Flatbush Flyer

Shame on you- You’ve not been reading all of my posts regarding Oceania. When there is something wrong or unacceptable, I post about it. Recently, I especially have been critical of one onboard Destination Services team and a particularly terrible Cruise Director. And, in general, I’m the first to admit that O’s policies regarding O Life, sales, combinable discounts etc. can be quite confusing to passengers (even some “regulars”). O has its own occasional problems (like any other cruise line or hospitality centered business. But, one thing is certain: if you’ve got a reasonable concern when you’re onboard AND you bring it to the attention of an appropriate crew member, s/he will do their best to remedy the situation.

OK - you’re forgiven for thinking out loud. Now, make a decision and, if you decide to finally go on an O cruise, come back and report about your experience.

In all this R-ship discussion of Renaissance/Princess, let’s remember that o spent $40 million to turn the then Ocean Princess into O’s Sirena.

We were in Marina for 7 weeks this past autumn. She looked fine. Her major zillion dollar NEXT makeover (last ship in the fleet to get it), which was scheduled to happen during the height of the Pandemic has been moved to spring 2024 (April?) The food was the usual food albeit with an occasional hiccup (due primarily to supply chain issues and, like all cruise lines right now, many new staff. That said, we have NY and SF standards and O always fits the bill. The biggest problem with Destination Services is there’s a lot of new staff. But, if you know the system for O Life and YWYW, they won’t give you a hassle. And, by now, they should be adequately schooled. But, if you have concerns based solely on chat room reviews and disregard the reality that more than 70% of passengers on any O ship are repeaters, you probably should stick with mass market ships.

No matter what knot you use, any kind of readily available “rubber band” (or string or yarn) is subject to breaking quickly, particularly if caught in any mechanized luggage mover at an airport. Cable ties are as close as you’ll come to the most useful “jury rig.”

You are very trusting of what is best described as a secondary source (the cruise line). IMO, far too much is at stake to not confirm requirements with primary sources (i.e., the actual authorities associated with any entity that could prematurely stop/end your travel). In addition to the above example of NSW/SYD’s cruise test requirement (different from the OZ, airline, and cruiseline’s own requirement) I’ve also seen currently incorrect cruiseline statements/notifications about type of visa required or other noteworthy specific info (which has often been changed or appended by authorities without sufficient notice to the public), though it is always accompanied by something to the effect of “YOU are ultimately responsible for doing what is required by all authorities.” A great current example of this is the tourist visa for the PRC. We have 10 year visas with multiple years still left. We’re headed to China w/i the next 12 months. We’ve already received a cruiseline notice that a valid PRC visa is required and “you are responsible….” As I have posted previously in this thread, I then did the obviously correct thing and confirmed with the PRC’s San Francisco Consulate what are the true current requirements for a PRC visa. Their reply: “Yes, valid PRC visa is required for cruise passenger visiting China. However, if you have a 10 year visa issued before the China visa office was closed due to Covid, your visa has been temporarily suspended and, at this point in time, you must reapply.” So, the cruise line has stated the correct requirement: valid PRC visa. But, only further research (as the cruise line stated in their responsibility disclaimer) finds that your valid visa is temporarily invalid (and that, of course, may take more than a year to change). So, once again, relying solely on a cruiseline website statement or email for anything that may be in a constant state of flux, is naive at best. BTW: related to this is another not unusual cruiseline “port” info item. Depending on your specific cruiseline, you may receive/download boarding passes and/or final docs stating the specific location of your embarkation location (often even including the pier number). And then it’s just your luck that a Port Authority changes that location within 24 hours of the ship’s scheduled arrival (due to port traffic or whatever) Yes, it happens (though only once to us so far). That’s why, no matter what a cruise line tells you, check exact ship location with the local port authority before you head to the ship on embarkation day. If nothing else, it’s just common sense.

Of course, a simple “please go on without me” (to both waiter and companions) would work just fine.

FRA is only one example. LHR is notorious for “issues” as are many other large connection hubs. And, of course, potential delays at any originating airport remains a major factor in determining reasonable layover times.

Agreed: No passport required (just like no travel insurance required). But, most savvy international travelers recognize their true value and don’t leave home without either.

