Sthrngary

@CDR Benson First hello my friend. A short story. When I was a child, the "Special Candy Bar" we got maybe once a year, was a Cadbury bar. Single mom, two jobs yet we never felt poor. As an adult, one day I saw Cadbury. The same bar with raisins and nuts my mom bought when I was a kid. Yes the size was smaller. The real issue was the quality, consistency and taste. It tasted like wax is the best way to describe it. I wrote a letter, they said emphatically the formula has never changed. Then send me a coupon for some free bars which I tossed. I hate being lied too. Funny how my actual experience relates to your post. I read your review and posts on RSSC. I fully understood your very well written and balanced review. RSSC has been my Bucket List cruise for a very long time. Then, I started to see a trend of cruisers expressing dissatisfaction in the cruise, service, food, brand and experience. Never big things, just little things that took away from their past, current and future expectations. Add to this, the investment of RSSC is much higher then most cruises although sometime you can catch a deal. My next cruise is on the new Luxury Brand created by MSC. The brand is "Explora Journey". I am taking my older sister with me. It is categorized as a luxury cruise experience. They are one year old and getting their sea legs. My study tells me they are worth a try based on what is important to me on my cruise experiences. For my sister, it is her first and last cruise. Another consideration for you and the Mrs. I also LOVED the Joy Haven. The best experience on a NCL ship, and in the Haven of all of my experiences. What a great time. When I don't want a Big Mega Ship Experience, like going to the Mediterranean, I choose a smaller ship, older clientele, much less children, and due to size can get into smaller ports. For that type of trip, I have gone on Oceania Cruises in 2023 and will do it again in 2025. Oceania like RSSC is a sister brand of NCL of course. The bottom line, I still and will always love the NCL Haven. I will sail them again. Cruise are in many ways what you make of them. Sometimes as this tread has shown, you have to try other brands to see what you have or what you are missing. Cruise well and enjoy every moment.

@McGarrett5oh What a treat this will be. The entire ship will be as all inclusive as one can get and the entire ship will be the Haven On Super Steroids. I am jealous and look forward to your review. Cruise well and enjoy every moment.

@McGarrett5oh It is hard to say good bye to a thread with that much engagement. I did not share as much information on the first post here, as I did on the 2019 and 2022 version. I would love to know what you think of Virgin. I am going on Explora Journey in February 2025 and Oceania Cruises on October 2025. I will report back on those. Have a great time and love any feedback. Cruise well and enjoy every moment.

@John117Please consider that there is a difference between Restaurant, Excursions and Check-in. Restaurants and Excursions you should be able to call. Check-In, that is another story. Allow me to set this up. The website for Explora Journey is the topic of many, many threads here. It is obviously a horrible website which we can talk in depth about. However, that is for another thread. For now, I would like to share my suggestion knowing others may be different and have way more experience then I do. So take my thoughts with a grain of salt. On Check-In, keep on trying. However, I have cruise many, many lines/brands. When I do every single thing on online check-in, from Passport to Pictures; when I get to the port, in the majority of the time, I have to do it again. I just smile and think, not very efficient. Yet all I care about is getting onboard. The amount of time to check in at the port and to do it online is small. The concern is having everything you will need to check in when you get to the port. Don't get frustrated, just check in at the port. That is my thoughts and I will do that myself. The much bigger issues is how this makes us all feel about a luxury brand. These kinds of issues happen all the time. One would hope however, when cruising a "Luxury Brand" they would have put more thought it to it. The good news is all is forgotten when your board as I said above. Good luck and keep us in the loop. Cruise well and enjoy every moment.

