EJL2023

I keep on checking Explora but never find an itinerary that is not something already done for the most part. They have some in 2026 that look interesting in that they include Israel and Suez Canal.  While that sounds interesting but also not seeming very reasonable.  Have no desire to expand energy on a cruise like that with a high likelihood of a major change.  I’ll keep checking them out, especially if decide to start doing some repeat areas and if O continues down this slippery slope. 

Heck, I guess we should be thankful they didn’t take that second WIFI away!!  yet….

16 minutes ago, DaKahuna said:

 

Hmm, to me that seems about three bottles of wine short.  Easy to have one bottle when  you drink wine with both lunch and dinner 🙂 .. or maybe I am just a lush !

 

I think they are referring to 6 bottles of spirits, not wine.  If wine, I’m onboard with you!! 

18 minutes ago, iowananny said:

A loss of almost $2000 is significant.  I think many of those who take longer cruises are going to think twice about booking with Oceania.  What O may have thought seemed like a good idea, although they've been through several what they thought were good ideas, might not work.

 

We've got two cruises booked so I assume we're still under the SM package but we will have to consider who to cruise with in the future.  I guess we're all lucky, there are plenty of cruise companies to choose from.

 

And I get to answer to the Wichita Lineman.  Remember, you're still on my miiiiinnnnd... ... ... ...

 

  

It sure is! For our booked cruise the total difference is $1416. I know many say just have to look at it as a price increase and I get it, but that would be one heck of an increase compared to their usual quarterly price increases.  This would equate to about 2 quarters worth of price increase based upon how our currently booked cruises have increased each quarter so far this year.  We have 2 cruises booked and we may actually book another one before the end of the month with SM and take advantage of the 30 day prior onboard pricing and perks too. We have a 4 day window or so….after that, who knows. 

5 minutes ago, ICT lineman said:

 

 

I will chime in one more time.

 

There is a cruise we have been considering for quite awhile … 14-days BCN to DUB on Sirena in May 2025 with overnights in Sevilla and Bordeaux. It is currently listed in the Category upgrade promo which ends September 30.

 

At our Loyalty level we would receive pre-paid gratuities … 14 x $36 = $504. If booked by October 1 under the SM program, we would also receive a $600 excursion credit and select beverage package @ 14 x $30 = $420.

 

If booked after October 1, we would receive $250 SBC.

 

Bottom line … $504 + $600 + $420 = $1,524 - $250 = a $1,274 USD loss.

 

After our upcoming TA from ATH to MIA this November, we will have sailed on 12 voyages and 247 nights with Oceania.

 

Summary …

 

Panama canal once in each direction,

Mediterranean from Athens to Trieste to Malta to BCN to LIS

Bordeaux, Pamplona, Bilbao, twice to Lisbon

Canary Islands, Casablanca, twice to Gibraltar

South America twice to BA and Ushuaia 

14 of the 16 eastern Caribbean islands,

Two times in western Caribbean,

Ketchikan to Seward twice, Hubbard glacier and Glacier Bay N.P.

30-days to Japan and Korea on Regent

 

Our last Oceania cruise will likely be the Barcelona to Dublin cruise. First 11 cruises were under O-Life with next under Simply More.

 

The new ‘Your World Included’ + reduced Loyalty perks will not be a good fit for us. We will be exploring the USA more.

 

As ‘Sthrngary’ says “Cruise well and enjoy every moment”.

Actually I think the bottom line may even be a bit worse than what you outlined.  House Select is $40 per day and would be for 2, so just this part would be 14 x 40 x 2 = 1120. 

24 minutes ago, Cruzin Terri said:

Please do not start with the NoNos again,.  We have had enough of that.

Feel free to ignore. 😉

1 hour ago, 1985rz1 said:

Wonder if it's port dependent?  Uploaded ours for our boarding pass, and it was not retaken upon boarding at the port last month.

