dwgreenlee

I fall back on one of my favorite sayings -- everyone is entitled to their own opinion, but no one is entitled to their own facts. You stated that Oceania should have been more forthcoming about the nature of the cruise, I stated facts that demonstrated they DID provide that information. You have put words in my mouth; my only comment about opinions was they have no merit when they fly in the face of facts.

The only real facts are those presented by the OP. You are not on the Cruise and you were not with the OP during the booking process. You do not know what information was presented to the OP by Oceania. I reject your claim that everyone is responsible to research the Oceania web site for details of other cruises (segments) that the ship is taking.

The OP went on the cruise with expectations that were not met. Oceania bears some responsibility for that. Not all expectations are justified but I would rather judge that for myself than you - who have no first hand knowledge of the situation - tell me, and worse, tell the OP what is not justified.

I appreciate the OP's input and the "lessons learned" will be of value to me in future booking considerations.

I have never seen that Don has suppressed the opinions of others. Nor is it true that he supports everything that Oceania does. He is as fair as they come and knows how to call them on any faults. (Not that he needs my help.)

 

You should rethink your comments ...

 

Many of us think OP had unjustified expectations ... which is not to say that she shouldn't voice her unhappiness since her cruise was not what she expected.

 

But a world cruise on a smaller ship is probably NOT going to be a world cruise on a larger ship ... and as I said about my QE2 cruise in 2003, most passengers there were taking segments, not the whole shot. That makes me think it's more usual that such is the case.

 

Maybe it's even more difficult for a large ship to fill it with passengers who are doing the whole world cruise ... How typical is it for ANY ship to have most people doing a world cruise as opposed to segments?

 

I'm asking!

 

Mura

I am willing to agree the discussion got a little overheated. Your point that the expectations may be unjustified has merit but it seems each reader could judge that. I strongly agree with your point that the OP should voice her own opinion but opinions not favorable to Oceania do not seem welcome here.

Oceania made it perfectly clear there were segments. Go to the Oceania web site now, and look up Insignia for the remainder of this year, and for next, and note how many variations there are -- some single segments, some Grand Voyages of multiple segments, and the world cruise itself. It was exactly that same way since July, 2013 when we first booked our world cruise. There was complete transparency, and one would have had to totally ignore the printed publications from Oceania and the company website to be ignorant of the facts. In the face of these facts, opinions have no merit.

I understand that only your opinion matters to you. However, the OP's input is of value to others including me. Everybody understands that there are segments. The question is does it feel like a B2B or does it feel like a world cruise? The OP noted the former. I have also noted your opinion that Oceania is perfect and nothing anyone says to the contrary has any merit.

How could Oceania know the OP's expectations? Why should Oceania bear any responsibility for an individual's misreading of the cruise? Are the OP's expectations realistic? Should the OP bear her own responsibility for research?

 

The OP said her previous World Cruise on HAL had "some" segmenters. What is the difference between some and more? Would not both require stops to get on and off? Or, were the world cruisers on HAL so snooty they ignored the segmenters?

The difference, as reported by the OP, was that HAL felt like a world cruise and Oceania felt like a bunch of B2B stuck together. The long and the short of this is that the OP reported HAL met expectations and Oceania did not. That is valuable information.

You like everything Oceania does, and that is fine, but it is not helpful when you try to suppress the opinions of others.

The original world cruise was to begin last January in Miami and travel 180 days back to Miami again. We're all aware of the tragic fire that canceled almost half of the cruise. Those of us who were booked on that cruise had three options -- cancel entirely, fly to Singapore and pick up the last portion of the cruise, or re-book for January, 2016. Because Singapore was one of the segment turnover days in the original cruise, several guests had elected, with their original bookings, to start there.

 

After the fire and repair, the segments beginning in Singapore were offered at reduced rates.

 

I'm curious if suesl was booked on the original 180 day world cruise intended to begin last January, and elected to make the best of it from Singapore, or whether she booked just Singapore to Miami either before or after the fire. If she booked just Singapore to Miami, she was just one of the segmenters.

