NCL turnover

[hypercafe]

As I said before I feel this is a great marriage. NCL has a very good product IMO although I must admit I do not like their new ships. My favorite two are Spirit and Dawn which were both in NYC for years. Big issue here is the shows ect on Oceania, well NCL is known for the best so maybe they can share. Another is the cost of Oceania shore trips, well now there will be economy of scale so maybe the prices will come into reality. Now NCL has a place for there guests to go if they want a trip on a smaller or small ship, luxury AI ship or a more adults only ship and keep them and their money in the family. I think it affords opportunity for very positive change and am hoping there will be a tie in of the past guest systems in some fair way.

[ORV]

This should quell some of the anxiety.

 

http://www.seatrade-insider.com/news/news-headlines/del-rios-contract-goes-through-2018-with-$175m-base-salary.html

 

 

Just copy and paste the link into your browser.

 

For those that didn't read the article, that is 1.75 million base salary, not 175 million.

[njhorseman]

Nothing earth shattering ;)

 

In 2004 we were escorted onboard by a crew member then directed to the Terrace for lunch

later yrs you just find your own way onboard & to the Terrace

Most crew members are helpful & friendly ..it is like returning home when getting on the ship

 

last cruise some crew members argumentative with passengers.... which should never happen

rude staff members

Food not as good as previous times.... subjective of course

 

pros..more things included in the cruise eg sodas, bottled water

addition of Barristas, grill in Terrace, later breakfast hours in Waves

 

Just the little things ..they all add up

 

YMMV

 

I'm curious if you are attributing any of these changes to the NCL's purchase of PCH, which is what people are concerned about...not changes that have occurred gradually and almost imperceptibly over the course of a decade. Comparing 2014 to 2004 doesn't address the real question at hand. Comparing early 2014 to late 2014 might be more germane.

[njhorseman]

As I said before I feel this is a great marriage. NCL has a very good product IMO although I must admit I do not like their new ships. My favorite two are Spirit and Dawn which were both in NYC for years. Big issue here is the shows ect on Oceania, well NCL is known for the best so maybe they can share. Another is the cost of Oceania shore trips, well now there will be economy of scale so maybe the prices will come into reality. Now NCL has a place for there guests to go if they want a trip on a smaller or small ship, luxury AI ship or a more adults only ship and keep them and their money in the family. I think it affords opportunity for very positive change and am hoping there will be a tie in of the past guest systems in some fair way.

 

And this exactly what my wife and I are discussing . We're long time NCL suite guests, who really like NCL's entertainment but don't care for their new mega ships. We're about to take a 12 nighter on our NCL favorite, the Gem, in 10 days, but I think we're going to be booking a cruise on Oceania sooner rather later.

[Floridiana]

Frank Del Rio continues as ceo of Prestige, and Kunal Kamlani as president and chief operating officer of Oceania and Regent.

 

http://www.seatrade-insider.com/news/news-headlines/how-the-norwegian-prestige-organization-shakes-out-as-told-by-kevin-sheehan.html

[hypercafe]

And this exactly what my wife and I are discussing . We're long time NCL suite guests, who really like NCL's entertainment but don't care for their new mega ships. We're about to take a 12 nighter on our NCL favorite, the Gem, in 10 days, but I think we're going to be booking a cruise on Oceania sooner rather later.

 

You will enjoy Oceania, however there is less going on. As I said maybe it will change now. I always looked at Oceania as a upscale version of NCL even before this. When I said it here I got flamed, guess management had a different out look. Enjoy your trip.

 

Sent from my XT1032 using Forums mobile app

[njhorseman]

You will enjoy Oceania, however there is less going on. As I said maybe it will change now. I always looked at Oceania as a upscale version of NCL even before this. When I said it here I got flamed, guess management had a different out look. Enjoy your trip.

 

Sent from my XT1032 using Forums mobile app

 

I'm curious...do you know if there's more entertainment on the newer, larger Marina and Riveria than on the smaller "R" ships? We're not fans of the "R" ships (we've cruised on Azamara) because of the small cabin size...especially the tiny bathrooms in cabins below the suite level, as well as not much in the way of entertainment venues. We're not so much interested in large theaters with major production shows as a selection of lounge-type venues with singers, pianists, guitarists, comedians, etc.

