Wol

I'm not the wisest person with foreign transactions but to blame God Bless America TA's or Oceania, an American based cruise line, doesn't sit well with us.

He's not making any kind of point except saying that, as in other countries, the strong US$ has made all American cruises - and exports - expensive.

There are other things that Americans get which others don't. Rarely is air offered, and the concept of travel agents sharing some of their commission with clients as an incentive is largely unknown. In fact here in Australia some agents charge $50 plus tax just to talk to you whether you sign up or not. And if one books on board the first an agent knows about it is when they are told they are getting several thousand dollars from Oceania for a booking they had nothing to do with! Yet they won't even consider sharing that with the customer. Result, we book direct with the line - I would rather Oceania kept the cash than a non-involved third party.

FDR said on TV some time ago that Oceania would charge what the market will pay: nothing new there, it's retailing's short term objective.

However, he, Bob Binder et al must be aware that once the market determines the ceiling pricing structure it can desert the product very quickly - and in a high-cost product such as cruising will not return. As many have pointed out, there's plenty of competition out there at many levels.

There have been some disconcerting indications over the past year or so of cost cutting and lack of the attention to detail that has in the past been Oceania's trump card. Duct tape hanging from the balcony ceilings in Sirena, running out of the most popular teabags and wine for weeks on Insignia - on the RTW no less - less attention to coffee station supplies and cleaning etc etc are all trivial in themselves but add up.

We increasingly get the impression - and we are not alone - that the wonderful staff are keeping Oceania's loyal customers returning DESPITE the company's apparent lack of interest in maintaining standards.

Things are good, but ain't what they used to be.

we cruised in Dec 2017 the ship was pretty full

 

not sure where you get your DATA

 

Some people just make stuff up for effect

79.74% of statistics are invented.

I think that maybe a later flight would be best. I was talking to the wife and I forgot that we spoke with a couple who were randomly pulled going through the check point and was there for 15 minutes waiting for an officer to look through their carry-on. Murphy's Law comes to mind. Whatever can go wrong will go wrong. Plus you are leaving in June when school is out. Could you make it? Probably but what if you can't?

Just a correction in the interests of accuracy <g>: Murphy's law says that if there are two ways of doing something, you will pick the wrong way. Sod's law is the one you want!:halo: (or not...)

The booking part of the site was awful until about a couple of years ago, but it is better now. However, it still has bugs: it drove me potty last week trying to book Polo and Toscana. Part of the page said I had "one more reservation" in Polo (2 out of 3) yet it wouldn't let me book the third because "that would take me over the allowable number"!

It's still far from intuitive, though, with too many clicks required for each booking - although it is best to start from scratch for each since it seems to take more notice of the previous booking than the one you are doing!

>>Another consideration might be the strong possibility that work will be carried out on board on the last cruise in advance of the dry dock and/or the first cruise following same. Noise, dust, noxious smells, and areas being closed off can and do occur as CCers have often reported.<<

I was not impressed on Regatta a few years back when it was due to go into the dock at Vancouver for the refit: several days of jackhammering, stripping of carpets etc before we left the ship.

I think companies are getting above themselves when they subject paying guests to this sort of thing. They are also treading a fine line when dozens - in some cases hundreds - of travel agents roam the ship getting in the way and closing the dining room to guests. It can be a bit like being an animal in the zoo.

I think many replies ignore the logistical problems of relocating bathrooms, kitchens and bars!

The R class ships are, so far as I know, not built on the modern modular system of the megaships - fully fitted units of cabins and bathrooms built off site and then trundled in and connected up - so a fundamental change in layout is probably not an option.

I don't really have any issue with the bathroom and shower size, or the shower curtain - although Oceania have stopped having the shower curtains that have a cord own the door side that slots into the rail and keeps the water inside: they need to bring them back and also put a couple of inches back on the curtain length for the same reason.

