Just wondering …….

[Vallesan]

2 minutes ago, lackcreativity said:

As a loyal Viking cruiser, my consideration of Oceania is not driven by disappointment with Viking per se, but rather a search for new itineraries. From what I have learned from the Oceania website, it was looking like a promising option. Even the change to the new Simply More seemed more a bonus than a turn off for us.

 

However, I must admit that spending too much time on this Cruise Critic thread has been raising all kinds of questions in my mind. I never put much stock in the "Best Cuisine at Sea" claim, but all the distress over port changes and times, along with the description of the ships as lacking the Viking openness to sea views are cause for concern. Casinos and Concierge Suites and butlers more of a turn off than a draw for us. Still, several itineraries and pricing are of interest. I will certainly work to manage expectations if we do decide to give Oceania a try. 

May I suggest you take a look at some of the videos on you.tube. There are lots of videos for all the ships and that’s the best way to find the difference in the ‘feel’ of Oceania ships compared with Viking.

 

Strangely, from the photos I’ve seen of Viking ships I don’t like the ‘minimalist’ look of Viking. Maybe I’m wrong!

[Harters]

46 minutes ago, Vallesan said:

the difference in the ‘feel’ of Oceania ships compared with Viking.

Ages back (maybe 12 - 18 months ago), I asked an open  "Viking vs Oceania" question on this forum. I also asked the same question on the Viking forum. Both provided interesting comparisions and the search facility should find them for anyone interested.

 

Our current strategy is to look forward to our forthcoming O cruise and enjoy it. We've then decided to have a very serious reflection. It may be that we decide we don't want to afford cruising in future. But, if we do, then does O continue to be where we want to be or might other lines, like Viking, suit better.

[edgee]

Important point is that Oceania has made some business decisions lately that are pretty customer unfriendly. Unwillingness to refund passengers for Riviera's  significantly altered and potentially dangerous Suez Canal/Red Sea itinerary after initially promising to do so as well as the Simply More shore excursion restricted credit are a couple of them. When you have a high expectation due to a company's excellent customer service record and they suddenly and uncharacteristically treat you in a way you perceive as badly it can be especially shocking and disappointing. In other words if Ritz Carlton or Nordstrom tells you to go to hell it can be a lot more shocking and disappointing than if same message comes from Motel 6 or Big Lots.

[Vallesan]

39 minutes ago, Harters said:

Ages back (maybe 12 - 18 months ago), I asked an open  "Viking vs Oceania" question on this forum. I also asked the same question on the Viking forum. Both provided interesting comparisions and the search facility should find them for anyone interested.

 

Our current strategy is to look forward to our forthcoming O cruise and enjoy it. We've then decided to have a very serious reflection. It may be that we decide we don't want to afford cruising in future. But, if we do, then does O continue to be where we want to be or might other lines, like Viking, suit better.

Sounds like a plan!

[Vallesan]

8 minutes ago, edgee said:

Important point is that Oceania has made some business decisions lately that are pretty customer unfriendly. Unwillingness to refund passengers for Riviera's  significantly altered and potentially dangerous Suez Canal/Red Sea itinerary after initially promising to do so as well as the Simply More shore excursion restricted credit are a couple of them. When you have a high expectation due to a company's excellent customer service record and they suddenly and uncharacteristically treat you in a way you perceive as badly it can be especially shocking and disappointing. In other words if Ritz Carlton or Nordstrom tells you to go to hell it can be a lot more shocking and disappointing than if same message comes from Motel 6 or Big Lots.

Yes I see and understand.

 

I think we all need to cut all cruise lines a bit of ‘slack’.

 

Very unusual times. Lots of cruise ships looking for new ports, all missing Suez.  Lots looking into the same ports to berth but only so many places for ships to berth.

 

I don’t think that this is anything to do with ‘business’ decisions but rather a scramble to finds ports to dock in!

[RPen63]

23 hours ago, pinotlover said:

FWIW, just got notice that Oceania had cancelled one of our few scheduled ship tours. It was the only tour they offered over 4 hours, in that port, and the only one remaining ashore until 4:00 with a currently scheduled 5:00 departure. Why do I have a feeling we’ll be notified, once aboard, of schedule changes? 😤

Reasonable conclusion based on my experience, however be happy if you are advised of the change in some fashion other than noticing a new arrival / departure times in the Currents the night before!

