Sthrngary

@Nikita4 What I love most about CruiseCritic.com is we don't have to agree on a topic. All I ask is to be taken under consideration. We all make our own decisions on how to proceed. For me, a butler letter has worked grandly. Others that have tried it have had mostly positive experiences. The folks the have had the biggest issues with the concept are the ones that never used it or put it to use. It is not just a letter, it is a well thought out communication in writing. If any butler says they can't do something, you just let it go and say thank you anyway. Since I have had butlers on NCL, Celebrity, MSC, Crystal and other brands; the quality of butlers are in deed much better on luxury brands with Crystal being a GREAT example. However, the letter got much better results on Mainstream Cruising brands. Remember, you results will vary based on many factors. All I care about is an enhanced cruising experience. Cruise well and enjoy every moment.

@mauibabes Well thank you. I have both booked directly with a brand and with a really good Travel Agent. I much prefer a GREAT Travel Agent. That is my opinion and not shared by all. I have to clarify something. Even though I was dealing with a GREAT travel agent, she was not able to really help me with my paid upgrade. Long story but when she asked Oceania, they gave her a upgrade amount that was verbally verified twice then took it back. My agent went to serval supervisors with no resolution. I wrote a very well organized, professional and non-threating letter explaining my situation. All I asked as a resolution was, when and if these upper suites were still available, to consider me as a prospect for an "Paid Guest" upgrade. I figured it would happen on the last week before the cruise. To my surprise, it happened two days after they got the letter. It actually was a "Vista Suite" and yes, just like you, we plan on it being Party Central. My point is even well connected travel agents sometimes can't get things done that a guest with good communication skills can. My agent called me when Oceania informed her of what had happened. She was thrilled for me and got some extra commission which was good for her. As long as we are kind, professional and focuses, almost anything is possible within reason. Cruise well and enjoy every moment.

@Nikita4 my online name is Sthrngary and I am the community member that originally wrote the Butler Letter. I did it because my butlers were hit or miss. This includes NCL Haven, Celebrity Retreat and yes MSC Yacht Club. The problem as I have now found out was the number of staterooms each butler had. It did not allow them to learn the guest needs as they would on a Luxury Brand. When I handed them the letter, initially they seemed shocked. They left the suite and came back within 15 minutes with a smile on their faces. To the butler, I got a thank you and was told their lives would be so much easer if they were not having to have a crystal ball for their new guest needs. My goal was to gain an improved cruising experience without being "That GUY!!!!!". The person that is mean, rude or super demanding. This little letter created instant engagement with the butler who from that point forward, could not do enough for me. After 40 years of cruising, I have learned one simple rule. Be nice, be kind, be understanding and be a GREAT communicator. Almost anything is possible. Cruise well and enjoy every moment.

@Chan50 Everyone who has a butler for the very first time feels the same way as you do. Below is some detailed information form my upcoming cruise. I do a very long and detailed "Journey Document" for my wife and in this case my friends that will be joining us. I hope the research helps you. How To Utilize Your Butler: · Menus: Ask for the restaurant menus for the day. The Main Dining room will change daily and the specialty restaurants stay the same. Let's say you have a reservation for a Specialty Restaurant that evening, but the menu for the Main Dining room has something you really want. This is your method to change if available future date is open for your original reservation. · Coffee: Bring your morning coffee and pastries if you like. Depending on my suite, I give the butler a time, and permission to bring the items in to the suite. This always works best if your great room is separated from your Bedroom. Always give your butler good instructions, a head up, and time to prepare. · Reservations: Assist in making or changing Specialty Restaurant reservations. Remember, “NO” guarantees especially on a sold-out cruise and that is why making those reservations pre-cruise as soon as you can, is important. · In-Suite Dining: Serve you in-suite dining from ANY restaurant. However, they may be a cost for Specialty Restaurants. The butler will do this course-by-course. Please give your butler a fair head up and only order from one restaurant to avoid confusion. · Pillow Menu: Gain the pillow you want from the Pillow menu and exchange it for the pillow on the bed. · Afternoon Canapes: Provide you with your afternoon canapes or snacks. They have some flexibility so talk with your butler. · Bubble Bath: Draw you a bubble bath at a specific time. · Escort: Escort you to the main theatre shows, restaurants and events upon request. NOTE: A Butler is NOT your date. They take you to the location and drop you off. · Laundry: Take care of your for fee laundry service. There is a three-day turnaround time for return. · Shoeshine: Have a scuff on your shoes, give them to your butler. · Pressing: You can request pressing of some items. Their may be a cost so ask your butler if so. · Port Reservations: In some cases, the Butler can gain reservations even for port restaurants. · Luggage: Unpack and pack your luggage. This is NOT something I have ever had done. Those that have had it done seem to enjoy it. I hope this helps you in some ways. I also give my butler an index card with requests that he can take with them. The key is I make sure they know to tell me if any request has a cost. I want to make that decision after I know the cost. Cruise well and enjoy every moment.