Those who have been on the "new" "improved" Sirena (Both sets of quotes my own!) seem to be divided on the merits of the Tuscan Steak remodelling, but I think the majority share my opinion that it was very much a retrograde step. Trying to squeeze a quart (Marina, Riviera) into a pint "O" class was never going to work, and the menu mix and decor in "Polo" are just awful. For those who like Red Ginger I suppose it's an offset, but many don't anyway.

The present set up of Barrista's is excellent - it's big enough to handle the traffic and encroaching on the shopping area would be crass - people like to sit and listen to the strings in the evening, not the chat from coffee drinkers! (That, of course, is assuming the strings are worth listening to....)

>>Move the TVs. Best place is across from the bed indented into the wall. No need for DVD players as they should put the system on a media system that allows these to be called up on demand.<<

Difficult one, that. Many of the older TVs are definitely due for scrapping anyway, and one hates to think what bugs infest the remotes! Over the dressing table (in the concierge cabins) would be the best place, angled towards the bed so that window reflected light doesn't wash out the screen. And do something about the speakers - the sound from a small TV in a half-cabinet is lousy.

>>Casino space. Few use it, think this area could be better utilized, with another specialty restaurant like Jacques.<<

Agree entirely: I have rarely seen more than a small handful of guests sitting at the tables - usually just two or three croupiers staring fixedly into space wondering how long until the shift ends. Martinis would benefit enormously by expanding into the casino space, where people who wanted to chat over a drink could get away from the piano volume. I suppose someone in Oceania has done sums which make an economic case for the casino, but the demographic of guests to me make this a no-brainer.

>>Very personal view change the decor from “Disney does Downton” to something lighter and more modern.<<

IMO again, the demographic is for the most part not interested in a modern look: let's face it the high proportion of returning and loyal guests shows that they prefer small ships and by inference the present decor. I find it just right: not showy but nicely "clubby". That's not to say that it doesn't in places need a thorough cleaning and sprucing up, but making "modern": no thanks!

>>i cast a 'no' vote for putting Baristas in the library. I love the library on the R ships and would not like that lovely quiet place to become the 'in' place. <<

Hear, hear! The library is sacrosanct!

>>Fix the air con. Seems like the R ship always have issues.<<

Someone told me - true or false? - that these old ships' heat exchangers rely on ocean temperatures being below what they are now operating in while in the tropics, where they can't get rid of the heat. If true, this should be an essential upgrade.

>>Well since I doubt Oceania execs asked anyone here their input on the refurb it is a moot point. The thread is wishful thinking or hoping at best <<

It's certainly not going to be acted on during the next refit schedule! They probably fixed that a year ago - the logistics of location, designing, ordering and tendering don't happen overnight!

>>O can get a head start on the demolition of the ship while passengers are on board cruising like another cruise ship did recently

I can't remember what ship that was but I wanted to look it up this morning. Talking about POed passengers...<<

We were on Regatta before a refit a couple of years ago and, yes, having jackhammers chipping rust and things being torn out for several days when every day has been paid (well paid) - for is like a corporate kick in the teeth. And post-refit: the Sirena recommissioning from Princess was an expensive farce, with workers still trying to get it all together months after she was in the water, such was the state Princess left her in.

>>Totally agree with #1!!! They may not be able to make the shower or bathroom larger, but at least replace the hideous shower curtain with glass.<<

I can't see how, in the smaller cabins, this would be an advantage: think where the glass would go and how you'd get in and out of the shower!

Let's face it, a couple of weeks in dry dock isn't going to allow major structural changes: I just hope that the plan isn't to spend hugely bringing the class "up to date", when my experience is that most people like the present style. They spent a lot of money for example getting rid of the pleasant mural Tuscan pictures in the Terrace and putting in nasty white stone dust-gathering walls inside and out and destroyed the ambiance in the process!

Long post, but thanks to the OP for starting the thread.

