UNHAPPY! and we haven't even left yet!

[LHT28]

I hear what you all are saying, and I appreciate your taking the time to respond. I now understand how Oceania's system works. In 40 years of cruising, we have never run across such a large disparity in fares.

 

I find it odd in all your cruises you did not notice in the few weeks before the cruise the unsold cabins are offered at very low rates

Did the cruise line give you a discount to match new offering weeks from sailing?

 

Other lines offer upsells without compensation to people that booked months in advance so why would Oceania

 

You stated you were offered another cabin on a higher deck (higher price point) but chose not to take it ...then complain:confused:

Some people get gratuities through their TA if you did not then you need to shop around

 

I am like the other poster once I am booked & have the cabin of my choice I concentrate on other things

 

Enjoy your cruise

[hypercafe]

As others have said, I believe this takes place in one form or another on all lines. On my last Celebrity trip I booked a cabin a year out for 900 pp, by the time the trip was close to sailing that category was 1800 pp. I have a trip booked on the Rivera in a ocean view cabin as that is my price point. I would love to be upgraded or get a low cost up sell to a penthouse but if I do not it will still be a great trip.

[roger b]

Our upcoming cruise is our first with Oceania. Hopefully some experienced Oceania cruisers can respond to this issue. (JimandStan ??)

 

We booked a PH3 category a year ago and paid regular price less a small discount.

 

Now, it has come to our attention that Oceania is offering upsells to passengers in lower categories to move to unsold penthouses for approximately $16 per day per person. This results in a price differential of $2,600 for the same accommodations! In addition, some of them have paid gratuities, increasing the difference to more than $3,000.

 

Our travel agent called her rep at Oceania, and all they offered us was the same penthouse one deck up. This was not acceptable to us, as we are happy with the cabin location that we already have. We are looking for some sort of shipboard credit to compensate us for feeling that we have been ripped off.

 

Are we being unreasonable or is Oceania's policy unconscionable?

 

I'm on the same cruise as you, and felt the same way, I did have negative thoughts about it, but have seen that is what happens when you book early.

With these transatlantic cruises they never seem to be able sell all the cabins next time I will wait until the price drops , we can try to drown our sorrows together.

[barcrab]

One of the things I like about Crystal is they do not engage in these pricing offers to upgrade nearing departure. Obviously, I am in the minority, but I think it is a real negative for those paying significantly more for the same category stateroom. Crystal does reward frequent past passengers with upgrades occasionally. I think it is a more positive and classier way to handle upgrades.

That being said Oceania is a great cruise line and you will have a wonderful time on your trip!

[digtexas]

One of the things I like about Crystal is they do not engage in these pricing offers to upgrade nearing departure. Obviously, I am in the minority, but I think it is a real negative for those paying significantly more for the same category stateroom. Crystal does reward frequent past passengers with upgrades occasionally. I think it is a more positive and classier way to handle upgrades.

That being said Oceania is a great cruise line and you will have a wonderful time on your trip!

 

True, Crystal will only sell you an upgrade at full price, which is a fair deal. On the other hand, if O offers me an up sell to a penthouse at a good price on my upcoming cruise, I will take it!

[Dutch Explorers]

One of the things I like about Crystal is they do not engage in these pricing offers to upgrade nearing departure. Obviously, I am in the minority, but I think it is a real negative for those paying significantly more for the same category stateroom. Crystal does reward frequent past passengers with upgrades occasionally. I think it is a more positive and classier way to handle upgrades.

That being said Oceania is a great cruise line and you will have a wonderful time on your trip!

 

 

Everything has a price. You can be sure that Crystal calculating this policy in the rates they offer. So in fact everybody pays a little extra so they can afford not to upsell at a discounted price.

[beaniele]

One of the things I like about Crystal is they do not engage in these pricing offers to upgrade nearing departure. Obviously, I am in the minority, but I think it is a real negative for those paying significantly more for the same category stateroom. Crystal does reward frequent past passengers with upgrades occasionally. I think it is a more positive and classier way to handle upgrades.

