Vallesan

We’ve sailed Oceania 9 times with two more booked so I guess we’re fans! Just one thing to check. Oceania flights do include transfers when you go straight from the flight to the ship but I’m not certain that they will be included if you spend several days in London prior to the cruise. Worth checking before you decide on Oceania air. The other point with airlines is that you will have far more autonomy with flights if you book your own. Cruise lines tend use their ‘preferred’ airlines and often don’t give you the best routings/timings. If you plan on arriving three days early check out your own flights you can always take the air credit.

There is a 20%, I think, service charge added to drinks. The gratuities, a separate amount, are added daily to your account.

Gary really interesting read! I think you summed up my feelings about ‘small ship’ cruising really well. In saying that I’ve never been on a mega ship, mobility issues don’t allow for that, thank goodness! We know lots of people who do sail on mega ships and I always forget about the upselling etc. Not my cup of tea! Just a minor point to add to your ‘book’, you don’t need a butler to have snacks/canapés in the afternoon. We sail both Ph and concierge and when we don’t have a butler we ask our cabin steward for olives and lemon slices to be replenished daily in our fridge and it’s always done. We too enjoy a pre dinner drink on our balcony, weather permitting! I think you have hit the nail on the head ….. ‘unrealistic expectations’ are probably the real reason for most of the complaints. Hope you enjoy your next Oceania cruise as much as this one!

We like the atmosphere of small ships. We mainly sail Oceania, with Riviera/Marina’s 1250 passengers being our personal maximum. We have sailed with Regent, Seabourn and Siversea too. Depends on price/value and itinerary for us but we keep coming back to Oceania. In saying that we are trying Seabourn 450 passenger ship the Quest in the spring … just hoping she won’t feel too small!

I agree. I had an agent who once sold me an “Oceania Package with Flight’ only to discover the ‘package’ had been ‘unpackaged’ and ‘repackaged’ by the agent! It took away the ‘safety net’ from an Oceania package. Needless to say I never used them again. Now I have an agent who offers around 10% discount on most cruise lines and offers an excellent service too. Also, they don’t sell independent flights so if I do happen to book a cruise line ‘package’ I can trust that it does what it says on the tin!

Yes I understand your disappointment but go with an open mind and enjoy your cruise. Nothing in life is ‘perfect’!

Surely a ‘cruise’ is far more than ‘the size of a shower’?

Nor can I!

Couple of points: 1. I often book with an Oceania Agent by phone then pass the booking over to a TA where I get roughly 10% discount. Food for thought, if her booking is still in a low penalty cancellation charge? 2. We’ve sailed with Oceania 9 times with 2 future cruises booked and I personally wouldn’t have any issues with the company. However, I assume she has insurance so no problem if she has. Just as a matter of interest why did you recommend Oceania when you’ve never sailed with them?

The terms above say that for cruises less than 15 days final payment is due 90 days prior to sailing. There is now a penalty of $150 pp if you cancel after booking but that penalty increases after 181 days before sailing. These terms are still current on the Oceania website. Can’t understand why your friend is being asked to pay in full 181 days before. Is she using a TA? If so could be them rather than Oceania asking for payment. We have a cruise booked for mid May and the Oceania due date for final payment is mid February. Double check the Oceania invoice and ‘manage my booking’ on the website.

You know if you’re not happy with Oceania’s treatment of guests don’t sail with them. Simple really!

We were on the Riviera on her last but one cruise before refurbishment and I have to say she looked fine. The only issue wad that because she was going into dry dock when certain supplies ran out they weren’t replaced. Otherwise all was good. All the Oceania ships are kept in very good order.

Cape Hernlopen….. Why would this email be incorrect when it’s come directly from Oceania? I think it’s highly unlikely that the bathrooms will be redesigned. The email from Oceania says clearly that the bathrooms won’t be redesigned. They may not do something’s they have promise, but they are not likely to add things they have said WON’T be done!

This is the reply my TA had from Oceania…. Further to our call, please find below the details regarding the refurbishment for the Oceania Marina: Our second O-class vessel, Marina, will undergo a full and extensive refurbishment in May 2024. Marina will be the final ship within Oceania Cruises’ award-winning fleet to be refurbished · While it will be extensive and all encompassing, it will not be to the same level of her sister ship, Riviera: All of the upper suites will receive a full cosmetic refresh, the same as Riviera. All of the penthouse suites will be completely redecorated All of the staterooms will have a fabric and upholstery refresh. We will not be building out entirely new bathrooms as it unfortunately cannot be accomplished within the timeframe required. All public areas will be refreshed to be in-line with Riviera.

Thank you.

This is Oceania’s reply to my TA….. Our second O-class vessel, Marina, will undergo a full and extensive refurbishment in May 2024. Marina will be the final ship within Oceania Cruises’ award-winning fleet to be refurbished While it will be extensive and all encompassing, it will not be to the same level of her sister ship, Riviera: All of the upper suites will receive a full cosmetic refresh, the same as Riviera. All of the penthouse suites will be completely redecorated All of the staterooms will have a fabric and upholstery refresh. We will not be building out entirely new bathrooms as it unfortunately cannot be accomplished within the timeframe required. All public areas will be refreshed to be in-line with Riviera. Hope this clears up the questions.

I can’t find anyway to apply for the D visa either. But you can apply for an evisa at evisa.gov.kh Think I’ll ring my cruise line first.

If you don’t like the offered wine ask for something you’d prefer. We don’t like Californinan wines so usually ask for a Spanish Rioja or Chilean or Argentinian wine and it’s never been a problem.

Maybe ‘humor’ or as we say ‘humour’ just doesn’t travel well. Let’s just be friends!

No not humour just fact. Sorry just reread your post. Obviously not NYC to UK. I thought it was obvious …Western Europe ie. Istanbul to Eastern ports ie. Dubai via Red Sea etc.

Rang my TA to see if all the cabins are to be refurbished. Expecting an answer tomorrow. Will post when I hear.

Sorry don’t understand!

So pleased your overall experience was good! We love Oceania, doing our 10th in January. We’ve not been on huge ships with a ‘Haven’ or similar but for us we like the ‘small ship’ experience. Thank you for your feedback it was really useful.

Thank you!

Can I ask a question about the staterooms please? According to the article the penthouses are being refurbished but it doesn’t mention the lower cabins. I had assumed the whole ship was being refurbished. Does anybody know for sure?