The A Train Posted August 15, 2018 #226 Share Posted August 15, 2018 Speaking of yesterday's news, how about comparisons of Crystal and Viking to "O" which do not belong on this thread.....too many times to quote! And, how about almost everything else on these boards......Cuba cancelled ports, new itineraries, the R ships versus the O ships, GDR menus, times for meet and greet etc.!. And, especially from those with 5000 plus posts, some of them with almost 10,000, and, most of them also meaningless. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RJB Posted August 16, 2018 #227 Share Posted August 16, 2018 Maybe amenity changes are now yesterday’s news and all that needed to be said about it was already said (in several threads)?It is what it is and will not change with more complaining about it. We can accept it or move on to another line - like some here are “threatening” to do. :) If we complain about it enough than maybe something will be done about it. Moving on is not the only option. Still need to get in the face of O without the threat but to convince them that is the wrong way to go. At one time Mr. FDR read these boards and maybe he still does. Hope so. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Go-Bucks! Posted August 16, 2018 #228 Share Posted August 16, 2018 If we complain about it enough than maybe something will be done about it. Moving on is not the only option. Still need to get in the face of O without the threat but to convince them that is the wrong way to go. At one time Mr. FDR read these boards and maybe he still does. Hope so. Maybe the loyalty cutbacks are helping to fund the refurbishments so that fares don't have to go up as much?? Just a guess. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Go-Bucks! Posted August 16, 2018 #229 Share Posted August 16, 2018 Speaking of yesterday's news, how about comparisons of Crystal and Viking to "O" which do not belong on this thread.....too many times to quote! And, how about almost everything else on these boards......Cuba cancelled ports, new itineraries, the R ships versus the O ships, GDR menus, times for meet and greet etc.!. And, especially from those with 5000 plus posts, some of them with almost 10,000, and, most of them also meaningless. Random thoughts??!! :o Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
acritic Posted August 16, 2018 #230 Share Posted August 16, 2018 From our point of view as relatively new O cruisers, the big perk when we make Silver is the free prepaid gratuities. While we realize the OBC will drop from $400 per cabin down to $250 per cabin, the amount of refundable OBC our new TA gives us along with the OBC we get from NCL shareholder benefits, the loss of $150 OBC will not detour us from booking future O cruises. However, I'm glad we're switching from our current TA to one that only issues refundable OBC or a cash rebate rather than like our current TA which gives the free PPG issued by O as part of their compensation. I've heard you don't get the equivalent in OBC once you make Silver, but I could be wrong. One other cool thing you get with O is that you get the new perks when you start the cruise that moves you up a level rather than when you finish the cruise like most other cruise lines. would you elaborate on how oceania handles the perks --moving up a level--when you begin the cruise vs. when the cruise ends? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare LHT28 Posted August 16, 2018 #231 Share Posted August 16, 2018 would you elaborate on how oceania handles the perks --moving up a level--when you begin the cruise vs. when the cruise ends? If the booked cruise moves you into the next level say you have 4 cruises & #5 is your next cruise once you step on the ship you get the new perks for that level You do not need to wait until cruise #6 to get the perks Hope that make sense Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare ORV Posted August 16, 2018 #232 Share Posted August 16, 2018 Speaking of yesterday's news, how about comparisons of Crystal and Viking to "O" which do not belong on this thread.....too many times to quote! And, how about almost everything else on these boards......Cuba cancelled ports, new itineraries, the R ships versus the O ships, GDR menus, times for meet and greet etc.!. And, especially from those with 5000 plus posts, some of them with almost 10,000, and, most of them also meaningless. Say, did your Cheerios taste funny this morning? Lighten up Francis. :rolleyes: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hawaiidan Posted August 16, 2018 #233 Share Posted August 16, 2018 yes amenities are being decreased and awards everywhere. It used to be for 100,000 FF miles you could fly first class around the world.... Now 100,k gets you rt to NY from LA. .......... Marriott's just combined their program when they bought Starwood/ and all nights went up 10 to 20K points per stay. ..... Airlines award miles are now related to how many times a year you fly and how much you pay for a