Cutting corners?

[ronrick1943]

HUNTING,

However, we mustn't feign shock if it isn't - it's 2015, and in corporate America (if not, indeed, everywhere), there is, ultimately, only one prime consideration: The Bottom Line.

 

True, but in this case it's selling one product and getting something else which isn't right. If "O" thinks it can do what it wants and mislead the customer---it won't happen for long. And not to answer a question that a lot of "O"'s customers want to be answered.

 

And all those people that say I'm talking with the right people at "O", including FDR--we'll you better kidding yourself and get ready to see your customer base get smaller.

Rick

Edited September 10, 2015 by ronrick1943

[Balloon Man]

All these reduced stays do point in the direction of cost saving. Does anybody have examples of extended stays in port above-and-beyond the original itinerary?

 

It's quite likely that people who booked in the UK and have had their itinerary changed even prior to final payment for reasons other than "beyond the control of the provider" may have a legal case against Oceania as we have very strict consumer protection laws (as the airlines are now finding out to their cost).

 

And "no" before anybody suggests it, whatever they put in their terms and conditions is subservient to the laws of the country in which the booking was made.

 

Could be fun to try as in our Small Claims Court (as it used to be called) you can bring cases for less than (I think) Pounds Sterling 5,000 without using a lawyer and without risking having to pay the opposing side's legal costs unless the action is completely frivolous.

 

How do I know? I did this with another cruise line (not Oceania as in the old days I wouldn't have wanted to upset FDR) and they backed-down instantly and sent me several thousand pounds in compensation.

[LaCroisiereS'amuse]

Dear Grumpy, Angry, Late-Riser:

 

I just wanted to say I finally took the time to figure out your screen name and it is very clever!

 

Donna

 

:D:D:D Donna, you're the first person on here to acknowledge my nickname publicly.....I've been rumbled!

 

I Lived in France for 6 years, and this was essential early evening viewing right through to the mid 90s.....

Edited September 10, 2015 by LaCroisiereS'amuse

[wripro]

This has now reached the status of an epidemic. Especially galling was the post where the arrival time in Rio was four hours later. That's a lot of time taken away from such an important port.

 

They can no longer rely on their old explantation of tides or whatever other cockamamie excuse they have been using. They are clearly shortening port times across the board AFTER final payment. This is a complete SCAM and shame on Oceania.

[hypercafe]

Part of the issue here is some O passengers think of the line as a family place where they would never be taken advantage of while the reality is its a business that looks at the bottom line first and foremost. For them doing the right thing is putting more money in the pot and in individuals wallet's.

[Paulchili]

Part of the issue here is some O passengers think of the line as a family place where they would never be taken advantage of while the reality is its a business that looks at the bottom line first and foremost. For them doing the right thing is putting more money in the pot and in individuals wallet's.

 

That is surely true but then, name a single other cruise line that does not follow that same principle - in one way or another - one that "puts more money in your wallet than their pot".

Based on that parameter alone it would be difficult to choose a favorite cruise line. Surely the overall cruise experience has a lot to do with picking one's favorite?

The other part of this is that Oceania did not used to be this way and was more like a "family place" - many of these problems are new. Perhaps they are indeed related to the merger/acquisition with NCL.

Certainly if this trend and other "cost cutting" measure continue, then it may be time for many O regulars to re-think their choices.

Edited September 10, 2015 by Paulchili

[BabySis]

If "O regulars" re-think their choices, they just might be really surprised what they find on other cruise lines.... and if "O regulars" DO re-think, then us "un-regulars" will have more cabin choices :)

 

I'm probably wrong, but isn't there a disclaimer that itineraries can change???

 

Come on cruisers.... lighten up!!!

 

If we can afford Oceania, a couple of hours on the ship instead of a port, isn't going to change our lives!!!

 

Hugs & Kisses..... Dinah

Edited September 10, 2015 by BabySis
spelling

[Toranut97]

If "O regulars" re-think their choices, they just might be really surprised what they find on other cruise lines.... and if "O regulars" DO re-think, then us "un-regulars" will have more cabin choices :)

 

I'm probably wrong, but isn't there a disclaimer that itineraries can change???

 

Come on cruisers.... lighten up!!!