@jonthomas I have read many of your posts on lots of subjects. It is clear that this is NOT your first rodeo. I obviously am interested in your results because selfishly, I still have one (1) Guarantee Stateroom for my guest that I am controlling for a November 9, 2023 Riviera Cruise. The topic of Stateroom Guarantee's is the same intense debate as topics like "Simply More" or to use "Oceania Air Fare" or not. Lots of very strong opinions all valid and all usually based on some level of fact/experience. I think you and I are basically on the same page. We hope for the BEST, understand the RISKS and will NOT complain to other live or online if we get a stateroom that is NOT ideal. We will not allow it to effect our cruise experience because we made a business decision based on knowing the Potential outcomes. I am also very carefully watching the "Waitlists", occasional staterooms that open up, and how quickly they go away. We both know that if a online guest goes to the Oceania website chooses a stateroom as a mock booking, that inventory disappears for a bit and then reappears if not confirmed. Your original op-ed simply asked for folks that gained a assignment from a Guarantee. At no time did you ask for advice on if you made the right decision or not. As I said, not your first rodeo nor mine. Here is what my hope is for YOU. I hope you get what you are hoping for. I hope you get even a better stateroom than you thought you would get. Stranger things have happened and with a fully waitlisted cruise, the available pool of staterooms is random (Based on Cancelations not current availability) not based on as some say, the worst stateroom in your guarantee category. So live with a positive attitude knowing that you have a good shot at success. However with the understanding you are clear as a bell on the strategy you took and why. "Live is a glass half filled with Vodka!!" Cruise well and enjoy every moment.

This thread kind of went away from the OP's question. "What did your guarantee end up with?" (Paraphrased). On the other threat on this topic, many folks commented that got a small upgrade (PH3 to PH1), other got an obstructed view, others got the same category that their guarantee was purchased on. Most said that the assignment was the week before the sailing or even the day before. One person said a week before the final payment was due. Although there are a lot of opinions on how to handle a guarantee stateroom on Oceania, being ok with the worst stateroom in your category was the wisest opinion. Since on Oceania, booking a Guarantee does NOT give you a price advantage, many say it is foolish. The idea becomes a bit more appealing when you book a 4-Catigory upgrade to a Guarantee for best value. You could still get the Worst Stateroom in that category and have no recourse or just what the luck draws. Reading this and other topics on Guarantee's give those folks that booked it, some other options that have been stated many times by frequent Oceania Cruises. First, as the 90 days point when full payment is dues and real heavy penalties kick in, some folks cancel their reservations. You could call Oceania and see what the cost would be to get one of those now open staterooms. Second, after final payment, see if any staterooms open up and do the same as option one. The timing of after Oceania has their final payment may offer new opportunities. Any brand want to finalize their paid staterooms and can't know what the final result could be without requiring final payment. Third, just let it happen normally and remember, we all agreed for the worst stateroom in that category. All of our hopes are for a modest upgrade but we knew the deal when we did it. Cruise well and enjoy every moment.