The very disturbing thing I see with the video is the fact that Carnival is not equipped to handle this type of situation. I post this with 30 years of law enforcement experience. I can tell you it it is obvious their security staff has zero training in any type of defensive tactics or any low impact weapon training. You mean to tell me they don't know a basic pressure point to use, a simple strike. How about a baton, CS gas (pepper spray) or even a taser, no sign of handcuffs? This is incredible, their reaction was to start kicking subjects that are fighting. In my opinion their "security" was out of control more than the people fighting.

 

They need serious training and NOW. This is unacceptable, I cant believe they dont have any well trained personnel. When I cruised I didnt realize the passengers would be responsible for defending themselves in this kind of incident.

You are talking about policing, law enforcement. From the stories and videos this was more of a riot situation. I doubt whether ANY training for security crew could cope with more than one or perhaps two thuggish individuals who don't give a damn about injuring others.

I've never been on Carnival and will not be doing so in future, but I have seen the odd "disturbed" individual on upmarket cruise lines making life very unpleasant for the guests and crew, and have been upset about the lack of enforcement by the officers. It's obviously a judgement call, but when multiple guests approach the officers about an individual and he/she is allowed to continue the behaviour something is wrong and the industry needs to up its game.

These violent thuggish passengers had been causing a lot of trouble from day 1 and should have been put off the ship much sooner. They'd been keeping staff and security "busy" for several days so this latest brawl was the final straw. Yes, it could have been handled better but I can see understand why it ended this way.

Exactly. For Carnival to say they have "zero tolerance" for antisocial behaviour is a joke: a large and apparently continually aggressive family group allowed to act this way for a week or more hardly counts as "zero tolerance" in my book.

Such behaviour is a criminal offence in aviation law and I doubt if it's any different in maritime law. Chuck the book at the perpetrators.

It doesn't surprise me: we did our first cruise on the Cloud some five years ago and were very disappointed at the condition of the ship, the lack of maintenance, the attitude of the maintenance people and the way the crew seemed almost scared - probably apprehensive is a better word.

Example: on boarding the towel rail was hanging down with one end unfixed. Example: on boarding the safe did not work - during several attempts to fix it we it was intimated that we were incompetent at operating a safe (!). After several days a worker brought a new one and said confidentially that the old ones all had issues. Example: the shower had virtually no drainage and you stood in several inches of water - we were told that so long as it didn't overflow the tray that was OK. No need to go on

After several more Silversea cruises we were aware that this is common to all the ships and we haven't been back.

>>So, according to your survey, does that mean 70% of PAX are fans of RG? What was your sample size?

The reason I ask is, it will be my first time sailing with Oceania. I will be sailing on 7 day Cuba cruise Sirena and looking forward to having some exciting and innovative Pan Asian or Asian Fusion cuisine on board. Is that what I can expect on the menu in RG? Oceania PAX rave about how the cusine is well above mainstream cruise lines like Princess, Celebrity, HAL, and RCCL. <<

Obviously, a straw poll isn't particularly significant, but I was surprised at the number of people who are not RG fans for whatever reason. Probably most are like us, and don't like shellfish.

There's nothing wrong with change so long as it's not for change's sake. Sirena's setup was really a "no cost" one since it was as a refit; however if the fleet is to be done the same way it will be at significant cost and in many's view a retrograde step.

Each to his own!

As the OP I have read all replies with interest!

Of course everyone's preferences are different, but I still think the point is often being missed.

That is the fact that the R and O ships are different: the four specialities on the bigger ships fit well but shoe-horning them into the smaller ones would always involve compromises and upset some guests.

We are not fans of RG and thought we were the odd ones out, but at a rough guess something like 30% are of the same opinion judging from those we have talked to.

We love Jaques on the big ships but putting a Jaques lunch menu into Sirena seems a bit of a gimmick, frankly. However it doesn't change the atmosphere, which the Tuscan/RG set-up really does.

Having done three Sirena cruises it's fairly evident that many of the staff agree it's a retrograde step.

