leaveitallbehind

Just a suggestion. You will likely receive various valid responses to your situation, but as this is a rather complex question, if you booked your cruise through a travel agent I would suggest contacting them for direction and any steps that may need be taken with the cruise line. That is part of their responsibility in managing your booking. If you booked directly or on line with the cruise line, you may want to reach out to them via a phone call to discuss your options as they are the ones who will ultimately have the final say on how this is resolved.

Repositioning cruises (trans Atlantic / trans Pacific) are just that - a way to shuttle a ship from the end of one seasonal region to another new one. Coming at the end of one peak season they typically are not in the best temperature and weather conditions, and also typically lack a lot of ports of call en route with a large number of consecutive sea days. (Our 14 day has 5 ports, which is actually pretty many). The plus side is they are usually very economically priced and often not at passenger capacity - both of which are nice benefits. Easy to understand your comment of it being too long, however. For many, this type of itinerary might be. But long itineraries that are in season and closed loop (or at least point to point within the region) would typically have a commensurate number of of ports of call during pleasant weather conditions. The off ship opportunities and day to day activities would keep you pretty busy with more frequent changes of scenery. These are itineraries of a whole different nature and may not seem to be too long on the ship as a result. Just two completely different types of cruises. And we like both - LOL.

LOL - risky at best!

As @ldubs and I mention, there are some cruise lines that expressly do allow it, and some that prohibit them. You would just have to google the different cruise lines to see which is which.

We are booked on a late October - early November RCCL Odyssey for a 14-day Rome - Newark that was chosen primarily due to the logistics of when and where we will be in Italy prior to our return and the proximity of Newark to Philly. That being said, the vessel is 168,000 GT with numerous venues to help occupy the time. Agree that in the grand scheme of things relative to the vastness of the ocean it likely won't make much difference. But the larger ship may handle the larger waves somewhat better in comparison. But I would like the Ociania experience as well for the same reasons as those pointed out by @cruisemom42.

Agree, but there is another CC poster who in years gone by took one on just about every cruise he was on. I used to kid him about it and wondered as well if they were allowed, but to my surprise, there are some that do and some that don't.

As your question is specific to Oceania, I would suggest also posting this on that board to get responses from others who may be on that specific itinerary. Here is that link: https://boards.cruisecritic.com/forum/29-oceania-cruises/

Certainly would be a different experience on one of their sailing vessels.

Not challenging you, but did you read #15 - chengkp75' s response? (Abbreviated version included above). I think his expert explanation addresses this issue quite well. I guess as you suggest, anything CAN happen, but in this case IMO based on his response, the water is not likely the cause.

I don't know if that is accurate. And it is more in the ankles, not the legs, which is mainly a result of fluid retention. IMO it is more likely from increased humidity and salt in the sea air combined with on board food which may be higher in sodium. Many cruisers exercise less when on board which may be a contributing factor as well. The ships' water process systems are very well controlled and managed and IMO I would not suspect that as being the primary cause. Perhaps @chengkp75 or others could weigh in and correct me if I am wrong and provide accurate insight.

And by offering the option to cancel they did offer a refund, so I am confused as well. And to the OP, normally cruise lines don't give refunds for missed ports of call. They credit port fees for those missed ports. And depending on how disrupted the itinerary was, they may offer some amount of on board credit or possibly a discount on a future cruise credit. As this is your first cruise experience I don't think you have a full understanding of how the cruise industry operates and you may not aware of what they normally do in any given circumstance. Unfortunately your situation is a difficult way to be introduced to that world.

I agree with and would recommend all of the premium lines you suggested. But based on the OP's comments of preferring small ships v the large ships and all inclusive, that IMO would rule out Virgin. And even though Yacht Club is a ship within a ship, the MSC ships are mega ships and would be ruled out as well by me. (IMO the Haven with NCL and the Retreat with Celebrity would be the same as yacht club, but I would not recommend them either). I would also suggest that the OP should talk with a Travel Agent that specializes in cruises and review their preferences with them. They would be in the best position to assist IMO.

That should confirm your purchases.

Always a safe bet. RCCI has confirmed with the OP that all would remain, but I can't argue with your suggestion.

I'm not aware of ice being provided on board by anything other than the ships' water. Not sure why you are asking, but if there is a concern, water on board is made from several different processes and is perfectly safe. The ships crew survives on it for months at a time while at sea.

