Vallesan

Exactly! We no longer sail on the smaller ships because the PH’s are out pricing themselves compared with the newer larger Seabourn cabins. We are also finding Oceania’s new pricing structure from January 1st, without ‘perks’, just doesn’t look like value anymore. Guess we’ll just have to wait and see what pricing ‘scheme’ pops up next!

No all the rest were as scheduled. I have to say over the previous 10 Oceania cruises we have missed some ports but always due to weather/sea conditions. I think on one cruise we missed two but on many we made every port of call. I tend to trust the captain of these extremely expensive pieces of machinery ‘the ships’, to do what’s best for the safety of the passengers, crew and vessels. I don’t subscribe to the view that cruise lines miss ports on purpose to save port fees because they then end up with a ship load of angry passengers and for all we know they may have to pay the port fees anyway! I just go with the flow and don’t stress over things that our out of my control!

Absolutely!😄

So …. we have now disembarked the Marina after 14 days. We had a wonderful trip and are now spending a few days in Malta before returning to the very wet UK! (Sorry, I know it’s not a patch on the nightmares in Florida and my sympathy goes out to everyone involved) Overall the cruise was good. The food was good in all of the restaurants for maybe 92% of the time and excellent sometimes. Overall I still stand by my assessment that it was better than in May ‘24. The staff, as usual, were all magnificent. The cleanliness was good but I would suggest taking extra personal care as there seemed to be some illness on the ship. In fact both my husband and I had short lived ‘episodes’. This was our 11th Oceania cruise and we have enjoyed them all however after spending 14 nights on the Marina I now feel that the cabins really do need updating. Our cabin started to feel a little oppressive with the dark wood and chipped furniture a few days after the initial joy of cruising again had worn off! We had already booked a cruise on her next April but after that wouldn’t book another cruise until all the cabins are refurbished. In fact if we can upgrade to a PH we might just do that. In the meantime, Oceania is off our radar. These days we only do short haul flights within Europe so at the moment I’m looking at Seabourn as Oceania only have the Marina and Nautica in the Med next year. Sad … but this is ‘My World’ and life moves on.

Unfortunately could persuade my OH to try it. Another time …. maybe!

I’ve not sailed on Viking but have sailed Oceania and Seabourn in the Med, Greece and Turkey. Oceania is ‘premium’ with a pretty relaxed dress code and, on the larger ships, a good choice of restaurants. Seabourn is ‘luxury’ but has fewer restaurant choices. The dress code is far more relaxed now but is still more of a ‘code’ than on Oceania. It’s difficult to choose between the two as they both have a different ‘atmosphere’. I always say about Seabourn … the service is such that the staff know what you want even before you knew yourself! In saying that it’s not ‘stuffy’. The entry cabins on Seabourn are larger. But at the end of the day, for me personally, I now look at the itinerary first. We have sailed extensively in the Med etc so now we look for specific ports of call. Today I’ve just found a Seabourn cruise for next summer which calls predominantly at islands. Guess you will have to try all three and make up your own mind!

This cruise is still living up to my expectations and possibly even exceeding them! In Argostoli today which is a really pretty port. Portofino was also very picturesque as was Sorrento. This is important to me as we use the ship as a ‘floating hotel’. Ate in Jaques a few nights ago and it was really underwhelming. We have been invited back this evening at 7.30, table for two so I’m sure they must keep some tables back ‘just in case’. Anyway, let’s hope tonight proves to be better. Just one other really minor point but one which has always been a bugbear for me: mustard. They now seem to have English mustard and actually offer it to you rather than, on past cruises, where there was a scramble to find a bit of Dijon or something. I really appreciate that. Rather sad that we can’t find a Meditteranean cruise for next summer on Oceania but the choices are limited so we may have to look elsewhere.

Just wanted to say that the food on this trip seems have really improved from our last one in May. We have eaten dinner in Polo, Red Ginger, Toscana and the GDR and all seem to have improved since the first trip after refurbishment. Lunch in the TC today, zarzuela and grilled salmon followed by blue cheese was really very good. Reminds me of the Oceania of the ‘old days’!

