Newbie meeting with TA. Hoping for any advice.

[Woofa]

Hello Oceania cruisers.

 

My name is Ron and my wife and I are looking to join your ranks.  We have arranged to meet with a local TA in a few weeks that is a luxury and premium cruise specialist and wanted to get any advice you may have first.

As background, not only have we not cruised with Oceania before but we have never actually cruised before.  We came close (we actually met with this TA about three years ago,) but never pulled the trigger.  Now that we are empty nesters, we believe we are ready.

I have been following these forums for many years and have come to the conclusion that Oceania may fit us best.  We are on both sides of fifty and generally don't like crowds.  While I won't say we don't like entertainment, we can always go to Vegas to scratch that itch.  We are foodies (at least I am and my wife is slowly getting there.) We are looking for a smaller ship experience with a more laid back vibe, good food and a clean room with a comfortable bed. I don't doubt the "luxury" lines would be nice but to be honest, they are more than we are willing to spend at this point in our lives (we still have kids in college.). Oceania like like it may be the happy medium.

We are looking at a 7 day cruise to the Mediterranean in 2023.  2022 is our ten year anniversary and we are planning a trip back to Victoria and Vancouver where we spent our honeymoon.  We are thinking April or November (November schedule is not yet up) and an interior room with olife and air.  Currently there are two that fit our criteria (although one is already weight listed for interior.). We feel the bigger Oceania ships will give us a few more options and this would be my wife's first trip to Europe.

So, thoughts, ideas?  Hoping to get some feedback from you all on the kinds of questions we need to ask when we meet with our TA.  How much will we need to deposit at that time if we are ready to book?  Is November or April a better time in that part of the world?  Is this a good first cruise to take and get a good feel for Oceania? We are not savvy world travelers and don't really have any plans for flying outside of coach.  For this reason we thought it might be better to let Oceania handle all of the flight arrangements. But if we start or stop in Rome we might want to try and take an extra day or two pre or post cruise.  My understanding is there will be a deviation fee?

I don't think we will become cruise only vacationers (and perhaps not Oceania only cruisers) but we have to start somewhere.  This looks like a great value although maybe too port intensive and we might want to stay on the boat at least one day.

I appreciate your thoughts and help and am happy we may finally be starting this adventure.

[LHT28]

I would  take a bit longer cruise or fly in a day or 2 early so you can get over  Jet lag

If you plan on going in early  I would take the air credit & book your own air  when the time comes

 

Deposit is $750 PP

https://oceaniacruises.zendesk.com/hc/en-us/articles/360005305934-What-is-your-deposit-and-payment-policy-

 

Ask the TA what perks they offer ...many offer the gratuities  & OBC

If you can spring for  a C cabin  go for it

The 2 larger ships are  probably better  for a 1st timer

JMO

[Woofa]

Thank you LHT, I had not even thought about that.  I think we need to explore this option as I cannot imagine taking a cruise that starts (or ends) in Rome and not staying an extra day or two to see the city.  I was just concerned about taking Oceania out of the loop and then having a problem and it affecting our cruise.

Regarding the cabin C, It looks to be somewhat under $1000 for the two of us.  It sounds like you feel well worth it to do this? 

[cswhistler]

Glad to hear you enjoyed Victoria & Vancouver and returning in 2022. We live up Vancouver Island.

As for Europe you would have longer daylight and probably better weather in April.

Food is excellent , we have had 22 different trips on O  (previously tried Norwegian,  Princess, Celebrity, and Windstar) and keep coming back although this is the first year we have not booked due to Covid.

At that time of year a balcony would not be worth paying for  as cool and you would probably be ashore all day anyway. If you like sea days there are lots of options. We have enjoyed longer trips with an ocean trip to or from Europe to Miami, port intensive with a restful time before or after on the ship. The on shore every day with tours is quite hectic.

We take the airfare with O as Canadian fares are expensive and distance is far from Vancouver but you on the east coast might be better off not doing so. It has saved us trouble when re arrangement was required and O looked after it all.

Yes there is a deviation fee to go early or stay late, used to be $175 each. Transport to and fro to the ship can usually be done cheaper on your own. Rome is quite far from the the cruise port.

