excited cruise traveler

A lot of the posts are of this topic are made by the so-called "Entitlement Society". People think they are either special or do not have to abide by business rules. I really do not feel for them, we have so far had 2 cruises w. Oceania cancelled, we took one FFC, opted for a full refund on another and  and are currently debating of either cancelling before the final pmt., get a full refund  or wait to see whether we will take another FFC or wait to see if Oceania cancels the cruise. The process was fair and efficient. Please you all, be more understanding of the current situation they are in. Oceania did not ask for this pandemic as well.

I am sorry that my post was quoted  under ORV on 3/17/2020 @ 12:47 pm, the post about our experience and cancellation policies are by "excited cruise traveler"

On 3/16/2020 at 5:24 PM, eldaradoe said:

Why is it not fair.... When you buy an airline ticket and the price changes are you able to get the better price? It's sucks but it's not Oceania fault and their policies regarding the corna virus is as good or better than most other lines.... Again it sucks but you have the credit to use. IMO

On 3/17/2020 at 12:47 PM, ORV said:

FWIW, Oceania final payment is based on length of cruise. It's not always the same time period. 

I don't quite understand the misconception about cancellation of a cruise. In your documents it lists all the conditions in ref. to time and penalties. If you cancel within 59 days of the cruise, you forfeit 00 % of the full fare.

We had two cruises cancelled due to COVID-19 and both times Oceania did either refund total costs plus any paid shore excursion, etc.  or a Future Cruise Credit of a certain percentage above the fare. Reimbursement was prompt and accomplished in a fair and good manner.  I am at a loss of why there is even a discussion about it.

Clo, obviously you have to book a new cruise for 2020, the cruise from Singapore to Rome is cancelled f. this year, but is on for 2021. Why would you think a 100 % refund for the cancelled cruise and 25 % for a new cruise booking f. 2020 is not generous??

I meant so say "next year" in my 2nd. paragraph, sorry!

We were booked on Nautica f. May 1, 20 and the cruise was cancelled. Nautica sent out E-mails to their individual passenger on 21 Feb noting that   100 % would be refunded for this cruise and a 25% discount for a future cruise in 2020

I believe this will create a good amount of good will for the cruise line. We have started the refund process through our TA and also booked another cruise for about the same time period. (South Pacific)We are long-time OC customers and hope to take the cruise from Singapore to Rome next, as it is already scheduled.

On 11/29/2018 at 3:45 AM, TLCOhio said:

Below is a real and fresh "UPDATE" as to our ship's position in the Red Sea and the current weather conditions.  It's a little cloudy outside, but the visual I just snapped on our cabin TV screen shows a temperature of 87F with a humidity of 79%.  Yes, I was correct in sensing these conditions earlier in the morning as to be hot and humid.  I am sure it will get even warmer by mid afternoon.  

 

We next arrive Sunday, December 2 in Salalah, Oman.  We will be in port there 10 am-6 pm.

 

THANKS!  Enjoy!  Terry in Ohio

 

Super loved different many parts of the Caribbean in 2015!!!  See more details and lots of great visual samples/examples at the link of "Barbados: Our Pix's, Experiences!":

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2262999

 

This visual below summarizes well our current ship/travel position (yellow downward arrow).  Tomorrow we will be approaching the potential "danger zone" as the passage narrows in going into the Gulf of Aden and then we will be closest to the pirates and/or others from Somalia, Yemen, etc.   Soon, we will be passing fairly new countries called Eritrea and Djibouti with their very exotic names.  Eritrea used to be a part of Ethiopia until 1991 and several decades of battles.  Djibouti had earlier connection with France until 1977.  This is an interesting and unique part of the world.  Glad that we will not be making any port stops in Yemen or Somalia.  Just keep on sailing to Salalah in Oman will be fine for our schedule!!:

(Open your screen/viewer wider to see these pictures larger/better!)

We have traveled with Hassan E. on a similar cruise and I am very happy to see your post and the info about his father as well. He is the BEST lecturer we have had on our numerous O'cruises. I still keep in touch with him from time and time and always hope that we will be able to see him again. He is a wonderful person to meet and know.

And, you blog is fantastic, I enjoy seeing the photos of places we have been and will be again next year on a cruise from Singapore to Rome. excited cruise traveler

On 7/21/2019 at 4:26 PM, californiacruisefreak said:

Cabin category was PH2.  Review should be posting.  I will warn you if sailing on Sirena not to expect a happy and dynamic crew.  The crew seems absolutely miserable.  The cruise directory makes his quick appearances and then disappears from the public eye quickly.  Something is broken with management on this ship.  Definitely not a cohesive or friendly crew.  There were many times that my group felt (this was universal) that we were inconveniencing the crew by being on board.  Mega management failure for such a beautiful ship.  We still will likely consider Oceania in the future, but with tempered expectations.  As a last note, we have experienced the indifference and at times rudeness of the crew on other Oceania ships as well.  VERY inconsistent.  