@2SailingNomads I have no real skin in the game here but a little story that might help understand this transition a bit better. A huge client of mine, produced a weeklong training event that I was one of the presenters. They initially pulled out all the stops. They wanted it to be first class from start to finish. They had China plated breakfast and lunch. At the end of the week a banquet for all the participants at a great restaurant with an open bar. Some of the participants started to order high-end wines and Champagnes three bottles at a time. This was the case for several months until they looked at the costs compared to the entry fee for the event. Over the next few months, the China plated meals became plastic plates and the food items were selected more carefully. The fancy restaurant limited the menu and only the host cold order wine. This class, which I flew to LA every week to do for 6 years, was a great success. Those adjustments at the beginning were long forgotten at the end of the first 12 months. When I researched Explora Journey's, the feeling I got was of that client experience decades ago. I personally loved all the luxury features and thought it made the entire event really more special then it could be. As these items were gone, what was left was a GREAT Training Program. Which was the reason for the event to begin with. Explora is a bit more expense then some cruises and far less expensive then others. Their issue seems to be what most of the other brands issue has always been. A Marketing Department that Over Promises and Under Delivers. The comments in this thread including mine, show how we all react to promise not kept. Maybe the right people will learn from how this makes us feel, but the reality is, in short order, we will forget about the items that change. Just my experience, not saying it will be everyone. Cruise well and enjoy every moment.

This is yet another adjustment in the concepts first year. They are trying things, considering if they should be part of the long-term picture. Some items were a good idea at the time like really great champagne, which is now gone. Cost cutting issue for sure. Anthology has changed its approach. Lots of reason that could be including cost prohibitive, cost cutting, and the list goes on. What they are doing is similar to what Oceania does and has done for a while. My main point is they are evaluating in real time. This is why my cruise is in February 2025. I am hoping as their second ship comes out, they settle in on a consistent approach. Those are my thought only. Cruise well and enjoy every moment.

@back2cruising1 Crystal Cruises is a nice smaller ship, with excellent service and food. Oceania Cruises which is a sister to NCL has about the same size ship as Crystal. I give both the edge on food and service to Crystal but close. I love the Haven and the mega ships. Yet when you leave the Haven, Retreat or Yacht Club and go to the rest of the ship, the service and food quality is simply not the same. Other worthy names of brands seems to be Explora Journey which is owned by MSC. The key to me is when I leave my stateroom, regardless of that cost of that stateroom, I everyone is treated the same. I also like when most everything is included with the exception of excursions or transfers. Every brand is a little different here but relatively easy to cross check. What I have found out and other have as well; you can find cruses in the Luxury/Ultra-Luxury categories at about the same as what one might pay in the Haven, Retreat and Yacht Club. What you give up is water slides, Broadway entertainment, Lasor tag and go-cart tracks. Those are the type of attractions you need a Mega Ship for. Hope that helps you. Cruise well and enjoy every moment.

@Trhelt Welcome to CruiseCritic.com. The Haven is nice, no question. Yet, and coming from me who love the Haven, it is important to know it is not the only choice based on what you want to achieve in your next cruising experience. That is why their are so many categories (Mainstream, Premium, Premium-Plus, Luxury and Ultra-Luxury). Also so many ship sized (Small, medium, large and Mega). When you want quite with no families, you go one way. When you want luxury, port intensive, and all-inclusive; you go another way. Options is the key. I have been writing for years on how to gain every single once of value from your Haven Experience. Fun stuff. Yet, we all have to make a decision on exactly what we want in our future cruising experience. All avenues should be open which means, we all get to cruise anyway we want. I LOVE CRUISING. Cruise well and enjoy every moment.

@boooomer Hello there. You are comparing two very different cruise brands. Oceania Cruise on the newly renovated Marina and Explora Journey on their newest ship the Explora II. On Oceania Cruises, I did get an upgrade from a Penthouse to a Vista Suite on the Riviera in October 2023 for a 10 day European cruise. There was a cost to me but I was offered the upgrade due to an issue. I was offered an Upgrade from Crystal Cruise just before the cruise left just after they began cruising again when covid started to get better. Just like your experience with Oceania, there was a reasonable upgrade fee. My first Explora Journey Cruise is on Explora I in February 2025. That cruise is now wide open. Just like you, I am hoping to score a upgrade for a small or reasonable fee. My gut tells me complementary upgrades will not be offered. I have done all my due diligence to attempt to find out who I have to share my paid upgrade request with. I am coming up empty. I hope this topic stays active so if a process becomes put into place, those that want to participate, have the opportunity. Thank you for posting. Cruise well and enjoy every moment.