Just one word ‘CRASS’! Maybe they know no better. Better to ‘give’ without the ‘publicity’! Different cultures! Some have no ‘class’.

On the Marina at the moment. The aft lift hasn’t been repaired as of today. We are overnight in Valletta next week so thst could be an opportunity for a repair all things being equal. Just want to say we have not found having one aft lift out of action a problem.

On Marina now and we have the aluminium bottles.

That’s not quite right on Oceania as you can ask for any of the ‘wines by the glass’ at meals you don’t gave to accept the two that are offered.

At the end of the day for us it comes down to price and itinerary.

P.S. keep meeting first time Oceania passengers and lots of Celebrity refugees! Oh and the pastries are at breakfast in the GDR!

Yes we’ve sailed Seabourn and Silversea too and enjoyed them as well as Oceania. Personally I find all three similar yet different! Seabourn takes the edge for service as I always feel they know what you want even before you knew you wanted it! Oceania for food especially the variety on the larger ships. And Silversea… well different again. I loved our cruise in the Norwegian Fjords but our enjoyment may just have had more to do with the itinerary than our fellow passengers! So today we have had an unscheduled ‘sea day’ due to a port workers strike in Corsica. Ce La Vie! The seas have been a little heavy but not too bad. The revised activity program included a film, a few iPhone classes and a couple of Enrichment speakers plus wine tasting etc etc. so a good program all in all. Pleasant meal in Toscana last night. Not my favourite food but good company on our sharing table so overall a good night. Tonight we have a booking in Polo sharing table again. So looking forward to that. Just a couple of points: the beds are still wonderfully comfortable. The towels are still thick and fluffy!

As you may know only the PH suites were upgraded together with the public areas. I think the soft furnishings in the other cabins have been renewed. Our cabin is fine for a ship 13 years of age. Food: bit early to comment as we have only had one lunch, dinner and breakfast. Red Ginger last night was very nice. Breakfast in the GDR was good but then you can’t go wrong with yogurt berries and walnuts! Although they seem to have shortened the dining time to 9am and there were no pastries! Not sure if that was a one off or if they have discontinued the pastries. Service: as usual very good in general, excellent in Red Ginger slowish as usual at breakfast in GDR but elsewhere seems normal to me. Is this your first Oceania cruise?

I’m not overjoyed either!

Not everyone worships in churches!

We are the same as you but ‘Europe’ is our home turf. The rest of the world now involves long haul and we no longer do that!

Did you book through a TA? It’s most unusual for Oceania to request full payment 6 months in advance. In fact I’ve never had to pay in full so far ahead. If you booked directly with Oceania then that is definitely bad practice. If not I would be speaking to your TA and to Oceania yourself. Something doesn’t feel quite right.

Very interesting!

Why do you think that? I must admit I’ve never seen that offer in the past but may have missed. Not much of an offer if you don’t take their flights. As you know from the North West Ocenia, and other cruise lines, flights usually involve a change of plane in Europe or a direct flight from London. The ‘chauffeur’ offer usually involves a 50 mile round trip. Neither would look very attractive to me!

Took a Quick Look and I can’t find any price ‘guarantees’ apart from those given if you book onboard. I’m sure someone else will find the information, if it’s on the website!

Same here in the UK. I suggest you look at the ‘conditions of booking’. Here in the UK Oceania will respect price drops so might be worth booking now and if it goes down in price you could get the new price. Otherwise, if your cancellation terms are like ours £150pp, it could be more economical to cancel and rebook. Personally, booking now in Europe or the UK may give more options than booking after September 30th. In saying that it’s just my guess. I would book now but just can’t find a cruise in Europe that I really like.

Some people like large portions and may not feel satiated unless ‘bursting’. Maybe they should reduce the portions so the ‘hungry’ ones could order ‘double’ portions! It would then of course stop the need for some of us to ask for ‘half’ portions, and would probably eliminate some waste!