 

If we can afford Oceania, a couple of hours on the ship instead of a port, isn't going to change our lives!!!

 

Hugs & Kisses..... Dinah

 

 

One thought that keeps occurring to me is that this practice encourages folks to book ship's tours, since they will be adapted to itinerary changes by Destination Services, not by the pax. The most vocal and assertive folks on CC (in my experience) book and plan their own tours for reasons that are constantly made clear -- less cost, smaller groups, etc. - but the port time changes really mess with those tours, and irritate the self- planners. They are almost violent in their opposition to ship's tours and often scornful of anyone willing to get on a bus with the unwashed masses. :-) I think a lot of the anger in this thread relates to this (I know, doh,) so telling these folks to chill just won't work. But I am kind of with you, Dinah. (Noting that we pretty much do ships tours and can roll with the punches...)

 

Just thinking aloud.....

 

Donna

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

[ronrick1943]

If "

Come on cruisers.... lighten up!!!

 

If we can afford Oceania, a couple of hours on the ship instead of a port, isn't going to change our lives!!!

 

Hugs & Kisses..... Dinah

 

I think your missing the point, people make ptv plans for tours etc. Once they make that plan, why should they have to change it/loss a deposit and what about the time they spend making theses plans. One change can happen, but all these only/must benefit "O".

 

Rick

[Caroldoll]

we are not in their court any more.

 

We have a cruise in March which we did use ships tours for...which we never do. For that reason we are sticking with this cruise and for the other reason that their ship is the only game in town in March in the SP. We don't want to go in January or February as this is the VERY rainy season..March only a little better. However, if it had been another cruise where we had booked private tours, we would have been mightly upset!

 

We also do not like the new O-Life.

 

And on top of that they shortened their cruises for years to cover up for price increases.

 

In our humble opinion they have dumbed down beyond expectations. I do hope someone is reading this. I do not believe FDR has time for these boards in his new capacity!

[canuck.qc]

One thought that keeps occurring to me is that this practice encourages folks to book ship's tours, since they will be adapted to itinerary changes by Destination Services, not by the pax. The most vocal and assertive folks on CC (in my experience) book and plan their own tours for reasons that are constantly made clear -- less cost, smaller groups, etc. - but the port time changes really mess with those tours, and irritate the self- planners. They are almost violent in their opposition to ship's tours and often scornful of anyone willing to get on a bus with the unwashed masses. :-) I think a lot of the anger in this thread relates to this (I know, doh,) so telling these folks to chill just won't work. But I am kind of with you, Dinah. (Noting that we pretty much do ships tours and can roll with the punches...)

 

Just thinking aloud.....

 

Donna

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

 

Here's the thing.....I am CDN and we are having to deal with the horrible exchange rate (now paying at least 30% more than you) so saving money by booking private tours is cost effective. Being forced to book O tours or being charged cancellation fees, because of questionable itinerary changes, is not acceptable. We choose to cruise with O because of the like minded, well traveled passenger demographic. We book private tours and carefully plan our trips to stretch our dollar. We also cruise with O to travel from place-to-place in comfortable, upscale surroundings but the ship is in not our destination, the itinerary is. This is the reason for the/my outrage. Your impression is far off the mark.

[Paulchili]

If "O regulars" re-think their choices, they just might be really surprised what they find on other cruise lines.... and if "O regulars" DO re-think, then us "un-regulars" will have more cabin choices :)

 

I'm probably wrong, but isn't there a disclaimer that itineraries can change???

 

Come on cruisers.... lighten up!!!

 

If we can afford Oceania, a couple of hours on the ship instead of a port, isn't going to change our lives!!!

 

Hugs & Kisses..... Dinah

 

I beg to differ.

Losing a total of 23 hours of port time - as is the case on our cruise - is no small potatoes nor a "a couple of hours on the ship instead of a port".

Especially when we are talking about ports in West Africa and not Caribbean.

How many of us will or even have the opportunity to return to those ports again?

For you and other "un regulars" - this is not business as usual. This is a very new and wide spread practice on almost all O itineraries and it is most unwelcome by "us regulars".

PS Being able to afford Oceania has nothing to do with right and wrong.

Edited September 10, 2015 by Paulchili

[tilou]

Thank you for contacting Oceania Cruises.