@CJANDH Sorry. I was wrong in that comment. I am also going on the Oceania Vista Penthouse, that used to have one sink and now has two. So I get mixed up on the Explora I. Sorry again. Cruise well and enjoy every moment.

@Dr. Cocktail I see your point. For me, it showed some things different from my past cruising experiences. I am taking my older sister on her first and last cruise on the Explora I. This should get a rise out of her for sure. A few examples of things that are a bit different then my past experiences: Really no main dining room. The dining is smaller venues which makes it more pleasant for me. A buffet that is not a buffet and has nice quality and choices. For me, this approach is perfect. No passengers touching food with their hands, a nice selection of made to order items. And what looks to me to be decent sushi. Access to spa amenities without having a spa service done. This seems so little and petty. However, I always thought is was cheap of cruise lines to charge for thermal spas. Nice to see Explora does not. Also, lots of hot tub in lots of areas cutting down on them being only centrally located. Everyone on the same adult beverage program so no cabin card needed to gain a drink. It is kind of a pain, to have to pull out your card every time you wanted a drink on other cruise lines. The reason was, many different types of drink programs. I like everyone on the same plan much better. A lounge chair on every balcony even the entry level. This is kind of special. You don't see that much. My sister is going to love that. Double sinks in the bathrooms even the entry level. I have been in Penthouses and only had one sink so this is nice. The look and feel seems luxuriously casual. It helps that there is a 1:125 ratio of guest to crew. Still, they are evolving so my hope is the future allows them to truly get their sea legs. Cruise well and enjoy every moment.

@Dr. Cocktail Thank you so much for sharing. Very nice video. Loved the suite which I will never stay in, but one must have goals. Really love the balanced review by the young man and his father. Thank you again for taking the time to post this. Cruise well and enjoy every moment.

@Stockjock I read your post a couple of times. I wrote a response a couple of times and deleted them. This Oceania Blog has different contributors with very different opinions on cruising. One category of contributor looks to spend as little as possible, leverage on every sale that benefits them, get upset when the "Simply More" program hit because they wanted to avoid those costs, never took airfare/did their own excursions/brought their own adult beverages. The other category is the other extreme. These folk get the nicest cabins, spend extra money simply for convivences, and want everything done for them. We are left with those contributors/cruisers in the middle. Willing to pay for things that provide an improvement to their past cruising experiences however don't want to break the bank. With Oceania Cruises, you have look at the options and make those decisions yourself. Simply really because only you know what is right for you. Your money, your decision, your outcomes. My advice which is often not appreciated but given anyway. "Life it to short". You mentioned your Significant Other has put up with you all these years and it is your want of saying a kind thank you. I feel the same way with my wife of 44 years. I am no bargain and she is a wonderful human being to have put up with me. So, be a sport. Sometimes you spend more money for the convivences, enjoyment that is simply not a great value. Yet, by doing so, it makes for a better overall experience. Upgrading the drink package for me is one of those. My wife drinks more then I do but I still get the upgrade. A total waste of money if I look at it clearly for me. But, I do it anyway. Just an example, not saying other should do the same. Yet, I like the ease of it knowing no drink bill at the end of the cruise. Worth it, NO. Do I do it, YES. My wife, our experience over the many years we have been together makes those kind so decision worthy. Cruise well and enjoy every moment.

@Stickman1990 Your advice to the author is sound, logical, and strategic. The challenge is the brand is to new to rate, the brand is finding their sea legs, and the agents also are going through some learning curves. Even though I personally use an agent, I do my own due diligence first then tell the agent what I want, why I want it and often times date, stateroom, and exact cost. My approach especially on a new brand is based on the majority of the agents out there having to be experts on so many brands, changes in amenities, itineraries and the list goes on. To much even for them to have in their mind so they simply have favorites that they are most used to booking. Not what most of us want with the detailed advice we need to make a valid business decision. Once a cruiser has a foundation of what they want, why I want it, where I want to go and how they want to get there; the agent can be so much more helpful. Yet, the decision is still ours and we need to start the research on my own or else trust an agent that knows me, but does not really know me. It used to be cruising was one of the least expensive vacation options to see the world. If you made a bad decision, it would cost you but it was not all that huge of a financial and time blunder. Just a lesson in life. Then, cost and all aspects of a cruise changed. The more we research on our own, the better the fit of the cruise we end up with. Agents are time limited, commission sales people and we are and should be very specific, detailed on our wants/needs which takes time. Cruise well and enjoy every moment.