I think just depends on what they think of the quality of photo at check in…last two cruises we have taken….other half had to have photo retaken at ports (Miami and Trieste) and I did not need it taken again. 

Asking for a friend. Can we blame this on the NoNos.? If you don’t like spices, probably more likely to not drink for tummy reasons or spend money for excursions, probably can cause uneasiness spending on those overpriced excursions……which leads to tummy issues.  That is my theory!!😁

14 minutes ago, Benita said:

That is true, but they are still charging the same as if the SM amenities were included. The price of the cruise was raised to pay for those perks and instead of lowering it, they are throwing in gratuities which  many already have included because of country of residence or loyalty to O. 

Yes, I understand all of those issues but the poster I referenced did not mention those items, just the SM included drinks and excursions they did not prefer under SM. 

1 hour ago, QuestionEverything said:

Land based trips are the priority going forward for us.

I am not interested in all inclusive cruising as we do not drink and we prefer to arrange our own land tours etc.

The old Oceania format worked well as one could customize ones cruise, so we booked with Oceania - no more. The premium and luxury segment focus on all included is a turn off for our household and many of our travel buddies.

But to each their own.

 

Unless I’m missing something in your post, I’m a bit confused.  With this change O is going back to what you would seem to prefer, no drinks included and no forced excursions included??? 

10 minutes ago, ak1004 said:

So to summarize the BIG CHANGE:

 

For people who don't drink, it's basically a wash.

 

On a 10 nights cruise, SM excursion credit is $300 per person.

 

With the new pricing, you get gratuities included - $180 value, and $125 OBC. That's $305.

 

BUT: with SM you have to use the credit for excursions, while the new OBC can be used for anything.

 

Am I missing something?

My understanding at this point is the OBC is only applicable if you get gratuities included in your club level perks.  So if that is case then assume that perk will just go away in the club benefits and be replaced with additional OBC..and that is speculation I believe at this point. But no where in their press release do they refer to any OBC being a new amenity. 

At this point, can’t say that I’m a fan of the new scheme. I will probably book again with them but perhaps not as much. May depend on what perks you may be able to get through your TA since now their go to perk of gratuities is off the table.  Also, I would like them to pick a scheme and stick to it for a bit. This complete opposite scheme strategy just makes it harder to plan and therefore makes them less desirable to a point. IMHO.

18 hours ago, EJL2023 said:

Ok, everyone get out your calculator.  We have a 14 day cruise booked for next year under SM…..we get $400pp for Excursions and the House Select Package ($560pp perk at $40 per day for package x 14 days). So under SM the ‘perk’ totals $960pp.  IF the changes indicated above are a go at $250pp in OBC and PP Gratuities….($18 per day for a non suite room x 14 days equals a perk of $252). So under the changes IF as noted, the ‘perk’ works out to $502pp.  Quite a bit of a change unless they make some changes to the purchased drink package and cost. Basically the change would now cater to those that don’t drink or do ship excursions. So at least that group will be happy. Maybe…😉

So now with the official announcement, it makes the difference in ‘perks’ as just an example on our already booked cruise a bigger difference. Perks with SM were valued at $960 pp…..and with the new release those perks valued at $252. That is a pretty big difference. I’m sure we will continue booking with Oceania but perhaps not as often?? Who knows.  Funny thing when they rolled out SM, a lot people felt including the drink package was an effort to capture the younger cruiser.  It would appear the old guard won out in the end. As with everything, either accept change or………..

9 minutes ago, Jancruz said:

your 2nd gratuites will be $250 obc

Jancruz1

 

So the 250 OBC you indicated in post #7 was only applicable if you are already getting prepaid gratuities as part of the loyalty program? If that is the case, then this change will give you prepaid gratuities only and you would no longer get any drink package and excursion credits on new bookings starting October 1. If that is the case this is a pretty big change.  

I think most understand that it would not impact existing bookings. 