@china addict I hope you will post from onboard the Riviera that week. I will be going on when you come off on November 9, 2023. I also get what you are saying. I used to study companies and their culture. Culture is everything in strong brands. One such example was Toyota and Lexus. They have something called the "Toyota Way". Part of this culture is to always look for ways to "reduce cost without negatively effecting quality". That is the trick and with all the comments about food quality and service on reviews recently, it seams like Oceania has not yet mastered the balance. For folk like myself who never sailed Oceania before, it is all NEW. We are just looking for improvement mainly from Mainstream Brands. What we will notice is over worked crew members especially on sea days and food quality. As it related to steak being over cooked, that is a staffing issue. My hope is that some of these issue will selfishly work themselves our for you and myself over the next 90 days. That is my hope anyway. Attitude is everything in life and mine is the "Glass is always half full with Vodka". Cruise well and enjoy every moment. Cruise well and enjoy every moment.

Sometimes. At the rate you have, you have a great deal/approach. The upgrade bid might be a better option. Please let me know what happens. Cruise well and enjoy every moment.

@SoloAlaska I am sure you most likely know some of what I am going to share but just in case, here is some information. When you are on NCL, they do the bid program. When you are a Solo, you still pay for two double occupancy. So you bid $100.00 to get to a balcony. If you win, you pay $200.00. I would not recommend you bid up to the Haven on the Gem. It is a small ship which is nice but does not have a full Haven. The other way to work with NCL is sometimes, when the ship is not filled, they take categories and don't have a double occupancy requirement. I did one solo cruise. I did this in 2022, on the NCL Joy in a Club Balcony Suite where my fare was $800 instead of $1,600. That was a nice surprise and the suite was lovely. Always test prices even on the cruise you are on. Many call this doing a mock booking. You never know, you could get lucky like I did. Cruise well and enjoy every moment.

"To upgrade or not to upgrade, that is the Question?" First cruise 44 years ago was my honeymoon. We sailed the SS Norway and the brand was Norwegian (now none as NCL). We were in a Inside Stateroom with bulk beds. Romantic right? We thought so at the time because it was our first real vacation as adults. Fast forward, my second to last cruise was in the H2 Haven Deluxe Owners Suite with Large Balcony. Now that is a transition. Over the years we edged up every couple of years to a nicer stateroom. No were to go after the Owners Suite or is there. My next cruise in the Mediterranean is in a Vista Suite on Oceania Cruises. Actually bigger and more luxurious than the Haven Owners Suite. My point is I know about upgrading. Let me start by saying, I have not paid full retail going price for the biggest upgrades like the Haven Owners Suite or the Vista Suite. They were VERY expensive don't get me wrong, but not full freight as one might say. Having had the experience I can say with clarity, these big suites are nice but not necessary. If they can be obtained at a discounted upgrade amount, they are a memory you will not soon forget. Even more so if you are traveling with guests whom can enjoy these huge suites with you if only for the veranda. My opinion on upgrades is simple. Do the math. If it fits in your budget, if it is something you always wanted to do, it you like bigger suites I say go for it. Just remember, after the initial shock and excitement of how big everything is compared to other staterooms you have had, it just becomes your cabin. So here is my best take on how to approach the subject of upgrades. NCL: My wife and I did an NCL cruise December 2022. My lovely bride won the NCL slot tournament on the cruise before and this was the final $100,000 winner take all contest. My wife lost in the first round. We were staying in what is called a Club Balcony Suite. We usually stay in a Haven Suite which is their Ship-Within-A-Ship concept. They sent us a link to "Bid" for an upgrade to the Haven with lots of suites to choose. I bid on all I could but was careful not to bid if it was not somewhat of a deal. We lost all the bids. The moral of the story is Bidding does not guarantee an upgrade. If you want the Haven, just book it. Crystal Cruises: I had a standard balcony stateroom, Just before the cruise, I was given a "Paid Upgrade" opportunity. It was Highly Discounted and it was done because the ship was less than 1/2 filled. I ended up with a Penthouse Suite was the second largest suite on the ship. The suite was nice but the butler made the cruise. Oceania Cruises: I booked a Penthouse using a four category upgrade promotion. I learned here on CruiseCritic.com that if you have your travel agent tell Oceania you were open to a "Paid Upgrade" opportunity, they would contact if it the opportunity became available. Long story on this one that gets me in all kinds debates online so I will not go down that path. What I will say is I was able to gain a paid upgrade and be in the Vista Suite which is the second largest suite on the ship. So you can simply book your suite, bid on a suite or take a paid upgrade opportunity if provided. Use good business judgement. Don't let you emotions go wild thinking having this huge suite will be the ultimate. It nice but if you visualize it as perfect in every way, you will be disappointed. The one category I did not talk about a is Free Upgrade. The reason is you have a better chance winning a lottery than getting a legitimate complementary upgrade especially to a Penthouse. Have I ever gotten one, YES. Was it easy, NO. Was it worth the effort, NO. Would I go down that path again, NO. The facts are, book your stateroom and simply be happy. When the notion of a upgrade is on your mine and you don't get it. The cruise can lose some value for you. I know, that is how I have felt. I hope this helps some who are new. Cruise well and enjoy every moment.

