Jmoondance

45 minutes ago, Dylan0474mac said:

. We can’t be mad at the crew for a s

hip they didn’t build. They did make a comment that beyond’s extra length and width may have played into the issue.  

 

besides the noise, everything else has been amazing with incredible service. 

Good to hear your kind, positive attitude!

Enjoy the rest of the cruise.

4 hours ago, Dylan0474mac said:

Currently on beyond. Our room sounds like it’s falling apart. Woke us up last night repeatedly.  They might have to take this whole thing apart and put it back together again. 
Our butler offered to have someone come check it out but the sounds are coming from the walls, the doors, and ceilings… everywhere.  I know it’s not something they can fix , but he tried. 

This issue is the very reason we cancel the upcoming TA cruise.

Hopefully they do something to erase your discomfort.

Good luck to you!

Meant  , creating classes system is not right way to go.

My apologies !

9 hours ago, Orator said:

To me it's not suites vs non suites, but the direction that Celebrity is taking is evidenced by the cuts and raising prices of especially suites. As I've said many times before: Celebrity needs to look at the profit margins and do what they can to increase them. Suites are quite pricy, but people who choose them are fairly happy with what they get. I expect people who pay more to get more. On the other hand, non suite passengers complain about the food in the MDR. They complain about extra fees for room service and extra servings of lobster. They complain about the menu choices in the MDR. 

Loyalty benefits have been cut which is a sign that loyalty is not important as attracting the high margin passengers .The question for me is the strategy the best for the corporation now and in the future? Time will tell!

Yes,time will tell!

Also creating classes system on board is right ways  go!

Company needs to look at not just immediate gain, but need to come up with long term solutions. 

57 minutes ago, NMTraveller said:

  Oh look at me.  I am in a suite and the service at blah blah was excellent. 

 

Thanks for the good chuckle !😄

5 hours ago, RichYak said:

I admire your imagination. If only the staff had the same reverence for Retreat guests that you do, it might actually be worth it. 

Then why pay for the difference, if it's not worth it? 

Then why anyone pays for the big $ for the just being regular Retreat guests?

2 hours ago, C-Dragons said:

You’re welcome.

Hope you enjoy your cruise, whichever one you choose. 

Thanks again for your kind words!

Thanks for your reply. 

Have a fantastic cruise!

I am about to cancel our upcoming transatlantic Cruise on Beyond, will be on cabin 12162 infinity veranda because noise issues, I read on this tread.

Is anyone has more info. about noise, will greatly appreciated.

Talked to the agent from Celebrity yesterday, she said noise wasn't the issue on Beyond.

I would like to add,my comments were from my own experiences. 

I appreciate many different points of views, like to learn from them. 

Some cruise lines. once is enough .

Others ,may go back for multiple times.

Once is enough, that doesn't means.didn't enjoy them just not right fit for us. 

Sorry about my confusing comments. 

Traveling with Cruise ships is all about utilizing what each lines has to offer. 

We have been on 6 different lines, enjoyed each one of them for different reasons .

Including Viking. 

Our first Oceania Cruise will be on the Vista.

Second will be 31 days long on Riviera from the Asia mainly for itineraries.

So far our research shows Oceania has best itineraries for our interest.

We are sure that we will not be disappointed in our decision.

Thanks for all the posters with in and out of cruising with Oceania!

29 minutes ago, PhD-iva said:

I think the passengers that purchase the South American itineraries are more itinerary-driven than ship/venue- driven. I agree that Vista is likely assigned to the Caribbean to entice those younger passengers to become Oceania regulars.

Sensible strategy.  JMO

Maybe Wow factor for first timer!

23 minutes ago, HMR74 said:

two part response  agreeing with your evaluation

1) I will be doing a 5 week land trip in Southern Europe late spring rather than cruising. Its more work to plan and takes energy once there as we go to 8 places. However its far less expensive and far more  immersive in local culture tradition and food. Our Airbnb places -each one a minimum of 400 sq feet, Venice was king of tough to find a big place and all except Venice have terraces. 400sq ft is more space than a SS cabin, but these places have their "quirks" and we kind of like that.

Good lord willm we wil be in Rome when Andreas Bocelli is performing Jun 10--but ticket prices are 2k minimum vs 100 on his US tour.

 

We are using Celebrity as transportation coming back to us and relax, after couple weeks of independent traveling.

Booked two Transatlantic cruise from Rome and Barcelona.

One in Oct.2023, 2024,  since weather in Med is very nice at that time.

47 minutes ago, HMR74 said:

 

Is my last line just now pretty much true?  If so, then as long as markets stay up people in the older generations will spend and spend on suites and specialty dining and first class flights. Its the rest of the population thas going to be stressed.

Second that!