[edgee]

1 hour ago, Vallesan said:

Yes I see and understand.

 

I think we all need to cut all cruise lines a bit of ‘slack’.

 

Very unusual times. Lots of cruise ships looking for new ports, all missing Suez.  Lots looking into the same ports to berth but only so many places for ships to berth.

 

I don’t think that this is anything to do with ‘business’ decisions but rather a scramble to finds ports to dock in!

I disagree.Decision to renege on promise made to customers for refund option on Red Sea cruise is absolutely inexcusable and was a business decision. Similarly to raise prices and include shore excursion credit as part of Simply More was a business decision. To make matters worse, O added the restricted shore excursion credit and, based on our experience on Vista where I am currently  passenger, have done little to beef up shore excursion options or capacity to deal with increased demand they are forcing. 

[Hanoj]

1 hour ago, edgee said:

I disagree.Decision to renege on promise made to customers for refund option on Red Sea cruise is absolutely inexcusable and was a business decision. Similarly to raise prices and include shore excursion credit as part of Simply More was a business decision. To make matters worse, O added the restricted shore excursion credit and, based on our experience on Vista where I am currently  passenger, have done little to beef up shore excursion options or capacity to deal with increased demand they are forcing. 

 

This.

 

Seems indicative of a disturbing trend regarding Oceania. While I fully sense the halcyon days of cruising are past (for a host of reasons affecting the entire industry), perhaps never to return, I'm not willing to cut any company slack for poor treatment, which includes how changes affecting me are communicated, both in regards to transparency and timeliness. 

[clo]

2 hours ago, edgee said:

In other words if Ritz Carlton or Nordstrom tells you to go to hell it can be a lot more shocking and disappointing than if same message comes from Motel 6 or Big Lots.

Excellent point, excellently made. Thanks.

[1985rz1]

On 2/5/2024 at 4:05 AM, Vallesan said:

I’m  ’Just wondering…’ why do so many people, who seem really unhappy with Oceania, in general, continue to ‘bash’ the brand. For what reason?

 

On 2/5/2024 at 4:28 AM, Harters said:

Folk like to complain. Simples.

 

 

And the core focus of many of the posters here and other other lines (and social media, in general) is revealed.

[pinotlover]

5 hours ago, 1985rz1 said:

 

And the core focus of many of the posters here and other other lines (and social media, in general) is revealed.

A lot of it is the “ Eye of the Beholder “ thing.

 

If I report that I had eight (8) really good meals aboard ship, and two (2) mediocre ones; to the Cheerleaders I’d be a complainer; and to others I’d merely be giving a balanced accurate account..

[cruisemom42]

On 2/4/2024 at 12:05 PM, Vallesan said:

I’ve been following the posts on these threads for several months now.

 

I’m  ’Just wondering…’ why do so many people, who seem really unhappy with Oceania, in general, continue to ‘bash’ the brand. For what reason?

 

Why don’t they just find another line?

 

I have several thoughts about this.

 

To answer your specific question:  For some people, "breaking up" with their favorite cruise line is apparently like breaking up with their BF/GF or spouse -- it's a difficult process, there is disbelief, disappointment, grief...and they "process" it here.  

 

It seems to happen on other lines as well where people closely identify with their favorite line and/or it is the only one they've sailed with for the majority of their cruises. I've seen it on other forums as well. Celebrity and HAL in particular seem to attract the same types of anguished complaints about things not being like they were in the "good old days".  (Is it possible that HAL and O cruisers are older?)

 

However, I also think that in general, O cruisers who post here seem to have a bit of a different dynamic than on other boards. I sense a "one-upmanship" at play; almost as if posters have to show off how much they know about food or wine or single-malt scotch or what-have-you. To praise O too much would risk making one look naive or easily satisfied. 

 

This all extends back much further than the introduction of SM. I've been reading the O boards for years and was always put off enough by the critical and clubby comments that I didn't pursue cruising with the line until recently. 

