pinotlover

As far as numbers on a small group tour; as has happened before, we had four fellow passengers join us on one of our private tours on our Vista cruise. There were 14 of us in total. Four from an Oceania tour, and ten of us signed up for a private tour. We paid $150/ couple, they paid Oceania $350 each. They got what they paid for. An excellent small group tour of 16 or less passengers. We also got what we paid for. For planning purposes, have you chosen alternative uses of your SM credits if O cancels either port or tour?

I don’t know your cruise, but sometimes it’s both. Sidney is a good example. Oceania wanted to save port dock fees, so they would tender in the bay, on the last cruise day. All the shore tours would run from the tenders. On Embarkment/Disembarkment Day, the ship would pull into the dock.

Besides totally missing ports, don’t forget about shortening port stays. We got on the Vista and was greeted by a new cruise schedule. Times cut in three of ten ports. How many believe the Captain made those decisions on Embarkment Day?

Viator lost me in Seville. For one of their tours we had to walk about a half mile and be at some non descript hotel by 7:30 to catch the tour bus. The bus drives around town for an hour picking up other tourists, and I’m sure you’ve guessed it, stops at our hotel at 8:45 to pick up a different group. The 8:45 group paid about $25 each less than us, plus had a leisurely breakfast. That was the end of Viator. That hour+ of pickup time was built into the tour time each way. So what was advertised as a 6 hour tour, ended up 2.5 hours shorter. Plus we had an hour plus bus ride to get to Córdoba, and the bus never stopped for a bathroom break. Some of us were in pain when we got there.

They obviously have guarantees sold in your cabin category they need to clear. Wouldn’t put too much in it beyond that. I’ve gotten the offers in A2 before. We didn’t take the offers either. Enjoy your cruise.

Typically specific cabins aren’t overbooked. Oceania has, in the past, got caught selling too many Guarantees and had to change its game plan. Perhaps all the historical data, on which the booking algorithms are based, aren’t working as well post Pandemic. As far as the Nov 19th cruise, I wouldn’t touch it. We missed three ports, purportedly because of weather, last October between Bilboa and Lisbon and that was almost a month before this cruise. Second, my recommendation to avoid AMSTERDAM airport at all costs. This is late in the season, but still AMS!

The other factor with the O shuttle is which Terminal(s) does it go to? Then how long does it take to drop passengers and their luggage at a Terminal before yours. FCO is large, I’d rather pay extra and be delivered to my Terminal, upon airport arrival, than messing with the shuttle with a 12:45 flight.

12:45 is quite doable. I never recommend pre 12:00, even though some work out fine.

Read the OP’s first two sentences in Post #1. 🥂

Not sure where you believe the Canary Isle itineraries aren’t popular. Our Sirena cruise in 10/23 was totally waitlisted for months. I believe they and Morocco are very popular.

On the new Vista, the circular 8 tops have disappeared. This is different than the other ships. Outside of the new private rooms in PG and Toscana, I don’t remember any 8 tops. A 6 top was a rarity in Embers. The new compartmented layout on Vista is new. I would take Lyn’s advice, book yourself and one other couple, then have your TA see if they can get the larger 7 person group together.

Just a note on disembarkment. This is the same as embarkation. It matters little how much planning Oceania puts into planning those two events. Oceania’s customers ignore the instructions. They get into line when and where they feel like regardless of any announcements the CD may be making. They will line up, with luggage, in front of the elevators completely blocking them. They don’t care! If a mob is unruly, outside of extraordinary measures, there is little an organization can do. Unruly is a polite word for the situation. We typically board late and disembark late in the processes. Avoid the mob. Depending upon the port facility, Oceania normally allows those with mobility issues to disembark in Deck 4 away from the main crowds. The CD typically makes announcements directly them to Deck 4, but whoever listens to the CD on Oceania? Small group!

Thank You for a great review. I have long lamented the lack of knowledge of the wine stewards. They are not Sommeliers and shouldn’t be referred to as such. I’m a Riedel man myself, but would gladly take your selection over what is currently used. Our food experience over the last three cruises in the past nine months has been a combination of excellent meals, mediocre meals, and the occasional poor meal. Truly a box of chocolates. We have essentially given up on lobster aboard ship. Our last attempt was on Vista in the Terrace. It was so overcooked it was inedible. Not even able to cut it with a steak knife. We heard reports the same as yours from the lobster in PG. We went to Maine last fall to eat lobster . Lots of food aboard ship, best to skip the lobster. Oceania stopped enforcing the dress code pre Pandemic. Some like to push the limits. A child’s game. Barrista on the Vista is tremendous. I wish they could/would upgrade the other ships to its standard. The skipping of ports is a major issue with us. We cancelled a 35 day cruise on O because of the games they played with cancelling ports on two straight cruises. This is a new development we are watching closely. This issue takes on additional significance because of the new SM program. Will cruisers eat the credits for SM tours planned for missed ports that can’t be rebooked?