 

[msn123]

Have been on 29 Oceania cruises at this point. The beds are heavenly and the food is great.  The larger ships give you two more specialty restaurants and there is no upcharge for them.  Neither size ship ever feels crowded.  All non-alcoholic beverages are included so you don't ever feel nickel and dimed to death.

 

I agree that if you can, get at least a C cabin.  The middle of the ship is the most stable.  We aim for a cabin there, or slightly to the back of the middle.  

 

We usually try to fly in a day or two in advance and book our own hotels and flights. That takes the stress out of missing the boat when we make our own arrangements. As a first timer, you would pay a deviation for Oceania to change your flights.  If you add in that extra cost, your travel agent will probably be able to do just fine with flights that you chose rather than what Oceania arranges.  You still get OLife if you take out the airfare. 

 

If you don't want to make arrangements or explore on your own the best value is including excursions.  You can pick ones up to $199.  While generally the excursions are overpriced, they are usually quite good for seeing the highlights.

 

Definitely book your own hotels.  What Oceania offers is always overpriced.  A taxi or Uber to a hotel or the ship is less expensive than the ships arranged transfers.   For even less stress, have your TA arrange transfers on both ends of your trip or do an internet search (especially if you need to get to the ship from Rome and arrange your own transportation. It is a distance to both the city center and the airport.

Edited April 29, 2021 by msn123
misspelling

[LHT28]

Some people like the inside cabins  for me I need light

We did an inside once for 18 days  & that convinced me

I need to see daylight  LOL

If all you can afford is an inside   they are not bad 

You can do the deviation at $175 PP

 you can choose the flights you want & ask O if they can do it

If you are not in one of the gateway cities they will be an additional charge 

 With most of O offers you have to do the math & do what works best for you

Enjoy

[deus]

Just my opinion you definitely need to spend at minimum two weeks in Europe.  On our first trip to Europe we went to Paris for 7 days and then flew to Venice took our first cruise, we then stayed in Rome for three nights.  It was wonderful!  You are going to love it!!  It makes me smile thinking how much fun you are going to have!

 

Just my opinion, we stayed in an inside room once and it was fine!  We only stay in our room in the morning, sleeping and in the afternoon for a couple of hours.  The rest you are either off the ship or out and about on the ship.  An inside room  will be fine.

[Jancruz]

1 hour ago, msn123 said:

Have been on 29 Oceania cruises at this point. The beds are heavenly and the food is great.  The larger ships give you two more specialty restaurants and there is no upcharge for them.  Neither size ship ever feels crowded.  All non-alcoholic beverages are included so you don't ever feel nickel and dimed to death.

 

I agree that if you can, get at least a C cabin.  The middle of the ship is the most stable.  We aim for a cabin there, or slightly to the back of the middle.  

 

We usually try to fly in a day or two in advance and book our own hotels and flights. That takes the stress out of missing the boat when we make our own arrangements. As a first timer, you would pay a deviation for Oceania to change your flights.  If you add in that extra cost, your travel agent will probably be able to do just fine with flights that you chose rather than what Oceania arranges.  You still get OLife if you take out the airfare. 

 

If you don't want to make arrangements or explore on your own the best value is including excursions.  You can pick ones up to $199.  While generally the excursions are overpriced, they are usually quite good for seeing the highlights.

 

Definitely book your own hotels.  What Oceania offers is always overpriced.  A taxi or Uber to a hotel or the ship is less expensive than the ships arranged transfers.   For even less stress, have your TA arrange transfers on both ends of your trip or do an internet search (especially if you need to get to the ship from Rome and arrange your own transportation. It is a distance to both the city center and the airport.

Sorry I dont agree with doing anything yourself..you are newbies to travel, Europe and cruising and lots of things can go wrong on a trip and its better to have Oceania to solve the problems at  least for your first couple of trips..all of us on this board will be happy to help you but I do believe we all agree 7 days is not enough to stay..at least 10 days if not 2 weeks..I agree with Linda on a category C...as I do not like it dark in the cabin all of the time but thats personal choice..We have always traveled in October as November can be pretty cold and wet.,..be sure and let us know your itinerary and if you like cities or small towns..please  be a little more specific in your questions..

