bob brown

I started with Oceania in 2019 solo on an ATW, earning 15 cruise credits. Then married Betsy, who had already taken her first free cruise before we met, and had earned enough for a second free cruise. I went with her on her second free cruise in December, 2022. I then booked my second ATW for 2023, and with Betsy with me. This gave me 15 more, for a total of 30. So when I asked for my first free cruise, after earning 30 credits, they claimed the one that I shared with Betsy (which she earned as her 40th, or second free cruise,) was my first free cruise. After the Ambassador assured me that I was entitled to the one for December 2023, I booked it, but when it was time for final payment, Oceania denied it as free, claiming it would be my “third” free cruise, even though I never had one, except for sharing the second one that Betsy earned. So I guess the main “issue” is whether each individual earns rewards (and gets free cruise, to share with another), or if earning with another somehow combines their rewards… Like I said, it’s “complicated”, but apparently Oceania interprets it in their own favor…🤷‍♂️

We booked what I thought what was going to be my first "Milestone Cruise" on the Vista for this December. Our Oceania Ambassador on board my recent ATW sold it to me on board, based on my having accumulated 30 cruise credits...15 from my solo 2019 ATW, and 15 from this years, (sharing with my wife). We had used her "Milestone Cruise", (earned prior to our wedding), for the segment from Miami to San Francisco. Since I was included with her on that, they now say that I had already had my first Milestone (even though I had not yet earned it at that time). That was contrary to what the O Club Ambassador promised. As instructed by the Ambassador, prior to the final payment date, I notified Oceania that I wished to take this as my Milestone cruise. A couple of days ago, Oceania told me I had to pay in full, as I already had my milestone cruise. They even claimed this new one would have been my third! My wife had one previous to us meeting, and the one we shared in December was her second. Anyway, we canceled the Vista, since we only booked it because we thought it was going to be a Milestone. So I also lost the on board booking bonus special they had offered at the time. I am rather disappointed in this misunderstanding. Their policy doesn't seem clear, to me.

Good point... But if a single traveler earns a free cruise, can't they take someone with them on their free cruise? I guess it gets 'complicated' in my situation, where I earned 15 credits as a solo, and then my next 15 credits together with my wife, who has her own account...

I am not clear on how this works.. Does each person when reaching the required twentieth cruise, get to go on a free 14 day cruise, and take anyone along? Or do you have to pay the fare for another person sharing the cabin that does not yet have the required cruise credits? In other words, if a couple both cruise together, and both reach the milestone, can they each get a milestone cruise for two, or do they only get one that they must share with each other?

? Bill and Arlene ("Books4U")...

That’s my point. The current CD shouldn’t have tolerated it. Ray certainly wouldn’t…

Read your blog...very enjoyable read. My friends are aboard with you, and they told me about that "trivia wiz" who was using his phone for answers. If Ray Carr had been the CD, he would permanently ban that guy from Oceania trivia...

Sounds like a plan. We do similar, and thanks to no need for "formal" attire, we can manage with just a rollaboard case, each.😎

Here's what the FAQ page on their website says... "may be able" is open to interpretation, but I am guessing that for a fee, they will accommodate you. It may depend on how many request the service as to whether or not they can....not sure. There are self-serve laundry facilities onboard the American Queen only. Ocean Voyager and Ocean Navigator offer laundry services to all guests for a nominal fee. Upon request, our AQV river vessels may be able to accommodate laundry services upon request if needed. Please note that clothes cannot be dry cleaned on board.

Surprised at them not taking the opportunity to hold more “interest free” deposits for a few months, (even though they know they will most likely have to refund them later)…

I noticed that on August 14, the head of AQV will be here on CC to answer questions, but when I looked to ask, it said “closed”…how or where do we ask? Here?🤔

Oh...my mistake...thanks for clarifying that. I don't know why I assumed it was US built. I should have looked it up first. I guess I thought it was similar to the former Victory ships that AQV owns.... How did you like your cruise?

Okay, thanks. It is sad that the Pearl Mist is not US registered. Since it was built in the US, it could have been, but for economic reasons, I suppose, they chose not to.... If it was US registered, sure....the crew expense would cost more, but they manage to make money anyway on their riverboats. And they would be able to do all sorts of coastal cruises in the off-season, that they can not do now....🤷‍♂️

I couldn't find any threads for this one ship line, owned by American Cruise Lines owners, so wonder if it should be discussed here, or the "Other Cruise Lines" category?

Any recent cruiser's on the Pearl Mist, since its refurbishment? I had been booked on AQV's cruise for next year, but they canceled it, and after this season, are putting their former Victory Cruise Line Ocean Navigator and Ocean Voyager up for sale. So now researching a replacement. This one seems to come closest, but also will consider Viking.

HAL has for years been doing an annual summertime "Voyage of the Vikings", first out of New York, but for quite some time now, round trip from Boston via Greenland and Iceland to Western Europe and return...usually 35 or so days roundtrip.... https://www.hollandamerica.com/en_US/find-a-cruise/E4T35A/U450.html

The QM2 is capable of doing 5 day crossings, and started out doing them, like its QE2 predecessor on the North Atlantic 'ferry run'. But Cunard found that passengers on that run wanted a longer experience than 5 days, and after that study settled on mostly 7 or 8 day crossings. Those truly in a hurry will simply fly. There are very few nowadays that absolutely won't or can't fly. The ship will use much less fuel at the slower speed required. It only uses its gas turbine engines nowadays in cases of medical emergencies or storm route deviations.

Yes, I could do that...or order from room service, as well. But I don't want to go to all that trouble. What I would like, is to go to Horizon's after the show in the Insignia Lounge, and while watching the "late show" or listening to music, have some tea and a sweet... The only thing they have now is the salty snacks delivered with drink orders...

The one thing that I miss on Oceania, that is available on the mainstream lines, is the ability to have a "nightcap" snack after attending late shows...say some herbal tea, with a slice of cake or pie before retiring. I can get the tea in Horizon, but not any sweets. On the Insignia, Barista removes snacks at dinner time. I am hoping that the Barista on Vista offers them 24h, or at least until late night...

Agreed…I noticed the reference to maybe expanding future new builds by a modest “5,6, or 7%”. And keeping the present space and staff to passenger ratio…🙂

Astoria, Oregon port provides a free shuttle to downtown shopping district and on to the Maritime Museum. More fun is the nearby trolley car which runs all the way from the port area to 39th Street, stopping at every block, and narrated the whole way. Fare is only a dollar donation.

I’m going to save that quote for the release of the 2026 itinerary…😉

While I haven’t heard of any specific retirement dates for R class ships from “O” insiders, I did hear that they will not receive any more extensive drydockings from Oceania…only what is necessary to keep them going until sold/retired…

IIRC, those two ships are U S built, hence could be re-registered as US, as I believe they originally were. Then they could do all sorts of coastal cruises along the Intracoastal Waterway to lots of ports that large ships can’t access, and no need to do closed loops or visits to near foreign ports. After the Great Lakes, they could do a series of New England, then reposition to Mid-Atlantic, and eventually around Florida to the Gulf Coast, to “follow the sun”. If they can make it on the rivers with US crews, they should be able to on coastal cruises as well. They could sail to New Orleans, and offer combination cruises with their riverboats. A little imagination in their marketing department is all that is required…🤔

I don’t think so…why would they want to give up a niche in the cruise market? Would they elevate Oceania to Regent’s level, drop Regent to Oceania’s level, or bring them to somewhere between the two?