 

We apologize if the recent modifications may have caused you any inconvenience. We needed to make some slight modifications to our arrival and departure times for a few select scheduled ports of call on a few upcoming voyages. In some instances the ship will arrive into port slightly later than scheduled or leave slightly earlier. You have our assurance that this will not impact our impressive collection of shore excursions and the amount of time in each port is designed to still provide guests with ample time to explore these exciting destinations.

 

I show that you have not purchased any tours through Oceania Cruises. Even if you decide to do tours independently each port of call visited is giving our guests more than 8hrs to see the port. This should provide not only our tour operators but any independent operators you may be working with to see the various sights at the destinations being visited.

 

Again we apologize for any inconvenience and look forward to welcoming you onboard.

 

Regards,

 

Mauricio Sotomayor

Senior Supervisor, Call Center Operations

Oceania Cruises

8300 NW 33rd Street | Suite 100 | Miami, FL 33122

Office +1 305 514 2242 Toll Free +1 800 531 5658, Ext. 2242 | Fax +1 305 514 2222

MSotomayor@OceaniaCruises.com

http://www.OceaniaCruises.com

 

Your World. Your Way.®

Award-Winning Mid-Size Ships | Destination Specialists | Finest Cuisine At Sea | Country Club Casual Ambiance | Extraordinary Value

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Sent: Wednesday, September 09, 2015 2:33 PM

To: Guest Relations - OCI

 

Subject: To the attention to Mr. Frank Del Rio

 

Good day Mr. Del Rio

 

We we be sailing on the November 3rd departure (25 day sailing from Lisbon to Cape Town, Confirmation #: 2109207). I received this from my TA last week (see bottom of page):

 

Ridiculous!!

To me, it shows a lack of consideration and organization less than 2 months prior to sailing, and of course, long after final payment.

A total of 23 hours of port time is now GONE. Vaporized!

Plus a lot of trouble for those of us who have arranged private tours.

And the 2 hour delayed arrivals in particular? 10 am? 1000+ passengers ALL get off at 10, right? Make that more like 10:30-10:45, if we are lucky, and the customs officers and other unplanned delays, traffic, etc. don't cause us to lose more time. So exactly how much time does that leave us?

I am NOT happy!

I've been sailing with OC for years and am at Gold level, but not feeling the Golden treatment. Perhaps Oceania feels that they can get away with this as most passengers will moan and groan, but eventually just suck it up.

NO explanation, no apologies, just here it is, and btw...have a lovely day 😀

FYI, I sailed on Seabourn for the 1st time last November, 39 days Monaco to Cape Town (LOVED Seabourn!) and experienced no rescheduling or changes whatsoever (and on a similar route to what this cruise is doing).

So, before we even set foot on board, we're already dealing with issues. (You should also know that we have done ALOT of cruises, on various lines btw.)

I have a decision to make as I have a $2,000 credit to spend with Oceania and was looking at a Black Sea cruise next year, but honestly, am seriously reconsidering my options as I don't feel like booking for something advertised only to have another bait and switch pulled on me.

[kazu]

One thought that keeps occurring to me is that this practice encourages folks to book ship's tours, since they will be adapted to itinerary changes by Destination Services, not by the pax. The most vocal and assertive folks on CC (in my experience) book and plan their own tours for reasons that are constantly made clear -- less cost, smaller groups, etc. - but the port time changes really mess with those tours, and irritate the self- planners. They are almost violent in their opposition to ship's tours and often scornful of anyone willing to get on a bus with the unwashed masses. :-) I think a lot of the anger in this thread relates to this (I know, doh,) so telling these folks to chill just won't work. But I am kind of with you, Dinah. (Noting that we pretty much do ships tours and can roll with the punches...)

 

Just thinking aloud.....

 

Donna

 

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

 

 

Bolding is mine Donna.

 

This is our first cruise on O, but not our first cruise by a long shot and while we still do the occasional ship's tour 95% of our tours are booked privately and have been for over a decade. It has nothing to do with not being with the "unwashed masses" whatever that is supposed to insinuate. It is because we like the flexibility of smaller groups and being able to structure the tour to suit us. the motivation for us is quality. The fact that it is often more reasonable than ship's tours is a bonus.