That being said Oceania is a great cruise line and you will have a wonderful time on your trip!

 

I have been on 14 Crystal cruises and never been offered an upgrade. Usually the cruises we take are sold out so fast I book what I want as early as possible, therefore getting the cabin I want.

 

First Oceania cruise next June, Seattle to Seattle. Was so excited when I read about it on this board. In fact, our next three cruises are with Oceania, going from Crystal, because of they allow smoking in cabins, hard beds, and formal night! Hope Oceania is as great as everyone says, I am sure we will love it. Two on Regatta, next year and one on Marina 2014!

[Tansy Mews]

I have been on 14 Crystal cruises and never been offered an upgrade. Usually the cruises we take are sold out so fast I book what I want as early as possible, therefore getting the cabin I want.

 

First Oceania cruise next June, Seattle to Seattle. Was so excited when I read about it on this board. In fact, our next three cruises are with Oceania, going from Crystal, because of they allow smoking in cabins, hard beds, and formal night! Hope Oceania is as great as everyone says, I am sure we will love it. Two on Regatta, next year and one on Marina 2014!

Just to be clear - it is Crystal that allows smoking in the cabins, etc.

[beaniele]

Just to be clear - it is Crystal that allows smoking in the cabins, etc.

 

Yes, it is Crystal that allows smoking in cabins. Sorry if I was not clear.

[digtexas]

I have been on 14 Crystal cruises and never been offered an upgrade. Usually the cruises we take are sold out so fast I book what I want as early as possible, therefore getting the cabin I want.

 

First Oceania cruise next June, Seattle to Seattle. Was so excited when I read about it on this board. In fact, our next three cruises are with Oceania, going from Crystal, because of they allow smoking in cabins, hard beds, and formal night! Hope Oceania is as great as everyone says, I am sure we will love it. Two on Regatta, next year and one on Marina 2014!

 

As of Jan. 1st Crystal is going formal optional. Not even any more informal nights. No more ties required. They will still allow smoking in cabins but no longer in the casino or Avenue Saloon. We also look forward to our first O cruise, which will be on the Riviera.

[Mura]

Glad to hear the info, but for us we still won't go on Crystal. Glad to hear formal evenings are optional but permitting smoking in cabins is still deal breaker for us.

 

But good to know!

 

Mura

[vaitape]

Glad to hear the info, but for us we still won't go on Crystal. Glad to hear formal evenings are optional but permitting smoking in cabins is still deal breaker for us.

 

But good to know!

 

Mura

 

A "Deal Breaker" for us as well.

[beaniele]

Glad to hear the info, but for us we still won't go on Crystal. Glad to hear formal evenings are optional but permitting smoking in cabins is still deal breaker for us.

 

But good to know!

 

Mura

 

I forgot about the change in formal on Crystal, but I still think a lot of people will still dress formal from what I have read.

 

I assume some day, hopefully soon, Crystal will stop allowing smoking in cabins.

[Mura]

It surprises me to hear that there are still lines that permit smoking in the cabins. I'd thought that after the Princess fire several years ago most (if not all) lines had cracked down on smoking on verandas in the rooms strictly from a safety standpoint.

 

Guess I heard wrong.

 

Mura

[beaniele]

It surprises me to hear that there are still lines that permit smoking in the cabins. I'd thought that after the Princess fire several years ago most (if not all) lines had cracked down on smoking on verandas in the rooms strictly from a safety standpoint.

 

Guess I heard wrong.

 

Mura

 

Crystal does not allow smoking on verandas but you can smoke in your cabin. Go figure.

[Mura]

I guess it's okay to toss your lit cigarette into the waste basket but not off your balcony ...

 

Half right, I guess.

 

Mura

[traveler916]

Glad to hear the info, but for us we still won't go on Crystal. Glad to hear formal evenings are optional but permitting smoking in cabins is still deal breaker for us.

 

But good to know!

