TrainBonds

We have used romeinlimo for tours in Pisa, Florence, Rome and the Amalfi Coast with great success. Not the cheapest, but got us to the front of the lines in many places and let us basically design our own tours. Very friendly and professional - would use them again without hesitation.

I am not an Oceania cheerleader - only sailed on O twice. But I don't get it. Under the terms of the ticket contract, O could cancel and give you no compensation except a refund. Yet you complain that you get less compensation than those who experienced the trauma of a fire, loss of three lives, sitting for hours before a cramped flight home, and very delayed luggage return at best. I understand the disappointment of a cancelled cruise, but you are safe, at home, with many options of how to spend your holidays and travel. I am sorry you do not get to enjoy the vacation you planned, but I commend O for offering compensation at all. But, as I said, maybe I don't get it.

 

 

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I see no problem with it so long as you fully disclose it to your group. You have basically agreed to be a paid professional tour operator. No problem if disclosed and you don't advertise on cruise critic.


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In Janaury 2012 I was forced to cancel a Regent cruise while in the penalty period. At my travel agent's suggestion, I nicely explained the situation in an e-mail to RSSC and asked for any relief they could give me, recognizing that I had no right to any refund. I was given a credit for 50% of the deposit, to be used within one year. In their words, it was done as a gesture of goodwill. I greatly appreciated it, and it made me even more loyal to Regent. There are no guarantees, but it does not hurt to ask.

I know it is fun to poke fun at the major cruise lines on this board, but I would not be so quick to judge. I came up through the ranks from Royal Caribbean to Regent and Oceania, but I remember distinctly sitting at the Terrace on my first Regent Mariner cruise wondering what was the difference except not paying for my glass of wine. The casual restaurant seemed very familiar (although the food more skimpy) and I had to hunt a waiter down to get my wine. I have since become a convert to Oceania and Regent but I believe any day at sea beats a day on land and would go back to Royal Caribbean in minute if the alternative was not cruising. I had great waiters on the a Radiance that remembered me and recognized me cruise to cruise and I enjoyed the experience. Yeah, now that my kids are grown and I have some funds I enjoy Oceania and a Regent more but I would not hesitate to be on a Radiance class or smaller Royal Caribbean ship for my remaining days. I simply loved the sea and cruising.

I'm a partner with an international law firm, with a great practice and great clients. Been at the same firm for 33 plus years. But see people retiring and passing away all around me. May be at the peak of my career but all I really want to do is cruise. No pension of course. So when do you say enough? What life style will you be happy with? Too serious questions for a cruise board but the OP got me thinking. Age 59.