You will love Europe and cruising....

Jancruz1

Edited April 29, 2021 by Jancruz
spelling

[HiFi43]

I agree with much of the above with a few additional thoughts. We’ve done 32 cruises on Oceania and have cruised on many other cruise lines over the years as well. We’ve settled on Oceania because for the price they are a great experience…no one has better food and the passenger type Oceania attracts are the friendliness of any cruise line we’ve been on. I also agree that since a  travel agent costs no more and knows ropes we always use one who has experience with cruising and with Oceania. Plus they can help you with making pre and post cruise visits more painless and less expensive.
 

Also, from personal experience we suggest you pay a few bucks more and get an outside cabin. 
 

 

[mauibabes]

Woofa, you have received a lot of great info from Oceania seasoned and cruise experienced travelers. I can assure you that if this is your first cruise, much less first on Oceania, you will be spoiled for life and never set foot on the mass market cruise lines. You will receive the greatest VALUE when cruising on Oceania. We started in 2007 as we retired with a once in a lifetime cruise of the Mediterranean, 14 days and it was fantastic. One trip led to another and then we convinced friends who traveled other lines to join us. We have never gone back to the other lines, Oceania is our home and our family. Bottom line October 18 on Riviera will be our 20th and the Oceania Club Free Cruise kicks in so Oceania will credit us for a 14 day sailing even though we are taking a 20 day trip. 
 

A few suggestions if I may since this might be an Anniversary, if you can, sail in September or October in the Mediterranean because it is less busy and not as HOT. You are from. Ft. Worth but it gets hot in Europe. Consider Marina or Riviera itineraries and if you can, consider stepping up to a B Balcony. It is so amazing to be on your balcony with a cup of coffee from Room Service, no charge, and watching as you sail into so many of the magical ports. We start our day with photos of every port to chronicle our vacations. After Covid and seeing people locked into their rooms for days on end, there is no chance I will be on a ship and not be able to breathe fresh air. My phobia!

 

Definitely use a travel agent and an agency that is a Connoisseur Club Member because that means they are in the top level of travel agencies and have access to more timely information. Since they do a lot of Oceania bookings, I am sure they have access to some enhanced amenities too.
 

 You will get a wealth of information from the great people on Cruise Critic but if you ever have questions or just want to bounce off an idea or two or ask a quick question, please feel free to send me us a note off line, gerryesker@gmail.com

You may not know it yet but you are making one of the smartest decisions in your life to cruise on Oceania.

Bonnie and Gerry Esker,

 

[Paulchili]

Lots of very good advice from seasoned O cruisers above.

Enjoy your cruise - you are very likely to get hooked 😀

[mauibabes]

AND THAT’S THE TRUTH,🤪😇🥂

 

A week is a physical wipe out with jet lag, take some extra time to ENJOY the experience and your expenditure. As was mentioned already, let Oceania handle everything that is reasonable for you. If the Premium Economy Upgrade is available, consider doing it for the extra comfort and yes it is $199 pp but an 8 hour hop across the pond is a lot easier in comfort. Take the O Life amenity package that is offered. EITHER the $$$ in Ship Board Credit, OR Drink Package OR Free Excursions and  the Free Air Fare and leave Oceania responsible for getting you there on time.  Also, consider arriving early or departing days later as the $175 pp Air Deviation is your friend. While this may not benefit you on this cruise, the Air Deviation will let you arrive up to 30 days early and stay  up to 30 days after disembarkation and still use their Free Air. Unless you have lots of Frequent Flier miles, you will not normally beat their prices so the Air Credit you would get rarely makes financial sense.  

Keep reading all the added future posts because the cruisers here will provide you with an education, Oceania 101, upper division and on into graduate school.

🤪😇👍🤙🛳🍽🍷🥂

[alcpa1]

You've had some great advice.

I suggest April. The weather will be better, milder, more invigorating.... The crowds at many sites will be larger than a November sailing but far better than the hoards in summer.