As I promised to do, here are the results of my observation with 97 days until our cruise. For about a week, all staterooms at every level showed "Waitlist" on our voyage. Just out of curiosity, I went to the guest contract and read the cancellation policy again. My logic was to determine when the most about of guest currently booked might choose not to pay the balance at 90 days out. Interesting read by the way, I have had no issue falling asleep at night when I try to read this crazy long and detailed document. Back to the point, business logic tells me, the majority of cancelation will happen on day 90. Even though the penalty for the deposit went into effect at 120 days out. About five days ago, two Oceania Suites and one Owners Suite became available. That was an interesting find. I would have thought with a higher penalty for those suite, they would have been solid but I was wrong. I am posting today, 97 days out because this was the first time that some of those who posted on this stream said their Guarantees had been filled. My gut tells me, Oceania on a ship that is filled, will clear Guarantee's after 90 days out or when full payments have been received. The majority to be filled the week prior to sailing. That is my observations to this point. Just interesting how it all works. Cruise well and enjoy every moment.

GREAT balanced and fair review. Many people that are responding are faithful Oceania Guests. I on the other hand am a member of the soon to be NEW Oceania Guest. Why is this distinction so important. Maybe I can make my point by sharing my personal definition of Luxury Cruising. "Luxury Cruising is a cruise that is more luxurious that my past experiences?" So if my past cruising experience was Carnival Cruises, luxury would be improved personalized service, dining, staterooms, bars and so on. The criteria is meet by simply being an improvement to past experience. That is NOT websters definition, it is mine. So as a new guest, I am not going to compare any aspect of my upcoming Oceania Cruise to anything other than the other cruise lines I have been on. Now that sets up my comments on this review. When you know that certain dishes in a specific restaurant is not good, we new folks don't order them. When it is not the first time we hear this complaint like with over done steak, when we order we are very specific and want the waiter to standby while we cut our steak. The same as in any good steak restaurant. When we hear the bread bowl is lovely, we look forward to it. When we hear some times folks are messy in the Aquamar Spa Terrace, we are not surprised to see it when and if it happens. We might even disagree that it is a bad thing that someone is in the Spa Terrace and might have had a few drinks. Being disrespectful to other guest and leaving a mess is unacceptable. Having one to many drinks while respecting other is just fine. Last I heard this is a vacation. It is disappointing to hear the Chair Hogs are alive and well on Oceania. The unique thing about cruises is you can be on the same ship, going to the same locations and doing three consecutive week cruises. Each cruise will be different, each cruise guests will be unique. That is the best part of cruising, the differences. To the author, bravo. You did a lot of work. Every new guest to Oceania should read your review twice. Managing Expectations is the key to increased enjoyment from a cruise vacation. Cruise well and enjoy every moment.