It does not matter. The OP expected a seamless world cruise but reported the experience was more like a collection of back-to-back cruises. This is a valuable observation to share. Also, regardless of circumstances, Oceania bears some responsibility for not meeting the OP's expectations.

Let's see -- starts in Miami, ends in Miami, going in just one direction -- passengers can book through the entire 180 days -- no one has to do segments -- the entire voyage was available for at least a couple of months before segments opened up -- if it had sold out as a world cruise, there would not have been room for segment guests. Sounds like a world cruise, to me...

 

I, for one, am glad there are segments -- we have several friends who could not do the entire 180 days, but will be joining us for one or more segments. I can hardly wait!

Yes and a direct flight is not always a non-stop but the Airline makes it clear if there are stops or plane changes. It is clear you like everything Oceania does - and I am glad for you. However, there are other opinions that have equal merit. Again, I thank the OP for sharing their experience. r/Don

The OP makes legitimate points in that (1) a "World Cruise" should be more than a collection of segments and (2) a "World Cruise" should not reset every couple of weeks due to boarding a new set of passengers. I understand that some folks will get on and off but they should be few and far between. Seems to me that Oceania is simply doing cruise segments that - if you stay on long enough - just happens to go around the world. Oceania should make it very clear in the marketing that is it not a true world cruise.

I thank the OP for posting as this is important information to consider when booking.

This (Dutch, sorry) http://nos.nl/artikel/600218-reders-beveiliging-piraten-urgent.html that summarizes an interview with a lobbyist for Dutch shipping companies says "The Netherlands is the only country left that does not allow private security on ships. The pirates are supposed to be handled by Dutch marine but they cannot handle the job and are too expensive at 5000 euro/day. She wants the law changed but that will take a while."

 

If that is (still) the actually situation (the article is from January last year) I'm not sure I'd want to be on a (Dutch flagged) HAL ship sailing near Somalia.

Not sure how current this is but the attached link shows the flag state regulations of armed security. It agrees with what you said. There is also the option to have the armed security follow in a patrol boat of another flag.

http://www.ics-shipping.org/docs/default-source/Piracy-Docs/comparison-of-flag-state-laws-on-armed-guards-and-arms-on-board3030D998A844.pdf

I've booked the Msr 26th date but now I'm questioning myself as I have no clue as to whether these drydock things run on schedule or is there a possibility at the last minute the Mar 26 week could be cancelled. The business class airfare I'm looking at is about $8 thousand for the two of us so to book & then find cruise was cancelled would not be good.

Taking a post dry-dock repositioning cruise is not without risk. It is unlikely the cruise would be canceled - no more risk than any other cruise - but a day or so delay leaving the shipyard is possible. This would just cost you one of the port calls in HI. What is more likely - almost certain actually - is that there will be some ongoing completion and clean up work that will close some normal passenger areas.

It looks like a great cruise. I am already booked or I would take it.

I really don't care, actually, if the company is American, Italian, or from tim-buc-too......When I vacation I follow the rules of the ship, the hotel, the campground, the airline, the bus, the train, etc.....no matter what country it's in, who owns, it, etc. I simply follow the rules.

 

Harriet

Most people want to follow the rules. The discussion in this thread is (1) just what are the rules and (2) how are they communicated.

NCL clearly wants you to pay the service charge - if you are actually required to do so is the question. Some folks would like to remove the charge and tip directly - is this acceptable? Clear as mud to me.

NCL also adds 18% to bar, spa, specialty restaurants, etc. but offers a line on each bill for "additional tip" - in Teppanyaki they offer a "chefs tip" and "Server tip" line. Should you feel obligated to add money after paying both the service charge and the 18%? Should you feel cheep by not leaving a third tip (and a forth if in Teppanyaki)?

I do not have the answers but this is good discussion that is more complicated that just following the "rules" or doing what is "American."

