Pies4u

Had no problem in 7 seas aft suite on Voyager - lovely ship. We were in s e Asia and experienced zero vibration.   I think Voyager and Mariner are a great option, not as glam & glitzy as the newer ships and no PAC Rim, of course, but they are still beautiful and luxurious vessels. 
 

I’d say itinerary is the most significant factor for us and whilst our next 2 cruises are on Explorer and Splendor we’d go on Voyager again anytime if the price and itinerary were right.

Apart from the awful lasagne my wife had in La Terazza, we found the food to be generally excellent on our recent Dawn cruise. That was our first SS cruise so it was an interesting comparison with Oceania & Regent.

Tried room service hamburger, which was very good tbh but found the pizzas at Spacca….to be a tad uninteresting and fairly ordinary tbh. All other evening meals at La T were excellent, the prawns and steak there were superb. Only dined in Atlantide twice in 22 nights, food was lukewarm and indifferent - the steak there made me ill! The surf and turf in Kaiseki was beyond words, best lobster I’d tasted in a ship other than Jacques on Oceania. The lobster bisque in La Dame was also exceptional. The meals in SALT were all very pleasant - we had 5 from memory.

Personally, I don’t think there was an individual restaurant that was superior to Jacques or Toscana on Oceania Marina or Prime 7 on any Regent ship (in respect of quality of food, presentation and menu variety) but, overall, it was interesting to try new dishes and sample the SS culinary experience. Other than the 1 dodgy lasagne and the steak ant Atlantide all the other meals were enjoyable and service was first class throughout.

I’d say S Dawn offered a better choice of restaurants than even Oceania - to have the pizza and  The Grill options in addition to 6 other restaurants is very impressive on a smaller ship. I’d certainly be happy to experience SS cuisine again!

You can just inform your butler, on a daily basis, each morning usually where you are going to dine. Equally, if you have specific plans fir certain nights, you can get several sorted at a time. It’s worth making the 2 or 3 (depending on which ship) x “1 per restaurant” in advance in any event.

We recently had our first SS cruise - 22 nights on Dawn - and found the restaurant booking system to be absolutely hopeless. We opted for 7 - 8 and I was advised we’d be allocated specific times once on board. We discovered we’d been given 7.00 pm for every booking! Had to change them all, so why don’t SS do the same as every other cruise line that offers bookings and enable you to book a specific time on the quarter hour? Why inconvenience virtually every customer, and cause unnecessary changes left, right and centre?

Plus, having been waitlisted for 2, Kaiseki and La Dame, we found out hours prior to the booking that we now had a confirmed booking. On both occasions the restaurants were less than half full, all night! Apparently, La Terrazza had been fully booked every night prior to the cruise commencing - everyone was told they’d be “waitlisted”. Somehow you just know that was also complete nonsense. 
 

Thought it was one of the poorest aspects of our cruise tbh, together with embarkation, which was an utter farce in Barbados.

Pity, because many aspects of the cruise were excellent, particularly the excursion process - meeting shoreside instead of herding people into the theatre and issuing bus tickets like others do, the SS system was much more user friendly and practical.

Just as an aside: Even if it is expressly required, I doubt anyone over 60 could get a yellow fever jab in the UK now. We tried several years ago and the medical advice then was that it is regarded as too high a risk. We got the certificate with an “exemption” stamped on it - that us universally accepted under WHO regulations. My brother had his jab when he was 62 - but it was the same appointed clinic that advised me, 3 years later, that it is no longer deemed to be safe for over 60’s.

Agree - Paris CDG & Schipol are dreadful airports, absolutely awful. Unfriendly and unhelpful staff, extremely busy, shockingly poor signage and generally 

Schipol is supposed to be getting a new terminal - the whole place needs condemning in my opinion!

It appears to be port/country specific. We are on Dawn, embarking in Barbados in March, and there are no pre cruise tests required. I checked again today.

You only need a test for Japan if you have travelled via China, HK or the Philippines etc.

This all sounds odd to me. There is no additional requirement for fully vaccinated (3 not the 4 most Brits have had) passengers entering Japan. The UK Gov site is up to date and it makes no reference to pre-arrival testing.The SS site, and the Japanese immigration link, make it clear that fully vaccinated passengers do not need to do a test unless they are entering from Chinese territories.

The critical issue is completing their “fast track” admin process in advance, that’s all. No idea where the original poster got this info from. Until it appears on the official sites I wouldn’t worry about it.

That’s all very helpful, thanks, I appreciate the responses.

The conclusion is that it is sensible to make a couple of bookings for the restaurants that particularly appeal and chance the rest. (I see absolutely no sense at all in cramming dates in when I have no idea how I’ll feel or what/where I might prefer to dine). 
 

I am also far less keen on making loads of bookings in advance then simply cancelling them later - that is what unnecessarily fills up restaurants in advance & can prevent everyone else who wants to dine there making reservations!  It seems somewhat selfish to me but I know a lot of people do it. Why book something that you probably have no intention of fulfilling? Still, each to their own.