Travel much? Read your T&Cs and Ticket Contract fine print. Whether it’s a cruise line, airline, regulated tour provider and/or TA, each one will have included language saying something to the effect that (regardless of what they may have told you) YOU are responsible for complying with the rules of appropriate authorities “door to door.” That said, I provided a perfect example of what is a common occurrence. Cruiseline websites and email itinerary notices are not necessarily updated on as regular (daily?) a basis as you may think - particularly when it comes to informing us of the requirements of every port to be visited. And, even if the info you receive today from a cruise-line is complete and correct, it could all change between now and your embark date (including tomorrow morning). If you could ask that line of folks (in my example) waiting for an unexpected $95 pier test, I bet you’d find a line of converts who will now pay attention to the fine print (as well as common sense).

Sorry but this is incomplete advice! After you check with your cruise line (where the only correct answer you may get regards it’s own test/vax restrictions/requirements). You should also find and contact the appropriate health authority for each country, state/region and port city on your itinerary regarding each of their rules including those specific to cruisers. Why? Here’s the perfect example: On a recent cruise that started in SYD, our cruise line notice indicated that there were no pre-cruise test requirement for OZ. But, the note also had the usual disclaimer reminding you of the passengers’ ultimate responsibility for complying with all rules of all involved authorities. As it turned out, the State of NSW did have a test required of all embarking cruisers. Imagine the surprise (at embark) of all those who didn’t heed the cruise line’s full instructions and/or didn’t know/understand that SYD is the capitol of NSW and, thus (as cruise passengers), they needed test results.

They would have.

Gee, flown intercontinentally much in the last three years? Sorry but, you can’t make a wholesale statement like that- given the continuing uncertainty of air travel- particularly as regards high traffic locations like Amsterdam. There’s a reason why short layover flights are considerable less expensive. Hopefully, your “wink” emoji was stating the humor associated with your “plenty of time” statement. Maybe Flyer Talker will weigh in here. I know that, when I’ve mentioned the minimum three hour layover on other threads regarding intercontinental/transoceanic flights, he’s often hit the “like” button.

See Post 31 (3 posts ago): FRA can be brutal in summer. Two trips ago (connecting from UA to Lufthansa on the way to BCN), just the line to get to the line for passport clearance (on another floor) was over a 1 hour wait. Add to that a late start from SFO (an hour delay) and we barely had time to hit the head and grab a drink at the Star Alliance bizclass lounge. We got to the Lufthansa gate just as loading began. That was the end of 3 hrs minimum for intercontinental connections for us. It is now 4 hrs for anything transoceanic in either direction from SFO.

Just to drive a point home. Our most recent cruise several months ago arrived at SYD two hours later than scheduled. Lots of folks who had booked early flights were scrambling to make changes.

FRA in the summer? Good news- great bizclass fares on UA for connections there going from US West Coast to elsewhere in Europe. Bad news- unending huge crowds with 3 hour layover being the absolute minimum one should do (we do 4 hrs minimum there).

I agree that usual best rates are bank ATMs in the local port region. Just make sure it’s an ATM and not a similar looking machine used by an exchange agency (like Travelex). And, if given a choice of using that bank’s exchange rate or your home bank exchange rate, it’s always a good bet the your US bank’s rate will be less. Most importantly, never use a credit card in an ATM machine since that withdrawal will immediately start interest accrual on your card’s outstanding balance. Besides the above, we do get some select countries’ cash depending on our arrival needs at that port (e.g., transfers, et al.). For that, we use our local bank which happens to have great exchange rates. And we seldom sell foreign currency back. Either we keep it for known future travel to that country or we use it for end-of-cruise gratuities - particularly when the ship’s upcoming itineraries will include the the same countries.

No need for holders. Our preferred cruise line provides pretty much “indestructible” self contained printed/plasticized tags. These are relatively new having replaced the former airline type luggage tags still used in most airports.

“Scheduled to dock” and “dock”’are often vastly different things. With or without border authorities in the mix, a 10:35AM flight is asking for problems.

Of course, there are other premium lines (e.g., Azamara [at least, prior to their purchase by Sycamore partners]) that have choice and true value. As for the bathroom size item you mentioned (on any of the former Renaissance ships), we (and most of the legion of O regulars) couldn’t care less about what is a well designed/well functioning space. In all honesty, I don’t know why some folks are so concerned with cabin (or head) square footage on a ship (or in a hotel). What matters most to us is the quality of the sleep experience (mattress, linens, etc) and cabin amenities and service as well as technology included.