Although what you have stated is true, NCLH headquarters is based in Miami, so technically it IS an "American company".

I do not consider any company that - (1) is foreign incorporated, (2) employees mostly foreign workers, (3) registers and flags it's major capital assets in foreign countries, (4) has extensive foreign owners and extensive foreign financial transactions and (5) does everything possible to operate without paying US Taxes - to be an "American Company".

I am not stating any objections to this situation - just noting that you should be very aware you are leaving "America" when you step on-board.

The location of the "Headquarters" does not mean much especially since the UK site it is listed as London, England, the German site lists it as Wiesbaden, Germany, etc.

NCLH stock is traded on NASDAQ...it most certainly is a corporation and hasn't been a partnership since it went public on January 18, 2013.

 

Genting, while still holding a substantial amount of NCLH stock, is no longer NCLH's largest stockholder and no longer has any seats on NCLH's board of directors. Genting has been selling its NCLH stock to the extent it's permitted to and not long ago purchased Crystal Cruises.

 

NCLH's corporate headquarters are in Miami. However, as you state US taxation of NCLH is minimized because of its incorporation in Bermuda and flagging of all its ships other than POA in foreign countries. NCL ships and the three Regent Seven Seas ships currently in service are flagged in the Bahamas. Oceania's ships are flagged in the Marshall Islands, as will the Regent Seven Seas ship currently under construction.

 

Of course the foreign incorporation and flagging is in no way unique to NCLH. The other US-headquartered major cruise line holding companies, Carnival and Royal Caribbean, do the same.

My statement was that NCL Holdings was not an American Corporation - it is clearly a corporation incorporated under the laws of Bermuda.

I agree this is not unique - Carnival is incorporated in Panama and RCI is incorporated in Liberia.

My only point here is that I do not consider any company that - (1) is foreign incorporated, (2) employees mostly foreign workers, (3) registers and flags it's major capital assets in foreign countries, (4) has extensive foreign owners and extensive foreign financial transactions and (5) does everything possible to operate without paying US Taxes - to be an "American Company".

I am not stating any objections to this situation - just noting that you should be very aware you are leaving "America" when you step on-board.

However the COMPANY's home base is located in Miami. NCL is an AMERICAN company - regardless of where their ships are registered.

 

Harriet

NCL Holdings is incorporated in Bermuda, the major stockholder is Genting Group of Hong Kong, and the ships (excluding POA) are registered and flagged in the Bahamas. NCL Holdings is a "partnership" (not even a corporation or LLC) for US Tax purposes and the vast majority of their employees are not Americans. They do have offices in Miami as well as other parts of the world. Not sure what makes you think this is an American company.

Carrying/using firearms on a merchant (non-sovereign) ship is generally a function of the following (some already noted in this thread):

1. The policies of the shipping line (ship's owner/operator) and insurance carrier

2. The flag state laws and regulations on firearms and use of deadly force

3. Port state - and sometimes even coastal state - regulations on the transport and storage of firearms

4. The types of weapons embarked (i.e. military style, automatic, etc.)

5. The weapons storage facilities onboard

6. Training and possible licensing of the gunners

If the ship is sovereign then a port state may grant or deny entry (or in some cases a coastal state grant or deny passage) but generally cannot inspect the ship or weapons carried.

US Flagged ships may carry weapons in accordance with the second amendment to the US Constitution - subject to applicable port and coastal state regulations. Further, section 912 of the US Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2010* limits the liability of "An owner, operator, time chartered, master, mariner, or individual" (i.e. passenger) of a US ship using force against pirates.

As noted in this thread Cruise ships can and sometimes do embark special armed security teams. It was widely reported that the Costa Allegra - which broke down and was towed to port - had an embarked Italian Navy security team.

Of interest, merchant vessels transiting high risk areas often place the terms "armed guards" or "armed security on-board" in the destination field of the AIS transponder.

