ak1004

The new cancellation policy implies only $150 per person penalty, not the whole deposit non refundable. Something doesn't add up here.

They still should refund the difference because the deposit is $250 per person or $500 total. Happened to us a while ago, they refunded the deposit less OBC that we used.

This is true for all cruise lines. This is why we never book a cruise based on loyalty. Whoever provides the best combination of itinerary, price and ship experience gets our business. 12 different lines so far. Zero loyalty to any line.

Our FCC was about to expire mid September, we asked to extend it, they refused, so we cancelled and got a full refund. I'm not sure if this situation is different from what is described in the original post. If FCC was already applied, then I assume standard penalties apply, but you are also eligible to one change, which effectively means that you can cancel without penalty as long as you book another cruise (and all benefits apply to the new cruise).

Good to know, and agree, if it's around $15, it's very reasonable.

That's a very good advice - but my understanding is it's not free (unless certain level of suite and/or loyalty)? Any idea about the cost? Is it possible to just request a steamer?

Everyone is different. If it’s a TA flight of 7-8 hours you still wear a jacket the whole flight? Some flights become pretty hot. And not all airlines have an option to give the jacket to the crew to hang it. What happens when you arrive and it’s 30c outside? Still wear it? Those are completely honest questions. We will be on the Dawn in December sailing from Ft. Lauderdale. We started travelling with carry on only recently, and it will be our first time that I have to take a jacket. I hate jackets, but I intend to comply with the dress code despite considering it absurd, but also want to find a solution that is not too inconvenient. In May we will be on the Spirit from Venice, and will have the same issue, this time on TA flight.

We usually do up to 2 weeks.. 21 days might be a stretch, but still doable. Better than losing the luggage for sure.

How was I insulting men? Not to mention that I'm a man myself lol..

The trend today is travelling with carry on only. Yes, it's possible. One carry on and one personal item per passenger. One less thing to worry about. On our last river cruise, out of 88 guests at least 3-4 couples got their luggage lost. That's 10%. And when you travel with carry on only, a jacket is a major addition. Why this is so difficult for people to understand??

And the fact that they changed it on the Nova is probably a hint that most SS guests do want the change. So for men the only choices are tuxedo/suit or shorts and t-shirt? Nothing in between? Pretty amazing that dress code loyalists bring the shorts and t-shirt example every single time.

Yea.. I'm familiar with all the arguments.. "if you remove the dress code, people will start coming to dinner in shorts, t-shirts and flip flops". Guess what? Never seen people in shorts, t-shirts and flip flops or even jeans on Oceania. Country style casual, excellent ambiance. And there are people who still wear jackets and ties, and we live in piece with them and they live in piece with us.

The simple truth is that even SS itself started to realized how absurd and archaic the current dress code is and simplified it on the Nova. The issue is lack of symmetry. People who want to dress up can still do it even if the dress code was casual every day. The opposite is not true.

After reading all 130 posts, this is my understanding of how things work. On formal nights, if I go to Atlantide or Salt, I need a tie and a jacket. But I don't need a tie in La Terrazza, only jacket. And I don't need tie or jacket in The Grill and Spaccanapoli. But when I finish my meal in The Grill and Spaccanapoli and go back inside, I need to put back my jacket and tie (or only jacket?). La Dame always require jacket (but not tie). I don't eat Asian food, so don't have to remember about Kaiseki (what a relief). Silver Note only jacket (I think). On informal nights, it's pretty much the same, but I don't need a tie. And can have no jacket But then again, if I eat outside, don't need a jacket, but have to put it back when going back to the bars and the theater. When I reach my table, I can remove the jacket and put it on my chair. But have to wear it back when leaving or going to the washroom. Not sure about Silver Note (only jacket?). La Terrazza doesn't require a jacket (I think). On casual nights, no jacket anywhere, except for La Dame (this one I'm pretty sure about). But I wouldn't pay $160 on the Nova anyway, so one less to remember.. Could it be any more clear? Did I miss anything?

Agree with you 100% Hank. We are doing 10 night on SS next months at $325 USD per night, and next year in Europe for around $400 per night. A great value. But yes, those bargains are more and more difficult to find. And yes, those lines are more inclusive, but in terms of overall experience, we found O much closer to SS than to Celebrity. So to me, O is good enough in terms of value for money, but itinerary is the most important things. We found couple great itineraries with SB and SS in 2025, but they were at least 30-40% more expensive. As for air program - I cannot comment on SB yet, but we had mixed experience with SS air department. Their pricing for business class was great, and they gave us direct flights, but when we asked to fly 2 days earlier, they requested almost $1,000 USD extra per person.