No. All of your on board arrangements made through the app or other wise should remain in tact. And if I read your question correctly (and we've seen how well that's worked out!) the only things booked through the other family member was the beverage package and the key. As confirmed by the RCCL rep, as they are paid in full in your names everything with those items should be fine as well.

Yep and there I go again forgetting the no-show doesn't have one - too many senior moments LOL. You have it all correctly - sorry again for my confusion!

If that was an RCCL agent, that isn't too terribly surprising. While they are well trained in the basics regarding making bookings, etc., they may not be as well versed in the details regarding the app. They work out of a call center and I would venture to guess that most of them have never been on a cruise and don't have direct experience with some of the things they are asked about. If you ever run into a wall with them, ask to elevate the conversation to a supervisor. BTW if you end up with a no-show, those package cancelations are made directly on the app by that passenger. The port fees will be refunded directly to the booking.

Sorry, I did misunderstand that - and just wanted you to be aware there are refund opportunities for that. You were probably clear - I was likely foggy. LOL. So you are covered and that is good! BTW the other comments regarding port fee refunds is also valid. Enjoy your cruise!

I understand that, and it is as I thought. So that's good. However, if you know that they will be a no show at least 48 hours prior to sailing time they should be able to cancel their packages without penalty for a full refund. At that late date there will be no refund on their cruise fare, but port fees will be credited.

No, your purchases should not be canceled. However unless you request to cancel the no-show passengers purchases that money will likely not be refunded. Package and other purchases made through the app can be canceled (and rebooked) without penalty prior to sailing. I agree as well not to rely on an email - call and speak to someone about this to confirm your options. Did you book directly or through a travel agent? There are also implications regarding the money spent for the initial booking fare of the no show passenger as well. If you booked through a TA they are the ones that would have to handle this for you. Otherwise if you booked directly with RCCL, then you need to talk directly with a customer service representative there. But CALL - do not just email!

I think you can put this issue to bed as it is clear that the information you received was incorrect, which is also supported by the responses you've received on your similar post on the NCL board. If for some reason you still aren't sure then contact NCL again and ask to speak with a supervisor to confirm. I assure you the times are not 2 hours post docking and 2 hours pre departure on ports of call. Book your independent excursions and plan to enjoy your cruise. BTW those operators will know the appropriate start and end times to comply with the ship's requirements.

In this case I don't think that is likely as routine drydocks normally only take 2-3 weeks. If the drydock is part of the amplification program that could take 4-5 weeks. In either case Quantum is showing itineraries available prior to the sailing date in question.

I'm also a little confused by this situation as there is still a Quantum sailing on the books, but it is a 14 night transpacific repositioning cruise from Seattle to Tokyo on 9/30 with no ports of call in Hawaii. Perhaps this is what the original cruise canceled / changed to? Completely different. Prior to 9/30 Quantum is doing Seattle / Alaska itineraries The only 9-night Vancouver to Hawaii is on Ovation of the Seas on 10/4. So if this is it, it would have been a ship change as well. Prior to 10/4 Ovation is also showing Seattle / Alaska itineraries. Following the 10/4 Hawaii 9 night is an 18 night transpacific repositioning cruise from Hawaii to Australia.

There really are two issues here: the cancelation of the cruise, and your perspective on the customer service - or lack thereof - you have received. As to the first part, there could be a number of valid reasons why this cancelation was made, and contractually by your booking agreement, they are within their rights to do so. It is unfortunate and unpleasant, but that is the way it is. Canceling an itinerary is one of the last things a cruise line wants to do as it is very disruptive for everyone and always results in negative feedback about them. Hopefully at some point some clarity will be provided for your understanding. As to your thoughts on their customer service, travel agents are in essence the extended sales arm of the cruise lines. When you book through one, they have responsibility for, and control, your booking. By that relationship, the cruise lines cannot talk to you directly about the booking and you are obligated to go through your TA. The TA also cannot provide any direct internal cruise line call line for you, but they certainly can, and should, manage your situation with the cruise line on your behalf. They are your advocate and this is part of their responsibility. I would contact your TA (again) to review and determine your best option and to see whatever information has been made available to them regarding the original itinerary. I'm very sorry this has occurred with your first cruise experience. It is one of the most unfortunate things that can, and occasionally do, arise. The cruise line is trying to do the best for you given the circumstances, an you do have the three options presented. As such, I hope this all works out to your satisfaction and that you enjoy your first cruise.