marilynfaye Posted June 9, 2010 #26 Share Posted June 9, 2010 As has been pointed out, the deck plan does show 11 cabanas, but the write up mentions 8, which I assume, was copied from the R-ship's decription. Obviously, it was never nailed down. Jan, sorry I will have to rescind our invitation. Instead we will have to toast the Canal from your balcony. Marilyn Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jancruz Posted June 9, 2010 #27 Share Posted June 9, 2010 As has been pointed out, the deck plan does show 11 cabanas, but the write up mentions 8, which I assume, was copied from the R-ship's decription. Obviously, it was never nailed down. Jan, sorry I will have to rescind our invitation. Instead we will have to toast the Canal from your balcony. Marilyn Not to worry, we will have the best time wherever we are!! Think of you every day as Stu drinks his morning coffee out of a cup with his picture with a horse on it..LOL Jancruz1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gillianrose Posted June 9, 2010 #28 Share Posted June 9, 2010 Did one of the TA's posting here (ahem) have any input regarding the withdrawal of cabanas from the Marina? Will the cabanas return after the canal visit? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
caribbeansun Posted June 9, 2010 Author #29 Share Posted June 9, 2010 Well, that's likely going to decide things for me then - no cabana = no cruise. We booked a lower level room and spent the money on the cabana because of all the sea days. Other than my DW's angst about the potential for conflict on the Canal day this was a key element of the cruise for us. Guess that was why I was hesitant about this cruise - there's always a reason, even if we don't know it at the time. Have to say that I'm a bit pissed at the fact that O didn't see fit to contact those of us that have reserved a cabana Just in from O..NO cabanas on Marina..Jancruz1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare LHT28 Posted June 9, 2010 #30 Share Posted June 9, 2010 Did one of the TA's posting here (ahem) have any input regarding the withdrawal of cabanas from the Marina? Maybe they just got tired of all the whining about the Cabanas:D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RetiredFL Posted June 9, 2010 #31 Share Posted June 9, 2010 Hopefully now they will have an open area (no tinted glass) where everyone can enjoy the cruise and the view forward. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare LHT28 Posted June 9, 2010 #32 Share Posted June 9, 2010 What is that old saying "you can please some of the people" etc... :D Get the elbows in shape for the front row viewing Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gillianrose Posted June 9, 2010 #33 Share Posted June 9, 2010 Well, that's likely going to decide things for me then - no cabana = no cruise. We booked a lower level room and spent the money on the cabana because of all the sea days. Other than my DW's angst about the potential for conflict on the Canal day this was a key element of the cruise for us. Guess that was why I was hesitant about this cruise - there's always a reason, even if we don't know it at the time. Have to say that I'm a bit pissed at the fact that O didn't see fit to contact those of us that have reserved a cabana I can understand your feeling, but have you considered that maybe this thread and your extensive "angst" comments were the catalyst that contributed to the demise of the cabanas? This will be revenue lost to Oceania over time. In the case of the canal transits, 11 cabanas at $750 each means a loss of $8,250 to Oceania plus the extra tips cabana personnel would likely get. Or it could mean fewer staff hired to work the cabanas. CC'er's on both sides of the issue got stirred up. Add to that is the feeling I get that certain travel agents may have more clout with Oceania than passengers do. At the very least, passengers who booked cabanas should be given comfortable priority seating for the canal transit because they were willing to pay for it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leonid Posted June 9, 2010 #34 Share Posted June 9, 2010 That's why DW & I booked a VS for the SF to MIA sailing on the Marina. Don't have to worry about anyone interrupting our view. Did it before on the Regatta for the 01/2005 transit. This time it will be even better:D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gillianrose Posted June 9, 2010 #35 Share Posted June 9, 2010 That's why DW & I booked a VS for the SF to MIA sailing on the Marina. Don't have to worry about anyone interrupting our view. Did it before on the Regatta for the 01/2005 transit. This time it will be even better:D Hey, since the ship is being redesigned right here on Cruise Critic, I have a suggestion: let's carve up all those forward-facing cabins and make more, smaller ones, or add a walkway in front of them. :D (Uh oh, now I won't get invited to a cocktail party by you, Leonid.) ;) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare DOJO466 Posted June 9, 2010 #36 Share Posted June 9, 2010 Did one of the TA's posting here (ahem) have any input regarding the withdrawal of cabanas from the Marina? Will the cabanas return after the canal visit? And you suppose they have all that "clout".:cool: Did it occur to you that "O" might have decided to not have them on the ship at all? I think we should wait for "o"'s explanation. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JimandStan Posted June 9, 2010 #37 Share Posted June 9, 2010 They tell me that they are soon going to make a public announcement, but that neither the Marina OR the Riviera will have Cabanas. I'm SO Disappointed :mad: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gillianrose Posted June 9, 2010 #38 Share Posted June 9, 2010 They tell me that they are soon going to make a public announcement, but that neither the Marina OR the Riviera will have Cabanas.I'm SO Disappointed :mad: You know, I don't see why the two ships have to match each other. Why not go ahead and put the cabanas on the Marina as expected and then leave them off the Riviera? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JimandStan Posted June 9, 2010 #39 Share Posted June 9, 2010 You know, I don't see why the two ships have to match each other. Why not go ahead and put the cabanas on the Marina as expected and then leave them off the Riviera? I agree with you. However, the conventional wisdom is that the ships should be as similar as possible so that they can advertise the facilities without referring to a specific ship. That is also one of the big reasons why the cabins went modular. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gillianrose Posted June 9, 2010 #40 Share Posted June 9, 2010 I agree with you. However, the conventional wisdom is that the ships should be as similar as possible so that they can advertise the facilities without referring to a specific ship. That is also one of the big reasons why the cabins went modular. The luxury lines don't usually follow "conventional wisdom" and although Oceania is technically not in the luxury line category, I think it would be a great thing to have the ships slightly different from each other. Some people love cabanas and some don't, and some customers certainly see the cabanas as a very attractive feature, yet also want to sail on a newer, larger ship. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MarilynA Posted June 10, 2010 #41 Share Posted June 10, 2010 Put me in the REALLY DISAPPOINTED category on this decision. I can't say I'll cancel my cruise over it, but I'm definitely going to be pouting for awhile. I will say, however, that it's entirely unfair to beat up on someone and imply that their discussion thread could have led to Oceania's decision to do away with the cabanas. That's a bit unkind and probably wasn't really intended to come out the way it did. So, now that we have no cabanas ("yes, we have no cabanas!" - sounds like a song, no?), what are our plans for the crossing? Marilyn A Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TERRIER1 Posted June 10, 2010 #42 Share Posted June 10, 2010 I can see why some like the cabanas and are willing to pay for them. However, on the January trip through the canal I wished that Oceania had not allowed the renting of them on transit day so that all passengers could get an unobstructed forward view. I think this is why the cabanas are controversial - the ship has no other outside area (other than inside at Horizons) to have a forward view. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
caribbeansun Posted June 10, 2010 Author #43 Share Posted June 10, 2010 So it's my fault? You have to be kidding. As I personally saw it that particular issue could have been dealt with by using more obvious signage in all likelihood. Since I held out no hope that such a change (signage) would occur I asked if it really was an issue at all - the answer was "no" and JimandStan provided very good, helpful feedback should an issue have arose. I was also only talking about 1 day on a cruise with 8 sea days. I'd also mentioned that on both previous O cruises we rented the cabana - had one brief awkward encounter. We really enjoyed using the cabana and was a big point of differentiation for us and again to us it was of excellent value. I realize others don't share that opinion, that's fine - what I've expressed is my own opinion. I can understand your feeling, but have you considered that maybe this thread and your extensive "angst" comments were the catalyst that contributed to the demise of the cabanas? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare DOJO466 Posted June 10, 2010 #44 Share Posted June 10, 2010 So it's my fault? You have to be kidding. As I personally saw it that particular issue could have been dealt with by using more obvious signage in all likelihood. Since I held out no hope that such a change (signage) would occur I asked if it really was an issue at all - the answer was "no" and JimandStan provided very good, helpful feedback should an issue have arose. I was also only talking about 1 day on a cruise with 8 sea days. I'd also mentioned that on both previous O cruises we rented the cabana - had one brief awkward encounter. We really enjoyed using the cabana and was a big point of differentiation for us and again to us it was of excellent value. I realize others don't share that opinion, that's fine - what I've expressed is my own opinion. No it is not your fault at all. "O" is not putting cabanas on the 2 new ships. Ignore the poster(s) who are trying to put blame on innocents. I do hope this does not tarnish your view of "O" and I hope you will be on our sailing. deb Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RetiredFL Posted June 10, 2010 #45 Share Posted June 10, 2010 I think they debated keeping 11 cabins happy vs keeping the rest of the passengers happy. I also don't think the cabanas sold well on most voyages as, except for the Canal transit, most of the cruises we have been on perhaps one or two of the Cabanas were reserved. On port intensive cruises there is really very little need for a Cabana. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leonid Posted June 10, 2010 #46 Share Posted June 10, 2010 The luxury lines don't usually follow "conventional wisdom" and although Oceania is technically not in the luxury line category, I think it would be a great thing to have the ships slightly different from each other. Au contraire, luxury lines, such as Seaborn, do follow conventional wisdom. The three smaller and older ships are,with very minor exceptions, identical. The two new ships will be practically the same except in name. Same can be said for Silversea. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare LHT28 Posted June 10, 2010 #47 Share Posted June 10, 2010 Remember the uproar when they put the Cabanas on the R ships :D I think it is a purely business decision IMO How many are actually rented for the entire cruise VS the cost of installing & maintaining them along with the staff needed to provide service to those few guests. Most people will forget they even existed in a few months after sailing;) Now EVERYONE that wants to jostle for position at the rail for the Canal trip can ;) Lyn Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JimandStan Posted June 10, 2010 #48 Share Posted June 10, 2010 Perhaps this is an attempt to give the older, smaller ships more of a boutique feel? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gillianrose Posted June 10, 2010 #49 Share Posted June 10, 2010 Au contraire, luxury lines, such as Seaborn, do follow conventional wisdom. The three smaller and older ships are,with very minor exceptions, identical. The two new ships will be practically the same except in name. Same can be said for Silversea. Crystal Cruises' two luxury, award-winning ships, Symphony and Serenity, are similar in most features, but they are not identical, there is a difference in the cabins (sizes, tone of cabinetry, color schemes, furniture in cabins and public spaces), and for example in the fact that there is a more casual venue called Tastes on the Serenity but not on the Symphony. Closer to home...REGENT's three luxury, award-winning ships are not identical. The Seven Seas Voyager and Seven Seas Mariner are similar, but they are not identical. Cabin sizes, location, smoothness of ride, all sorts of things on one ship versus the others, are discussed frequently. Seven Seas Navigator appears to be even more different. Even people who are strictly loyal to one brand have favorites among ships, not related just to crew, but to features, and enjoy the fact that the ships are not identical. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gillianrose Posted June 10, 2010 #50 Share Posted June 10, 2010 Just for the record, I think it needs to be pointed out that decisions by executives are not made in a vacuum. Cruise Critic board discussions do have influence. I was one of the more vocal opponents to the cabanas originally, but subsequent pictures of the cabanas and the description of them by devotees convinced me this is something I would enjoy. I personally would not mind if the cabanas are open to everyone on the day of the transit and then closed off again for all other days for those who wish to have that luxury available to them. It should also reduce the cost of the cabanas to those people, since they would lose exclusive use for the most important day's use of the cabana, unless they were guaranteed a spot in their cabana but others must also be allowed in on transit day. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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