MIAMI TO MIAMI | INSIGNIA | JULY 8, 2015) AND GRAND VOYAGES ONLY:

*Standard terms apply, in addition: Free first class, roundtrip airfare is for US and Canada gateways only. Roundtrip transfers are restricted to guests utilizing the pre-cruise hotel stay and for those residents within 50 miles of PortMiami. [emphasis mine]

 

So, unless the OP has booked their hotel through Oceania, the transfers do not apply. Sorry, but them's the rules; all you need to do is read.

Two observations:

1. The last phrase of the part you quoted is for residents living within 50 miles of Miami port, obviously without reference to flight arrival date. Unless the sentence means you have to book a pre-cruise hotel (in Miami) *and* live within 50 miles of Miami port, which sounds ridiculous.

2. I understood that it was *already* O's policy to include transfers if pre/post-cruise hotels were booked with O, so advertising this as a "bonus" perk when it isn't really a bonus is a bit misleading (unless that policy has since been eliminated but that doesn't seem to be the case).

However, OP's responded that they are simply the rules so I guess the answer why is "just because". That's too bad but at least OP knows and can plan accordingly (perhaps consider changing hotels from near the respective airports to near the cruise terminals?).

If there's nothing you can do about it, it might be worth asking yourself OP why you need to arrive one day early and stay one day later and whether this is enough to warrant the hassle of the value of the transfers.

One day early's not really going to acclimatize you thaaat much on a 15+ hour flight, and especially as you have almost 2 months of cruising to enjoy! If you're worried about the flights you'll be assigned, you can do a deviation which last I recall is $175 per person which should be competitive to what you'd be spending using your miles, no?

Anyway, just a suggestion.

Thanks Jim..I didnt have time to look it up but I NEVER heard of transfers being included without the hotel package from Oceania..

Jancruz1

Was it not a perk on the segments of the world cruise?

I am thinking that OP's cruise is the one that's identified on page 16 (on Nautica) of this link: https://www.oceaniacruises.com/documents/direct-mail/2014-15-Winter-Open.pdf

Several, including the one which I think is the OP's, include transfers but not a hotel.

Lyn, I have heard about a lot of perks but I doubt there were transfers included if they dont have their air the day of departure..if there were someone wasnt thinking

Jancruz1

The OP's situation is basically as if he/she arrived and left the same day as the cruise. Airport to dock on day of embarkation and dock to airport on day of disembarkation.

"Our travel agent is telling us Oceania has a "rule" that states you can only use their transfers if you are flying in or out on the same day."

Given your situation, it doesn't make sense that you shouldn't be able to take the transfers included in the fare.

Perhaps a question to ask (yourself, of course...) is how do they know that you are flying in or out the same day if you're doing your own air? Would you be similarly disallowed if you lived in the port of departure? For example, if you lived in Miami near the airport and the transfers were included for that cruise that left from Miami, would you also not be entitled to the transfer if you got dropped off at the airport the morning of the cruise departure? If you aren't, what is the reasoning there as that will probably be the same reasoning for your situation.

Just theoretically, if you put in an imaginary flight that arrived/left the morning of the cruise departure/arrival, I can see an issue if the flight you say you arrive on that morning is late/cancelled, so they aren't looking for you, so that might be the reason? I don't see this as an issue on the departure leg though because if it was delayed/cancelled, I would think that O would just drop you off at the airport and leave you to deal with it since you "booked" the flight on your own.

The ticket contract is here: http://www.oceaniacruises.com/documents/US-TicketContract.pdf

This is the section of the ticket contract that speaks to switching from cruise only to cruise and air:

If a guest wishes to change a booking from cruise only to include cruise and air travel arrangements after the full amount of the purchase price for the cruise only package is due and payable, Carrier may in its sole discretion impose a change fee of up to $150 per person. Bookings cannot be converted from cruise only to air/sea within thirty (30) days of sailing.

Strangely, it doesn't discuss going the other way around which is your question, but I would think that it would apply both ways (except perhaps for the discretionary $150 fee since it would seem easier cost-wise to cancel than to add).

I did and that is the reason why I want to move. I am not comfortable with the new TA's at the agency. Oceania has provided the way to have my cruises transferred to another agency. Thank you Oceania.

Thanks for the update. I don't think there was much doubt that you could transfer the booking, it was just how the commissions would play out given that 30 days passed since the bookings were made.

Did O give the new TA the full commissions as well, so that both the original TA and the new TA got full commissions on your bookings?:confused:

Or did O somehow finesse the original TA to give up the full commissions that appear to be entitled to?

Why call O when the problem is the TA that the cruise was booked with?