Yes

You are in a Princess Cruises blog and I have no idea what Premium is. My area of expertise does not include Princess. However, I have heard only great things about the brand. I would call back and get another agent to verify what was said. Cruise well and enjoy every moment.

@CrossM2 At your budget, the world is at your feet. Go to NCL and Celebrity websites. Look at the different Caribbean destinations. Choose a date and look at the Haven on NCL or Retreat on Celebrity. Only go on their newer, bigger ships. NCL Bliss, Encore, Joy, Viva. On Celebrity choose the Beyond Class of newer ships. Check the prices. Warning, the Haven and Retreat are Suites Only area with private Restaurant, Bar, Sundeck, Pools and Hot tubs. If your guest don't do the Haven or Retreat, your group will not eat together or have the same availability of VIP areas. I hope that helps. Cruise well and enjoy every moment.

@CrossM2 Since it is your 50th, all you have to tell me is where you want to go. I understand how you feel about being out of cruising for a while. I also need a budget. I have been cruising for a long time and some of what has happened in cruising really was not to my liking. So about 6 years ago, I bit the bullet and did an NCL Haven Cruise. Now I put the Haven in the same category as MSC Yacht Club and the Celebrity Retreat. All are a private area on a bigger ship that is exclusive. Lots of video's on these area's but it is a premium price. It you are laid back and just want to chill, If you don't need waters slides or Broadway shows, then my advice would be Oceania or Viking. When you go from Mainstream Cruise brands to Premium-Plus/Luxury, you are treated consistently throughout the ship regardless of you stateroom. I am 66, love the Haven but going on a 10 day Mediterranean Cruise and the cost is actually less than the VIP sections mentioned on main stream brands. Food it better, service is better and the bars close at 11 ish because most of the cruises are port intensive. Two choices, depending on a lot of variables only you can outline. Give me more information and I can assist you better. In closing, I used to cruise for the lowest price. As time went on I wanted more from my experience. Now I cruise less but pay a bit more and the things that started to bother me are gone. Hope that all makes sense. Cruise well and enjoy every moment.

I am also known as the grumpy old man. I might be old, but I’m not grumpy, and anybody that says I am, it’s just mean. Maybe I’m a little grumpy.

Southern Gary. The call me just Gary. Funny, I am from NY. Yet live in the South. Anyway, another interesting event on a cruise.

@susiesan I am glad you got this offer and very happy you shared it with all of us. You opened up conversation that is interesting. Why this could have happened or what could have caused Oceania to do a special offer like this. This kind of information for me is a gold mine. I especially like the notion that Oceania might be doing to many Guarantees. After not enough guest just after covid, followed by everyone using FCC to book, the huge loans all brands had to get to stay in business. It sure seems like the job is to fill the ships even if they have to do big sales. Add to this, some of those sales were incredible and means much less folks would cancel prior to final payment. None of what I just said has any factual basis. I don't know anything and don't claim to. I do know that what I outlined seems to make logical sense. Just saying. Cruise well and enjoy every moment.

@Daniel A I think I see your concern. I will be cruising soon out of Athens, Greece. I also will be flying in to the port city a few days early. During my cruise, I will have a full day in Rome, Italy. I am making an assumption that your hotel is actually in Rome which is 54 miles from the Port. Below is the information I collected for how to get from the Port to City Central. Not sure it will answer your question. I hope it helps in some way. _______________________________________________________________ It is 54 miles from the cruise port to Rome. We most likely will take the bus to the train station. We need to see if Oceania Cruises has a shuttle to the train station. You can do it yourself for 3 Euro’s one way to train station. Taking the train will cost 10 Euros round trip. Use the https://www.trenitalia.com/en.html app. Easiest way. Taxi’s range from 150 to 200 Euros one way. Takes about 1 to 1.5 hours each way. Basically, the same as a train. From the port, for 3 Euros a bus will take you to the train station. The train is 5 Euros one way and 10 Euros round trip. In Rome, you must choose the stop you want to get off. Coordinate this with Tour Guide via “GetYourGuide.com”. From Cruise port to Rome is about an hour by train. It has been suggested to rent a scooter to get around the city. is about 50 Eros. NOTE: Consider looking up “GetYourGuide.com”: This is an interesting website to research. Walking, electric bikes, Electric scooters, Vespa’s, and a driver. Escalating costs. It is traditional to eat Pasta Ubana on Thursday.