 

I can assure you, if you want some of the really good guides that only have one or two vans or one or two canoes (if you are in the South Pacific) you need to book them privately. They are not big enough to accommodate the ship's tours and many choose not to nor need to. ;)

 

I have certainly been on cruises where due to unforeseen circumstances itineraries had to change and in most cases my guides were very understanding and flexible and if we had to cancel, did not hold us liable.

 

However, to have as many port changes as are being reported here is well beyond unforeseen circumstances and in fact, if it were not past final payment, it could cause some people to cancel.

 

Sorry, but it's not because I am a private tour booker, it's because I just don't think this is right to make such drastic changes after final payment. A port change I get, numerous I don't.

 

edited to say, remember some people check itineraries and compare times in port especially for certain ports. So, they might have chosen O partially for that reason and now found that the reason has been invalidated.

 

Just my thoughts ;)

Edited September 10, 2015 by kazu

[Paulchili]

tilou,

At least you got an answer - such as it was.

I am still waiting :D

BTW, our private tour operator in Ghana has informed us that we cannot do our itinerary as scheduled previously due to less time in port - it had to be shortened. Some other ports are still manageable but tight. Considering the traffic and road conditions and transportation options in Africa - that could make a huge difference.

PS I just received the same form letter from O - signed by another person. No explanation given for changes.

Edited September 10, 2015 by Paulchili

[Hunding]

Thank you for contacting Oceania Cruises.

 

We apologize if the recent modifications may have caused you any inconvenience. We needed to make some slight modifications to our arrival and departure times for a few select scheduled ports of call on a few upcoming voyages. In some instances the ship will arrive into port slightly later than scheduled or leave slightly earlier. You have our assurance that this will not impact our impressive collection of shore excursions and the amount of time in each port is designed to still provide guests with ample time to explore these exciting destinations.

 

I show that you have not purchased any tours through Oceania Cruises. Even if you decide to do tours independently each port of call visited is giving our guests more than 8hrs to see the port. This should provide not only our tour operators but any independent operators you may be working with to see the various sights at the destinations being visited.

 

Again we apologize for any inconvenience and look forward to welcoming you onboard.

 

Regards,

 

Mauricio Sotomayor

Senior Supervisor, Call Center Operations

Oceania Cruises

8300 NW 33rd Street | Suite 100 | Miami, FL 33122

Office +1 305 514 2242 Toll Free +1 800 531 5658, Ext. 2242 | Fax +1 305 514 2222

MSotomayor@OceaniaCruises.com

http://www.OceaniaCruises.com

 

Your World. Your Way.®

Award-Winning Mid-Size Ships | Destination Specialists | Finest Cuisine At Sea | Country Club Casual Ambiance | Extraordinary Value

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Sent: Wednesday, September 09, 2015 2:33 PM

To: Guest Relations - OCI

 

Subject: To the attention to Mr. Frank Del Rio

 

Good day Mr. Del Rio

 

We we be sailing on the November 3rd departure (25 day sailing from Lisbon to Cape Town, Confirmation #: 2109207). I received this from my TA last week (see bottom of page):

 

Ridiculous!!

To me, it shows a lack of consideration and organization less than 2 months prior to sailing, and of course, long after final payment.

A total of 23 hours of port time is now GONE. Vaporized!

Plus a lot of trouble for those of us who have arranged private tours.

And the 2 hour delayed arrivals in particular? 10 am? 1000+ passengers ALL get off at 10, right? Make that more like 10:30-10:45, if we are lucky, and the customs officers and other unplanned delays, traffic, etc. don't cause us to lose more time. So exactly how much time does that leave us?

I am NOT happy!

I've been sailing with OC for years and am at Gold level, but not feeling the Golden treatment. Perhaps Oceania feels that they can get away with this as most passengers will moan and groan, but eventually just suck it up.

NO explanation, no apologies, just here it is, and btw...have a lovely day 😀

FYI, I sailed on Seabourn for the 1st time last November, 39 days Monaco to Cape Town (LOVED Seabourn!) and experienced no rescheduling or changes whatsoever (and on a similar route to what this cruise is doing).