We recently looked at European cruises for 2025, and checked most premium/luxury lines. Ended up booking two cruises on Vista. Both cruises were under $500 CAD per night in FV. SB starts at $600-650, SS around $700-750 (but includes excursions), Crystal $800+. Overall O prices are still attractive in my opinion, even considering we don't drink and rarely take ship excursions. As I say repeatedly, what matters is the overall package. There will always be things you don't use but have to pay for.

The low price guarantee is till the sail date, correct? Also, the one time ability to move to another cruise is also till the sail date?

Agree with you 100% regarding TA.. I was just responding to another poster who mentioned TA. We recently booked two cruises in 2025 in Europe (10-12 nights). I checked all itineraries, including the R ships. I did not find a single itinerary on an R ships that offered some unique ports that O ships don't go there. Paris - all ships dock in La Havre. Rome is Civitavecchia, no matter which ship. Maybe it's different in other regions. We ended up booking both cruises on Vista. Both under $500 CAD per day for French Balcony. To me, it's the best combination of itinerary, ship, cabin and price.

Well, I just checked couple TA itineraries: https://www.oceaniacruises.com/transatlantic-cruises/miami-to-santa-cruz-de-tenerife-SIR240327/ - 14 nights on Sirena, PH3 is $6,999 CAD ($500 CAD per day) https://www.oceaniacruises.com/transatlantic-cruises/miami-to-barcelona-MNA240405/ - 14 nights on Marina, PH3 is $7,299 CAD ($521 CAD per day) https://www.oceaniacruises.com/transatlantic-cruises/miami-to-lisbon-VIS250501/ - 12 nights on Vista, PH3 is $6,499 CAD ($541 CAD per day) So O ship is only $20 CAD per day more, and Vista $40 CAD per day more, but you get a 440 sqft suite compared to 322 sqft suite on the R ship. And TA is definitely not for the itinerary, so I really have a hard time understanding the value. But everyone has a different definition of value. Means more bookable space for us on the newer ships!

Downtown. We just booked one on Vista. When it's not downtown, it says Le Verdon.

Prices: I agree regarding value. For us, the itinerary is definitely more important than the cabin size. But I just don't see itineraries on R ships that are more attractive. btw, O ships do dock in Bordeaux.

Yes, you are right, bigger ships dock in Cadiz not Seville. Around 1 hour 20 minutes drive. While less convenient, for me it's not a reason good enough to compromise on comfort. And usually on a 10-12 night itinerary, there are no more than 1-2 ports like this that are unique to R ships. Regrading price: Vista lowest category shows $4,892 CAD and Nautica $3,182 CAD, a difference of $1,710 CAD or $1,266 USD, so I'm not sure where do you see $2,800. Cruise critic search shows a similar difference: But this is really not apples to apples comparison. You are comparing a 165 sqft inside cabin with 240 sqft French veranda cabin.

Just for my education: 1) Can you give an example of more interesting itinerary in Europe on R ship that O ship doesn't have? 2) Which category Vista is more by $2,800 per person?

Here are 2 fairly similar itineraries with few same ports at similar dates: https://www.oceaniacruises.com/mediterranean-cruises/rome-to-istanbul-VIS251029/ on Vista, veranda is $492 CAD per night https://www.oceaniacruises.com/mediterranean-cruises/barcelona-to-istanbul-NAU251108/ on Nautica, veranda is $490 CAD per night. PH is $705 CAD per night. Seriously? Many SB sailings are cheaper on larger cabins and newer ships and all inclusive. Why would anyone book this cruise on Nautica at those prices? And this is pretty typical. I'm genuinely trying to understand, what am I missing?

Exactly. They love Azamara and don't have a choice. We do have a choice. Given that O has 3 newer ships with very comfortable cabins and showers, I just don't see a reason to sail on R ship. I have yet to find an itinerary on R ship that is more unique than O ship. Yes, there are a few ports that R ships can go, but on a typical 10-12 nights European itinerary, there might be no more than 1-2 such ports. I won't compromise on my comfort for 1-2 ports. And for the price of PH on an R ship, I can usually book SB or SS. For us, it's both itinerary and the ship, probably 70/30. R ships just don't cut it and don't justify the price. Paying the same price for a 240 cabin on a 1 year old ship and 170 cabin on a 20 years old ship is absurd.