 

Mura

 

Just wanted to say I totally agree about the lack of formal dress and rhat they still permit smoking....we were looking at that January 2014 LA to Japan cruise...a TP (as opposed to TA) and the timing worked for us...but the smoking in the cabin, which we experienced on our other cruises, convinced us to stay away.

 

Celebrity allows smoking on the Veranda....and we've experienced that too...someone next to or in front of or below us smoking, and the wind carrying it to our balcony...which chased us back inside.

[digtexas]

I must say, after 10 Crytal cruises, I have occasionally smelled smoke in a hallway, coming from a cabin, but I have never been in a cabin that smelled like smoke. Apparently they clean them very well and it is very rare to hear of a cabin where the smell remains, and smoking is not allowed on verandahs.

[RuthC]

Celebrity allows smoking on the Veranda....

Not any longer they don't. I don't recall when veranda smoking was stopped, but if it hasn't been a year it's close to it.

[ORV]

Just wanted to say I totally agree about the lack of formal dress and rhat they still permit smoking....we were looking at that January 2014 LA to Japan cruise...a TP (as opposed to TA) and the timing worked for us...but the smoking in the cabin, which we experienced on our other cruises, convinced us to stay away.

 

Celebrity allows smoking on the Veranda....and we've experienced that too...someone next to or in front of or below us smoking, and the wind carrying it to our balcony...which chased us back inside.

 

Not any longer they don't. I don't recall when veranda smoking was stopped, but if it hasn't been a year it's close to it.

 

It's been over a year, I first cruised on Celebrity in 2010 and they didn't allow smoking on balconies then. They have since changed to no smoking anywhere inside, only on a few outside spots.

[JimandStan]

It's been over a year, I first cruised on Celebrity in 2010 and they didn't allow smoking on balconies then. They have since changed to no smoking anywhere inside, only on a few outside spots.

 

You missed the boat on this one Orv, those post's about smoking inside were about Crystal, not Celebrity.

[Jancruz]

It surprises me to hear that there are still lines that permit smoking in the cabins. I'd thought that after the Princess fire several years ago most (if not all) lines had cracked down on smoking on verandas in the rooms strictly from a safety standpoint.

 

Guess I heard wrong.

 

Mura

 

Mura, I was surpised to learn Seabourn also allows smoking in the cabins..I wanted to go on a short cruise with a great price but it was also a deal breaker for me..

Jancruz1

[ORV]

You missed the boat on this one Orv, those post's about smoking inside were about Crystal, not Celebrity.

 

No, I was referring to traveler916's post concerning smoking on Celebrity's balcony, I added the inside part, so I really don't think I missed anything.

 

Just wanted to say I totally agree about the lack of formal dress and rhat they still permit smoking....we were looking at that January 2014 LA to Japan cruise...a TP (as opposed to TA) and the timing worked for us...but the smoking in the cabin, which we experienced on our other cruises, convinced us to stay away.

 

Celebrity allows smoking on the Veranda....and we've experienced that too...someone next to or in front of or below us smoking, and the wind carrying it to our balcony...which chased us back inside.

[LuAnn]

Just wanted to say I totally agree about the lack of formal dress and rhat they still permit smoking....we were looking at that January 2014 LA to Japan cruise...a TP (as opposed to TA) and the timing worked for us...but the smoking in the cabin, which we experienced on our other cruises, convinced us to stay away.

 

Celebrity allows smoking on the Veranda....and we've experienced that too...someone next to or in front of or below us smoking, and the wind carrying it to our balcony...which chased us back inside.

 

HAL from LA to Beijing...I don't think they allow smoking on the balcony anymore...they have changed their smoking policy alot recently...we did this last year...and it was great!!!! LuAnn

[weluvcruisin']

HAL from LA to Beijing...I don't think they allow smoking on the balcony anymore...they have changed their smoking policy alot recently...we did this last year...and it was great!!!! LuAnn

 

 

We sailed with HAL in September and you could smoke in cabins, verandahs...one of the reasons we have booked more sailings with Oceania. It is so nice to sit on the verandah and not have to even think about smoke coming from some direction. On HAL is was strickly luck of the draw.