Factor in travel insurance. Do not purchase it from the cruise line and be wary of what your travel agents offers. There is a travel insurance thread on Cruise Critic. The insurance must be purchased within two weeks of booking/deposit. 

By the time you cruise excursions should be available for self booking. You may want to combine your O Life allotment with a few self booked excursions. 

When you book join the ROLL CALL for your sailing. O's Roll Calls can be a little slow but that is the best place to join others on your sailing and make plans.

Be proactive and monitor your flights. There will be the inevitable changes and vigilance pays off.

I too would suggest the Marina or Riviera. The remainder of the fleet are on great ships but the cabins are small and the bathrooms are tiny. Ship cabins are small anyway until you get into the suite categories and even then some are still smaller than a generic hotel room. No matter the size cabin there will be plenty of storage.

Do plan a land extension, preferably prior to sailing. This will allow you to adjust to the time change and exhaustion from a long flight PLUS you will experience your first trip to Europe.

After you meet with the travel agent come back and ask more questions. We are all eager to make this your first cruise and certainly not your last. It's addictive!

[zoncom]

First I would call Oceania and get a bunch of their brochures. I would consider booking with O one of their 2 week min. Europe cruises. Your corner TA will not be familiar with Oceania and not able to recommend the best options. 7N will just give you jet lag and you will just be getting used to a cruise boat and come home tired.              I booked 22N on Marina May 24, 22 Rome to Copenhagen with great ports.

[Harters]

On 4/29/2021 at 7:31 PM, Woofa said:

Is November or April a better time in that part of the world? 

Neither would be an ideal time, IMO.  The weather can be a bit chilly and rainy in both months. On the other side of the coin, most of we North Europeans visit the Med during the much warmer months, so it will be quieter in all the ports, which may have an appeal, as it will be "out of season" in many destinations. Perhaps look towards May/early June and September as optimum months

 

Others have made the point about the effects of jetlag for a one week trip. We've visited North America regularly since 1980. On the return,  the effect of the lag when we were having to go to work the next day was horrible (and would have felt even worse if we were supposed to be enjoying ourselves on holiday). It can take you 2 or 3 days to adjust. I'd recommend building in that extra time to spend at your departure port city.

[DENIE]

Woofa,

 

I have to agree with what most here have said.  We just booked our first Oceania cruise (Mediterranean) for June 2022.  Our last cruise (Celebrity) was in the Mediterranean in November (Venice to Rome).  It was mostly pleasant temperatures, however we did get rain off an on.  When the sun was out, it was quite pleasant, though.  Definitely jacket weather for November.  We did experience the ports when they were not in the peak months and flooded with tourists, so that was nice.  Just know that shoulder season weather can be a bit unpredictable.

 

I also agree that 7 days is probably not enough.  Our prior cruise and the upcoming one with Oceania are 10 night cruises, but we are building time in before and after.  I agree with those who suggest a minimum of 2 weeks.  My wife and I both still work, otherwise we would consider longer.  Having at least 2 days before the cruise is good, as one can be used to catch up on sleep (worked well for us!). 

 

People are great on this forum. Don't be afraid to ask!

 

 

[muggo11]

All excellent perspectives. I am now trying for the second time to cruise Oceania for the first time!

 

BUT, I do have a lot of experience with Rome and sailing.
*I strongly suggest at least 10 days in Rome before or after sailing. Even if you use cruiseline airlines services, they give you some latitude on flight timing. Personally I would go BEFORE the sailing—that way you lose jet-lag time to a hotel room, NOT a cabin. 

 

*yes, ask your travel agent for good hotels and rates in central Rome locations. You will want a place where you can walk to major attractions OR are close to a train station. we also stayed in a sweet airbnb once and loved making our own meals with local market shopping. There are SOME things you should book in advance (St Peter’s, for example) but it is a very walkable city. Any Rome travel guide will help you dream. 
 

*unless you are a fierce travel researcher, let Oceania do as much as they can for you. E.g. we took the train from Rome to the port—it DOES take some organizing and then, walking, but we got to see more of the countryside. 
 