@Corey44 Welcome to CruiseCritic.com. First thing to know, everyone is an expert on CruiseCritic.com. An expert on what they like personally. Allow me to address some of the topics you are asking about: 1) It is agents the rules of CruiseCritic.com to give you the name of a Travel Agent. So don't expect that to happen or the post where it is given will be deleted. I can suggest you stay clear of the Agents on Social Media like YouTube. 2) I have cruised most all Main Stream Cruise brands at least once. Some multiple times usually in the Big Ship's, VIP section called a "Ship-Within-A-Ship". I loved this for a while until I tried, a smaller ship under the category of Luxury/Ultra-Luxury. I cruised Crystal Cruises, Oceania Cruises and now Explora Journey in February 2025. 3) Why I liked Explora Journey and choose a 7 day Caribbean cruise? Explora is attempting and the key word is attempting to be a luxury cruise ship experience. They are owned by MSC who has one of those VIP sections called the Yacht Club. They do a nice job but the ships are huge and some don't like the way it feels like classes similar to airfare classes. The other choices like Explora Journey treat everyone the same when you leave your stateroom which means to me, and only me, less class differentiation. 4) I have had the largest stateroom on NCL called the Owners Suite. I have had the second largest Stateroom on Oceania called a Vista Suite, I had the second largest stateroom on Crystal Cruises. My choose for Explora was OT-2. Which is the entry level as you are looking at. The other staterooms are indeed larger, with slightly larger balcony's but after researching them and comparing value; I like the entry level just fine. Your cabin is always nice, this entry level is a mid-level with other brands. Consider your first cruise, a "Luxury Cruise Test Drive". That is what I am doing. Seems like a good idea. 5) The key to your future cruise(s) is something I call "Realistic Expectations". Cruise influencers have a habit to saying everything is over the top great. Folks that play around on cruise social media tend to be highly critical or simply don't post. Some are realistic but takes some time to see what kind of poster they are. Myself included. If you read cruise marketing like, "Best Food on the Sea", or "Changing what Luxury Cruising Looks like". Remember, in the cruise industry, the Marketing Department Over Promise and greatly under deliver. Your best place to learn is from those that have actually cruised that brand. "I am not one of those for Explora but that is why I booked Explora". I figure, the growing pains they were having the first year will be resolved when you and I both cruise. So far so good. I hope my thoughts and the other on the stream help you. Cruise well and enjoy every moment.

A brand that is in an evolution. Interesting article and in my opinion, very positive for future guest. Cruise well and enjoy every moment.

@ldubs The categories of Mainstream to Ultra-Luxury have nothing to do with family friendly cruises. The have to do with the way your are treated, food/dining, personalized service, accommodations and other items that enhance the normal cruise experiments. Allow me to answer your question from my point of view. "Princess Cruise Lines" is a premium cruise brand. If what a cruiser wants is a luxury experience but family friendly, then NCL Haven, Celebrity Retreat, MSC Yacht club are excellent choices. If it is just a couple and a more all inclusive, calmer more personalized cruise is wanted with less children; that is when Viking, Oceania, Crystal, Seaborne, Silver Seas and Explora Journey are worthy. When you compare the investments with a more all-inclusive cruise brand to the Mainstream, the investment can be the same and even less. That is the point of this post. Long answer to a short question. Cruise well and enjoy every moment.

@GCWNJ Welcome to CruiseCritic.com. @BirdTravels linked my article on the Haven. Happy to answer any specific questions you may have. I also cruised on the Joy, in the Haven twice and in a Club suit once. I truly enjoyed the Joy. Cruise well and enjoy every moment.