So, before we even set foot on board, we're already dealing with issues. (You should also know that we have done ALOT of cruises, on various lines btw.)

I have a decision to make as I have a $2,000 credit to spend with Oceania and was looking at a Black Sea cruise next year, but honestly, am seriously reconsidering my options as I don't feel like booking for something advertised only to have another bait and switch pulled on me.

 

Well, Toranut97 hit the nail on the head! "Slight," "slightly," and "a few" -- all adverbs and adjectives deployed to justify changes in port times by the individual in charge of Oceania's tours. Or so it seems. It pretty much looks like a well-there-you-are kind of explanation -- doesn't really require much between-the-lines reading or explication, does it? The implication being that "OUR CHANGES IN PORT TIMES WILL NOT IMPACT OUR SHORE EXCURSIONS! But any individual arrangements you might have made may be impacted…."

 

This is all seeming to evolve into a rather ugly situation, isn't it? No, on second thought, very much more saddening than "ugly."

 

Ergo, we are reconsidering our Hong Kong-to-Istanbul voyage -- and fortunately have the time to cancel. But, my goodness, this bait-and-switch, as several posters and friends have noted, is a particularly nasty corporate decision. And may I say, seems a very profound betrayal of the years-long relationships that have developed between Oceania and its loyal passengers.

 

These are the times we live in. Time passes, things fall away……………….

[Twiga]

My travel agent sent an email to her contact at Oceania on Monday about my displeasure with the shortened port times and requested a response. Not surprisingly, she has not heard back from anyone at Oceania.

 

I now see that the changes to the port times is a wide-spread practice on Oceania itineraries around the world. It is not limited to any single area. The explanation Tilou reported from Oceania that “slight modifications to our arrival and departure times for a few select scheduled ports of call on a few upcoming voyages” is clearly false. The modifications are not “slight.” I have lost seven hours and others have lost 23 hours, and even entire days! Nor are the modifications only “on a few upcoming voyages.” They appear to be on most upcoming voyages.

 

BabySis said that “If we can afford Oceania, a couple of hours on the ship instead of a port, isn't going to change our lives!!!” That is true, but the fact is that many of us want to spend that time in port. I have four sea days on my upcoming cruise next month. Another seven hours onboard isn’t going to be that special, whereas having time for sightseeing and having a nice meal in port, chatting with the servers and locals is quite special. That’s why I like visiting different ports and meeting people and seeing places I wouldn’t otherwise have a chance to see. Also, it plays havoc with those of us who book private excursions.

 

I, too, remember the days when Mr. Del Rio read these posts and commented on them. I was impressed that he did so and felt a special affinity for him and Oceania. I wish he would comment here on this thread as I now feel that Oceania no longer cares about the special place it had in our hearts. There are now ten pages of posts on this thread and over 14,000 views, but no comment from Oceania. Can Oceania really afford to ignore 14,000 hits on this topic?

 

Last year on my back-to-back Mediterranean/Adriatic cruises I commented half way through the first cruise on the Nautica that one of the washing machines and one of the dryers in the laundry room simply were not working properly. I was tremendously impressed when I got off the ship in Marseilles after the first cruise to see a brand new washer and dryer sitting on the dock! When I returned to the ship they had been installed and were working perfectly. The front desk even made a point to tell me that they had taken care of the problem I had mentioned to them. That is the Oceania I love.

 

Does that Oceania still exist? I am afraid that such immediate responsiveness is disappearing from Oceania. None of us posting here received a proper explanation of why the port times were shortened. As a result, I have begun to lose all trust in Oceania. As I previously posted, to change the port times after final payment is clearly bait-and-switch and is appalling. This was done for Oceania’s bottom line, NOT for the passengers’ benefit. I must say that I am now reconsidering my three week cruise next year that I have already booked on the Regatta.

[rallydave]

 

I, too, remember the days when Mr. Del Rio read these posts and commented on them. I was impressed that he did so and felt a special affinity for him and Oceania. I wish he would comment here on this thread as I now feel that Oceania no longer cares about the special place it had in our hearts. There are now ten pages of posts on this thread and over 14,000 views, but no comment from Oceania. Can Oceania really afford to ignore 14,000 hits on this topic?

