In a handicap cabin, but dont need it.

[jonthomas]

Has anyone written to the Ceo and gotten an answer Back?

Is it a futile exercise?

[jonthomas]

1 minute ago, latitude 22 said:

 

Thank you for being such an ally and being willing to advocate, 

 

So many people think it’s not their concern in life right now, 

but the fact is anyone at any age can become disabled 

from an freak accident to a sudden onset health diagnosis like me. 

 

I came home from 18 days on the Marina in 2013 cruising around the South Pacific. We were upgrade to a PH2

 

It was the most magical, relaxing, breathtaking, romantic experience. 

 

3 days after we got back I was in the hospital with every board certified specialist looking at me going WTH? 

As I started to improve a Doctor asked me what I wanted for my future. 

 

I said please don’t take away travel. 

 

Thank you so much for being such a wonderful human being. 

Let me know what I can do to make sure when I give up this cabin that someone else who does not need, grabs it.

[jonthomas]

Perhaps we are already doing it, by highlighting the issue.

 

Making others aware that these cabins are in fact needed. Do not take them if you don't.

 

But the bigger issue is to change Os policy of assigning HC without making sure the passenger needs it.

[latitude 22]

5 minutes ago, jonthomas said:

Let me know what I can do to make sure when I give up this cabin that someone else who does not need, grabs it.

 

I would go to your roll call and ask if anyone needed the cabin and wasn’t able to book it. 

 

Maybe i missed it but what itinerary is… 

 

[jonthomas]

Yes I will do that.

It is Vista, may 1, 2025,22 day TA.

[latitude 22]

5 minutes ago, jonthomas said:

Perhaps we are already doing it, by highlighting the issue.

 

Making others aware that these cabins are in fact needed. Do not take them if you don't.

 

But the bigger issue is to change Os policy of assigning HC without making sure the passenger needs it.

 

Princess is pretty good about it they let you know that you can be asked for documentation and denied boarding.  It scares enough people to do the right thing. Also, they have a pop up with online bookings where you have to specifically check for accessible cabins. 

 

Unfortunately, Princess has gone downhill so much in the last 15 years

that we would rather sail on Oceania Cruise unless it is a specific itinerary issue.  For example next week we are doing the Panama Canal on the Island Princess through the original locks. I’ve done it 2x before, my husband hasn’t, so this is a bucket list itinerary for him ….so Princess got this booking. 

 

The most perfect accessible room and experience I have ever had was the Hotel Chancellor in Hobart, Tasmania. I felt so loved, they wanted to make the stay as perfect and exclusive for all guests. 

If you find yourself in Tasmania book them!!!! 

[jonthomas]

 I applaud you for not giving up travel. No matter how difficult, you seek the joy and refuse to be beaten by adversity. 

A lesson for all of us.

[jonthomas]

I posted it on roll call. Have not heard back from my O rep.

Heard back from my TA. She will call O tomorrow.

Would be surprised if anything could be done at this point.

Will let you know.

[jonthomas]

Leaving my email...

Here just in case johthomas100z@gmai.com johthomas100z@gmail.com

 

[jonthomas]

Today my TA will be contacting O about us not wanting to occupy an accessible cabin.

I don't know what O can do about it. Both lowest cat are waitlisted. They can't put us on a wait list, since we are already IN the cat.

Sure they can tell us to book two cat higher at a much higher cost.

We were one of the first to book when the itin came out. I needed to act then as soon as I noticed it.

 

[pinotlover]

18 hours ago, jonthomas said:

I posted it on roll call. Have not heard back from my O rep.

Heard back from my TA. She will call O tomorrow.

Would be surprised if anything could be done at this point.

Will let you know.

What would you propose be the policy? Who is going to be the administrator judging whether someone is worthy of a HC cabin? Same criteria as all those getting HC placards for their cars so to park in HC spots? I wouldn’t doubt that a third of Oceania cruisers don’t already have one of those! 
 

How long should Oceania hold the cabin open? Permanently, if not specifically requested or needed? 
 

The devil is always in the details. 
 

If you don’t want that cabin then cancel the cruise, or upgrade. 

[jonthomas]

As a poster here has said, other lines that she cruises with have figured this out. She prefers O but without policy in place, her needs are not met.

Yes ultimately I will have to cancel before final pay, probably giving someone else who doesn't need it, an opportunity to have this cabin.

Edited May 1, 2023 by jonthomas

[jonthomas]

Got my useless answer from my TA...O told her nothing else is available in the two categories. Duh, I had told her that, she just wasted her time.

 

Yes some here will ask  what did I expect.

 

She will have to call back and have our request noted  on our reservation, so someone will be aware that a cabin like this was given to someone who does not need it. When someone with need requests it, they are NOT told NO but an attempt is made to accommodate them.

[osandomir]

43 minutes ago, jonthomas said:

Got my useless answer from my TA...O told her nothing else is available in the two categories. Duh, I had told her that, she just wasted her time.

 

Yes some here will ask  what did I expect.