Ok, everyone get out your calculator.  We have a 14 day cruise booked for next year under SM…..we get $400pp for Excursions and the House Select Package ($560pp perk at $40 per day for package x 14 days). So under SM the ‘perk’ totals $960pp.  IF the changes indicated above are a go at $250pp in OBC and PP Gratuities….($18 per day for a non suite room x 14 days equals a perk of $252). So under the changes IF as noted, the ‘perk’ works out to $502pp.  Quite a bit of a change unless they make some changes to the purchased drink package and cost. Basically the change would now cater to those that don’t drink or do ship excursions. So at least that group will be happy. Maybe…😉

So not going back to the ‘Pick one of the 3’ option?

8 hours ago, WonderMan3 said:

Is it just me or does this seem to be backwards logic? Wouldn't the larger ships be the ones producing more emissions and therefore the ones they'd want out of the fjords sooner unless they comply?

I was thinking the same. I guess perhaps they may realize it will take the larger ships to become compliant and more of chance for them to do so with this time frame. Or…….the almighty tourism dollar won out and they realize what a dent it would put in their economy so pushed that one out.  Maybe a bit of both. 

5 minutes ago, Goofyisme said:

How have people enjoyed the classes conducted on the Vista?

Any insight on what type of classes are typically offered?

Is there a charge for these classes?

Thanks for any information you can provide

Never taken one but they have a description of the various classes on their website. Select the Vista on their website and then Onboard Experiences. Scroll down to Culinary Center and there is a link to click on which takes you to a listing of the various classes. Of course not all are offered on each cruise but gives you an idea.  The cost is typically $89 pp.  They seem quite popular and fill up quickly. My other half has signed up for a couple on Vista already for a cruise next year. 

15 minutes ago, basor said:

They take up no room in suitcase so take my own and then can use in hotel room pre and post cruise, etc.  I take one of 3 different sizes.....

I went to a Van Gogh and Monet Immersive Experience and they were being sold in the gift shops.  I wondered why would I need one of those!!! Now I know!! 

1 minute ago, FetaCheese said:

Call again and ask to be connected to the Shareholders Credit desk.

Thanks. I’ll do that next week. I assume if for some reason they would be denying it that they’d let you know. But I hate to assume anything when dealing with customer service from any company anymore. 

On 8/27/2024 at 10:00 AM, Robjame said:

My major complaint with Oceania is the lack of information and poor customer service. Anyone trying to use their website knows what I mean.

We have two cuises coming up, b2b. I submitted two shareholder requests and the proof of share ownership. 
‘We got the automated reply and, in time, one of the credits, for one of the cruises appeared on our on-board cruise credit. Nothing on the second cruise.

Upon phoning Oceania I was told they have to be separate emails. The justification the agent gave me was, “what if a person had 10 cruises coming up and submitted 10 requests at once.” I did not argue that the efficiency of that seemed obvious. An email explanation would have been nice.

I submitted the second cruise request again, separately. Got the automated reply but to date there has been no communication nor dealing with the request.

This lack of communication and lack of action are things I have experienced before with this department.

It is frustrating. Some staff really do not know. I called as submitted early August for a November cruise. Last week nothing yet. Person on phone said they do not post the Shareholder SBC until 30 days prior to cruise. Of course I knew that was not accurate based upon posts here. But just decided I’ll wait until I get August statement and submit once gain. 

19 minutes ago, Twiga said:

Could it be because the Nautica will soon be in the U.S.?  I will be embarking the Nautica in Miami in December. 

Looks like it will actually be in Boston as of September 11th.

22 minutes ago, mlmdaisy said:

This is bizarre.  I just checked the link for a third time and see no e mail address.  Where exactly is it, please?

Check out the Oceania guest contacts on the Elliot report at Elliot.org site.  They have a few contact email addresses for issues. Now I’m not sure how up to date it is but may be worth a try. 

Perhaps it has something to do with where you are located. As assume Harters is accessing in the UK and it is included there.  I checked just now and there is no email address included on that page here in the US.