So upset with Oceania

[Flatbush Flyer]

2 hours ago, Hlitner said:

….On our extended independent land trips, we sometimes spend a lot of time/effort planning on how to handle our luggage.  While it can be a challenge, it is simply part of travel.  We do not even consider shipping luggage, internationally.  Too many players and too many opportunities for things to go wrong…..

Example: for an O cruise leaving from CPT, we had arranged a precruise land stay that included a safari requiring a flight to J-Burg. We could’ve flown first to J-Burg, stored cruise luggage somewhere

[clo]

2 hours ago, Hlitner said:

We are avid world travelers, so find this thread very interesting.  Many decades ago, having booked a pre-cruise land package (Princess) we realized that cruise lines are best left to things at sea, and land things are better left to ourselves.  For decades, we have been avid independent land travelers, and think of the word "tour" as a 4 letter word, and would be hard pressed to ever depend on any cruise line (not just O) to handle our pre/post cruise arrangements.

 

The cruise lines are at the mercy of land-based contractors, for anything "land."  Most of the time we have found that cruise line land packages cost about twice as much as doing the same thing on our own with better hotels.  At one time (before the Internet) this was a real challenge and involved sending "cables" making expensive phone calls, etc.  These days, we can make arrangements to go just about anywhere in the world with a few clicks of the mouse.  

 

As to "Luggage Forward" it can be a decent service....or not!  Allowing a third party to have control of one's luggage can become a huge problem when things go wrong.  On our extended independent land trips, we sometimes spend a lot of time/effort planning on how to handle our luggage.  While it can be a challenge, it is simply part of travel.  We do not even consider shipping luggage, internationally.  Too many players and too many opportunities for things to go wrong.  When everything goes as planned, it is a wonderful thing.  But part of the creed of most independent travelers is to factor in risk and try to minimize it!

 

Hank

Very, very well written. Lots of great info. We HAVE done some escorted land trips but we think those are over. Back to independent. And, yes, now that we have internet that makes it way easier. I'll always remember and smile getting into a town and finding a place to stay 🙂

[Flatbush Flyer]

Sorry - fat fingers on the previous attempt at this post:

 

Example of DIY protecting luggage:

 

For an O cruise leaving from CPT, we should’ve flown first to J-Burg for our pre-cruise Safari trip. However, we flew instead to CPT, stayed a couple of days and left our cruise luggage at the hotel while we flew off to the lodge. Post Safari, we flew direct back to CPT (and to our cruise luggage) with two more nights there pre-embark.

For the added cost of one additional domestic flight leg (about $150 pp), we had our regular cruise luggage buffer time intact at CPT plus time to do a 4 day safari sandwiched into our originally desired four total CPT nights. AND that $150 pp flight was less expensive than Luggage Forward direct from SFO to CPT.

Edited August 14 by Flatbush Flyer

[Jancruz]

On 12/9/2023 at 3:36 PM, Snaefell3 said:

Rube Goldberg would be proud of "Oceania free baggage shipping".

 

Oceania "partners" with Luggage Forward, who in turn contracts with UPS/FedEx/DHL/etc to pick up your bags, transport them to your embarkation port, and deliver them to whichever port agent there that Oceania hired.  The port agent holds the bags before delivering them to your your ship on embarkation day.  Then the ship's crew in turn delivers the bags to your cabin.

 

Lots of moving parts, lots of chance for missed communication, lots of chance for bags to go astray.  But, IMNSHO, still more reliable than getting them there as checked airline baggage.

Bags dont have to be lost any more..I just throw in a disc that tracks the bags on your phone and have no problem as I always know where the bags are....

Jancruz1

[Jancruz]

On 12/10/2023 at 10:16 AM, pmatawan said:

I tried luggagetoship and they can not provide service to port in Mumbai either. I know it's a customs issue, but shouldn't Oceania  have known about this? Shouldn't someone have advised me that an advertised amenity is not available? I'm resigned to the fact that I'll be lugging my bags though 4 different airports and paying excess baggage fees and extra fees for hiring vans instead of sedans for transfers. These costs well exceed what has been offered by Oceania.

Why dont you contact whoever booked you and let them deal with the problem...

Jancruz1

[Jancruz]

On 12/13/2023 at 7:49 AM, Snaefell3 said:

My 2¢:

Earlier this year and past our final payment date, Monterey closed itself to cruise ships.  We were booked aboard Regatta and were looking forward to visiting as tourists instead of residents.

 

We'll let any lawyers opine on force majeure, but we blamed Monterey not Oceania.

Santa Barbara is talking about closing their port to cruise ship also...

Jancruz1

[Harters]

5 hours ago, Jancruz said:

Bags dont have to be lost any more

I also have the discs. But knowing where they are doesnt alleviate the fact they are lost. Bearing that possibility in mind, we added in an extra day in Miami, pre-cruise, just in case the bags didnt arrive with us. And, by co-incidence, in the last few hours, my nephew has arrived in Riyadh, where he's working for the next couple of weeks. His luggage is still in Paris.