You are so right.. Just look at Cruise Critic....I think their new forums STINK. And from what I read most posters agree. Problem is that they are in charge and do not want to hear any negative comments.

Plus one!

Maybe it is time to write a whole new program. Could help. :):)

Exactly what I said to Mike!

I reckon at least 66% of websites are not really fit for purpose from the point of view of the user: the problem is that many are just about usable given trial and error and discovery of work-arounds and usually the owners are never aware of the frustration of their cllentele.

And it is cheaper in the short term to keep patching.

(Just look at Microsoft!)

>>The cruises that had a problem with reservations over multiple segments are NOT technically B2B (I.e., two different booking numbers).<<

One of the issues was that the "break" was not where the non-back to back change point was! It was on a sea day. (And in any case it was not technically a b to b anyway, it was booked as one voyage.)

Mike was as someone said on to it immediately, but there's been so much patching of the program over the past year or two (a lot of it actually improving the usability, to be sure) that new bugs get into the system, IMO.

They are on to it. However I did stumble across a work-around last night.One of the issues was that, having got eventually to the selection of dining time page and selecting the time, on clicking "Confirm" absolutely nothing happened.

However, by clicking on "Exit without confirming" and then reselecting the time and "Confirm" for the second time - it immediately confirmed the booking! Each time!

I guess we won't starve.....

Are you on a back-to-back as well?

 

Or is yours one that is also sold as two segments perhaps?

i.e. you book a 14 day cruise that is also sold as two 7 day cruises?

Mine is SIN - ROM, sold as such although they also sold SIN - AUH if I remember as one part of it.

The dining reservation page shows my trip though as two "sectors" - with the change from the first to the second as a day at sea!

Mike has - as usual - replied to an email very promptly and said there are known issues. The problem I have is that there seem to be multiple issues and as one is debugged others take its place!

Thanks Mike. I have just spent another hour trying to reserve dining and even more bugs appear!

My own trip seems to be split into two - on a day at sea of all things, not at the sector split.

I did manage two bookings but only if I book them twice - and then it appears I am over the limit. And my comments in the email are still valid: it is impossible to go from one "sector" to the other - the dates stay the same.

All in all it's a very bad look for a high end company.

Is this the same with everyone? I have spent an hour on the "new improved" site trying to make dining reservations for Singapore - Rome on Sirena and found it impossible. I won't go into the problems but suffice it to say that it just did not work - so many issues that I gave up.

I have just fired off a long and probably libellous email to Mike Moore in frustration - he has in the past been instrumental in working around the site bugs but things seem even worse than they were a couple of years ago when people's DOB were changed at random!

Wol,

I am on that cruise as well and your interpretation is correct. At least that is my interpretation as well after checking with my TA (who checked with Oceania).

We plan on getting our Myanmar visas onboard so that we can use our abundant OBC. I have the filled out applications and passport photos.

The Indian visa is a different story as that one you have to have prior to boarding (or one will not be allowed to board without the Indian visa).

See you onboard :)

We got our Indian visas last week in Sydney. Is it your impression that the Indian one is the only one that a lack of would prevent boarding at the start of the segment?

There's so much conflicting information on Oman, Jordan, UAE, Israel - especially for those who haven't US passports, and/or arrive by sea, not at an airport.. We are dual British/Australian.

I'm getting so frustrated trying to make head or tail of the visa situation on the SIN - ROM sector.

One gets different answers from government websites, cruise critic posts, travel agents etc - and even the "official" ones are often very ambiguous!

One of the first posts on this thread for example (quoting email from O) says that

>> .....all guests are required to present the following items upon checking in for their cruise:

Myanmar Visa <<

I THINK this means that you have to present the application and photos - but reading it literally it actually says you have to have the actual visa!

This may be the view of the passengers that you have sailed with on other cruise lines but is definitely not the opinion of 99% of Oceania cruisers. Oceania's dining venues (except for the Terrace Café) are high end - both from a food, décor and service perspective. There are many cruise lines where you can wear whatever you want...... Oceania is not one of them.