 

She will have to call back and have our request noted  on our reservation, so someone will be aware that a cabin like this was given to someone who does not need it. When someone with need requests it, they are NOT told NO but an attempt is made to accommodate them.

If you care about handicapped people and don’t want to take this cabin from them it would be better not to book it at the first place. Do you believe Oceania will take this cabin from you now and give you a free upgrade if no other cabin in this category is available?

[jonthomas]

I didn't book it . It was assigned to me.

 

Your ugly insinuation is not warranted. If you think that way perhaps that is what you would do.

What would be fair to us is to be put on a wait list in that category.

[Jancruz]

1 hour ago, jonthomas said:

I didn't book it . It was assigned to me.

 

Your ugly insinuation is not warranted. If you think that way perhaps that is what you would do.

What would be fair to us is to be put on a wait list in that category.

Jon move on from this as it is two years away..

Jancruz1

[jonthomas]

yes ultimately will have to do just that....

 

but not quite yet...

 

I need to know that for now, I have done all there is to do.

 

 

Edited May 1, 2023 by jonthomas

[LHT28]

Just my opinion on the topic of H/C  cabins 

 I think they should be  blocked from the online inventory  & even the assignments  from O  until 

1) someone needs  that type of cabin

2) until final payment     Then if no one in need books one then assign them to clear GTY or W/l

Whichever comes first 

 

But Oceania did not ask me 

[Cruzin Terri]

5 minutes ago, LHT28 said:

Just my opinion on the topic of H/C  cabins 

 I think they should be  blocked from the online inventory  & even the assignments  from O  until 

1) someone needs  that type of cabin

2) until final payment     Then if no one in need books one then assign them to clear GTY or W/l

Whichever comes first 

 

But Oceania did not ask me 

Bingo!

[jonthomas]

So here is the update.

The O rep has waitlisted us for a B4 CAT. 

It is $1350 pp CAD more than the B5....but that is not even the issue, the cabins are very much forward and I need mid ship...

 

however, having said all that, I am pleased that at least a waitlist is now possible...not in the category I booked, since I would have to let that go...

 

we booked it with excellent air rate and 199 prem econ...now 649....

 

it is 2 years away...that is all I can do for now...

 

the lesson here for me is to check the symbols on the deck plans...dont assume you are given a regular cabin....

 

yes as jan said, time to  move on....

[SSCAF001]

I am in an accessible cabin for a cruise sailing in less than 10 days. I booked the cruise 2 years ago. I did not choose my cabin. Oceania assigned the last available cabin at that moment and it was an accessible cabin. I have made sure with Oceania that they know I do not need an accessible cabin. I told O that should a disabled passenger needs this cabin, I have no problem to be moved. But so far, I got no request from O. I assume there is no disabled passenger on my cruise in need for an accessible cabin : Am I right? Otherwise, I would feel very guilty.

[jonthomas]

With the number of elderly on board and those using wheelchairs, I would think there would be many who could benefit from a cabin like that.

I just can't understand any of it.

I have two years to resolve this. Others are telling me to move on from this. Is it because they feel it is causing me stress or is it because it looks bad on O?

If I don't resolve it in all the time I have, I will cancel. I will not sail in a cabin that can be useful to others. It would haunt me.

 

 

 

[LHT28]

3 hours ago, SSCAF001 said:

II assume there is no disabled passenger on my cruise in need for an accessible cabin : Am I right? .

you will not know until you are onboard

 

The problem seems to be they just assign whatever cabin is open  be it H/C  or not

[pinotlover]

Jon;

 

By your own admission, you got the very last cabin in that category and was assigned the cabin as such.

 

To me, perhaps I’m missing something, all of those people booking cabins before you, that may have needed a HC cabin, had the opportunity to book it before you. All those others obviously didn’t feel a need for an HC cabin and left it open. 
 

In regular veranda cabins, all the cabins are the same size as are the HC cabins. If one needs an HC cabin, they have the ability to book one over multiple categories. Even if someone normally prefers an A cabin, if they required an HC, they could have booked down to meet their needs. You got that cabin because no one else wanted or needed it.

[LHT28]

5 minutes ago, pinotlover said:

Jon;

 

By your own admission, you got the very last cabin in that category and was assigned the cabin as such.

 

To me, perhaps I’m missing something, all of those people booking cabins before you, that may have needed a HC cabin, had the opportunity to book it before you. All those others obviously didn’t feel a need for an HC cabin and left it open. 
 

In regular veranda cabins, all the cabins are the same size as are the HC cabins. If one needs an HC cabin, they have the ability to book one over multiple categories. Even if someone normally prefers an A cabin, if they required an HC, they could have booked down to meet their needs. You got that cabin because no one else wanted or needed it.

I wonder how anyone would have booked the H/C cabin  opening day 

The cruise Jon is complaining about is 2 yrs away  

It should have never been in the available inventory 

H/C cabins  should be on request only basis  until at least  final payment  then  they can put it in the open  pool

 

The H/C rooms are  NOT the same as the regular cabins

Next time onboard ask to have a look at one

JMO