ORV

Thanks to the current OCA/ FCC onboard, Jenny Faust, we finally got our Platinum hats and bags on our 29th cruise. We’ve been told no by at least 3 other Ambassadors ever since they started this program. We were at 21 when they started this. Not really the hat and bag, but the principle.

And so it goes.

I answered this on another thread. I’d say no. They’ve got it figured out.

Just thought I’d start a new thread about the current 4-20 / 5-1 cruise. I wanted to separate any new comments from the previous thread. Anyone currently on this cruise feel free to post. Or not on this cruise feel free to chime in, except for that woman that’s always hijacking threads with personal nonsense. Halfway through. No missed ports. Mazatlan today. Weather is mid 80s and lovely. Repeaters partly tonight, looking forward to some free drinks.

Well let’s just say Oceania is not for everyone as well as Celebrity is not for everybody. I do tend to like them both but I’m aware of what the product is on both.

Since this is round trip LA it’s popular with locals since they don’t have to fly.

Don’t attribute too much negativity to my earlier reports. I was initially concerned about wine choices and berry provisions and a couple of other things. The food choices and quality have greatly increased. Perhaps it took a little time for them to be distributed through the proper channels. So far not real happy with the trivia, although that might sound trivial to some it’s important to some of us. I attribute that to lack of experience to a new CD on the job. He’s a nice young man but it’s not the style of trivia us regulars have been accustomed to. That hasn’t stopped us from having fun though. What do I like? The food has been up to the regular standards after a weak start. Our room steward has done a fantastic job. The Service, wait staff etc, for the most part has been excellent, with a rough patch here and there. One of our favorite bartenders, Baptiste, is in Martinis. Although we don’t have a drink package or have been going to HH, we know others there are in good hands. We don’t really go to the shows so have no input there. The activities are pretty much par for the course for Oceania. Should they rethink them and try to energize them some? Absolutely! What do I not like? Well, they brought back that Germain swill someone has called Champagne. Quite frankly Cooks is much better for a Sparkling Wine. On Marina we had Heidsiek. The Raymond Red blend is not on the by the glass menu like it was on Marina last month. Quite disappointed in that. You can buy a bottle for $50 though. Maybe they figured out it was too good for the by the glass menu, although it retails for 10-14 dollars a bottle. The bed is just not as comfortable as they always have been. We’re in a cheap room, Ocean view, but they’ve always been good here before. But, I hate to complain, so we’ll just call these observations. All in all we’re having a great time. One thing to consider is that the passengers are a heavy California mix. I’m not saying that’s bad, I love a lot of people from CA, but it not the standard FL, NY, TX, Midwestern people we normally see. It’s just a little different vibe. There’s nothing that will make me not book again in the future.

Actually I understand all of that. I just didn’t know if Bermuda was a distant foreign port.

For us ignorant people when is Golden Week? I’m sure I could google it.

Does Bermuda not qualify?

Are you still on board? Saw a lady last night that looked just like your picture.

As with many people I’ve noticed it’s not so much about actually having a question but more about thinking they’re showing just how erudite they are by asking one in the first place. When in truth they’re anything but. The world is full of insufferable people. And some nice ones.

Let me get back with you when I have a better internet.

Spotty internet, hard to reply. Let’s just say Oceania is not for everyone. There are some issues, but I don’t think it’s as bad as what’s being made out. If you need to be entertained then Oceania is not for you. If you are ok with your own company then you’ll be fine. But it’s obvious the product is not what it was 5 years ago. BUT, the sameness of the daily activities is pretty much what it’s been for the past 15 years. If that is an issue then you would never have liked it. This is not Celebrity, Princess, Hal, Royal or NCL. It’s low key, yes the demographic skews older, but there is a mix. Things are getting better as the cruise progresses.