pmatawan

This is our 1st Oceania cruise and I'm spoiled by the food and great staff. Couldn't go back to the lesser cruiselines. Especially impressed by the lobster and shrimp available at Terrace Cafe every night. Only other disappointment has been with the slow internet. I had expected it to be better than pre StarLink. It has gotten somewhat better, but was not so great at start of cruise in India and Sri Lanka.

At least we could understand why so much time has been cut from ports.

I crave truth and transparency only.

I have never heard of a ship charging fuel surcharges even when fuel prices were higher then now. I asked the crew at reception why port times are being shortened and they say only " operational issues". When I followup with additional questions, they say port conflicts. When I ask are there port conflicts at 9 of the 10 ports on this segment, the answer goes back to " operational issues". So apparently, the crew is unable to communicate the truth, whatever it may be. They do deny any problem with the engine.

Caution: my response that a canceled excursion would be returned as refundable ship board credit was in response to post that indicated the cruiser had $600. Simply more excursion credit but spent an additional $400, of his own funds to purchase excursions.

Well, I heard that also. But the crew at reception deny there is any problems with the engine. When asked further, I was told only "operational issues", like port conflict issues. So as far as I can tell, we are not being given the truth.

I was able to book excursions for all 6 segments prior to boarding ship. Once on board, I can only book current segment.

They will convert the canceled cruise excursion cost to refundable shipboard credit.

On Riviera now and I am able to get tickets for our group, no questions asked.

As far as I know, under simply more program, it's use it or lose it for shore excursions only.

Most ports still have 7 or 8 hours in port. Hue is now 6 hours. Na Trang is 7 hours but is a tender port. I canceled a private excursion to Hanoi as I anticipate they will shorten the port time. Not knowing till a day before cruise segment starts is the worst part.

They changed our departure time from Manila from 5pm to 1pm. All full day tours previously booked were canceled and will be refunded. Only 1 tour with either a 7:45am or 8:15am departure remains.

This confirms for me that Oceania can not effectively communicate to their guests about issues that are important to us. We are not even receiving notice on Riviera as others have. Only way to find out about port change times is to compare previously posted schedule with times published in Currents. Sad to see a Cruiseline with such great food and service fail in guest relations and communications.

They are cutting our upcoming port visit by 4 hours in Manila on our Riviera cruise. A total of 14 hours affecting every port except 1. They canceled every ship tour except 1. It would t be so bad if they made these changes in advance of cruise, but we ate receiving notification only a day before cruise segment begins and only by reviewing schedule published in Currents, no other notification. No one can convince me that they can't do a better job of communicating these pre planned port reduction times well in advance. I do understand that weather conditions can impact ship operations, but this is not the case.

Nothing wrong with ship. It seems to be the norm lately as I have read here about these issues on cruise critic and Facebook. I'm guessing it is a cost saving issue. When I say Miami makes these decisions its a direct quote from cruise director and others on board. On a multi segment cruise, crew knows nothing about future segments. Can't even book a ship tour on next segment yet. So planning for upcoming ports is difficult without firm information of port arrival and departure times. I canceled a private excursion going to Hanoi as I anticipate we will depart 1 hour earlier than what's currently on the schedule.

The only rational given in the official notifications say " Due to operational issues". If you enquire at the services desk you can sometimes get a more detailed explanation. As for the shortened port schedules, it's Miami main office making these decisions. The slower the ship, the less fuel is used. I have heard elsewhere it may be for environmental reasons as faster ships injure domains and other sea creatures? What is most bothersome is the fact that these seem to be decisions with little advance notice. The " Final cruise vacation summery" supplied just prior to cruise does not reflect what happens on board.

Crew says Miami tells ship what speed to cruise at and other navigational issues and this information is only provided to them a day or 2 before segment of cruise starts. On board changes due to weather conditions are made by the captain

Currently on Riviera. Just started another section of a grand voyage. Received notice through a revised schedule published in Currents that they have shortened port times in every port stop with the exception of 1. Later port arrival and earlier departure times. They cut 4 hour off of stop in Manila. Really screwing up private excursion bookings. Crew on board says that take direction from main office in Maimi and only get notified a day or so before start of segment so hard to plan in advance for rest of cruise.

Will do.

Can anyone who sailed on Oceania recently tell me if the ship tendered into port or docked at the new cruise port terminal?

Same on Riviera, specialty restaurants are available if you are willing to share. Just ask at the reservation desk. We were asked also as we entered the main dining room. Our ship is only about 80% full now, probably no so easy when ship is full. Riviera has the upgraded wifi, but doesn't seem any faster then pre- StarLink internet. Maybe it's because 2 logins per cabin are allowed?

Expect to pay $12. +20% gratuity for a Mai Tai or similar drink.

On Riviera now, they are in terrace Cafe and I've seen them around the ship, but I fill mine from the water left in the Vero water bottle in cabin. Shame that they didn't buy insulated bottles.

Not sure, I heard it was $99.

You are correct in all you assumptions.