ticket. I used to get a Big Mac for .49 cents and fill up on 24 cent a gallon gas! That was then....this is now. What we loved about the past is not an insurance for the future. Well, cruise ships are in the same "Boat" , pardon the expression. What it boils down to Hotel, Flights or Cruises, is to me, what do you like.!!! If you liked the product before a change, and they did not alter the product but only the freebe benefits, it doesn't really change the basic product and why you originally selected it.does it ? Personally, I would rather get reduced extras ( many of which I would never use or want) and a more stable fare . Costs for everything go up...managers are faced with 3 choices 1. raise fares to cover costs 2. Hold fares somewhat but cut extras 3. keep doing the same in spite of rising costs and go out of business. (pick only 1) Going down the road at 60 mph looking in the rearview mirror to evaluate how to drive ahead is not going to work really well Change of any sort is an adversary we all must face form birth to death. There is nothing you can do but accept the reality that it will change and change again. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aruba Posted August 16, 2018 #234 Share Posted August 16, 2018 Lighten up Francis. :rolleyes: Is that from the movie "Stripes"? Who says it...Sergeant Hulka? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare ORV Posted August 16, 2018 #235 Share Posted August 16, 2018 Is that from the movie "Stripes"? Who says it...Sergeant Hulka? Yep, that's the one. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mura Posted August 16, 2018 #236 Share Posted August 16, 2018 In reading through posts I'd not seen before I had an idea about what to post ... but waited. And now I forgot what I wanted to say! But regarding amenities from various sources ... hotels, airlines, etc. I recently booked a one way flight home (LHR to NYC) after my April 2019 TA on Marina ends. I intended to use FF miles. UA wanted 155,000 miles for business class to Newark. AA wanted 57,000 miles for business class to JFK. That's quite a difference! It's possible the UA flight would be a better experience, but this time around I prefer to return to JFK PLUS paying an extra 100,000 miles didn't seem cost effective. If we were talking about a 14 hour flight I might have opted for the more expensive version ... but we aren't. Mura Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare pinotlover Posted August 16, 2018 #237 Share Posted August 16, 2018 Mura; Even though United is touting their new Polaris Class service, actually very few of the planes have been upgraded. The vast majority of US planes are still the older models with the older configurations. A bit of “bait and switch “. You did quite well scoring those tickets for 55,000 miles on AA. We’re you hit with the outrageous LHR exit tax on FF miles~$350? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mura Posted August 17, 2018 #238 Share Posted August 17, 2018 May well have been, but as far as I'm concerned that is the price of doing business. I'm still ahead! I should look at the fine details but it's been my belief that everyone has to pay that tax, so I assumed it would be in the mix. Mura Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare pinotlover Posted August 17, 2018 #239 Share Posted August 17, 2018 Everyone has to pay the exit tax even on FF miles. BC gets hit at a high luxury rate! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mura Posted August 17, 2018 #240 Share Posted August 17, 2018 For my 57,000 miles I'm paying "taxes and carrier imposed fees" of $293.71. AA didn't really break these down. UA DID, but their charges were virtually the same. So the main difference was in the FF miles the trip cost me. I'm planning on spending several days in London after the cruise, and willing to pay those taxes to leave the UK rather than going someplace else to avoid the fee. Mura Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paulchili Posted August 17, 2018 #241 Share Posted August 17, 2018 I'm planning on spending several days in London after the cruise, and willing to pay those taxes to leave the UK rather than going someplace else to avoid the fee. Mura If your friends lived elsewhere in UK - say Manchester or Edinburgh - then you could fly from there via LHR for same amount of FF miles but lower taxes (transit LHR vs departure from LHR). It might not apply to you but might be helpful for someone else in the future. PS I hope this post doesn’t upset The A Train too much :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mura Posted August 17, 2018 #242 Share Posted August 17, 2018 But she lives off Hyde Park ... Good to know, though! Once upon a time we flew from Manchester to Copenhagen. But that was then. Our Copenhagen friends are probably going to join us in London ... Mura Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hawaiidan Posted August 18, 2018 #243 Share Posted August 18, 2018 In reading through posts I'd