On 7/21/2019 at 4:26 PM, californiacruisefreak said:

Cabin category was PH2.  Review should be posting.  I will warn you if sailing on Sirena not to expect a happy and dynamic crew.  The crew seems absolutely miserable.  The cruise directory makes his quick appearances and then disappears from the public eye quickly.  Something is broken with management on this ship.  Definitely not a cohesive or friendly crew.  There were many times that my group felt (this was universal) that we were inconveniencing the crew by being on board.  Mega management failure for such a beautiful ship.  We still will likely consider Oceania in the future, but with tempered expectations.  As a last note, we have experienced the indifference and at times rudeness of the crew on other Oceania ships as well.  VERY inconsistent.  

We were on the Sirena two months ago, and none of the above descriptions apply, especially for management. We have been on O cruises many times, and have always had great response from total management and staff. But I have also witnessed some rude passengers that felt entitled to anything and everything. We traveled with another couple and they also DID NOT have described experience.

We totally agree on the crowd issue. We just got home from a Med. Cruise w. Oceania, and Santorini was a nightmare.

5 large ships anchored and no one was able to see, or enjoy Oia, it felt like a massive sports stadium had let out and everyone was headed to the parking lot. Been there in the past and did not remember this type of crowds and behavior. Waited 2 hrs.

for the cable car down to the tender area, arguments and even fights broke out, and there was absolutely no control of crowd (think of handicapped people, for which there were no preferred lines or accommodations). The Greek government nor Port Authority was totally absent, except to collect the fare for the downward ride (1 Person). It was truly awful and could very well be corrected. All other ports that Oceania went to were fine and the line has some new authentic ports in Greece, Sicily, and Spain. We loved this B to B - Venice to Rome and Rome to Monte Carlo. One needs to do their research.

Just got off the "Sirena", and loved the light colors, shower door, space was adequate, especially liked the better light in the bathroom, and above the desk, all in all, it has been a good refurbishment and upgrade in all regards.

Your comment is right on the money - "treat the staff like you would a friend and you receive outstanding service. We have never had an issue, quite the opposite.

This is in ref. to SOLD OUT on website excursions. Call Oceania direct and they may have a 2nd. group. I have this more than once. just last week for an excursion during the Australia circumference cruise. excited cruise traveler

Oceania has a "drink of the day" (published in "Currents") and two for one at cocktail hour and yes, their drinks are priced at high end, just as their wines - generally, the old motto of you get what you paid for - in totality - can be applied. There are always other and cheaper lines

I have to dispute the notion that OC's agents do not answer E-mails. I have dealt with more than one that have happily replied and gave me info that I wanted. Remember the echo that goes into the woods and comes back to you? It is a matter of tact and grace that helps.

Everyone needs to calm down a bit about the changes in Nov. 2019 - getting a "free cruise" after 20 cruise credits seems to be very generous. We are at the level and if you consider the financial savings on a 14-day cruise, which means you do sail for considerable less cost on that cruise I have no quarrel with it. This is not an entitlement, but a bonus. We rolled our 20th cruise cost into the next 34 days cruise and it felt like a good bonus/offer to us. The time frame of 18 months out is plenty of time to change plans if you are not happy with this cruise line. We are!!

Oceania has routed us on American Airlines from ATL to Philadelphia to Madrid to Venice. So does anybody know where we will clear customs/immigration???

BTW, very disappointed that Oceania booked us on 3 flight to just get to the ship.

You will most likely clear customs in the first European city, especially if you change airlines or flights.

How do I get a discount on shore excursions? The Cruise Vacation Guide for my upcoming 7 day Cuba cruise mentions the "Unlimited Passport Collection Package" that probably won't work for us. It also mentions the "Your World Collection Package", but says that it's not available.

 

My question is about the meaning of this statement: "Your cruise offers you the opportunity to save up to 40% when you reserve your Unlimited Passport Collection or al a carte shore excursions prior to sailing". Does that mean that I can get a discount by booking some shore excursions prior to sailing even though I don't buy the package? If so, how?

I just double-checked my shore excursions and OC website and I have to retract my answer. When I booked our shore excursions for Cuba the website still had the 25% diso**** f. add. excursions, it has now disappeared and you now can buy all the excursions for a fixed price. I had never seen this before, accept my apologies

Call Oceania Cruise Line and talk to a rep in ref. to shore excursions. usually you get a number of free excursions and book a number of add. excursions to qualify for the 25 % discount on the add. excursions. I have done this many times. Since Cuba is such a short cruise the OLife Choice was 2 free shore excursion and 3 add. shore excursions or maybe 4, that then qualified for the 25 % discount. You do not have to calll your TA, you can call them directly and book with Oceania.

FYI anyone that is booked on Sirena in May of 2019 for the 12 day cruise departing Barcelona on the 17th...just got an email from my TA that the refurbishment will not be completed on time and the new departure date is set for May 19. Toulon and Cannes will be skipped and this is now a 10 day sailing!