[susanrc]

11 hours ago, Flatbush Flyer said:

FWIW: O is not in a “partnership.” Luggage Forward is a contractor and O’s T&Cs clearly state that O bears no responsibility for performance of their contractors, which includes airlines, tour companies…..

 

I’m not defending O. I’m just stating what those who choose to use Luggage Forward agreed to in the fine print. 

I got the word "partnership" from O's website and promo emails.   I'm not looking to sue Oceania for lack of service.   I'm simply asking for some integrity.   If you entice people to purchase from you with a particular incentive, then you should offer them a similar incentive should the original one be unavailable.  Otherwise you can correctly be accused of "bait and switch".

I doubt Luggage Forward is offering this service to Oceania for free.   There is surely some cost to Oceania for this service.   I also doubt that Oceania is going to pay Luggage Forward for a service they are unable to provide.   Simple fairness dictates that Oceania pass that cost savings on the the clients denied the promoted service.

[susanrc]

14 hours ago, pmatawan said:

Their response is that they are not responsible for actions or omissions of 3rd parties who provide services. They will take no responsibility for their false advertising. If I were a lawyer, I start a class action suit.

I would hope that a line like Oceania would care enough about their reputation to do the right thing.   

[ronrick1943]

On 12/9/2023 at 3:47 PM, LHT28 said:

So you  will be in Mumbai  to board the ship   can you not just collect it at the airport??

Seems like  an issue with customs in India  so  using another delivery service will probably have the same issue

Agree, except the point is "why would Oceania advertise and promote a program" when they know ahead they can't deliver that product.

[pmatawan]

34 minutes ago, ronrick1943 said:

Agree, except the point is "why would Oceania advertise and promote a program" when they know ahead they can't deliver that product.

Because they can do it without penalties. I'm not the 1st person to get screwed by their false advertising.They know full well they don't provide advertised services in certain locations. They choose not to disclose it.

Until they screw with a Class Action Attorney, they will continue to deceive customers.

Edited August 14 by pmatawan
typo

[Cruising Maryland]

I'm using LugageForward for my Grand Voyage in December/January. I got an email from them on Monday confirming that they will deliver my bags to the ship in Miami and ship them back from Rio. very few details about anything, butg at least I have confirmation from them.

[basor]

1 hour ago, Cruising Maryland said:

I'm using LugageForward for my Grand Voyage in December/January. I got an email from them on Monday confirming that they will deliver my bags to the ship in Miami and ship them back from Rio. very few details about anything, butg at least I have confirmation from them.

I would call them directly to re-confirm that they can/will pick up from ship in Rio....to make sure it isn't a generic email....

[Thought2go]

19 hours ago, susanrc said:

$250/person???   That's ridiculous.   I'm going to have a serious meltdown.   But I appreciate the heads-up.

Here is a web site to a company that ships in/out in Brazil. If it were my luggage I would definitely use every available trick to keep it from being tampered with. Finishing up with a heavy shrink wrap. I have no experience with them, however cruisers- those who sail their personal yachts all around the world- recommended. Every country I have ever had the pleasure of having packages to full containers shipped to/from all have their peccadilloes- many outright graft and corruption, commonly referred to as the “shake down” of first worlders.

I suggest those experiencing being left out to blow in the wind- a good place to research since you are not physically in the country you want to ship from is check out the many “cruising” forums-those from people on their own vessels trying to get parts to fix their boats for who they have used with the least problems.

https://blog.optimalship.com/how-to-ship-to-brazil-from-the-us

[Cruising Maryland]

57 minutes ago, basor said:

I would call them directly to re-confirm that they can/will pick up from ship in Rio....to make sure it isn't a generic email....

My TA has done that already. 

[Cruising Maryland]

54 minutes ago, Thought2go said:

Here is a web site to a company that ships in/out in Brazil. If it were my luggage I would definitely use every available trick to keep it from being tampered with. Finishing up with a heavy shrink wrap. I have no experience with them, however cruisers- those who sail their personal yachts all around the world- recommended. Every country I have ever had the pleasure of having packages to full containers shipped to/from all have their peccadilloes- many outright graft and corruption, commonly referred to as the “shake down” of first worlders.

I suggest those experiencing being left out to blow in the wind- a good place to research since you are not physically in the country you want to ship from is check out the many “cruising” forums-those from people on their own vessels trying to get parts to fix their boats for who they have used with the least problems.

https://blog.optimalship.com/how-to-ship-to-brazil-from-the-us

The OP is talking about Mumbai, I am the only one on this thread I think that has talked about Brazil

[basor]

Here is the response I just received from Luggage Forward concerning Brazil:

 

Hello,

Thank you very much for contacting us. Unfortunately, at the moment we are not servicing Brazil due to the customs restrictions in the country.

