wallen

Or Oceania could add the old link back in and join the 21sr century like every other cruise line.

that link gives nothing but phone numbers ... and calling is inconvenient due to available hours and takes longer than just typing a message (when rapid response is not important).

Oceania's web site used to provide a link through which you could send them a message (e.g. a problem with the web site or request for allergy free pillows in the stateroom, or a tour that refuses to book online, etc, etc). That link has disappeared. the only way shown on the web site now is a phone number which is only active during business hours ... so call that, wait on hold until somebody can talk to you, give them your reservation number, name, birthday, explain your issue/request/whatever, put on hold while they transfer you to the right department, give the new person your reservation number, name, birthday, explain your issue/request/whatever ... clearly this is the least efficient way for both them and us when a simple email or message link would suffice. Does anybody have a good general address for digital contacts?

We have an active reservation on Marina Apr 30-May 24 ... that sure doesn't fit with dry dock May 12-24! (gulp)

On Nautica in July they eliminated the one offered NSA ice cream from the displays in Terrace and Waves, instead offering 2 plant based (so no milk, but plenty of sugar). If you ask, they would go downstairs and bring you a NSA cup ... but only once did they know the flavor before bringing it to you. On regular MDR desert menu they stopped listing the NSA ice cream flavor of the day, but flagged multiple plant based options. Again, you could order the NSA selection, but the staff rarely knew what it would be. The separate NSA desert menu was still available in the MDR on request ... the waiters would then run around the MDR searching and eventually find one.

So in all venues it is still available, but you have to know the option exists, you have to request it, and the staff has to leave their regular duties to get it for you. If you don’t know the option exists, you’re out of luck.

We complained to head chef and restaurant manager and 3 days later they did have one NSA ice cream in the Terrace display, but nothing else was fixed.

Found on Oceania web site: “As an added convenience, you will be able to pay for your pre-purchased shore excursions and onboard items using shipboard credits earned as a promotional amenity, through Oceania Club benefits, or from purchased shipboard credits designated to be available for pre-purchases.”

In an email from Oceania (ResSupervisors@oceaniacruises.com) in response to my question about the above: “We have added the new enhanced option of using onboard credits to pre purchase select items. Note these new enhancements are effective for cruises leaving on May 1, 2019 or later.”

Not for breakfast. Waves only has continental breakfast

I’m currently onboard the TA crossing. Bermuda was replaced with Nassau. :(

The seas are calm and the Captain definitely made the right decision. This is my second cruise on Oceania and probably my last. I can travel on Regent or Seabourn for similar cost and get a much better product.

Seas are calm, no churning as of 10am Monday:

They told me on the phone that they aim for 240 days prior to sailing. But sometimes they miss. Before that they frequently list them, but won’t let you book them ... saying something like “Sold out or not available”. They need to change that message to indicate not available for booking YET. There is no tie in to level of room.

We usually just pre-book all of our excursions through the cruise line as we pretty much enjoy stress-free adventures without the worry of the ship not being there when we return for any number of reasons. Starting in mid October we have hooked a B2B along with a GV together to enjoy 44 days on the Riviera which includes transition days in Athens, Venice and finally Barcelona before we head back across the pond to Miami. When looking at the potential O excursions we plan to book (when they become available), none are listed on the transition days.

 



 

Is it normal for the Riviera onboard excursion desk to try to create an excursion on a transition day if there is enough interest expressed by folks staying on for the next cruise? We were recently on a Celebrity B2B and their excursion desk created one to visit Stonehenge when they found enough interest. Just curious if Oceania does that as well?

Nope. They don’t seem to care. In fact, they often demand that you get off the ship and then offer nothing to do once off.

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They say they aim for between 180 and 240 days before the sailing, depending on how frequently they visit the ports.

Wow, first I discover that you only get a hot breakfast via room service if you are in one of the highest level cabins. The "lower classes" just get some fruit and rolls tossed their way. Now I find out that you cannot book your shore excursions on line and if you booked with a TA they have to book these for you? I have cruised with both Seabourn and HAL and was able to book my shore excursions directly on line myself with no intervention from my travel agent. This is getting really annoying.

I have always booked tours online - even months in advance, and have never had an "upper class" room. Is this a new policy?

Most major airlines are used..

Jancruz1

This is false. They have separate contracts with different airlines for different routes. For example, they could not book me on KLM for a recent trip as they had no contract with them for that route. Same problem on another trip with United. Even worse, when I called them to find out what airlines I could use for a particular trip, they gave me a list ... when I called back to book on one from their list, they said they did couldn't as they did not have a contract with my chosen airline on that route. Options can be very limited when trying to use them to book your choice of flights, you are better off either taking what they give you or taking the money and doing it yourself.

We stopped there last spring on Marina and enjoyed it very much. No, we didn't land, rather, had a fascinating on-board lecture by one of the residents and met many residents (young and old) in Horizons while they were selling their wares. As the attached photo shows, the "handful of residents" who came aboard was actually about 90% of the island's population!

Had a very similar experience last April on Marina. Almost impossible to get coffee refill at Terrace breakfast. Mentioned it on mid-cruise survey. Got stopped leaving Polo Grill the next evening and got an apology from the manager. After that we got special attention every morning ... but it shouldn't require complaining and it shouldn't be by exception ... waitstaff needs to constantly be scanning their tables to see if anybody needs anything.

(love Oceania despite this!!!)