Unless I'm missing something, they have a right to the commission per the commissions agreement (which I assume the new TA must also agree to if it wishes to book O cruises as well), so it is really up to them whether or not to give it up.

1. Are you someone who requires longer time transfer times (e.g., wheelchair, walker)?

2. Where does your flight from Rome land (i.e., is it to another European hub city like Frankfurt or is it across the Atlantic like JFK?)?

If you have normal mobility and if the FCO flight is to within Europe/Schengen, then you don't really need to be at the airport 3 hours before departure because it's considered a domestic flight (although you still need to factor in the logistics of FCO).

If you arrange for transport to pick you up by 7:00a.m. (or buy the transfer from O), you should have enough time.

Euphoria. Virtuosa. Bravura. Curiosa. I like Ocarina myself, sea/ocean-related!

That sounds like a great idea. Not sure if there's any issue other than making sure the ship knows of your plans and that you're OK with the train accommodations/prices.

We took the long distance train from Oslo to Gothenburg and it was fine comfort-wise. I would imagine the sleeper trains would be the same if not better.

We are trying to catch a flight that departure at 11.10 from Rome, our TA says we will be able to! We are not flying overseas so we don't have to be there 3h before but about 2 i think.

Anyone think it's a big chance that we will miss our flight?

Depends on when if the ship's staying overnight, what day of the week it is and what time you're leaving the ship.

If your first or only leg is in the Eurozone where it's treated as a domestic flight, then IMO you should be fine if you leave by 7:30 a.m., budgeting 1.25 hours to get to FCO.

Maybe they are following the same lose interpretation method as they do for bring all kinds of booze onboard at any port. Sounds fair!! After all if you have a drink package you are at least giving Oceania money, if your drinking your booze in your room they are loosing money!

Not a spelling n@zi but :)

I assume your airport is Ataturk (there are two international airports in the Istanbul area), the disembarkation port is in Karakoy (near Galata bridge), and that you are reserving a taxi/private transfer for the transfer.

If they are, then you should be able to make a 10:55 flight but you would need to leave well before 8:00 (I'd suggest no later than 7:30) to make sure you don't get caught in traffic and have time to deal with the check-in process.

If there is little to no traffic, the ride should take between 35-45 minutes. Rush hour traffic in Istanbul is quite bad.

Oceania is applying for it - I am afraid if I also applied that could mess it up again?

 

thanks for the suggestions - I do appreciate them.

This may be a blessing in disguise. Assuming it costs more to have Oceania to apply for it (and I am almost certain it is), you could tell Oceania to cancel your application and apply for it yourself in the e-visa link provided on this thread.

In general, I think O's excursions have been coming down in price the last few years, at least on the cruises we've been on (European and Caribbean, Marina).

That is not my experience. Same excursions for the Mediterranean ports I considered or took 2-3 years ago were priced $50-$100 more on our cruise this past fall, most of them were about $75 more (2-3 years ago, excursions were in the $100-250 range).

For the recent cruise, it was on an O ship (vs. the previous R ships for the prior cruise) so there should have been volume discount possible as well, but perhaps in the excursion pricing world, 700 and 1200 passengers is in the same pricing band.

In addition to limited cabin selection, unless you have a whack of frequent flyer points, booking after the final payment date carries a high risk of getting assigned crappy flights (not that you'd be guaranteed good flights even if you booked early with non-deviated air :rolleyes:).

You may still be able to deviate at another $175pp (has this increased yet again?) but chances are preferred routes are sold out or have a hefty price supplement to them.

Hi Lyn,

Have you cancelled all of your O bookings? From the O thread, you'll be getting your silver pin (and additional perks) your next cruise, and are half way to your free cruise (I'm sure you've thought about the "investment" you've already put into to O, but just in case, lol).

If the pricing is similar (and it would be for Azamara), IMHO it's not worth it to jump ship (pun intended) until you've received your free cruise!:) I've been on Az and think they're comparable but would still give the edge to O for the food quality (except for Aqualina vs. Toscana). Yes, Az officer crew is much much much more interactive than O officer crew, but I believe that officer interaction is not of crucial importance to you.

If food service is the issue, just eat at the Terrace Cafe for your dinner meals. I think all of the R-ships will have been upgraded with the grill station at the Terrace Cafe by the end of the year?

I'd think if it's "O" charter they would keep something open late. Just not good service if they don't.

Rick

Not good service or good management as well if it means handling over 150 orders basically at once!

Terrace buffet extension seems the best solution.

In my experience, cruise time changes is part of cruising you just have to roll with. Tour operators generally know this as well and usually adjust as appropriate, which is why they need to know the name of the ship you're on!

