Vallesan

Also been in PH close to elevators on Sirena, Regatta and Nautica seven or eight times and never been an issue.

I have to agree with you. Our first trip was on the Riviera then we sailed on an R ship in a PH and we were smitten. Loved the R ships for 7 or 8 sailings until we tried the Riviera again in late 2022, after 22 days on the Nautica a couple of months earlier. Just loved the Riviera and this was pre refit. Marina in May was lovely despite the disappointment that the refurbishment wasn’t as extensive as the Riviera’s. Not too disappointed as we’re sailing on her again in October!

I sometimes wonder if Oceania should adopt a policy whereby, somewhere, way, way away from land, they just push overboard all the passengers who choose to eat at 6.30 pm or earlier, like to go to bed by 9pm, use mobility aids, are over a certain age ( not sure what age that should be) or dislike certain foods! That would satisfy the odd sanctimonious person on here and would also boost Oceania’s profits as so few people would be eating lobster etc. but would have paid their fares in full. Only problem is that would be a very short term measure as they would be destroying a large part of their customer base!😂😂😂

Hardly a sale at all really! In fact the cruise I’m waitlisted for in October has actually reduced in price by £440pp but it’s waitlisted! So guess that can charge as little as they like because there aren’t any cabins available in the grade I want. Not sure if the ‘available’ B grades have reduced in price. I think they must have. Interestingly there is no ‘fanfare’ about flights being an ‘extra’ now. If I’d not know from here that flights were to be excluded I don’t think I would have noticed they are no longer included!

That sounds like a good plan!

If you don’t already have it take a look at the Waze app. Works worldwide and seems to always come up with best route depending on traffic conditions.

Don't know about Oceania transfer to Gatwick but just a point to remember when booking Gatwick flights. The cruise port in Southhampton is roughly 88 miles from Gatwick and average time is 1hr 40mins but our motorways, especially the M25, can be really challenging. Just make sure you leave plenty of time before your flight.

We were on the same Marina cruise as you and I now wonder if the refit was an ‘as and when’ refit. We were in an A veranda and we definitely had newly recovered cushion covers and dressing table chair. The curtains (drapes) also looked new to me, but the carpet definitely wasn’t! But I do agree that Waves pizza and the Aquamar Kitchen are good additions. More choice can’t be a bad thing!

Interestingly no mention of ‘free flights’ ! The change must be afoot!

The Marina is not due for any further refurbishment for another 2 years! So she is what she is…like her or not. Difficult one really. Guess you pay your money and you make your choice!

Yes I understand that. I have to be honest I don’t think a cabin will open up for us. Maybe that’s the way it’s meant to be!

Maybe it would be a good idea, that would help everybody, if anybody with a mobility issue came to the disembarkation station later than the ‘normal’ disembarkation time for the cruise ship trips. Then those who need to disembark quickly could do so and those with mobility issues could also take their time without being rushed. I say this as person with mobility issues and I would hate to be in a crowded area trying to get off the ship with lots of others trying to get to their tour buses.

Maybe you’re right but I have to say on the cruise I’m really interested in there are only a handful, literally, of B cabins in odd places and I’m not sure I want to spend that sort of money on those cabins when not a lot more gives me something I really want. If it was 50% less I might think about it! I agree that the new charges aren’t that high in the US but in the UK they mount up pretty quickly they go from immediately after booking , £150pp 181 days or more prior to departure, to £500 pp 180 - 121 days prior to departure which is basically final payment date. So, at today’s rates that’s near enough to $190 & $630pp. Maybe not substantial to some but I certainly wouldn’t want a ‘choice’ of cruises booked if each one was going to incur a cancellation fee of $380 to $1360 per cruise!

I have a feeling this autumn may be slightly different. I’ve been looking at September/October and am yet to find any balcony cabin that’s not at either end of a ship or isn’t exorbitant. I’m watching Oceania, Seabourn, Silversea and even Regent who would be my last choice. I’m waitlisted, no:1 on one Oceania cruise but after speaking with my Oceania rep she thinks waitlisted cabins that free up are going to be few and far between! Will just have to wait and see I guess. P.S. it seems that there are no where near the same number of ‘Lookie Loos’,as you call them, since the introduction of penalties prior to final payment.

Why do you think only you understand the ‘POINT’ of should I say ‘your’ point! I enjoy sailing with Oceania. I couldn’t give a stuff about their mountain of debt or their cost cutting. What you don’t seem to understand is that there are lots of us who enjoy cruising with Oceania, we like their product, we are prepared to pay the ‘asking price’ if it’s within our budget. We don’t look to drain every half cents worth out of every trip. We know what we can expect, we are happy to pay for it and we ‘go and enjoy’ without all this ‘nitpicking’. I just hope you enjoy your forthcoming 22 days without having to apply a cost analysis to every meal and every aspect of your trip.

No idea!! Maybe that would be too simple and then there would be no reason to complain!

I understand. I still choose to sail Oceania despite all and everything. If you find the fact that companies need to make a profit to stay in business so abhorrent don’t sail with Oceania.

So Celebrity did a great upsale! Happened to us with Cathay Pacific, free upgrade to BC and have never been able to fly anything since … has cost a fortune!!!

All businesses are there to make a profit. If the way they handle their business, making profits via cost cutting, is not to your liking then the best thing is not to patronise them? Simple really!

I agree. You really need to go south towards the Canaries to be assured of good weather in November. But … you could be lucky. We were very unlucky in August ‘22 in the Med when we hit unseasonal storms! You just never know!

But some insurance policies do pay for missed ports.

It really isn’t that difficult. Booking slots open at 75, 60 or 45 days prior to your cruise depending on the grade of cabin, which I think is a pretty fair way to go. We have had 60 &75 day slots. I never stay up. I have never had to book 9pm slots. I’m flexible in that we will happily share. As has been said above one of the joys of small ships is that everything is smaller. Larger restaurants wouldn’t have the same ambience. The important thing to remember is that nothing is ‘set in stone’. If you aren’t happy with your reservations you can see if they can be changed once onboard.

We sailed into Malta on the Marina in May and it wasn’t into the main town area it was into an ‘industrial’ dock and it was a huge disappointment!

I agree with you. I think it’s a case of just ‘asking’. In a similar way to Oceania accommodating celiacs I’m sure they would accommodate the OP’s preferences.

We are considering a PH3 8002 or 8003 close to forward lift but beneath the fitness centre. Just wondering if anybody has been in a cabin under the fitness centre on the Nautica or Sirena and suffered any noise problems?