*try to find the Roll Call for a former cruise with the same itinerary. Those threads are wonderful resources!  And, of course, check the Rome board in the ports section. 
 

So happy for you!  Welcome to cruising (39 cruises and counting). 
 

 

[GeorgesGal]

I have agree with the previous posters:  pre-cruise plan on a minimum of 2 nights in Rome, but preferably three to be sure of losing that travel nightmare, JetLag!!!

 

Besides with the cost of the cruise and the air together, it's not worth going for only seven days!  Treat yourselves; you deserve it!

[GJH123]

We have been on eight Oceania cruises and found them delightful. We especially like the port intensive itineraries. We were once on a Mediterranean cruise in early April--Barcelona to Rome. For about three days, it was rainy and cold as we were following a weather front because of prevailing winds. To avoid, please think about sailing west to east. Thinking that late April or early May might be the ideal time to travel.

 

Regarding your flight, you might check Google Flights to get an idea of the cost. My suggestion is to book through either Oceania or a travel agent, especially if there are connecting flights and deviations involved. Once we had planned to visit Amsterdam for the tulips post-cruise when the Icelandic volcano intervened. It was so nice to make one call to our travel agent and find ourselves rerouted home through Athens which has a hotel within walking distance of the airport and a metro into city. We have also found a wide variation in the quality of the Premium Economy seats, so be sure to check or have your agent check on what exactly the upgrade entails.

 

As for insurance, we have used several reputable companies and found them to be excellent. To be covered for pre-existing conditions, you need to enroll within 14 days of initial deposit. As you add the details of your trip--tours, hotels, etc., be sure to add the additional coverage to your insurance. If something does happen to disrupt your trip, be sure to document. For example, one time our flight was delayed because of weather. At the hotel, I took a screenshot of the announcement from the airport. Keep all receipts for reimbursements. Another time we missed a port where I had pre-booked several tours. I saved the cruise notice of the missed port, and was reimbursed for all of them. I usually download a copy of the policy and all additional arrangements to my iPad before departure.

 

Regarding tours, pre-COVID, we preferred small group tours as a more immersive experience. You can check for availability on your Cruise Critic roll call. At this time, I would not book unless fully refundable and after researching the company or individual guide. Don't be afraid to explore on your own, just carry the hotel card or remember the port. If you're able to flag a taxi, you will always safely return. The roll call might also help securing a small group transfer, Rome is about an hour from the port.

 

Congratulations on your anniversary and best wishes for a wonderful cruise.

 

 

 

 

 

[MarkWiltonM]

So much great advice here. I would recommend that if your TA charges a fee for anything, or a cancellation fee, look for another TA.

[Jancruz]

I hate to ask but what happened to OP???

Jancruz1

[mauibabes]

Hey Woofa,

Had that meeting yet with the TA you were checking out? Bet you were far more prepared for that meeting/discussion/interview than the TA was. Did your Oceania cruise mentors here on CC do a good job preparing you and we’re you able to feel comfortable pulling the trigger on an Oceania cruise?  You know the O cruise veterans are anxiously awaiting your feedback and TA meeting update.🛳🍽🥂✈️🎂❤️🍷🤞👍

Bonnie and Gerry

[Host Jazzbeau]

2 hours ago, mauibabes said:

Hey Woofa,

Had that meeting yet with the TA you were checking out? Bet you were far more prepared for that meeting/discussion/interview than the TA was. Did your Oceania cruise mentors here on CC do a good job preparing you and we’re you able to feel comfortable pulling the trigger on an Oceania cruise?  You know the O cruise veterans are anxiously awaiting your feedback and TA meeting update.🛳🍽🥂✈️🎂❤️🍷🤞👍

Bonnie and Gerry

If you want to get someone's attention, you need to put an @ sign before their CC user name (and pause while the website changes it to a link to their account).  E.g.:  @Woofa

[LHT28]

29 minutes ago, Host Jazzbeau said:

If you want to get someone's attention, you need to put an @ sign before their CC user name (and pause while the website changes it to a link to their account).  E.g.:  @Woofa

 

Does it send them an email or what ?

[mauibabes]

@Host Jazzbeau

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