It has been a while since I posted here, but I thought it might be a good time and a good topic. Cruising goes in categories. Mainstream (NCL, Carnival, MSC and Royal), Premium (Celebrity, HAL), Premium Plus (Oceania, Viking), Luxury (Crystal, Explora Journey) and Ultra-Luxury (Regent Seven Seas, Ritz-Carlton). The Mainstream companies have special area's that are called, "A Ship-Within-A-Ship" which is a VIP section that has a significant premium with perks. That is a lot of options. Add to this Mega Ships, large ships, small ships and yachts. That is even more options. Each are designed for the needs a different cruisers. Here is my thought. When looking at your next cruise, depending on your budget, don't limit yourself to Mainstream brands. With a little research, you might be able to cruise in a Premium, Premium Plus or Luxury category. Take the time to price them all and look at all the upper end cruise categories give you that you might have had to pay extra for on a Mainstream Brand. When I did this comparation I was pleasantly surprised. Just a thought and I hope it help you in your next journey. Cruise well and enjoy every moment.

@cruisingxpert That is a very good question. OS suites allow for twin beds in category 0S-2. The cabin I got shows Twin beds and bath tub with connecting rooms option. The deck plan shows which Suites have and don't have twin beds. Great questions. Cruise well and enjoy every moment.

@Waltershipman There is a section that shows, bedding, your choice for a bottle of wine & spirits, and a couple of other things. The first time I had access, these options were not offered. This time, the choice of twin beds are not offered so on that topic, I have to call to double check. I hope that answer your questions. Cruise well and enjoy every moment.

@PaulMCO As with your bulldog reference from your earlier post, I do love Bulldogs, we have one French and one English. My website access issue is resolved. It seems, the emails and letters sent lit a fire. Regardless, it is fixed. I now have access to my account online, I have selected my preferences, and double checked my balance. Excursions and other items are not available as of yet. As stated, I knew this would eventually be taken care of but the longer it took, the more concerns a guest would have. The actual access looks very nice, professional and seems to be going in the right direction. We all have to rejoiced in the little positives in life. Cruise well and enjoy every moment.

@momofmab The Epic is a lovely choose and you will have a great time. As you may, or many not know, I am a huge fan of the Haven and write about it all the time. I am responding to your post because we are both thinking the same way. I have a Explora Journey Cruise Booked for February 2025; I have my second Oceania Cruise booked for October 2025. Both brands you are considering. From my standpoint here is how it works. The NCL Haven: The Haven suites me if what I want is the Huge Ship experience yet a place to go back too for quiet, a lounge chair, better food and personalized service. I love the observation decks if they have on in the Haven. I also love the outdoor dining in the Haven Restaurant if they have it. The butlers are hit/miss even with a butler letter. Oceania Cruises: I found out, I love the smaller ship because it felt less crowded. The real key was once everyone left their staterooms, regardless of type, everyone was pretty much treated the same. Not so in the Haven, Retreat or Yacht Club. The food was better but that is relative, the drinks/bar service was better and that was a fact. This is my choice for port intensive cruises like Europe or Asia because the ship is less the attraction then are the locations/port. Explora Journey Cruises: They are MSC obviously and the new level of luxury cruising MSC want to bring to the market. Consider Yacht Club on steroids, and just like Oceania, everyone is treated the same. Explora is trying new things, attempting to fine tune things, and evolving over time. Not as mature from a consistence as Oceania simply because they are a new brand. The best part is, we all have choices. We learn from those that cruise these lines and set our expectations always to be realistic. You really can't go wrong with any of these decisions. Cruise well and enjoy every moment.

@Ticatraveler I recently wrote about this approach. New folks love an experience because they are only rating their previous experiences on another line/brand. When you bring in a new brand, with a not approach, in this case the Haven or Ship-within-A-Ship concept; they love it because it improves their experience. As time goes on, we humans now look at this new experience as "Same Old/Same Old". When something changes about that experience like cost cutting or anything the client does not like, the client looks for a solution which could be another brand/category/approach to vacationing. The Price Value Formula kicks in. The cruise lines figure, the really loyal will stay, some will leave or greener pastures, and we will pick up some at the higher fare. That is simply a business equation for the brand. Everyone then has to make a decision on who to cruise with next. Really kind of simple. Cruise well and enjoy every moment.

@caviargal Enjoy your cruises, they sound lovely. Cruise well and enjoy every moment.