ORV

Just because your TA misunderstood this is no reason to think you should book yourself. Maybe look for another TA but in the opinion of those who know you’re always ahead using a TA with connections. I recently had dinner with a couple that has about the same amount of cruises that we do and said their TA is retiring and she thinks she can do as well booking herself. Apparently she has not used a very good TA all these years. I didn’t pursue the subject any further after that statement.

Duplicate

Yes, this happened to us twice on our current cruise. We double checked and the original ones were no longer offered, so we didn’t get moved around for a bigger group or anything like that.

When asked if I had anything to declare I said, “yes, I declare that I am handsome, rich, and intelligent”. When they got done laughing they waved me on my way.

In the 15 years I’ve been on O there has been one change to the Loyalty perks. It resulted in a net loss to the customer. Be careful what you ask for.

So if you play a few games and earn Big O points you can get these, custom made for the metal bottles. Takes care of all the sweating complaints.

Where have you seen any official announcement about any new Oceania club perks? I try to keep up but I’ve missed that one. With all due respect you’re misunderstanding this. Plain and simple, and others have pointed this out up thread, here is what will happen. Just like everyone else you will have gratuities paid just like you have since you turned Silver. If you are Silver or above you will get $250 OBC additional for the cabin. Where we are losing is not getting anything additional for the value of what we had before. Also everyone is losing the value of the basic drink package and the excursion OBC. So bottom line is that once again the loyalty perks are diluted, but they are not charging us extra.

I really don’t think we are losing that money. It’s just money that those of us over 10 cruises have not had to pay. I’ve been Silver for over 20 cruises now, and I don’t like the new system, but I don’t see it that way. Were you Silver before Nov 2013? If not you’re really not losing anything. You’re actually gaining $250 on every cruise, instead of an occasional one. Now, if the cruise is as much or more than it was with the basic drink package and however much we got for excursions under Simply More then yes, it’s costing us more.

Yet today at lunch it was not self serve. A different world every day.

I’ve never been on Azamara but from my understanding they are pretty much the same footprint. If you think the standard bathroom is good sized then you must be a small, trim person. I’m saying this from the Nautica. I can deal with it but it’s cramped.

Historically if you had turned Silver prior to Nov of 2013 you would get that amount. I don’t know how they will deal with those in that situation now.

I think I might have been misquoted. I think I said “other” than Happy Hour the bars are dead.

Ok

No one in management has mentioned any changes to the O Club perks, only people on this board. In regards to # 2, I’m pretty sure you are misunderstanding what you’ve read here. Silver level will still get included gratuities, plus an additional $250 OBC just like we always have anytime our TA is providing grats as a perk. Be it from them or a Pass through, commonly referred to as OCCAP.

Here’s the deal, the hardware was installed in May, it’s “supposed” to be operational in November. I hope so as we’re on in December for 20 days.

If this ship has Starlink then they better get their money back. This is without a doubt the worst internet system of any cruise ship I’ve ever been on. I haven’t been able to read an email since the last port where I could use my phone. I can read CC sometimes and reply sometimes. It has taken me over 10 minutes to reply to this thread. Perhaps they have the hardware but it’s not operational yet. I’ll do some digging and see what I can find out. Did I mention it’s worse than the slowest dial up you ever had? For those of you old enough to remember such things.

I was asking Cruisedreamer1. But there is a line or two in what you posted that doesn’t apply to Oceania. For other lines yes.

I’ll add to that, my opinion is that while there are multiple reasons for this, one of the main ones is that onboard spending has plummeted. The bars are pretty much dead except for happy hour or free drinks. People are not buying nice bottles of wine or bringing their own and paying corkage. Very few upgrades to the package and reduced excursion purchases. Add to that the complaints when ports are cancelled and people are wanting tour refunds that aren’t going to happen, then it becomes a real problem for them. This is my baseless and fact less opinion. So take it for what it’s worth. The statement below though is direct from the GM. Just an FYI, in a semi related conversation the GM told us that they have absolutely no problems filling ships. The problem is getting enough employees. Since I typed that up and posting this more details have been added. In the hillbilly country where I’m from this is what we call wee weeing on your leg and telling you it’s raining.

Did they on Vista? Marina and Riviera are just as big. Having said that most of the time the bands play in Horizons during Happy Hour , pre dinner on most of the ships. Don’t make me post the Currents again. The internet on the ship is frightening. But I just looked at it and they play tonight at 5:15-6 and again at 10:30 on Nautica. The good thing though is you’ll pretty much have the dance floor to yourself. Dancing is not real big in Oceania culture.

Kind of like the old saying that you don’t want to kill the goose that lays the golden eggs.

Not sure where your “understanding” came from, and what you were told, but it doesn’t sound right. If you could expound on it maybe those that do have experience could help with the understanding.

If you’re a do it yourself type then make sure you stock up a few packets when Terrace is open or occasionally while passing by the station in Horizons. There is no guarantee there will be one there in the evening when you actually want one.

That is correct, and our instruction sheet now has this statement. I haven’t seen it in the past. Also you will find some of them in the specialty restaurants.

He would probably like a t shirt I have that says. “I may be old but I got to see the cool bands”