 

 

 

[Vallesan]

10 minutes ago, cruisemom42 said:

 

However, I also think that in general, O cruisers who post here seem to have a bit of a different dynamic than on other boards. I sense a "one-upmanship" at play; almost as if posters have to show off how much they know about food or wine or single-malt scotch or what-have-you. To praise O too much would risk making one look naive or easily satisfied. 

 

This all extends back much further than the introduction of SM. I've been reading the O boards for years and was always put off enough by the critical and clubby comments that I didn't pursue cruising with the line until recently. 

 

 

 

Really interesting comment. I must admit I’ve not noticed ‘one-upmanship” but then I’ve not been reading multiple boards for years so not really qualified to assess.

 

If you want to see REAL ‘one-upmanship’ take a look at the Silversea boards!

I read Oceania, Seabourn and Silversea boards because they are our preferred lines, but I have never met any of the ‘types’ of people spoken about on these boards. All the people we have ever met cruising have been regular nice people! 

 

[Harters]

38 minutes ago, cruisemom42 said:

To praise O too much would risk making one look naive or easily satisfied. 

I could trot out the number of MIchelin starred restaurants I've been to over the years but it would have no relevance to discussing O's food. I do, however, consider that if an O dining venue was a restaurant at home, would we go back to it. And, generally speaking, we wouldnt (except Toscana which is as good as the Italian place we go to regularly). 

Edited February 9 by Harters

[EJL2023]

2 hours ago, cruisemom42 said:

 

I have several thoughts about this.

 

To answer your specific question:  For some people, "breaking up" with their favorite cruise line is apparently like breaking up with their BF/GF or spouse -- it's a difficult process, there is disbelief, disappointment, grief...and they "process" it here.  

 

It seems to happen on other lines as well where people closely identify with their favorite line and/or it is the only one they've sailed with for the majority of their cruises. I've seen it on other forums as well. Celebrity and HAL in particular seem to attract the same types of anguished complaints about things not being like they were in the "good old days".  (Is it possible that HAL and O cruisers are older?)

 

However, I also think that in general, O cruisers who post here seem to have a bit of a different dynamic than on other boards. I sense a "one-upmanship" at play; almost as if posters have to show off how much they know about food or wine or single-malt scotch or what-have-you. To praise O too much would risk making one look naive or easily satisfied. 

 

This all extends back much further than the introduction of SM. I've been reading the O boards for years and was always put off enough by the critical and clubby comments that I didn't pursue cruising with the line until recently. 

 

 

 

I tend to agree with your one upsmanship comment. I really don’t think there are too many of them, but…….they just seem to post multiple times on nearly every thread. I think some just want to make sure everyone knows whatever they say is really the only way to approach anything because they are…uh, you know self proclaimed savvy travelers and how could any of us possibly navigate the cruise world without their input. My opinion only. 

[mamaclark]

On 2/8/2024 at 3:58 PM, clo said:

Excellent point, excellently made. Thanks.

This made me laugh! Good one! I have often wondered if some of the comments come from "plants" from other cruise lines. Anyone else?

[Snaefell3]

4 hours ago, mamaclark said:

This made me laugh! Good one! I have often wondered if some of the comments come from "plants" from other cruise lines. Anyone else?

Not so much as from other cruise lines… "tortious interference" and all that.

But fans of other lines?  Oh, yea and verily!

[daydreamer62]

On 2/10/2024 at 3:07 AM, pinotlover said:

A lot of it is the “ Eye of the Beholder “ thing.

 

If I report that I had eight (8) really good meals aboard ship, and two (2) mediocre ones; to the Cheerleaders I’d be a complainer; and to others I’d merely be giving a balanced accurate account..

But if you fall to mention the eight good meals and only mention the two mediocre meals you are telling a different story altogether. That's what many on this board do.

 

[clo]

On 2/9/2024 at 8:24 AM, cruisemom42 said:

This all extends back much further than the introduction of SM. I've been reading the O boards for years and was always put off enough by the critical and clubby comments that I didn't pursue cruising with the line until recently. 

 

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^