I would say “many” (not most) are overly focused on a lower fare. However, “value” is a multi-dimensional item. One always should consider the quality of a product/service as much as the quantity in determining true “value.” For example, considering a transPacific non-stop flight of >15 hours? Coach fare may be >$1000 while bizclass may be >$3000. Which one has true “value?” The answer depends more on your needs/expectations/means than it does on the price.

Of course, those folks chasing “1 million miler” status on United need to remember that only miles on UA hardware count. So, even UA code share flights on ANA hardware come with a slight concern for those folks “oh so close” to completing their “million miler” quest. And I’m glad you recommended that 4 hour layover (with bizclass lounge access). We’ve been finding that, with so many intercontinental flight delays lately, even 3 hour layovers can be “nail biters.”

Absolutely. In an earlier post on this thread, I mentioned an almost flawless recent month long Regatta cruise. And we’ll be back on her at the end of the summer for about three weeks.

Good to see that you and others on this thread do the real math on cruise value. That said, I find it interesting that this HIA “deal” has all sorts of “strings attached.” Have any of you HAL regulars, who may want one or more perks like included excursions, booze, SBC, internet and/other HAL paid options (yes, even air tix) ever looked at premium cruise lines like Oceania (or Azamara)? For example, Oceania’s regular fares (called O Life), includes all non-booze beverages (yes, including bottled water, specialty coffees, fridge stocked with you favorite soft drinks and mixers), at least one unlimited internet account, all specialty restaurants (with a base allotment and extra reservations at no cost though on a space available basis) and a choice of basic booze (wine/beer at meals), tours (number dependent on cruise length) or SBC (amount based on cruise length). Perhaps most importantly, air tix (or an air credit for DIY) is always included (yes, even four figure $ intercontinental flights). Then add the Oceania quality elements like small ships with great crew and space ratios, the finest cuisine at sea and stellar service. Want “icing on the cake?” Oceania occasionally (like right now) offers all three perks (booze, tours and SBC) on select cruises with no added cost! BTW: want to bring your own wine and spirits aboard an O ship? No problem. Only restriction is that it’s for consumption in your cabin (though you can bring wine to dining venues and other public spaces for a $25 corkage fee). And/Or, if you take the available basic booze perk, you can upgrade to unlimited wine/beer/spirits (except for a very few single malts/cognacs) at $30pp/day. As I write this, I keep thinking about the post above regarding HAL’s tours deal ($100 value per tour). Oceania’s included basic tour perk has a base value of $100/tour (had you selected the SBC perk instead). But, the selection of allowable tours include those retailing at up to $199 each! Sorry for the “commercial” but, long ago, we started doing the true “bottom line” math on cruising and quickly realized that the “nickel/diming” on mainstream lines (even the “better” ones like HAL and Celebrity) amounts to a “chunk of change.” That said, we’ve done many HAL/Oceania similar itinerary comparisons and have never found HAL to have a value even close to Oceania. I guess that’s why we meet so many former HAL (and Celebrity) regulars on our Oceania cruises. Happy sailing!

Sad that your expectations fell short. Kind of weird about those issues too. We were on Regatta for a month this past spring and did not encounter any unacceptable meals except one, which was truly due to the cook in Waves not understanding what really goes into a Reuben sandwich. On the first try I got a mix of corned beef and brisket. Sent it back with the clear explanation that it should only have had corned beef. You guessed it: next thing they brought was a corned beef sandwich with nothing else on it. In this particular instance, third times was a charm - actual Reuben (and quite good). Back to you: Did you complain (nicely/immediately) to the Maitre d’ or F&B manager and/or send the Room Service meal back? In our experience, saying something nicely makes sure that you’ll get it corrected and (word travels fast) not have a second bad experience. As for Celebrity $, I’ve often compared their bottom line pricing with O. And, for an apples to apples comparison for all that O provides (but is extra cost on Celebrity), particularly intercontinental air fare or air credit, I’ve always found O to be in the same $ ballpark as Celebrity. But, at least you tried O and now you can go back to Celebrity if it is a better fit.