PaulMCO

Jan -- if you are doing some touring in Rome, consider a tour by Golf cart. They will go to all of the good spot and can go down the lanes and other areas that cars cannot access. Cuts down on the walking.

Nope -- it is whether they have a clear shot to the satellites from the port. Buildings, other ships, mountains and warehouses will block the signal. Will effect both internet and TV. Sometimes TV only as this might be because of distribution rights issues.

Having sailed on Nautica before (including with you and Steve), that ship is the best run of any Oceania ship. It all comes down to the ships management. I fault the Marina Master and the GM. Neither was nowhere to be found. None of the officers were friendly - like saying hello. Neither matched our last two cruises on Seabourn or Regent where all the management would walk the ship regularly checking things out. On Marina nothing. Occasionally they would appear at barista -- but then to only to drink some coffee. Nautica has done a recent refit so you should be good on the cosmetic aspects, which was lacking on Marina.

And that bus trip from the ship to the Terminal with 80 year olds trying to struggle getting their carry-on's into the bus. No one from Oceania helping. The zoo at the terminal we missed as my DW wanted to leave early. My DW was not impressed with the cruise as she said the best part of the cruise was the disembarkation. Ouch. Our cabin stewards and butler (Larson) are now good friends as they were the best we have had in a long time. They did pamper us too. Hope you had a good flight home.

Always a good site to check... Oceania uses Visa Central for its prepaid visas (India, China). https://visacentral.com/oceania https://visacentral.com/additional-client-info Oceania can arrange visa on board or exemptions is the following countries:Brunei, Cambodia, Gambia, Ghana, Jordan, Kenya, Madagascar, Mozambique, Qatar, Senegal, Tanzania, Turkey (72-hour visa exemption when in transit with the ship), United Arab Emirates(UAE), Vietnam. For U.S Citizens, please contact the cruise line directly regarding any questions related to visas required for these destinations: Oceania can discuss the process and any fees that may be required for them to assist with securing visas that may be required for these destinations.

That is not the point. It is the OPs point that they do buy the drink package. It is becoming more typical. Especially if you like at 600- to 800 passenger ship with more space and less crowds. The R ship cabins are very small and poorly layed out. We did a recent Regent cruise, if you add the excursions, and drink packages can compare it to a Marina PH, the price was very similar (O was cheaper but negligibly so). This was Rome to Miami in November. And Splendor was a MUCH better ship than Marina is. Just off Marina on Sunday and it is OLD and looks it. We were in an Oceania suite and our deck had numerous rust spots. Carpet worn. And wait until Crystal comeback, there will be more pressure and comparisons.

I agree but the op is comparing prices to Seabourn and SS. There is no comparison to anything O has compared to SS, Seabourn or Regent. They (the others) are so much better, including inclusions, staff to person ratios, space to passenger, and $ per passenger spent on food.

The idea of sailing on an R ship is that they are closer to the same size as Seabourn or SS. For us 1200 passengers versus 600 or 700 is huge. You just have to look at the Marina lounge stadium style and compare it to Seabourn or Regents lounges

They did the same on Marina. Now if you think saving one hour will reduce greenhouse emmissions to zero well..... Save $$$$ that is the only reason.

More garbage and BS from Oceania. It also impacts Oceania tours. At Recife -- changed a 1:45 pm tour to a late morning tour because of an earlier planned departure. That tour got back (all 4 buses) at 2:15pm and Terrace promptly closed forcing 200 people to descend on Waves. Guess what that looked like. That day my wife had her never Oceania again face on.

Travel agent -- effective Jan 1, 2023

MIA - day 18 of 21 (segment 1)

Seems like they are running out of things. Some fruits are getting old. Dry cereals out of certain ones. Ran out Lamb Chops in Terrace 3 nights ago. Have plenty of liquor in the cabin 🙂

NEW | Beverage Package Pricing Structure Advance Purchase (Prior to Sailing) $29.95 per guest, per day – House Select $59.95 per guest, per day – Prestige Select Onboard Purchase $39.95 per guest, per day – House Select $69.95 per guest, per day – Prestige Select

We are not talking about wood versus beige. We are talking about dimly lit halls, that are further accented with dark brown carpets - that is the current Marina. Ugly looking furniture that looks worn (but is not). No USB charging. No outlets next to the bed for charging an iPAD (Oceania Suite). The ship was obviously designed 10 years ago and shows it.

Marina will not be re imagined until 2024 from multiple sources on board. While not worn -- everything on Marina is dated. Very dark and dim.

Maybe they will eliminate the 6 free bottles you get in a top suite (O suite and higher) 😞

It was not because of their $30 charge on a specialty restaurant. Their parents structural issues and over expansion into river cruises and ship yards caused its failure. (an of course you know this) We are now RSSC fans, might give Crystal another look but certainly being burnt and owed money leaves a bitter taste in ones mouth.

And Jacques was quite empty last night at the 630pm seating -- perhaps it was because New Years eve. So go figure.. Meal was disappointing - had the pork rack which was tough and tasted like a slab of Virginia Ham (salty) We have Toscana 4X already 2 in restaurant on 2 in the suite. Most consistent of the specialties. Polo bad both times -- I really do not understand the meat issue. Texas Roadhouse has better steaks. As a Crystal regular, yes the howls initially, but they sort of died out after it was implemented as on the longer cruises you would get 2 reservations per. Then of course $60 for two at Nobu is a bargain compared to the price he charges in Vegas (at Caesars)

Have you looked at who are the board of NCL Holdings. The CEO -- Mr. who shall be not be named -- are all old buddies/cronies of his. Lets see -- several former members of Apollo Management, a former travel professional, former bankers who have been given business by NCL. The board has been negligent in its oversight of the company and too generous of certain executives pay, including that of who that shall not be named.

You also have to look at SS new Port to Port fares where the 15% deposit is not refundable. This is a big downer for me and would cause me to give my future bus,iness to other lines. I book my own biz travel and used to do 200 nights per year in Marriott, IHG, Rotana and Accor properties (still do 100 nights per year). Definitely seeing more non-refundable offers. What I noticed in the last year are more first night non refundable deposits especially at IHG properties, or fully refundable but you have to prepay the entire stay to gain cash post COVID. When I encounter these crazy rules, I try to find another hotel or find a decent corporate code I can use to get a better cancellable rate.

I have commented on mid cruise survey and heard zero from this. One letter back stated they are waiting for Miami to make a decision on compensation. The other said no compensation will be given. I will not hold my breath...

It's been three years since an Oceania cruise. We generally do DIY or private tour using tours by locals. This cruise has been an exception as we booked several Oceania tours since we had a boat load of non refundable OBC. So far all but one has been a disaster. I NOW remember how bad and inconsistent their tours were. What Oceania publishes when they sell you the tour in advance from the descriptions online, in your final emailed documentation, and the blue book are markedly different from what is actually done. Non of these descriptions have been updated since the Pandemic. Example -- St Maarten was to be a stop at the Butterfly farm and then a stop for shopping at Marigot. Well guess what -- just an Island tour. The Butterfly farm was destroyed in 2017 by Hurricane Ian and never rebuilt. We are in Manaus today and yesterday. Same issue. Rubber Plantation was closed. Military Zoo closed, Animal rescue center closed. All have been closed since COVID and never reopened. Destination services response -- we will forward your comments to Miami. Good luck with that..

So why did they not raise the PH and OC suites??

Hopefully it goes to the crew and not into Juniors back pocket