So, what we need is a US Flagged sovereign ship with some "good old boys" with long guns (I recommend the Barrett m82) for one of those "social impact" cruises - with the message "make my day" in the AIS transponder.

r/Don

____________

* Public Law 111–281 of October 15, 2010, Codified as 46 U.S. Code § 8107.

Plus 1..why would anyone care how Oceania runs there business if it doesnt affect them??

Jancruz1

Actually the offer affected the OP more than this tread affects you. The OP received and unexpected email that she had to evaluate and make a decision on. The format of the email can even be misinterpreted to mean that you have to take some action. The first one I received alarmed me.

On the other hand, you had to take positive action to open and read this thread. Everybody is entitled to express his or her concerns.

r/Don

What's the deal with Oceania overbooking and then offering ridiculous offers to cancel your current reservation? My TA told me that all cruise lines overbook with the belief that passengers will cancel to accommodate the overbooking. However, I was just offered full refund and monetary compensation to give up my current reservation. Seriously, this is a little concerning. I have been on over 20 cruises and have never had this issue, so I'm thinking that Oceania has more of a problem with overbooking than other lines. Since I can only cruise certain times of the year, cancelling my reservation is not that easy. Hopefully, some retirees will see the cancellation offer as something great!

Thanks for posting your thoughts and experiences. Any discussions of Oceania's booking or business practices is of interest to me - especially considering the NCL Holdings acquisition. I travel 6 cruise lines and can count on one hand the number of upgrade, up-sell or buy-back offers I have gotten from the other five. Oceania is my least traveled line and I cannot count the offers I have gotten from them alone - even taking my shoes off. I do not mind them - it is just curious how many there are. r/Don

The Cruise Vacation Guide along with the all important luggage tags arrived today. It came via Federal Express rather than the normal US Postal Service.

Thanks to all who offered suggestions, inquired on my behalf, and shared their experiences.

In fairness to Oceania, I do note the documents arrived before their stated 3 weeks delivery times. That said, I consider this cutting it a little close especially for anyone starting travels before the cruise or anyone living outside the US. Other cruise lines provide the information much sooner - for example, today I also printed my documents and luggage tags for my Princess departure 25 Aug 2015 from Southampton.

I am going to stop whining now because I am really looking forward to boarding Insignia. r/Don

That looks nice. I'm sure it'll make it to your stateroom.

 

I'm not sure on Oceania but many cruise lines use different colors for different sections of the ship to help the crew sort the luggage quicker and get it to your cabin quicker. A homemade tag might slow down delivery a little bit, but so would the generic ones that a porter fills out.

 

I've never failed to receive my luggage tags from Oceania, but then again I have a good TA that makes sure everything is taken care of;).

 

Enjoy your cruise.

Some of the big boys even use bar codes now. This is the first time on any of the seven cruise lines and in 55 cruises that I have not had luggage tags at the 4 week mark - mailed documents, electronic documents, using TAs and not. I have the luggage tags for my Carnival cruise that departs Feb 2016 - and have had them for several months.

Thanks for your input and good wishes. r/Don

There can be a number of factors at work here, these are the most common:

 

1) Some Travel Agents uniformly input only the Agency email address.

 

2) Does the client have a current, working email address on File with O? New Reservations are often made in such a way that information is carried over from prior bookings.

 

3) Passengers may have settings on their Email Account Spam filters which block bulk Email messages. (bulk email (UBE), is a subset of electronic spam involving nearly identical messages sent to numerous recipients by email).

By definition, the Final Docs email would also involve sending hundreds of nearly identical emails to numerous recipients....you do the math. ;)

 

4) ) Email Account Spam filters almost always screen for suspected Phishing Links, and the Final Docs email will necessarily include a number of Links back to the O Site.

Check your Spam Folder!

In 2012 the final vacation summary came from:

Oceania Cruises ocfaxserver@oceaniacruises.com

I suggest adding that address to your contacts to avoid some of the spam filters. The final documents were emailed on May 21, 2012 for a June 11, 2012 departure - about 3 weeks in advance. If you get the mailer then the email document is redundant - which could explain TAs not forwarding it. If you do not get the mailer or the email you can still use an invoice to access the port.

