jazznruby

!!!Thanks!!!

!!!Thanks!!!

If you want to arrive 6 days before cruise departure, you would pay the deviation fee of $199/pp which would allow you to choose itinerary, times, airline, etc. You would submit your choice(s). If you accept what they offer (which could also involve an air differential) you would then pay the non-refundable fee. This is considered a 'custom air request'. They now offer the option of arriving up to 3 days early and staying up to 3 days later at no additional charge, but you must accept what they offer in terms of itinerary, flights, etc. Your other option, of course, is to do your air independently of O's.

Custom air deviation, yes, 270 days. New 3 day policy, outside 90 day window.

Again, here is the info sent by my TA. She later clarified that it's not 'custom' air, but that's the way she has to submit it. 'Custom' air to us is the same as always, with added deviation fee etc. There is another option at no cost that Oceania just added to their air program. You can request custom air and arrive up to 3 days early and depart up to 3 days after disembarkation. With this option, you cannot request specific airlines, flights, the time you would like to arrive and depart or early ticketing. You will not be able to request an air arrival at a different port from the embarkation or disembarkation port. You would have to accept the air Oceania gives to you. This has to be requested outside of 90 days prior to the sailing.

So I just talked with my TA regarding O's new policy. It's exactly as I initially thought. The ONLY thing that's changed is now having the ability to fly in/out up to 3 days before/after the cruise at no additional cost. O sends you the itinerary, flights, times, etc., just as it's always been, except that it was for day of departure and day of disembarkation only. Choosing your own itinerary, flights, times, etc. still means air deviation at $199/pp. She didn't know if/when it was going to be on the O site, only that she knew about the change, and wanted to share it with me.

According to my TA, policy has been changed so that you can now arrive or depart up to 3 days prior/after with no fee, BUT...if you want custom air (choosing flights, times, routes, etc.), it's as it's always been... deviation with increased fee of $199/pp. See my thread 'New air option'.

Lyn, it's our mutual TA who gave me the info. I'll check with her tomorrow to see if she can enlighten us further. Sometimes she knows such things before they're posted on the site, no?

Agreed, that it's not 'custom'. As I understand it, the only free option with this new policy is the 3 day change from having to go and depart on the same day as embarkation/disembarkation, as before. The higher deviation fee allows for true 'custom' air, as before.

Received this today from my very good, well connected TA when I asked about the new air deviation fee. But rather than 'custom air', it looks like all they're offering is the option of going early/staying later (up to 3 days) at no additional cost, instead of same day as embarkation/disembarkation. The new rate begins today for all bookings no matter when you booked. There is another option at no cost that Oceania just added to their air program. You can request custom air and arrive up to 3 days early and depart up to 3 days after disembarkation. With this option, you cannot request specific airlines, flights, the time you would like to arrive and depart or early ticketing. You will not be able to request an air arrival at a different port from the embarkation or disembarkation port. You would have to accept the air Oceania gives to you. This has to be requested outside of 90 days prior to the sailing.

What continues to amaze is that those who persist in criticizing and b....ing about O's policies and practices continue to patronize the company. Plenty of other cruising options. Had a Viking cruise booked a few years ago, and cancelled because we decided we didn't like their unreasonable payment policies. Have never looked back. Oh, and slightly OT but mentioned again somewhere in this thread... some of us do find value in the OLife OBC perk in order to avoid sticker shock at the end of the cruise. Always take it, use all of it, happy campers...er...cruisers.🙂

Amusing that not long ago on another thread there was discussion about which O cruises were more likely to attract certain age groups. The consensus among some was that the Carib Miami round trips were more appealing to an older demographic. Having done several of those (and probably doing another one next February on Vista; we like getting out of our protracted Oregon winters), can't say I ever noticed much difference in the ages of fellow passengers, always seemed like a nice mix as on other O trips, so not sure that would be a factor in scheduling Vista for the Carib. Maybe so, but possibly other reasons.

Have always been able to access online account with seat selection once I had locator number, whether it was ticketed or not.

True, that. We were just in a local restaurant that charges $30 if you take a bottle not on their list; $60 (!) if it's on their list. I get the reasoning, but still...

Unfortunately, not unusual. I think it's more unusual to actually get there. Attempted in 06 with Celebrity. No luck then either.

Understood. If you cruise or travel by whatever means, only to indulge a special interest i.e.. 'Classical - mostly Roman - history', then you're right...quite often a day is all one needs. When I say "real" traveler 🙄😊, I'm thinking of something closer to a total travel experience; soaking up some local color, talking to people, moving a little bit off the beaten path, slower pace, just relaxing, and really seeing and feeling a place. Can't do that in a day.

Such a specious argument. (And I assume you mean 'The Cruisers COULDN'T care less' 🙂.) Real travelers want to spend more than a day, even a full day, somewhere. Cruising is great for many reasons, not the least of which is the opportunity to visit a lot of places in a relatively short period of time. It's not intended for immersion in the local culture. It's a fine way to have a taste, and then return for an extended period if the spirit moves you. Or if you want to visit a particular place, forget the cruise altogether, get on an airplane, spend some real time there, and truly experience it. We've done both those scenarios.Those of us who love cruising do it for many reasons. Maybe those who choose to stay onboard have been to a port many times, and don't feel the need to see it again. They don't all head to 'Boardamania'(?) or to the buffet. Or maybe mobility becomes an issue at some point. No need to denigrate. Bottom line - losing an hour or two in port should not diminish the overall satisfaction of what was never intended to be an all encompassing travel experience.

Yes, true that 7131 is also extended, but 7008 and 7009 seem bigger because of that second side being open.

Do you like forward or aft? That's the primary difference. Additionally, 7008 has an extended balcony, open on two sides. Some complain about the wind factor there, but I've been in 7009, the twin to 7008, and completely enjoyed the larger balcony, wind and all. Only other difference is 7008 is on port side, 7131 is starboard. While we always prefer aft cabins, in this case because of the extended balcony, I would choose 7008.

Try your roll call.

Yes, was looking only at April, so didn't see that it departs end of March. Thanks.

Right. Got it. 🙄 Also, to OP again...sorry, but I just checked and I don't see Miami to Malta in April, 2024...??

Kinda difficult (impossible) to cross the pond in 3 days. To the OP, I think Miami to Malta on Vista in April, 2024 is a fine idea. We have no interest in port intensive itineraries, but prefer a nice mix of good stops and many sea days...which is why we've booked the November, 2024 TA on Vista from Athens to Miami. It'll be our 6th. Highly recommended.

Thank you. I appreciate your thoughts.

Just wondering what others' thoughts might be. 🤔