You say O is very port intensive. Not so, depends on the itinerary you chose. Also in the Caribbean for example, we have been many times and will often chose to stay on the ship. The ship is the best part of the cruise for us on O. We are recent arrivals to O, having done over 50 with Celebrity. Just recently we were on a Viking Ocean and vowed we would now sail only O.
I posted it on roll call. Have not heard back from my O rep.
Heard back from my TA. She will call O tomorrow.
Would be surprised if anything could be done at this point.
Will let you know.
Our best cruise was on insignia 2019, yes prior to covid.
In over 50 cruises, we had never tasted such delicious food. It is that cruise that convinced us to give up loyalty to celeb and sail only O. As staff become more seasoned and supply improves, so will the return of excellence.
Please make your comments on questionnaires.
Perhaps we are already doing it, by highlighting the issue.
Making others aware that these cabins are in fact needed. Do not take them if you don't.
But the bigger issue is to change Os policy of assigning HC without making sure the passenger needs it.
It's outrageous that O does not save these few cabins for those who need it.
I don't know how anyone can be it that cabin with a clear conscience that they don't need it but someone else may.
I will do all I can to make sure we do not occupy a handicap cabin. We booked this when the itin first came up, now prices are higher for other categories.
Everyone should boycott a HC cabin if they don't need it. Unfortunately we were assigned this cabin without realizing it's a HC .
Anyone think I should write to someone with the power to make change happen. Give me the info.
This will be our 15th O cruise.
When I booked this cruise, if only an HC was available, I should have been placed on a wait list. I would have had a regular cabin now and someone who needs an HC would be accommodated.
At time of booking I did not know it was an HC.
I am hopeful that with the amount of time till sailing, this can be resolved.
B5 cabins are highly sought after. There are very few accessible cabins.
It is unbelievable that O would give a cabin like this to someone who does not want or need it.
Not sure what it is in my power to do.
I have written to my O rep and to my TA.
Bottom line, I will NOT occupy a cabin that others may need.
I have yet to find a TA that is good with rebates and service. It's pretty much one or the other.
Mine said our original price is best. I didn't trust it. Got in touch with the O rep we deal with. He reprised it and said the same thing. Him I trust.
The Allura is also coming out.
The Vista won't be the new kid on the block.
In any case two years is a long time, anything can happen. I'm glad I put this topic up, as there are others that have been part of this experience and were able to tell me that no way will I want to keep this cabin for myself.
Will keep watching and hope that with time something will come up. The b5 are much coveted, now having a lengthy wait list, b4 has a wait list as well. Maybe once the Vista sails people will not like the French balcony. Not likely to happen.
With two years away, a promo may come up and give us a chance to maybe rebook.
Although that too is unlikely with a new ship.
I just let the TA know to let O know, if anyone needs the handicap cabin.
I am not allowed to waitlist a different cabin in the same cat, I already pursued that. You can only waitlist for a different category.
Yes will watch for openings, but now the two bottom ones are waitlisted.
yes did that right after booking it with the O rep.
Will appraise the TA of the situation, but really dont think anything will be done about it, but I could be wrong, it has happened many times before...lol....
thank you for your advice...yes will just keep watching...
thank you for the description also...no one should take a handicap cabin and deprive someone that really needs it...I am surprised it was so easily given to us, instead of just being put on a wait list for a B5....
maybe should wait and offer to pay for an upgrade...it is two years away...
but I agree with the advice given here, NO way to sail in a handicap unless you need it....