Sorry about the mess with quoting.🙃

41 minutes ago, terrydtx said:

For S

41 minutes ago, terrydtx said:

 

 

In PE we do get just 2 seats together on the window so we are not sharing a third seat with a stranger for 15 hours. 

Same here.

Our experience with PE ,British Air was little better than AA service wise. 

41 minutes ago, terrydtx said:

 

2 hours ago, Sthrngary said:

My first Oceania Cruise is 10-days in the Mediterranean on November 9, 2023 on the Riviera. Yesterday, 8 months prior to the cruise, Oceania Special Services Coordinator-Riviera called me.  The topic of the conversation was:

 

1. Did I have any questions?
2. Did I have special needs like food issues?

 

It seems Oceania is attempting to have the special needs especially food on their ordering list well prior to upcoming cruises.  That impressed me even though my party has no special needs.  During my conversation I made mention of some issue I had with another brand and the representative sent me specific information on those topic.  A very impressive showing of Personalized Service. Not sure this is normal. 

 

Cruise well and enjoy every moment.
 

Have a wonderful Cruise!

7 hours ago, Astro Flyer said:

Great recommendations & another option I consider is using airline miles.
 

While I have not checked all airline policies the FF miles I use will allow cancelation & reinstatement back into my miles account without any fee. Some airlines might charge a fee to do this but that would likely be less than a paid fully refundable ticket.

 

There are several options for each of us to determine which is best for each of us.

 

We used AA miles for our two international trip to London and Portugal recently, it was easy to use and can be reinstate in case you need to cancel.

As always much wisdom on your post!

I read this on another cruise line board,  it's not my words that I want you to know but I agree with it whole heartily!

1) Planning helps the excitement and anticipation of travel start to build.

2) Time and Money.  If I had infinite time left in life, and infinite money,  I'd probably plan less.

3) For each vacation day, I like to have handy 

Option A (preferred)

Option B (next best)

Option C

In 2 recent trips,  ~ 50% of all days, a situation caused Option A to NOT work out.  

I saved a huge amount of time and stress by immediately simply pivoting to Option B.

Traveling has never felt more spontaneous, despite all the "planning" I do.

Thanks for all of you!

Great info. All around. 

On 1/31/2023 at 6:19 PM, SempreMare said:

1) Planning helps the excitement and anticipation of travel start to build.

 

2) Time and Money.  If I had infinite time left in life, and infinite money,  I'd probably plan less.

 

3) For each vacation day, I like to have handy 

Option A (preferred)

Option B (next best)

Option C

 

In 2 recent trips,  ~ 50% of all days, a situation caused Option A to NOT work out.  

I saved a huge amount of time and stress by immediately simply pivoting to Option B.

 

Traveling has never felt more spontaneous, despite all the "planning" I do.

Great post! Thanks.

1 hour ago, LHT28 said:

You will have more options  in airlines to choose from

 

We like to do Biz Class on longer flights   to Europe  so we DIY   usually

 

On our TA  (NYC to SOU ) we did use  O air  & took the PE option from LHR  home 

If you do not mind sitting in coach  by all means use O air 

JMO

We usually fly PE in international flights. 

Guess this itinerary is  not suitable for O included Air.

On 1/31/2023 at 11:25 AM, Sthrngary said:

How CruiseCritic.com helps those who are member?  With threads like this one. At first I booked two suites on the Riviera for November 9, 2023.  I booked my own airfare for my wife and me.  However, my friends joining us fought me on booking their own airfare.  I read every post on Oceania Airfare which by the way was not that different from other cruise brands.  Most comments were complaints or nightmares. 

 

I then went on the Delta Airlines Website and booked my friends round trip airfare which is fully refundable and changeable.  It was basically the same price/fare as the $1,000.00 per guest Oceania will discount your full fare.  The Delta Tickets were $1,200.00 per round trip, one check bag of 50 lbs or less was complementary.  Our friends will be on the same flights as my wife and me.  Instead of traveling to Atlanta, GA for flights which is 2.5 hours away, we all go out of our home base airport.  That is a savings in parking, ground transportation and hassle.  We picked our seats months in advance. 

 

When you figure the Oceania Deviation fee, the hassles outlined in this stream by clients, picking your own seats months before flight and our friends get the airline miles and points, it was a no brainer. 

I have not told my friend because he would have said no.  Purchasing the tickets early would have had a charge on his credit card which he would not do. So I purchased it since it was fully refundable to the card used, mine.  

 

I will share what I did with him just before full payment is needed.  My point in writing this is that everyone should do their due diligence on airfare.  Sometimes it is a wash or you can even save some money by doing it yourself when you cruise is far enough in advance.  I hope my experience can be helpful to this stream.

 

Cruise well and enjoy every momi ent. 

Thank you ,I think I found my answers!