Edited November 21, 2014 by njhorseman

[LHT28]

I'm curious if you are attributing any of these changes to the NCL's purchase of PCH, which is what people are concerned about...not changes that have occurred gradually and almost imperceptibly over the course of a decade. Comparing 2014 to 2004 doesn't address the real question at hand. Comparing early 2014 to late 2014 might be more germane.

 

No nothing to do with the NCL acquisition

just answering the question by CBB ...I know the threads to go off the tracks so that is why I quoted the question in my reply

 

Lyn

[LHT28]

This should quell some of the anxiety.

 

http://www.seatrade-insider.com/news/news-headlines/del-rios-contract-goes-through-2018-with-$175m-base-salary.html

 

 

 

Good news for Mr Del Rio & hope he continues to have some say with Oceania's future

 

I wish him well in whatever he does

 

Lyn

[njhorseman]

No nothing to do with the NCL acquisition

just answering the question by CBB ...I know the threads to go off the tracks so that is why I quoted the question in my reply

 

Lyn

 

OK. It wasn't clear to me whether any of the changes were recent enough to be attributable to the NCL purchase.

[LHT28]

OK. It wasn't clear to me whether any of the changes were recent enough to be attributable to the NCL purchase.

 

I think the announcement of the possible acquisition was in Aug or Sept & since I stated we were on in Jan it seemed obvious that nothing to do with NCL

 

YMMV

[njhorseman]

I think the announcement of the possible acquisition was in Aug or Sept & since I stated we were on in Jan it seemed obvious that nothing to do with NCL

 

YMMV

 

You know what it was...you had mentioned January 2014 in your first post, but when you came back with your answers when you were questioned you didn't, and by that time I had forgotten about the date you gave in the earlier post.

 

Plus the real problem is that it looks like you misinterpreted the question you were answering. The full text of the question (you quoted only the last sentence) clearly is from an Oceania cruiser who was concerned about possible changes arising from the NCL purchase versus the "good ol' days" of Oceania . That can't possibly be answered by comparing your Jan. 2014 cruise to 2004, because as you said, the purchase was only announced a couple of months ago...well after you cruised. Here's the full post:

We've placed a deposit on RTW16 and I am a little apprehensive reading some of the replies on this thread.

 

I know that no one can see into the future, but I am concerned that this cruise of a lifetime will not be with the Oceania that I have sailed on many times before.

 

Fortunately, we do have some time before we have to begin to make serious payments so, please, everyone write back your impressions of your O cruises after NCL changes have been made.

 

I'm curious if one can tell the difference from the "good ol' days" of O.

Edited November 22, 2014 by njhorseman

[Travelcat2]

You know what it was...you had mentioned January 2014 in your first post, but when you came back with your answers when you were questioned you didn't, and by that time I had forgotten about the date you gave in the earlier post.

 

Plus the real problem is that it looks like you misinterpreted the question you were answering. The full text of the question (you quoted only the last sentence) clearly is from an Oceania cruiser who was concerned about possible changes arising from the NCL purchase versus the "good ol' days" of Oceania . That can't possibly be answered by comparing your Jan. 2014 cruise to 2004, because as you said, the purchase was only announced a couple of months ago...well after you cruised. Here's the full post:

We've placed a deposit on RTW16 and I am a little apprehensive reading some of the replies on this thread.

 

I know that no one can see into the future, but I am concerned that this cruise of a lifetime will not be with the Oceania that I have sailed on many times before.

 

Fortunately, we do have some time before we have to begin to make serious payments so, please, everyone write back your impressions of your O cruises after NCL changes have been made.

 

I'm curious if one can tell the difference from the "good ol' days" of O.

 

First, kindly let us know what "RTW16" is. Secondly, people on Oceana (and Regent ) are only speculating. The official word is that nothing will change in terms of the experience on board the ship.