@Monica887 I thought about it but passed. Some folks have the need to be considered more important than they really are. On a vacation, it not the time to effect anyone's attitude with reality. Vacation is fantasy, not reality. I know this because I was sitting on my roof deck yesterday night and tried to call my butler to bring me a Haven Cheese Burger. Than I realized I am the Butler and if I want a burger, make it myself. My bubble was burst. Cruise well and enjoy every moment.

@taloolabelle Don't be embarked. The majority of what I sent you relates. There is a brand new Video on YouTube.com for the Vista Ship, Vista Suite. I like the new layout very much. A couple of differences in the soaking tube in the master bathroom, no jacuzzi on the deck, the elimination of the cardio room which was a good thing, and some furniture. The Suite looked stunning. Enjoy your cruise and I look forward to hearing all about it here on CruiseCritic.com. Cruise well and enjoy every moment.

@Daniel A If you are sent a luggage tag from NCL in the mail they are pretty and look the best. My issue was I always fly into the port and those tags are ripped off by the luggage folks. So I bought the sleeve from Amazon which I print the tags after you can check in online (21 days prior). Now I can pre-do all my luggage tags and be done with it. In the Haven, those printed tags have the same effect as the ones they sent you which should directly answer your question. Cruise well and enjoy every moment.

@knscruiser322 Great balanced review. This is the kind of review that NCL should look at and learn from. Your reference to the difficulty in gaining a lounge chair by the main pool and the arguments folks have was my main reason many years ago to pay the premium in the Haven. Not all the reasons but a big one. On your reference to the attitude that some Haven Folks have is a shame. We all pay the price and no one guest is more important than another. I do have a funny story. I was on the NCL Joy, In the H2 Owners Suite but kept that quiet just so I could simply enjoy the week with my family. I am an extrovert and my wife is an introvert. From time to time I would go to the Haven Bar by myself and have a few drinks. I would engage with lots of folks. My approach is simply enjoying folks company and I rarely bring up this blog, or my understanding about the Haven. I never give my screen name unless someone asks me directly. I am on vacation and just want to enjoy it. A person next to me started to come across as the "Expert of all Experts" on all things Haven. For me this was great, I would listen while enjoying my drink and let this person put on a show. Half of what he was saying was not correct. I said nothing. He drew a crowd, and tried to be the center of attention. No one knew me at all until someone in the group said, "Well, Sthrngary on CruiseCritic.com says this and you are saying something different." What an odd feeling being quoted when no one knows I was sitting right there. this "Haven Expert" said, "Oh, Sthrngary YES. He is a good friend of mine." I know I had a stroke but I usually remember my friends. I said nothing. I just smiled. The guy left and the person that challenged the issue said, "I don't think that guy knows what his is talking about. I understand, SthrnGary is on this cruise, have you ever met him?" I said yes, "I am SthrnGary and what he said was completely wrong. However what good would it have been to call him out on it. Let him enjoy his time even if he is not the person he says he is." That really happened and thinking back on it, I was more sad for the guy then angry. The one thing I will say is we all have to find a way on Vacation to avoid at al cost drama. If I want drama, I can go to my adults daughters home and ask her about her work. I am ON VACATION NOW. Cruise well and enjoy every moment.

My pleasure Cruise well and enjoy every moment.