not seen before I had an idea about what to post ... but waited. And now I forgot what I wanted to say! But regarding amenities from various sources ... hotels, airlines, etc. I recently booked a one way flight home (LHR to NYC) after my April 2019 TA on Marina ends. I intended to use FF miles. UA wanted 155,000 miles for business class to Newark. AA wanted 57,000 miles for business class to JFK. That's quite a difference! It's possible the UA flight would be a better experience, but this time around I prefer to return to JFK PLUS paying an extra 100,000 miles didn't seem cost effective. If we were talking about a 14 hour flight I might have opted for the more expensive version ... but we aren't. Mura Danger danger ok to fly in to UK on FF BUT!!!! Never fly out of FF miles the departure tax of FF flights in coach is $160 and 350 in business or First.... Think this through Mura Pay for the ticket out of UK to europe...dont get burned You can also score 60 to 70K tickets in UAL each way by waiting 3 to 5 days before you want to fly even in summer. I use UAL awards but pick flights on code share on Lufthansa or Austrian Try it.... you can cancel your AA points any time you score a better deal. in May booked a Zurich to LAX 6 mos out. Wanted to stay 3 more days no available seats under 155. So, 4 days prior , in Europe, I scored a 70K return allowing my 3 more days and canceled the other miles using them on my new flight. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hawaiidan Posted August 18, 2018 #244 Share Posted August 18, 2018 Everyone has to pay the exit tax even on FF miles. BC gets hit at a high luxury rate![/quote I knew UK had high taxes but you say BC Canada too!!! Good to know. Thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mura Posted August 18, 2018 #245 Share Posted August 18, 2018 Already done, Dan. And I didn't pay that much. Let's put it this way -- the cash outlay was less than using O's air but paying for a deviation and the PE upgrade. So I'm okay with it. Given my husband's desire NOT to travel anymore because of his vision problems, I doubt that I'll be traveling that much in the future either. I know that I can change my FF miles if I change my mind. At t his point, I don't even know if I can do this cruise. If Howard's vision continues to fail, I might not be able to leave him home alone. But under these circumstances, I don't think I'd want to take extra time to get elsewhere in Europe before going home. I'm already spending 4 days in London. I don't want to leave Howard alone more than that. Thanks for your suggestions, however! They are appreciated. Mura Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tropicalkerry2002 Posted August 18, 2018 #246 Share Posted August 18, 2018 Hawaiidan, in this instance, BC is business class.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hawaiidan Posted August 18, 2018 #247 Share Posted August 18, 2018 Already done, Dan. And I didn't pay that much. Let's put it this way -- the cash outlay was less than using O's air but paying for a deviation and the PE upgrade. So I'm okay with it. Given my husband's desire NOT to travel anymore because of his vision problems, I doubt that I'll be traveling that much in the future either. I know that I can change my FF miles if I change my mind. At t his point, I don't even know if I can do this cruise. If Howard's vision continues to fail, I might not be able to leave him home alone. But under these circumstances, I don't think I'd want to take extra time to get elsewhere in Europe before going home. I'm already spending 4 days in London. I don't want to leave Howard alone more than that. Thanks for your suggestions, however! They are appreciated. Mura Just thought of what you could do...and where they would get you. I posted elsewhere a premise that you seem to also embrace... That is do whatever it is now rather than later it will cost less and be more enjoyable and have less problems than the future, which no one can control. Case in point Health!!! As for cost its all relative I took a 36 day PH on Regent Marina 16 years ago for $18K Today the same would cost $88K. You can always get more money...you can not get more time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tropicalkerry2002 Posted August 18, 2018 #248 Share Posted August 18, 2018 You're welcome. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MalbecWine Posted August 18, 2018 #249 Share Posted August 18, 2018 “You can always get more money...you can not get more time.” No truer words have ever been said but so true. Live each day like it’s your last. Enjoy while you can. The relatives will just deal with less when we are gone. La vida loco. Live life NOW! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigmjh Posted August 24, 2018 #250 Share Posted August 24, 2018 On 'O' just enjoy what you get ... and don't waste time regretting what you don't get. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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