Can't really say it's common, but it certainly has happened in the past, and don't be surprised of a port even gets cancelled/changed the night before/morning of. Given this possibility at any port, really the best you can go on is that what they provide is what it will be... until they change it.

Not sure how regularly this gets updated, but maybe check this once in a while for updates?:

http://ships.cruisett.com/schedule/Oceania_Cruises/Marina/August_2014/

Although we did see a fair number of homeless people in BsAs and parts of the city definitely look run-down, we did not feel unsafe (mind you, we didn't venture into La Boca area and we were aware of the scams such as fake $100 pesos and bird dropping/dirty water trick). I can't think it's become that much worse?

Also, has anyone taken the Oceania tour to Iguazo falls? We are considering adding this tour prior to our departure from Buenos Aires. Any information would be helpful.

If you are concerned, then the Oceania tour would be your safest bet. It is just expensive, that's all.

We did our own planning with a private guide prior to our O cruise and it was great.

I would recommend staying in the town on the Argentina side as it is pretty small and the area of the town you'll be staying in is basically all tourist-driven, so it should be quite safe since it is in their interest to protect their main source of revenue. If you're staying at the Sheraton inside the park, even less chance of something going wrong because you're basically in the park compound!

To get the full experience, you should visit both Brazil and Argentina sides (I think this is in the O tour so you should be covered). Just be warned that the Argentina side is a lot longer - 3 separate walks/paths, highest, middle and base level (full day's worth of walking) versus Brazil's single long walk (2.5 hours' worth at a leisurely pace). Remember to wear quick-dry clothes and to drink water regularly!

If you decide to go private tour, you might also ask about stopping at the Bird Park (Brazil side, on the way to the Falls) and possibly even Itapu Dam as well.

First time cruisers on Oceania Marina. We are headed to French Polynesia.

 

My question is about wine in our cabin for use on our veranda.

 

We had planned on purchasing several bottles in Papeete prior to embarkation.

 

I have recently been told that if we buy "3" bottles of wine onboard the ship, there is a 30% discount on this multiple purchase. This would be for use in our cabin.

 

I have not read this in other postings. Can someone speak from experience?

 

Thank you.

If you are going to be drinking wine in your cabin only, you would very likely be better off just buying the wine in Papeete and drinking that (unless the retail prices in Papeete are even more insane than restaurants' general wine pricing).

Why? Because you will not have to pay the 18% automatic gratuity for beverage purchases on-board or a corkage fee ($25/bottle, maybe more now?) on that wine if you consume it in your cabin only.

If you drink that wine you brought on board outside of your cabin (i.e., bring it to drink at a dining venue), you will be charged the corkage fee.

If you buy wine onboard at one of the sales, the 18% automatic gratuity will apply and if it does, you might as well consume it at a dining venue instead of in your cabin since you basically paid for that privilege.

If what you're really asking is if the discounted wine sold onboard works out cheaper than buying wine in Papeete at retail and then bringing it on board, then I think you'll have to figure out what the pricing is of wine generally is in Papeete and then work from there. keeping in mind that the discounted price on board is off the restaurant selling price (or close to it), plus 18%.

If you want to drink elsewhere on the ship, then it may make sense to pay the corkage fee on the wine you brought on board versus buying the discounted wine sold on board.

Curiosity question: which cruise line charges the highest deviation fee? We have never cruised with another line so I was just wondering.

This question would only apply to cruiselines that include air in their prices, so the survey may be more limited to other cruiselines that have included air promotions and allow deviations (for example, RCCL group lines including Azamara seem to be Choice Air credits of offset the Choice- Air flight booked).

For Crystal, it seems when applicable the fee is $100pp: http://www.crystalcruises.com/legal.aspx?TPT=21&TPTB=85

New Personal Choice Air Itineraries

Our Air/Sea Concierge Desk will customize an air itinerary to meet your individual needs. You may prefer to arrive in the port city a day earlier or spend additional days after the cruise. Or perhaps you wish to upgrade your flights to Business , Premium Economy or First Class, request a specific carrier, stop in a city en route to the ship, leave or return to a city not included in Crystal’s available air/sea cities or pay for a one-way itinerary. Crystal’s Personal Choice Air Program allows you to create an air itinerary that will complete your perfect vacation. A non-refundable service fee of $100 per person will apply. Any additional air cost due to the custom itinerary is the responsibility of the guest. For new cruise reservations within 90 days of departure, Personal Choice Air requests must be received within three working days of the cruise booking. All requests are subject to flight availability. Please note: date deviations forfeit transfers.