As of yesterdays mail. We are on the same cruise and we have not received any documents and today is four weeks out.

Thanks for sharing your status. Attached is my home made luggage tag. If you send me an email - dwgreenlee {at} aol {dot} com - I will forward the Power Point file. r/Don

Do not give up hope. We had a ring left in our cabin safe. A few days into the cruise our cabin attendant stopped in and ask to check the safe - we had not used it. Sure enough, the ring was there and soon on its way back to its owner. The NCL lost and found process took a few days but did work. r/Don

On an Oceania trip out of Miami, we flew in the day ahead but waited to tag our luggage until the time came to drive to the pier. Getting ready to leave the hotel, we discovered the luggage tags had fallen out of the back of the booklet.

 

When we arrived at the pier, the following happened: The luggage handler who pulled our suitcases from the taxi shouted the name of one particular luggage handler. This fellow has a pocket stuffed with luggage tags. I don't even think that same fellow had a magic marker to write in the stateroom number -- just an ordinary ball point pen -- but the tags worked. Under the circumstance, we were happy Oceania had some back-up system.

 

Frankly, since you know in advance there is a potential problem, I suggest you take a couple of pieces of white cardboard, cut out tags, use a bold marker and write in the following: name of the ship, embarkation date, stateroom number, and your name. That's what's on the official tags. Then affix string to the cards.

 

Not quite as pretty as the official Oceania thing, but being prepared may de-stress the situation. AFter all, you've said you've got the important cruise docs. The porters can match your ID to the list of names for that cruise and take your luggage from you without hesitation even if the problem never gets resolved.

 

I assume Oceania has the same system in place in any port from which they embark.

Good suggestion. I think I will do a little power point work and make up some tags - like you said they will not be official but they will get the bags to my cabin in the event Mr. Murphy is part of the porter process.

I really expect the booklet and tags will show up - if later than expected. I was just concerned because things were not proceeding as they had in the past. The production problems Oceania is experiencing is unexpected and has confused even their reps - even professionals like things to follow normal processes.

Thanks for sharing your experience and suggestion. r/Don

A good TA, familiar with the cruise line, will talk to the proper person and get the straight facts, and not give you 2 or 3 or more guesses like the above representative did. They can't solve the problem if it's outside Oceania, but they can get you the correct answer. Knowing what is happening is half the battle. They can also get you luggage tags, even if they are hand written (I actually had that happen). I've had problems like this; I just call and they take it from there.

You are beating a dead horse. I did not use a TA, I am not going to use a TA, and I am glad you are happy with yours. Not to be rude but there is another thread on the merits of TA's - I am trying to sort out luggage tags. r/Don

As I mentioned before the porters will have extra tags at the port

just tell them you do not have them when you drop your bags they will give you some

 

In our experience the Final Docs are emailed as Jan said about 3 wks prior

The Cruise Planner can arrive 4-8 wks prior usually we get it about 6 wks

Two different items

 

Just take your final invoice to show them at the port ..Miami people are pretty strict about seeing something to show you are on the cruise

Same thing in Montreal a few weeks ago

I do not like getting the tags from porters. Not only does it slow down check-in but the haste of the situation provides Mr. Murphy an opportunity - especially if all the passengers show up w/o tags. Not off to a good start. r/Don

So much conflicting info. Just talked to an Oceania phone supervisor who said our "cruise planner" (the folder with the printed luggage tags) for a 7/7/15 departure has not yet been sent out and it should be closer to the three weeks cited in the O web FAQs. Sometimes they'll go out sooner. But, right now they're actually running a bit late.

Didn't ask about any priority based on cabin class, which could also account for different arrival times.

Also, to squash another rumor, she said there is no immediate intention to move to "print your own" tags.

Thanks for the data point. Since I am flying to Florida a week early I have one less week for them to arrive. Not good. R/Don