This cruise on Sirena leaves Barcelona on May 19, 2019 and goes from Barcelona to Venice, arrive in Venice on 29 May 2019

via Florence, Rome, etc. - according to the schedule on website of Oceania, re-check w. your TA

OMG!. :eek: We booked our first cruise with Oceania based on it’s reputation for fine service, entertainment, and cuisine. We normally cruise on Princess and Celebrity but wanted to try Oceania. We will be sailing Sirena in May 2018 for 8 day Cuba.

Are you saying the PAX demographic is really old, like in 70’s+? And the ship’s PAX, and entertainment boring?

Guess DW and I will find out soon enough.

Thanks for sharing your aweful experience.

We have traveled with Oceania on the Amazon River cruise, we knew we were in 3rd world locations, enjoyed every minute of the ports, have lived in Panama 30 yrs. ago and I sincerely think the negative comments and meetings with GM were not necessary. I hope this passengers remembers when he is 70+ that we does not want to be looked down upon. What an unkind person!! I am referring to the original poster boy's thread and I don't believe he will ever enjoy anything, do your research and open your mind, it might help!

Sorry, I left the word NOT out of sentence regarding 2019 cruise

cbb, sorry to hear about your med. problem, love your writing style as well and the positive attitude since so many people, including some replies, always see the glass as half empty instead of half full. Printed your description of Freemantle and made some notes on other items. We have a deposit on this cruise for 2018 since in 2019 they will do the circumference of Australia per Oceania rep. last week. Hope you feel very much better soon and continue your diary of this trip. Thanks so much for it. Carol C. (excited cruise traveler)

Three hours up to Dulles, three hours back. Worth it?

It is worth it if you fly internationally frequently during the year. Lines in ATL for instance are always long and just walking up to a kiosk scan your fingers and walk away is worth a $100.00 for 5 years. We have not regretted getting Global Entry so far.

We sailed on Insignia on her Cuba itinerary December 8 -15. Although having cruised around 15 times on mass market cruises (HAL, Celebrity, and Princess) this was our first Oceania cruise. I thought it might be helpful to others thinking about Oceania to have some feedback from a newbie.

 

Something about ourselves. We are retired, mid- sixties, both born in NYC boroughs, and now live in a New Jersey suburb. We choose a cruise primarily for the itinerary. Because of that, we don't have a higher tier loyalty level with any one cruise line. We do our own research and then have our TA book the cruise.

 

Somehow, we receive brochures from Oceania and Regent (along with all the other U.S, marketed lines) although we never sailed with either. When the Oceania brochure for the Cuba itineraries came last February, we booked this cruise immediately. We are normally balcony cabin cruisers, but because budget is a consideration for us too, after itinerary, we choose a C1 Oceanview, #4050.

 

The size of the cabin, on the small side, came as no surprise to us, but the size of the bathroom did! There was enough storage space but the sink is half size, the shower is barely big enough for an average sized adult, and the toilet is placed on a weird angle. Insignia sails the World Cruise. I can't imagine how someone can comfortably stay in that cabin for up to 6 months! On the other hand, even though the cabin was steps away from the Reception desk and Destination services, it was very quiet in the hallway. We never heard our neighbors either. All in all, the cabin was fine for 7 days, but for a longer cruise I would pick a larger cabin.

 

We found the food to be very good, and living up to Oceanla's reputation, not necessarily the best cuisine at sea, but certainly better than the mass market lines. Our first meal on board was at Waves Grill and the lobster/filet mignon sandwich did not disappoint. I tried to avoid the Terrace Grill except for the morning we had a very early excursion- its just too cramped and crowded at peak times. You could barely maneuver through the space between the two sides. The croissants, available both in the Terrace and GDR, are excellent. I enjoyed all my dinners in the GDR and the Polo Grill. Since we live in the land of Italian restaurants from pizza joints to upscale restaurants, Toscana didn't impress me. I found our meal to be just ok.

 

Speaking of shore excursions, this is my one really big issue with Oceania - its class system. We had decided because of the uncertainty about what the US government permitted and wouldn't permit us to do in Cuba, (as well as dealing with some medical issues at home which preoccupied us), to book only Oceania excursions. But, even though we booked the cruise in February, we couldn't book our excursions until sometime in August because of our low priority cabin status. I do understand their rationale, I just don't like it. In the end, we were able to get the excursions we wanted but I just don't like the system. Its the same way with specialty restaurants, although to be honest, on a 7 day cruise I could have easily had dinner in the GDR every night. I know its a different issue on a longer cruise.

 

I think I have written enough for one post. Overall, we enjoyed our cruise experience on Oceania very much. In some regards its very different from the mass markets, but in some, its similiar. If you have any questions, I'll be happy to answer.

Shore excursion come on-line 6 month ahead of cruise and there is no class system. You book early for things that are important to you and popular. Never had a problem

Ticketed

 

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I see that you received a multitude of replies and I am adding another one. We have been on 19 (so far cruises with Oceania) and have always booked our own air, at times a little less than O allowance, but most times air cost us more than their air allowance and I much rather choose my air itinerary and airline, seats, location and class but the flights are set in stone on the day and time I want, much less stress in the long run. Just a food for thought!!