 

 

While am in complete agreement with all of the upset customers regarding the changes, am afraid FDR will never come back on the boards and comment for the simple reason that Oceania is now part of a Public Company on the NYSE when prior to the purchase, PCH was a privately non-traded company and there were no SEC restrictions on what they said as they were not subject to SEC rules.

 

Now that they are a publicly traded company, all officials have to be extremely careful with anything they say publicly and often do not say anything until it has been vetted thru the corporate lawyers. Thus it is virtually impossible for him to post anything on CC.

 

Realize this is not what many people want to hear but, is a fact.

[Toranut97]

While am in complete agreement with all of the upset customers regarding the changes, am afraid FDR will never come back on the boards and comment for the simple reason that Oceania is now part of a Public Company on the NYSE when prior to the purchase, PCH was a privately non-traded company and there were no SEC restrictions on what they said as they were not subject to SEC rules.

 

 

 

Now that they are a publicly traded company, all officials have to be extremely careful with anything they say publicly and often do not say anything until it has been vetted thru the corporate lawyers. Thus it is virtually impossible for him to post anything on CC.

 

 

 

Realize this is not what many people want to hear but, is a fact.

 

 

Dave, I think there is a whole lot that folks don't want to hear. Like the fact that this is still a company that likes to turn a profit, the bigger the better. It's capitalism, plain and simple. Yeah, it would be nice if there were a one-big-happy-family vibe as many used to sense, but competition is tough and the goal is ultimately $$$$$€€€€££££¥¥¥¥

 

Not meaning to be rude, just my impressions as I read this thread and some others recently.

 

Donna

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

[LHT28]

I think it is time they rewrite their Core Values & Mission Statement

They no longer are true

https://www.oceaniacruises.com/corporate/

[MVPinBoynton]

We won't get an official response from O as to the reason for these changes. It was an upper management decision that they knew would upset some customers; and many wouldn't even realize how significant the changes are to their published itineraries. They obviously decided that the bottom line was more important than baiting and switching on currently booked cruises. By not saying anything officially, they hope that the current displeasure will soon pass and they will have a better bottom line.

 

When Celebrity changed their itineraries recently to add overnights to currently booked cruises, many people were very upset; but at least they had a what they thought was a good reason to do it. They hoped that they would increase business by having more overnights, like O has.

 

I am truly disappointed in this decision. I thought that I had found my favorite cruise line. This type management has certainly changed my opinion of them. Shame on Oceania for pulling a bait and switch on their loyal customers.

[Paulchili]

Dave, I think there is a whole lot that folks don't want to hear. Like the fact that this is still a company that likes to turn a profit, the bigger the better. It's capitalism, plain and simple. Yeah, it would be nice if there were a one-big-happy-family vibe as many used to sense, but competition is tough and the goal is ultimately $$$$$€€€€££££¥¥¥¥

 

Not meaning to be rude, just my impressions as I read this thread and some others recently.

 

Donna

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

 

Donna,

Most of us are not that naive that we do not understand the concept of the bottom line or the importance of it. But there is a right way to do this and the wrong way to do it.

The right way would be either to do it on future cruises that are not on the books yet or if it had to be done now then being more upfront and honest about it (for example, do it before final payment and let people have a choice whether to cancel or stay).

The wrong way to do it is to sneak it in after final payments hoping that nobody would notice or care and when questioned, claim that it is just a few minor changes here and there on only a few cruises , having no effect at all while the fact is that most current cruises are effected - some more than others. Even blaming the changes on changing tides :D

 

Quote from Oceania's website (underlining mine):

 

Core Values

At Oceania Cruises, we do things the R.I.T.E. way – Respect, Integrity, Trust and Excellence are the foundation of all our actions, every day, in everything we do

 

Of the R.I.T.E way, the first 3 values are currently taking a serious hit.

Edited September 11, 2015 by Paulchili

[Paulchili]

Addendum

I am still an Oceania fan - some here might even call me an Oceania cheerleader. I enjoy the overall experience on Oceania and it is our favorite line for many reasons.

I praise them for all the things they do right and the things I like. I also criticize them for things I do not like and feel that could be done better - and this is one of those times.

[roger b]

Thank you for contacting Oceania Cruises.

