Tranquility Base

Question regarding a land excursion on a cruise tour. If I have one booked and paid for, and I wish to cancel, can I do that on the ship, (cruise first sequence)? Or, do I have to do it at an earlier stay at a lodge on land ? The refund should eventually show on my credit card ? Assuming it is far enough in advance to be before the cancellation penalty deadline.

Is my time onshore worth $6.43 per hour......you betcha it is. As my teacher used to say ...."show all workings". Fuel Surcharge is a maximum of $10 pp per day. I am using $6 pp pd as my example. 15 day cruise for a couple = $180. 14 hours lost of the OP's segment. $180 / 14 = $12.86 per hour per couple or $6.43 per hour per person. Warp speed, Mr Sulu; Aye, Captain.

When utilising the ' best price ' provision of the book on board system, and re-faring to a lower fare, does your booking keep the fare discount that was initially given onboard ? Note: I am not talking the SBC provision, just the cabin fare discount amount.

Sure; however IF the decision has been made to sail at reduced speed, surely ONE of the priorities is to inconvenience as few passengers as little as possible. Many of us had this "one hour later on arrival ; one hour earlier on departure" situation last year. My recollection is that this was notified by email weeks before sailing. Not on day of boarding. If major disruption is occurring elsewhere, I would have thought keeping problems on other ships as minor as possible would be smart. Earliest notification possible to those affected is one such measure.

I think one of the legitimate questions being asked with the current example, is why no notification until the 1st day currents on a particular segment.

Not really. In NZ, all mandatory port shuttles are no charge. Previously in Wellington walking into town was possible.

Can you please expand on this. I'm trying to understand the status of ship's tours at your various ports on this current segment. Apart from Manila, what are some of the shortest port times elsewhere. Thanks.

Check if your cruiseline is providing free shuttles into Ba Ria (30 mins). I have used this before on Princess. From there I have negotiated a return taxi Ba Ria - Vung Tau - Ba Ria. Obviously research a meet up point for the taxi to meet you for the return to Ba Ria.

For the benefit of other cruisers visiting Wellington. The shuttles into the city are mandatory now (no walking into town permitted). They are provided for all cruiselines and there is no charge.

Thanks @Snaefell3 We are booked on a Grand Voyage which is also sold as two segments. When it mentions "length of cruise" does that actually mean length of each segment, as opposed to the length of the Grand Voyage booking ?

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We found day to day customer service very good. EG: items such as small issues with restaurant reservations / shore excursions were handled well. The Restaurant Manager also approached me whilst at the reservations desk and personally assisted me. The OCA ambassadors / future cruise office patiently answered all my queries, and handled new bookings very efficiently. Room stewards, as always, followed through on any requests or problems. One or two queries I made to staff were either answered or they directed me to the person who was able to help. So, overall, well satisfied with onboard customer service, although I am a person who is willing to do some of the leg work myself.

I was onboard Riviera, for the first time, for 2 months late last year. All other Oceania cruises had previously been on 'R' ships. What specifically about the reviews concerns you ? PS: I booked another 7 weeks on Riviera.

How so ? I have found most of the time in the queue for carry on bag screening is due to people having to take items out before the bags go through the scanner ?

@Lee991 A few thoughts (my opinion only) for you to consider re port / stbd on that itinerary. 1. check sunset times:, many people are out eating / drinking / entertainment at that time; 2. Fiordland; views are sometimes better to port, sometimes better to stbd; 3. Dunedin; best viewing is stbd arriving, port leaving.(unless you have binoculars and want to see the Albatross) 4. Tauranga; best viewing is port arriving, stbd leaving, 5. Auckland; best viewing arriving, stbd initially then port. 6. Sydney departing aft / stbd. In other words, if you enjoy arrival / departure viewing and want to maximise the experience you may find yourself on deck at various times.

delete.

@IWantToLiveOverTheSea After you visit, would you please try to post back here with the time it took for the shuttles to and from town. I am familiar with Nah Rong & Phu My, but not with Hiep Phuoc. Thanks.

Thanks for following up on that, but eek....that's as long as Phu My. Of course, that one is an upgraded highway now. We are very familiar with Saigon so will likely plan on the shuttles and DIY.

Does SYD have the new CT technology at security ? This is now installed in AKL, WLG, CHC in NZ. This means electronics such as Laptops & Tablets and also liquids, aerosols & gels can remain in the carry on bags. This should help speed up the process.

Yes, you are correct regarding when you are generally booking whilst onshore. However, this thread (and point #5 of the OP's post), is specifically about the perks and conditions when booking onboard.

Did you book whilst onboard ?

Was there a specific party drinks list ?

Are you due there next month ? We are on a cruise through there at a later date. If you remember, could you post back here as to your experience please. Thanks.

I am. I would be buying wines by the glass when dining anyway. I would be doing 2 or 3 shore excursions anyway. So that is 'cold hard cash' which I will not be paying at the end of the cruise via my account. I suspect there will be many others who see the value, whether they be first time Oceania cruisers, or experienced cruisers more used to the all inclusive aspect of luxury lines. Personally I am not getting less.....see answer above.

Welcome to the club. You seem to be unaware that when 'O Life' was in force that it was mandatory for those people booking from some countries. IE: There was no 'cruise only' option for them. Did you read of many complaints from those Oceania cruisers ?