ronrick1943

It will depend at the time they assign suites.  If you are waitlisted and they don't have PH3 available they have no choice to move you up.  Remember some people cancel near the full payment date--so if enough PH3 cancel and "O" wants to assign suites you'll mostly get the PH3.

It's also possible that "O" would move you up, if they have the PH3 and they want they think they can ell a lower price faster than the higher price.  It's just a matter of luck--if you really want an PH1 or 2, just purchase what you really want-don't wait for a maybe and be disappointed.

We talk about the class system on other lines because they marketed that way.  People don't believe "O" has one.  Yet when you book one of the big named suite "O" definitely does have one.  Although guest are treated nicely on "O", if you're in one of those suites you do have perks that aren't in your face  (as it should for those paying more).  I know people will say everyone is treated the same-that just isn't so.  

2 minutes ago, njhorseman said:

Having sailed on both the QM2 and Oceania, our opinion is quite different from some of the others posted here.

 

To put it bluntly, we wouldn't cruise again on the QM2 if they were paying us to take the voyage. Too stuffy, too many dress code formalities, crew that could care less about you, food in the Britannia Restaurant that was no better than any mass market cruise that could be booked for considerably less money. Public venues closed to you on nights with more  formal dress requirements . A class system that should have died when the British Empire died.

 

Yes, they can have some very interesting lecturers, but that's not a big enough attraction to us to overcome the negatives.

 

To each his own.

I think most people like you don't pick a cruise because of the lecturers, I know I don't cruise to be in a darken theater to hear someone talk...I want to be out and about or on a lounge chair enjoying the view.  Dressing formal, no I'm on relax mode............

I think in reality it really comes down to what you like and enjoy on a cruise.  For us it's the size of the ship (smaller for us), it's the restaurants on the ship, and we prefer causal dress, not formal.

We want a ship that has nice suites with a Butler--a cruise is time to relax and enjoy doing nothing.  A show now and then, maybe some casino action, a cooking class and a private tour.  It's your money, you should spend it as you see fit and what's right for you.

Nice review, we've cruised both lines--I just don't think you can compare the two.  

2 hours ago, Vineyard View said:

We always eat in port. On our own 99% of the time (no excursions). For us, that is pretty non-negotiable. A must do part of the experience….I have noticed a couple of lines we have sailed taking on fresh produce, local wines, different ingredients to be used on board. Not sure why  the “nono’s” can just say no to the spices and let others enjoy a recipe as it was intended to be. Or….offer a little of both…..meals without herbs/spices in one section, and another that offers more authenticity…..I know, it wouldn’t stay that simple. 

We're not a Hospital at Sea, one would think food is part of the cruise (we go off ship also to eat and just people watch.  Even the airlines have dishes with spice--even jalapeño on an egg dish on United.  "O" needs to wake up.

2 hours ago, clo said:

Absolutely. And English is spoken, better than most Americans speak other languages, pretty regularly. Especially young people.

True story...Once in Germany I needed a little help and tried to speak German to someone, he asked me if I Spoke English.  Of course I did, he told we could communicate better and he could help me.  Sad to say he was German--I was a little embarrassed.

4 hours ago, clo said:

That's what we like to do. 'Google is my friend.' I can find places anywhere. Even found the "best soup in the world" according to Bourdain in Hue, Vietnam. LOL Side streets are also a great friend 🙂

I agree 100%, look around enjoy the city you are in--not only do you get good food, but a bonus--you get to people watch and sometimes if you're lucky you'll get to talk to them.

I realize they need to care about how they handle showing the ship and looking after the TA's selling the cruise.  That said one would think they would take care of a paying customer--without the customer they won't need TA's.  If that is all you got in the form of information - then "O" needs a lesson in PR.

You really don't have to worry, they do a nice job.  Never had a problem.  We've done 8 cruises on them and always had laundry done by them.

7 hours ago, UKCruiseJeff said:

Where do they get their entertainers from?  

 

Maplin!

 

 

Not sure but if they played the County Fairs first, it's pretty down hill.........