Yes, thanks, I understand that. My concern was more about whether you actually need to bother making advance bookings or not. I assume, possibly incorrectly, that you can easily get a table in La Terraza, for example,without booking it prior to boarding. I don’t want to predict where I want to eat 3 moths before boarding if I can avoid it.
 

Having said that, I appreciate you need to reserve La Dame & Keiseki if you want to certain of dining there.

Just as a slight deviation to this thread - which restaurants, other than the “additional cost” options, do you need to book in advance?  We are on our first Silversea cruise in March (Silver Dawn) and the dining booking opens up soon.
 

I’ve read various things re: booking but they’ve been varied and inconsistent. As you can’t reserve Atlantide it seems that Silver Note & La Terraza are the only ones you need to bother with - yet plenty of folks suggest you have no problem booking them on board.

Interested to hear any suggestions & thoughts on the matter. Thanks in advance.

Well, change of plan - just committed to the 21 night cruise in Feb 2022!

It is a combination renewed optimism, recklessness, blind faith and pretty good deal that swayed us. The fact that some RCCL ships have been delayed for a further 10 months but Dawn is one of 3 that are facing only a 3 month delay helped to persuade me that the parent company have some confidence in the brand & ship.

There is still along way to go, so, hopefully, the cruise industry will re-emerge and be on the wh to recovery by Feb 22.

I spoke with someone in the Reservations team yesterday because we are considering a cruise on Dawn in Feb 2022. He said they have cancelled the inaugural 'Med season" due to delays at the shipyard but the revised launch date will now be later in 2021, probably early/mid November. 

I'm not convinced that can be guaranteed as any further resurgence of the virus may still delay proceedings - even if reliable vaccines exist.

Whilst we are hopeful that some sort of normality will have resumed by Feb 22, actually taking the plunge & booking a cruise is still a massive risk in my view. Despite the offers etc, not sure if we'll go for it just yet.

Re: Post #66

I have now finally, received the full refund. I won't bore you with the details - all the phone calls, e.mails, delays, "administrative erors" etc - it has been like pulling teeth.

After all the hassle, it is a relief and I'm pleased they eventually honoured their commitment.

It leaves me concerned about Oceania & their future tbh. Whilst we'd love to sample a Vista Suite on Marina/Riviera, just think it is far too risky to book anything until next year, at the earliest.

On 17 April 2020 at 4:02 PM, DeanoNorthPerth said:

Was this in a personal communication to you or was it a general announcement? I haven’t seen anything here in Australia.

It was in a personal e.mail but it was quoted to me as an extract from the generic policy statement issued in mid March. Can't recall seeing those precise words but the principle of a 100% refund was certainly contained within it.

Oceania have now confirmed that they will refund "all monies paid". I am now  waiting to find how and when this happen.

At least, after some prompting, probing & delay, it restores some faith in their service. Just a matter of establishing the process and concluding arrangements.

Hopefully, the cruise industry will survive this crisis & we can all consider resuming our travels - eventually.

Take care, stay safe.

Still waiting for a response! Got through yesterday & was told test the guy I need to speak to "wasn't in but he'd ring me tomorrow". Guess what? Nothing.

Really disappointed with Oceania tbh, this is becoming farcical.  At the moment I'm looking at losing out on over £5k on a so called 100% refund.  I know it is a difficult set of circumstances but the lack of clarity, failure to adhere to assurances and inadequate customer service that I have experienced is making me doubt that I would want to book a future cruise with Oceania at all.

It is interesting that people on various threads keep quoting ATOL protection. This only applies in insolvency, it is not a general insurance policy. It is no use at all under the current circumstances.

I have registered a dispute with Oceania because their quoted refund for the cruise we should be on now is way below our basic cruise fare and some £5,000 below the full cost paid directly to them. The 125% FCC is actually c £1,000 less than we paid overall. 

Despite accepting that the figures "look wrong" & promising to look into it and get back to me within 2 days, I've heard nothing for 10 days. It appears that they are not even answering the phone in the UK - twice in the last 2 days I have been on hold for over an hour without success. 

I think the posts referring to "no refund if no cash" are highly pertinent. It is feasible that a number of cruise lines will not survive this crisis, hope Oceania is not one of them! 

Cheers Roger. I am in touch with the national sales manager - but he is proving a tad elusive. I paid by debit card, so I don't think that offers anycover. Credit card cover has strict limits too as I understand it, so you can't automatically assume all card fees are refundable.

I've re-checked the ATOL cert, as I thought, it only provides protection in the case of insolvency. Oceania are, most certainly, liable for refunding customers who paid money directly to them as they have not provided the service for which they gave been paid. I have no contract with the hotel & airline involved so there is no claim that I can make there either.

If there is any chasing up of insurance etc it is a matter for Oceania, not their customers.

Interesting option, thanks, but since Thomas Cook went "belly up", I am a direct customer and Oceania are liable for delivering the package booked. When I checked the ABTA certificate provide by Oceania it was silent on cancellation for other reasons than insolvency. Unless they cease trading I can't see how an ABTA OR ATOL certificate provides any protection at all tbh, but I'll look again.