 

We will be on the Riviera next week (Saturday). Unfortunately, we have only one previous Oceania cruise to compare it with. My hope is to be able to speak to some of the crew and get their impressions. Specifically, I'm interested in learning if their "employer" (not Oceania) will be the same and if the food is being obtained from another purveyor. IMO, these are both important points.

 

Since we usually sail on Regent, my thread will be on the Regent board. My focus will be food. Perhaps you might check in to that thread -- see pictures and comments and let us know what you think. The thread will be a combined effort of myself and another Oceania cruiser. We will post photographs of both the ship and the food. It may be interesting (or not).

[njhorseman]

First, kindly let us know what "RTW16" is. Secondly, people on Oceana (and Regent ) are only speculating. The official word is that nothing will change in terms of the experience on board the ship.

 

We will be on the Riviera next week (Saturday). Unfortunately, we have only one previous Oceania cruise to compare it with. My hope is to be able to speak to some of the crew and get their impressions. Specifically, I'm interested in learning if their "employer" (not Oceania) will be the same and if the food is being obtained from another purveyor. IMO, these are both important points.

 

Since we usually sail on Regent, my thread will be on the Regent board. My focus will be food. Perhaps you might check in to that thread -- see pictures and comments and let us know what you think. The thread will be a combined effort of myself and another Oceania cruiser. We will post photographs of both the ship and the food. It may be interesting (or not).

 

I have no idea what RTW16 is and I didn't post that originally...I was quoting what another poster had written. Note my sentence that immediately precedes the bold wording: "Here's the full post". I was copying another person's post to make the point that LHT28 had replied to one sentence that was taken out of context, and by doing so didn't answer the question the poster had asked.

 

You should be answering post #37 by "cbb", not mine (#62 by njhorseman). #37 is the "RTW16" post.

Edited November 22, 2014 by njhorseman

[cbb]

My apologies...RTW16 refers to the 180 day Around the World, Jan, 2016, cruise on Oceania's Insignia. It leaves from and returns to Miami.

 

The inaugural cruise leaves from Miami, Jan 2015 and a second one leaves Miami, July, 2015 and both are on Insignia. c

[hypercafe]

I'm curious...do you know if there's more entertainment on the newer, larger Marina and Riveria than on the smaller "R" ships? We're not fans of the "R" ships (we've cruised on Azamara) because of the small cabin size...especially the tiny bathrooms in cabins below the suite level, as well as not much in the way of entertainment venues. We're not so much interested in large theaters with major production shows as a selection of lounge-type venues with singers, pianists, guitarists, comedians, etc.

 

I have never sailed on the small ships so I really can not say.

[Toranut97]

Since we usually sail on Regent, my thread will be on the Regent board. My focus will be food. Perhaps you might check in to that thread -- see pictures and comments and let us know what you think. The thread will be a combined effort of myself and another Oceania cruiser. We will post photographs of both the ship and the food. It may be interesting (or not).

 

This is really curious to me. Folks looking for information about O usually seek it on the O board. I know you are a R aficionado, and so you want to share experiences with your homeys. But why only there? Will it also be filed under the ship's reviews board?

 

(I must admit that my first, uncharitable thought was that you wanted to offer another chance for the Regent board to snipe at O, because it is a favorite sport there (in my experience). Surely I am wrong.)

[orchestrapal]

This is really curious to me. Folks looking for information about O usually seek it on the O board. I know you are a R aficionado, and so you want to share experiences with your homeys. But why only there? Will it also be filed under the ship's reviews board?

 

(I must admit that my first, uncharitable thought was that you wanted to offer another chance for the Regent board to snipe at O, because it is a favorite sport there (in my experience). Surely I am wrong.)

 

+1 Great reply!;)

[LHT28]

This is really curious to me. Folks looking for information about O usually seek it on the O board. I know you are a R aficionado, and so you want to share experiences with your homeys. But why only there? Will it also be filed under the ship's reviews board?