Exactly.

There are legitimate differences of opinion with regard to some venues but the MDR and the speciality restaurants certainly expect a certain standard in the evening for good reason.

I personally don't object to smart shorts in the MDR at lunch or breakfast, nor at teatime.

I also don't think that a strict dress code is necessary for the concierge lounge, especially early in the morning when people go there to fetch coffee. It's not anything like a formal place.

But, as I said, there are bound to be differences of opinion regarding the less formal places.

Thanks for your reply.

 

I read the FAQ, and that's why I asked the question. The FAQ could easily be interpreted as not permitting shorts in the Terrace Cafe, as it says "For evening dining...", which does not exclude Terrace Cafe from the rule...after all you are dining there in the evening.

 

From practical experience I also know it's not uncommon for dress codes as presented on a cruise line's website to be different than how the dress code is actually enforced or interpreted on board. In fact I've seen the dress code vary by ship and itinerary on the same cruise line. I've been on Bermuda cruises where "Bermuda shorts" were permitted in dining venues that would normally not allow shorts on other itineraries. I put "Bermuda shorts" in quotes because the practical effect was to permit almost any type of shorts. It was likely the crew had no idea what wearing traditional Bermuda shorts normally entails. True Bermuda shorts are usually in pastel shades, and are traditionally worn with over-the-calf socks and a blazer.

 

To make a long story short (pun intended), I was looking for how the dress code is interpreted and enforced in practice, not what's written in the FAQ.

Sadly often the dress code is not enforced.

This sounds a bit stuck up, but there ARE limits! "Smart casual" can be more "casual" than "smart" at times.

We've seen one or two passengers who didn't appear to have changed their clothes all cruise, and one or two who wouldn't have looked out of place sleeping rough under the rail bridge.

One of the attractions of the Oceania product is the lack of formal evenings - don't pack a tie - but IMO the maitre D's should be more firm than they sometimes are.

We did back-to-backs on Sirena in June.

Obviously everyone's idea of what is good and bad is different, but many I talked to agreed that the revamping of Toscana and Polo is a mstake.

The Toscana "experience" is completely gone - as is that of Polo although less so.

Tuscan Steak has a most unwelcoming decor compared with the previous restaurants, and the faux wood flooring combine with bright lighting to provide a backstreet diner effect. The menu is a pale reflection of the other two, with many favourites disappearing.

Red Ginger has never held any attraction and to dispense with (especially) Toscana just doesn't work for us.

Jaques lunchtime menu in the MDR is perfectly adequate: after all you usually don't want to have a blow-out at midday, but I do wonder what is the value of the change.

Thank you for your full and objective review.

We were on that cruise as well and I agree in general with your observations.

Also with your shout out to Valentina :D

To get a larger cabin you may have to move up to a PH. The larger ships have veranda cabins that appear larger but I am not sure that they actually are.

The bathrooms though are much nicer and a bit larger. Also, they have 4 specialty restaurants which I think does make a big difference for us as Jacques (different from the Bistro on Sirena) is my favorite and separate Toscana and Polo are better than Tuscan Steak, IMO.

Do try the larger ships if you get a chance.

I fully agree about separate Toscana and Polo.

We are not fans of Red Ginger and to my surprise - because I had assumed otherwise - something like 30% of people I talk to are of the same opinion. We usually make reservations - because we can - and then exchange them onboard for the other(s).

On the small ships Toscana and Polo have great ambiance, and menus.

To attempt to make the small ships like the big ones is IMO a huge mistake. The Tuscan restaurant is neither of the "combined" ones: the decor is unfriendly and the menu is a very poor replacement for them. Gone is the "big cheese", many of the items we enjoyed and the experience is, sadly, just not the same. I know that most of the staff agree.

Oceania seems set on refitting the other three in the same way: I just hope that they get enough feedback to abandon this experiment. If it ain't broke.....