BarbaraM

19 minutes ago, Cruisedreamer1 said:

Just found out from our travel agent that the stockholder benefit  can not be used with O Life. It can be used only with  the Simply new package. Bumper!!!

I think they are mistaken— some discounts/incentives aren’t eligible, but never heard of Olife not being eligilible— since you essentially paid for that perk.

We always book cruises as true B2B -- even if they are offered as a longer cruise. The segments are also available book separately when we do this type of booking.  We always received cruise credit and benefits for each segment.  We always pay a deposit for each cruise and always get separate booking numbers, with  b2b savings is posted later.  We go through a TA, but have also done this on board.   I have never had a problem in this type of booking. ( If one of the voyages is the milestone cruise, we must take the benefit then). For what it's worth, there is never any mention of Grand Voyage by either club ambassador or our TA.  The only time we don't book this way is on ATW cruises.  not sure if that helps.

 In the case of that 17 day cruises, we would have booked a 10 day and 7 day separately -- gotten 2 credits and benefits. Not sure how people are getting shorted, maybe it's a recent change?  

We got off the Marina on Sept. 29th. It was the fastest, most stress free disembarkation in all of our cruises.  Our color was called before our scheduled departure.  Minimal line to get off and face to face with Spanish immigration— luggage ready outside.  I wouldn’t blame all the problems on Marina— probably the port. 

Its very easy to politely decline the olive oil presentation in Toscana, as well as the description of all the bread in the basket-- we usually just ask for the brand olive oil  that we like, so even the cart is not necessary.  

I thought I read they were having wine pairing lunches in Ember, did you happen to notice that? 

1 hour ago, ak1004 said:

I’m pretty sure that their revenue from excursions is few times larger than the port fees. Also I don’t know how port fees work, but it’s possible that they are not refundable if the port is cancelled on a short notice. So it’s entirely possible that in some cases the cruise line loses the revenues from excursions and also the port fees. Not to mention tons of angry customers who always know better than the captain if it’s safe or not to dock or tender.

According to a GM on a recent cruise, port fees are not refunded should a ship decide to cancel last minute. Canceling is not done lightly, and not done for cost savings if this is true. 

On 10/2/2023 at 7:33 PM, Tranquility Base said:

When you first woke up, was the navigation page on your TV showing accurate information ?

Yes it was. We were on this cruise and noticed the bad weather and the ship not slowing down (we were above where the pilot boards).  Knowing it was a tender port, we checked the map— very obvious we were skipping that port long before any tours would have had to meet in the lounge. The Captain could have made his announcement earlier, however— and at least the destination staff should have known. The same captain was on our recent Marina cruise and made an early morning announcement about schedule change once— I’m sure there were many who complained about being woken up so early. 

On the 2022 ATW we received complimentary transfers from the ship to airport even though we did not book with Oceania for air. 

Ask your butler to get your beer for the fridge,  if you are on the Prestige package. 

They will add your club level  benefits — I was told they would do so 2 weeks prior to sailing.  Mine were missing and my TA had to call. 

Monopole was the only champagne offered by the glass on our March cruise on Marina. There were other sparkling wines.  No Germain

How was the internet on board?

After complaining several years ago, we were told that the base ingredients for all cookies are corporate determined-- bought as a mix, same as the pizza crust in Terrace.  Some things the chef on board has no control.  

We asked our lodging for a transfer recommendation— worked out well. We also contacted through WhatsApp-  

I read that they were only making a technical stop in Callao -- no one allowed to go off ship.

9 hours ago, Mura said:

Oh my, that's news to me!  Not contesting what you are saying!!  At recent muster drills I had a problem getting into my life jacket.  I hadn't had a problem in the past but I did on our last two cruises. I can't imagine doing the drill online ... but I bet lots of people will prefer it!

 

I should have added that there is the standard instruction on the PA prior to departure, but no need to assemble— or find those life jackets 😁

17 minutes ago, ORV said:

There is no upgraded wine package. Wines by the glass are the same on both packages. 

My mistake— the upgrade beverage package

Wines by the glass are included in the Prestige package, as well as a nice discount on La Reserve and a discount on wines but the bottle. Wines in the “15th and Vine” nights are included (those by the glass) if I recall from last fall on Marina with those on the Prstige package. Wines in Privee would be treated the same, as they are not included in the price of Privee—Suggested wines in the MDR are almost always wines by the glass.  To me, this makes the upgraded wine package more attractive. 

There are no more muster drills --  Safety drills are held online --- and a brief check in at your muster station when you board. 

Could it be the other cruises are undersold— and your cruise might have a wait list ?  

We tried when Insignia was first renovated -- disabled.  

Take a tour on the second day -- either private or ship-- that will start in Bordeaux and drop you off in Le Verdon-- 

Hotel Bethel and Admiral hotel. 

Our our cruise this year we received Monopole in the stateroom -- the red or white substitutions were the cheapest red/white offered by the glass in the bars.  

I get 5% when booking B2B on Oceania.