 

We apologize if the recent modifications may have caused you any inconvenience. We needed to make some slight modifications to our arrival and departure times for a few select scheduled ports of call on a few upcoming voyages. In some instances the ship will arrive into port slightly later than scheduled or leave slightly earlier. You have our assurance that this will not impact our impressive collection of shore excursions and the amount of time in each port is designed to still provide guests with ample time to explore these exciting destinations.

 

I show that you have not purchased any tours through Oceania Cruises. Even if you decide to do tours independently each port of call visited is giving our guests more than 8hrs to see the port. This should provide not only our tour operators but any independent operators you may be working with to see the various sights at the destinations being visited.

 

Again we apologize for any inconvenience and look forward to welcoming you onboard.

 

Regards,

 

Mauricio Sotomayor

Senior Supervisor, Call Center Operations

Oceania Cruises

8300 NW 33rd Street | Suite 100 | Miami, FL 33122

Office +1 305 514 2242 Toll Free +1 800 531 5658, Ext. 2242 | Fax +1 305 514 2222

MSotomayor@OceaniaCruises.com

http://www.OceaniaCruises.com

 

Your World. Your Way.®

Award-Winning Mid-Size Ships | Destination Specialists | Finest Cuisine At Sea | Country Club Casual Ambiance | Extraordinary Value

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Sent: Wednesday, September 09, 2015 2:33 PM

To: Guest Relations - OCI

 

Subject: To the attention to Mr. Frank Del Rio

 

Good day Mr. Del Rio

 

We we be sailing on the November 3rd departure (25 day sailing from Lisbon to Cape Town, Confirmation #: 2109207). I received this from my TA last week (see bottom of page):

 

Ridiculous!!

To me, it shows a lack of consideration and organization less than 2 months prior to sailing, and of course, long after final payment.

A total of 23 hours of port time is now GONE. Vaporized!

Plus a lot of trouble for those of us who have arranged private tours.

And the 2 hour delayed arrivals in particular? 10 am? 1000+ passengers ALL get off at 10, right? Make that more like 10:30-10:45, if we are lucky, and the customs officers and other unplanned delays, traffic, etc. don't cause us to lose more time. So exactly how much time does that leave us?

I am NOT happy!

I've been sailing with OC for years and am at Gold level, but not feeling the Golden treatment. Perhaps Oceania feels that they can get away with this as most passengers will moan and groan, but eventually just suck it up.

NO explanation, no apologies, just here it is, and btw...have a lovely day

FYI, I sailed on Seabourn for the 1st time last November, 39 days Monaco to Cape Town (LOVED Seabourn!) and experienced no rescheduling or changes whatsoever (and on a similar route to what this cruise is doing).

So, before we even set foot on board, we're already dealing with issues. (You should also know that we have done ALOT of cruises, on various lines btw.)

I have a decision to make as I have a $2,000 credit to spend with Oceania and was looking at a Black Sea cruise next year, but honestly, am seriously reconsidering my options as I don't feel like booking for something advertised only to have another bait and switch pulled on me.

 

Having been to two the African ports of your cruise and personally there no way that I would get off the ship in either Dakar or Banjul.

On my last visit to Dakar about 10% of the ships passengers were robbed there are gangs around the port entrance and they surround you pull down your trousers and push you over and go through your pockets, I saw this happen on a ships tour to a couple that were walking a few yards in the rear of the group.

In Banjul two passengers who took a taxi were taken into the country and robbed at knife point .

I have not been to any of the other ports of call but I cannot see them being any different as these are some of the poorest countries in the world.

In conclusion may be the shortening of timings are a safety issue ???

[wannaberetired]

I think it is about money. They are making money on the shorter port times and the added plus is they think they will make more money by making the people who book private excursions now use their overpriced shore excursions to ensure they see something. They wait to tell people until after the final payment so you are stuck. This is just pissing people off and they are losing loyal customers.

 

While Frank DelRio can't answer the posts now, I am sure he is reading them. I love Oceania and am really looking forward to my cruise in a few weeks. I am sure the cruise will be lovely and we will have a great time, however, I will not be booking another cruise with them while on board as I usually do. In fact, I will not be booking a cruise with them until they stop playing games with the port times just to make an extra buck. Think it's time to take a river cruise!