KimKM

Thanks:)

It really shouldn't be required, but apparently, it is. Too bad.

I have to be honest. At this point, I'm really over being told how unreasonable I am. I won't make this mistake again.

Thank you. I appreciate your understanding.

Thank you. I should never say never. I just know that I will go back to the cruise lines we have enjoyed and had exemplary experiences with, for awhile. Just to reiterate, we have never posted a complaint, or complained in a cruise survey before this. We aren't typically negative people. This cruise just hit a lot of "disappointment buttons". Thanks, again.

That's great! I'm happy that it worked out for them. There was a lovely couple that we met, who were continuing on the cruise, and were hopeful that Bermuda would happen for them. I'm sure they enjoyed it. I read about March being a bad time to visit Bermuda on legitimate weather and cruise sites (including this one). I'm not sure how my posting my experience on this cruise has opened me up to your particular criticism and, frankly, insults. I wasn't asking for O to refund a dime. I didn't want them to sail into unsafe waters. I wanted communication, a feeling of planning for this type of situation, and good food would have been nice. I didn't expect special treatment. It's funny, I've been cruising since before my husband retired, and never had any occasion to post here, except to ask a small question early on. I love cruising. The first time that I post about a truly disappointing experience, I'm made to feel like a spoiled child. You don't have to approve, it's MY OPINION and experience. Amazingly, different people can have different opinions. It's possible! I will cruise again, soon (this year), just not with O. I wish you all well in your cruising, and future travels.

I can assure you that I didn't make anyone "miserable" on our cruise. I was grateful for the wonderful restaurant, bar and cabin staff. They were great. I was friendly and enjoyed the other cruisers that we met. I only shared our displeasure on the mid-cruise survey, which is what I thought I was supposed to do? When the head chef and the head bartender spoke to us, I was calm and respectful. I am an adult and I can be displeased by a situation without acting like a toddler. There was a women disembarking in front of us who yelled at the staff on the way out... that wasn't me, because I don't blame anyone but corporate.

I'm sorry that you found my opinion that a cruise line, doing business for years, should have a fairly good idea of the best times to sail to Bermuda, "totally nonsensical". Everything that I have read seems to indicate that March is a very bad time to schedule a Bermuda cruise. I suppose that, silly me, I thought that Oceania would have experience enough to know the worst and best times to include certain ports. I have learned that I can't trust the cruise line, and I will have to double check and do intense research, in the future. Also, I'm shocked by how many "very knowledgeable experts" on here, can't comprehend that NO ONE is saying that Oceania should have taken us to Bermuda despite dangerous conditions. I specifically said that wasn't the problem, but I'm assuming it's not as enjoyable to mock me if you don't make me sound totally ridiculous. My "beef" is that I don't think they should run that itinerary in March, and that their communications with guests is awful. I'm sure that someone will still critique something else that I've said here, but I still get to have an opinion and share it.

brobin111, we were on this cruise, too. We weren't first time cruisers, just the first (and last) on Oceania. So many responders here are ignoring the OP's point that we didn't expect the Riviera to risk lives sailing into bad seas. We expected much better communication (any communication would have been an improvement) and that a cruise line would know when to offer a trip to a specific locale. I know now that you don't sail to Bermuda in March. I'm guessing Oceania also knew. Maybe it's a bad plan to sell a cruise to people based on Bermuda, knowing that it probably won't happen? I'm sorry, but I also think that there should be a more interesting port than JAX for a substitute. I lived there and really liked it, but it's not even close. We wouldn't have known about the itinerary change if we hadn't asked at check in, because I overheard another customer dismayed about the change. Our check in agent was "forgetting" to inform us until we asked. I know a couple onboard who found out at dinner that night (awkward). .. We went on a 10 day cruise, and spent most of the time wandering aimlessly around the ocean, with not much substance (the map of the ship's course was hilarious...like a spaghetti blob. We were treated like idiots at the beverage package upgrade station and we found the food, that everyone seems to love, to be bland and mostly served cold (in every dining room). We were honest on our mid cruise survey, and received calls re: food & beverage, but nothing of substance. Our only bright spot was our room attendants... lovely and attentive. It's very difficult to change a first impression. I would never trust them again. We will return to our previous cruise lines, and call it a very expensive learning experience.