 

(I must admit that my first, uncharitable thought was that you wanted to offer another chance for the Regent board to snipe at O, because it is a favorite sport there (in my experience). Surely I am wrong.)

 

+2

 

I do not understand some people

 

Anyway these will soon be deleted ;)

[Travelcat2]

This is really curious to me. Folks looking for information about O usually seek it on the O board. I know you are a R aficionado, and so you want to share experiences with your homeys. But why only there? Will it also be filed under the ship's reviews board?

 

(I must admit that my first, uncharitable thought was that you wanted to offer another chance for the Regent board to snipe at O, because it is a favorite sport there (in my experience). Surely I am wrong.)

 

Quite frankly, I think that people on the Oceania board would not be interested to see more pictures of the Riviera and the food. The ship photographs will be posted by "computerworks" and have already been posted on the Oceania board (he posted photos for me on my last cruise and has agreed to help me on this cruise).

 

There is a lot of interest about food on Oceania. I have been quite open about my thoughts of the food on Oceania and Regent. Although food is subjective, I do not think Regent can touch the food in Jacques and Red Ginger. On the other hand, I am not a fan of the Terrace Café. My plan is to post as many pictures of food as possible and ask Regent posters to post any Regent food photos that they have.

 

I'm sorry that anyone would think that I would start a thread (any thread) to show Oceania in a bad light as I have been most supportive of Oceania on this board. Prior to sailing on Oceania, I did snipe at Oceania a bit - only on one topic (my mind hasn't changed -- I just don't talk about it as much). And, yes - there were a couple of threads last year on both the Regent and Oceania boards attempting to compare both cruise lines. The fighting (on both boards) was very negative. It was sad to see sister companies bashing each other. That is the last thing anyone needs -- especially now when, IMO, we need to support each other more than ever.

 

In terms of posting a review in the "review" section. I didn't do that last time and am not sure about doing a review on this cruise (note: I haven't reviewed my last two Regent cruises either). If anyone wants to me to do a review, let me know. And, if there is interest on the Oceania board to see what the plates of food, dining venues, etc. look like on Regent, I can certainly do a thread similar to what I'm doing next week from the Regent Mariner in April.

Edited November 22, 2014 by Travelcat2

[smilin jack]

Travelcat2, I for one would like to see you do a review, one with pictures. After sailing on a few luxury cruises, I think O has the finest food of all the cruises I have been on.

 

As far as the Terrace goes, I love that they serve you and not the pax grabbing the food themselves. I hate that about buffets.

[Travelcat2]

Travelcat2, I for one would like to see you do a review, one with pictures. After sailing on a few luxury cruises, I think O has the finest food of all the cruises I have been on.

 

As far as the Terrace goes, I love that they serve you and not the pax grabbing the food themselves. I hate that about buffets.

 

Okay -- just so I'm clear, are you interested in a review of our Riviera cruise (that departs a week from today) or an thread while I am on Regent with photos of the food?

 

Also wanted to mention that I will be paying particularly attention on both our Oceania and Regent cruises to anything "different" based on the NCL take-over. Will also to chat with crew to get their thoughts. Hope others that will be sailing in the next few months will do the same.

[LHT28]

I doubt whether anyone will notice a difference in food quality over the next couple of months as I would think it is all ordered well ahead of time

 

Staff can change at anytime though

 

I already noted in January that some of the new staff were rude & argumentative this is nothing to do with the NCL merger but the hiring company Oceania uses

 

I am hopefully that the merger will help lower the costs of ship's excursions

 

I can dream :D

 

Lyn

[computerworks]

One change (perhaps sooner than later) that will result from consolidation could be a change in the production shows.

 

For years, Norwegian used the Jean Anne Ryan troupe also; a few years ago, they dumped their contract and formed their own "studio" for song and dance shows, emulating the formula. (2 boy/2 girl featured singers, plus 4 boy/4 girl dancers).

 

I would not be surprised to see that in-house troupe replace the present arrangement.

[no fuss travel]

But Oceania does not have a large stage, so don't think that would work. Also, that would eat up more passenger cabin space as they would have to have rooms for 4 more entertainers.