They have silent a week looking into it, promised to run me on Thurs or Fri last week, didn't, and I've still heard nothing more from them. Sent another e.mail today, so I'll see what tomorrow brings.

Only saving grace is that the Customer Service dept accepted that the figures "looked wrong" but that is scant consolation at present. Plus, as they want a decision on the refund or FCC issue as soon as possible, it makes it a tad difficult as I was expecting a far better FCC offer, which I might well have considered favourably. Now, I think I'd go for the refund but not at the amount they have quoted!

6 minutes ago, LHT28 said:

 When was the cruise cancelled?

 Are you getting a 100% refund  or 75%?  very confusing post

 Did you get the refund already?

What is confusing? No, I have not received a refund - merely an offer, but it is not for 100% of the fare paid, is c 75%. The FCC is nowhere near 125% of the fare paid. Oceania cancelled the cruise approx 2 weeks before the departure date.

The details are set out on the "refund' thread so I didn't repeat them, simply provided a summary in response to the previous poster who seems to think people are " being greedy" by expecting their money back for a cruise they have not had! 

1 hour ago, excited cruise traveler said:

A lot of the posts are of this topic are made by the so-called "Entitlement Society". People think they are either special or do not have to abide by business rules. I really do not feel for them, we have so far had 2 cruises w. Oceania cancelled, we took one FFC, opted for a full refund on another and  and are currently debating of either cancelling before the final pmt., get a full refund  or wait to see whether we will take another FFC or wait to see if Oceania cancels the cruise. The process was fair and efficient. Please you all, be more understanding of the current situation they are in. Oceania did not ask for this pandemic as well.

 

Fascinating. All I know is that I have paid Oceania c £20,500 for a cruise that they have now cancelled. I've received a "100%" refund offer of c 75% of that figure and a FCC of less than 100%. Personally, I believe that is unsatisfactory and whilst the pandemic is not Oceania's fault, it certainly isn't mine.

Unless & until I receive an appropriate refund I remain slightly dubious and very sceptical about Oceania's position in respect of refunding customers. It is that simple really.

3 hours ago, Travelcat2 said:

Unfortunately, it is not 100% true that a signed exemption from your doctor (or anyone else) will work everywhere (it will in Africa - or at least that has been my experience).  Fairly recently, people were not allowed in the Cayman Islands (hope that I have island correct) if they did not have the vaccination.  Letters, exemptions, etc. were not accepted.

 

jhenry1 - since you are not getting a ton of feedback, I'll share one excursion that we really enjoyed in Walvis Bay, Namibia (have done the excursion twice - it was included before but has a price tag of $49 now).  We had seals get onboard as well as amazing birds.  We had fresh oysters (and other food) with wine (I think we had wine but not 100% positive).  It was a lot of fun.

 

We've also doe the SWAKOPMUND TOWNSHIP TOUR.  We loved it but it takes you into areas that some passengers were not comfortable with.  It was embarrassing that some passengers would not get off of the bus (it was perfectly safe there).  They served food which, again, some passengers would not try.  We tried everything (even a cooked worm) and it was delicious (not the worm).  We do not go to 3rd world countries expecting things to be like at home and we welcome the opportunity to see and try new things.

 

Lastly, if you happen to be hanging out in Durban - before or after an excursion, you may want to try "Bunny Chow".  Wait...... it has nothing to do with rabbits.  It is a quarter of a loaf of white bread with the center removed and put on the side.  Then it is filled with curry (choice of vegetable, chicken, etc.). You can dip the center pieces of bread in the gravy.  It costs about $3.00 and was a very tasty treat (spicy but goes well with a beer).

 

We almost booked this cruise again (we truly love that part of the world) but decided to go back to the Middle East because the cruise is on Explorer.

 

Crossing our fingers that we are both able to sail in November.

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Think you must have the wrong islands! You most certainly do not require a yellow fever certain to visit the Cayman Islands. They are a British overseas territory and, as such, adhere to WHO advice and guidelines. I doubt anyone has been denied entry - they don't have to have the certificate unless they have recently visited infected areas, in which case the waiver/exemption applies.

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Oceania, like any other cruise line, aren't bothered whether you have it or not. It makes no difference to them, you do not have to declare the certificate on embarkation. If you obtain an exemption certificate from your GP that is sufficient for entry into any country, providing they abide by WHO guidelines. I guess some obscure countries may restrict you (they shouldn't) but we only required the yellow fever vaccine for entry to Cape Verde Islands as we would have been coming from Brazil, which is an "at risk" category country. 

The exemption certificate serves the same purpose, we would have been allowed entry because of the age exemption, no problem. (I checked with the official info from our Gov't and that of the CVI.) S Africa also follow WHO advice, so providing that you have the signed exemption, you will be fine. Actually, it is the same certificate you get if you've had the jab but just indicates that you are exempt and have not had the jab due to your age - the doctor signs and stamps the exemption page accordingly. Thus, they can't, (or should not), deny you entry as I believe they too have agreed to adhere to the WHO rules.