Please let us know if you have any further questions.

Best regards,

[Cruising Maryland]

29 minutes ago, basor said:

Here is the response I just received from Luggage Forward concerning Brazil:

 

Hello,

Thank you very much for contacting us. Unfortunately, at the moment we are not servicing Brazil due to the customs restrictions in the country.

Please let us know if you have any further questions.

Best regards,

Thanks, I got my email from them on Monday, do you know when you got this email from Luggage Forward?

[basor]

1 minute ago, Cruising Maryland said:

Thanks, I got my email from them on Monday, do you know when you got this email from Luggage Forward?

Less than an hour ago.....

 

Luggage Forward

 

To:You

Wed 8/14/2024 12:17 PM

 

Rose replied Aug 14, 3:16pm Hello, Thank you very much for contacting us. Unfortunately, at the moment we are not servicing Brazil due to the customs restrictions in the country. Please let us know if you have any further questions. Best regards, -- Rose D'Angelo support@luggageforward.com +1 617 482 1100

Edited August 14 by basor

[Cruising Maryland]

This is what I got from them 2 days ago:

 

 

Dear ,   In partnership with Oceania Cruises, Luggage Forward is happy to offer complimentary shipment of two standard 50 pound bags per guest for both embarkation and disembarkation.   Our cruise luggage valet service picks up your luggage from your home and directly delivers to your cruise ship. Upon disembarkation, we handle transportation of your luggage back to its final destination.   No more hauling heavy luggage to the airport or through the port, ship your luggage directly today!   Travel Happy,   Luggage Forward

[basor]

That appears to be a generic letter as it does not state your embarkation and debarkation ports specifically.  I would call the above person directly and have her pull up your confirmation to reconfirm that you are good to go.  I am sure there is no problem with Miami but hope you don't have any surprises in Rio....just trying to help you avoid an issue in Rio as we know others that have had no service in Brazil due to their customs regulations,

[Cruising Maryland]

Thanks for letting me know this. Have my TA on it to check it out. Fingers crossed

[Jancruz]

12 hours ago, Harters said:

I also have the discs. But knowing where they are doesnt alleviate the fact they are lost. Bearing that possibility in mind, we added in an extra day in Miami, pre-cruise, just in case the bags didnt arrive with us. And, by co-incidence, in the last few hours, my nephew has arrived in Riyadh, where he's working for the next couple of weeks. His luggage is still in Paris.

Since you know they are in Paris (I wish I was) they are not lost..you just havent received them

I have had to tell the airline where they are but I got them in a day or two..

Jancruz1.

[CurlerRob]

22 hours ago, Jancruz said:

Bags don't have to be lost any more. I just throw in a disc that tracks the bags on your phone and have no problem as I always know where the bags are....

Jancruz1

 

I recognize that your comment is broader than Luggage Forward, but FWIW, this is what Luggage Forward has to say about tracking discs:

 

Any hazardous or dangerous commodities are prohibited from all Luggage Forward shipments. 

For shipments traveling between two countries, there are additional items restricted by customs.

You can not ship:

 

Medication, OTC, prescription, or vitamins 

Food (Includes coffee beans and spices)

Alcohol (including perfume and hand sanitizer)

Tobacco

Pressurized containers (includes sunscreen) 

Valuables or currency

Electronics (excludes cables and converters) 

Lithium based, or Alkaline batteries (includes tracking devices and range finders)

 

Reports on CC indicate that the policy is inconsistently applied, but some have reported their tags thrown away. For batteries as feeble as those in AirTags, this is ludicrous but it's their policy. 🍺🥌

[osandomir]

35 minutes ago, CurlerRob said:

 

I recognize that your comment is broader than Luggage Forward, but FWIW, this is what Luggage Forward has to say about tracking discs:

 

Any hazardous or dangerous commodities are prohibited from all Luggage Forward shipments. 

For shipments traveling between two countries, there are additional items restricted by customs.

You can not ship:

 

Medication, OTC, prescription, or vitamins 

Food (Includes coffee beans and spices)

Alcohol (including perfume and hand sanitizer)

Tobacco

Pressurized containers (includes sunscreen) 

Valuables or currency

Electronics (excludes cables and converters) 

Lithium based, or Alkaline batteries (includes tracking devices and range finders)

 

Reports on CC indicate that the policy is inconsistently applied, but some have reported their tags thrown away. For batteries as feeble as those in AirTags, this is ludicrous but it's their policy. 🍺🥌

Not that we’re going too use this service but I’m curious. If they don’t allow AirTags so customer could see their luggage location how would they track the shipment themselves to speed up the process in case something goes wrong. Or they just don’t care and have no responsibilities when the luggage delayed by the carrier.