12 hours ago, PhD-iva said:

Then that’s your answer.

🤣

First of all, is it entertainment?  Over on the Nova and Spirit it was pretty bad...........

12 minutes ago, Vallesan said:

Do you have, or can you add, ‘missed port’ insurance. If so that might mitigate some of the cost of trips you might not be able to take.

Wouldn't normal cruise insurance cover that, it's a cost you incurred no fault of yours.  Don't know, but it's seems logical.

59 minutes ago, ak1004 said:

 

We will be boarding SS on Monday, our third SS cruise and probably will be our last. Their current prices are almost double compared to O, just cannot justify it.

We were on the Nova last December-Janurday cruise.  Service surprise me, just wasn't top notch like you'd expect.  They posted some of our laundry, run out of a white wine (non-alcohol) and even run out of lettuce for salads for the salad bar.  The port were pretty big cities, so it's not like they couldn't get it.  

On 5/1/2024 at 1:43 PM, ak1004 said:

 

I agree with you Hank. At least with SM you get just few hundred dollars credit for excursions (probably around $30-35 per day per person on average?) while on SS and Regent all excursions are included, which bumps the price significantly. 

 

But people who don't drink still would be paying for something they don't use on all premium/luxury lines.

 

At the end of the day, it's all about the total price and how it compares to other lines.

 

I enjoyed your reports very much, thank you very much, and glad that you enjoyed O! 

This why we stopped cruising Regent and Silversea--spending extra dollar for things we don't use.  We also don't drink and prefer to tour on are own.  Now back on "O".

If you are only taking about one or two bottles, they sell special zip lock padded bottle carriers to be packed in your suitcase.  Doesn't really take up much room and really leak proof if they break.

We done this on the way home-never had a problem.

Truly you never know.  The odd's are with you-but canceled port happen.  You just have to roll with it.

Maybe if you are registered with a TA you won't get the calls.  We use a TA, and I look all the time and never gotten a call from "O".

1 minute ago, tarhoosier said:

Thank you for the advice. I see they have my preferred single malt scotch at a not too elevated price. 125$ for them compared to 80$ here at my local emporium. It is not always carried by every store elsewhere and having it in the cabin without my effort in Stockholm, in this case, could be useful. The convenience has value. Plus the unknown price in Sweden, likely between the price of it here and that of Oceana.

Boarding and discovering it was not available (or something) would be a bitter taste to begin the cruise.

It's possible that if Sweden is your final stop and your flight is non-stop-they may have it at duty free shop----or something better at the higher price you might enjoy.

On 9/14/2023 at 9:34 AM, victory2020 said:

Another question, do they serve there on embarkation day? 

Every cruise we'd taken, the answer is "NO".😃

1 hour ago, AMHuntFerry said:

You can also tell them that you are cancelling, then making a new booking. The math (cancellation penalty vs. savings) will vary depending on when you booked ($0 or $150 before/after the new $150 cancellation fee) and how far before embarkation you cancellation ($0 or >=$500).

This what I'd do....makes sense to me.

WOW! Sounds like you had a wonderful cruise.  Now on your way for more adventures, you travel a lot like us when in Europe.  Taking one day at a time, enjoying life at your speed not others.  Wish you safe and enjoyable days ahead.  Thank you so much for taking the time to post about your trip sharing your thoughts.............😃

We don't do a lot of "O" tours, however a couple of times a tour was sold out.  We put are name on the waitlist.  Didn't think about until we got on the ship, we clear one right after boarding the ship.  The 2nd one clear a few days later, they notified us and ask if we still wanted it.

Also when we booked tours on any ship, once we decided we didn't want to tour as much, we turned those back early on, so someone on a waitlist got them.  Now touring isn't much for us, so we book very few for any cruise.

One would think a name change would be easy with the circumstances at hand.  But you'd have to be 100% certain that the passport is in order and in hand.  Even thought I trust a good TA, I'd want to make a call to "O" and get everything in writing before you leave.

Hope you have a great cruise and the problem becomes reality for you.