In September or maybe October, Oceania is going to release its 2025- 2026 Schedule. Check back after that release. I would love a cruise where the ship hit the major N. African ports all on one itinerary. Oceania obviously feels there is no such demand, amongst it cruisers, for that itinerary, not even one time. So I wait. Viking had an incredible Adriatic itinerary that we jumped on. Oceania shows no desire to duplicate. O wants one to take 3 cruises to hit those all those ports. 🙄. As to the HAL cruise listed, we have little desire to do one TA, with multiple sea days, no less two on one itinerary.

I think it’s labeled as a Cabernet Sauvignon. However, it’s strictly a private label, and since it’s a gift and not for sale, the labeling requirements are suspect. I believe there is cab in it, but not nearly enough to meet US label regs.But again, it’s not sold aboard ship, it’s merely a gift. Never look a gift horse in the mouth! 🤫. Just pass it on!

The Cyclops isn’t part of the wines by the glass package in the various venues. It’s an O Club level gift to the cabin, separate and in addition to the bottle of bubbly for Concierge and above cabins. Yes! Some of the wines in the package are fine. Some are very weak. The situation also revolves around what is actually in stock during one’s cruise. People quickly learn which are the better wines and particularly on longer cruises they can disappear quickly.

Linked to a statement made by Pinion Noir, I once asked a wine steward if I could trade in the red Cyclops wine Oceania gives us and get a free corkage on a bottle of my wine in its place. She laughed and said “ No!”. That wine has no redeeming values. Our room attendant said they can’t take, if left it just goes to the next cruiser. The wine steward said very few people actually bring it to dinner to drink. After the first bottle, people just leave it in the cabin.

Everything won’t change after 10/1. There will still be corkage for bottles of wine brought into the venues that are not from the ship.

Oceania does not enforce the six bottle limit. They allow you to bring whatever you choose aboard. This applies to wine, beer, and liquor. Please, no what outs ! 🙄 If it contains alcohol, it’s included in the above.🥂

I wasn’t offended and hope you weren’t. My response is merely to point out that a percentage of Oceania cruisers either don’t or can’t do shore tours. This credit isn’t going to prompt people to do otherwise. For many, it’s merely a price hike. They’ll have to decide whether the new product, at the new price, is something they want. The second paragraph merely lays out why Oceania has to do things differently. 1. Cruise Only obviously isn’t generating the needed revenue. 2. Oceania continually needs to run endless “ sales” to fill its ships. They only do that because the current programs aren’t meeting a wide enough audience’s wants. Something different is required. Whether SM is the answer, only time will tell.

Thank you to the OP for a thoughtful, informative, and insightful review of the Owners Suite. I believe it’s been years since we’ve seen one. 🍷

Not in many of O cruiser’s case. Vineyard View ignores all the cruisers that cruise for the ship only. He ignored all those that rarely, if ever, even get off the ship in ports. Most importantly he ignored all those that aren’t so senile to understand they’re not in any physical condition to get off the ship for tours. If they do start doing tours, we want to ensure they all go on the ship tours with Vineyards View! 😇 For many, Simply More is merely a fare increase. Probably a fare increase Oceania needs, but a fare increase regardless. In these days of staggering debt, if you don’t take Oceania Air ( a profit center); if you don’t take Oceania shore tours ( a big profit center); and you never buy Oceania’s booze ( a profit center), then Oceania is probably either going to be charging you more upfront, looking to replace you with a different customer base , or both. Life goes on.

Yes

Also, when in rough seas and the water is sloshing vigorously, the pool will be drained and not refilled until calmer waters. It will be cleaned thoroughly before refilling.

Your primary question has been well answered. I will add a second point which for some reason catches some unprepared. Ensuite dining, from the Specialty restaurants or the GDR, from your butler is available: During the regular hours of that venue. I have heard quite a number of past cruisers in despair because they couldn’t order in that Polo Grill meal at 4:30 in the afternoon. The restaurants don’t open until 6:30, so you can’t order until then.