Hokapontas

On 4/22/2024 at 12:40 PM, TRLD said:

There were 200 first timers on the 21 day cruise out of the 600 on board.

 

I suspect that many are one and done. The first timers included  those coming up from the adult mass market lines (HAL, Princess, Celebrity) as well as those that normally sail higher end lines such as Regent, Crystal, Seabourn and Silver Sea.

 

The itinerary is what attracted many to try Oceania starting in French Polynesia and ending in LA.

 

For me the issue was extreme lack of variation. The sea day schedule pretty much the same with the 3 music options, string quartet, show band and piano player doing basically the same routines each day. Mostly playing background music for tea, happy hour, etc. Little variation  little change in what was being played, little interaction with passengers. Basically playing their curated list.

 

In many ways a waste of live music  They could use canned music for background on some days and then have a concert type show with the freed up time where they could be more interactive with the audience on both type of music and maybe even requests.

 

If you take away the grill to order lobster, and steaks, as well as the sushi, the food did really not seem any better than food available on other lines, including HAL  Celebrity, and Princess, with less variation. Basically in talking with the Chef the menus are also curated by HQ and must be followed exactly as HQ indicates.

 

The pool area was mostly full. But not so much by people saving seats and not being there, but instead by people that basically spent all day there when weather allowed. The number one activity seemed to be sleeping on the lounges near the pool 

 

I have been on some sedate cruises in the past, but this cruise was more sedated.

You have just described the problem with Simply More... It encourages new cruisers that like all-inclusiveness, and it comes up short. 

Why upset the regular cruisers, I wonder? The ones that are happy with the quiet days, and choosing whether to have shipboard credit or drinks package? 

Some don't mind the sedateness, they make their own fun and enjoy the cruise. No need at all for pool activities and "art" auctions. 

I do also hate pool lounge hogs!! 

On 4/9/2024 at 11:52 AM, clo said:

That wasn't on O, was it? And he packed "one" of what? A tuxedo?

LOL, no not on O. He brought a blazer. Suit material. Hope we never have to pack one again. It takes room out of his bag for my overflow 🥰

14 hours ago, cruiseaholic78 said:

Not sure about this, all HAL requires is a collared shirt and long trousers, we have never taken a jacket, never taken one on Oceania  either!

Did you do a search for dress code Oceania? there are so many threads on that.

Have a great cruise.

He packed one because of 'formal nights'... Wore it twice and didn't feel out of place. Wouldn't next time though on Hal, or ever on O. 

1 hour ago, riversights said:

Do Nautica voyagers dress up for the evening dining experience?  What does the ambiance suggest?  Guide us as we prepare to pack for our Baltic and North Sea sail.   

We wear what we would wear out to a nice restaurant. No sequins or jacket. We just came back from our first HAL cruise, and my husband finally had to pack a jacket. Never had to in our 10 years cruising O. I don't wear heels, but don't wear jeans to dinner, either. Nor does anyone wear expedition gear and runners to dinner, that I have seen. IMHO. 

On 4/6/2024 at 3:21 AM, Snaefell3 said:

Will you need to clear customs with those bags?  Will customs be awake at 4am? 

I guess, if it is prearranged. 

Including time it takes to get to the airport, check in, passport control for an international flight, 4am might not work for you. It may make more sense to leave the ship when it arrives in Malta, and staying near the airport in a hotel for the night. 

4 hours ago, oakridger said:

Which port?  Sydney?   They may require the muster drill earlier.  Just a guess.  Best to ask Crystal in this case, since this isn't a standard scenario for New Crystal and no history to go on for an educated guess.

 

Have a great cruise!

 

~Nancy

Thanks Nancy. Yes it's Sydney, White Bay terminal. 

Other cruises we have been on seem to muster about two hrs before leaving. Being on at 3 or four might be the ticket then. 

Hi, this is the first time we have embarked a ship leaving at 10pm. Usually we trundle up the the ship around 11, have lunch and set up in our room. This time I have time to have lunch with family on land (and maybe pack!) 

Check in said 12pm, but I reckon it would be fine to arrive at the ship in the late afternoon, even late evening. 

Is there any reason they wouldn't staff the check in area at those times? 

50 minutes ago, teeeej said:

 

 

Edited post. 

Thanks for the clarification everyone. It's so helpful! ☺️

Now for one more question: the HIA covers drinks, but what about when you eat in your room, where they are not covered? Can you pop to the nearest bar, buy a wine and take it back to your room? 

Hi again, can I ask a question about water? I take it that the tap water is not drinkable on the ship. We have Have It All in two weeks time. It covers 'waters' - and unlimited quantities of 'zero proof' beverages (reading the FAQs). Can I get a gallon of distilled water somewhere on board, to drink overnight and refill my bottle etc? Or more than one Open Water to get me through and refill my reusable one? 

Also it is clear they don't want plastic water bottles on board, what about a reusable bottle, plastic exercise type one? Do I need to find a metal exercise bottle to carry around with me? 

31 minutes ago, Blackduck59 said:

We haven't done the "pressing" service, but when we send a bag of laundry out in the early morning it is often back later that day. If we send it out in the evening it is often back when we come back from breakfast the next day. That being said sometimes it takes longer. I'm sorry you weren't prepared for no iron being available, many cruise lines don't allow them.

On another cruise line we go on, the laundry room is full of ppl ironing their clothing in order to eat dinner. Especially at the beginning of the cruise. It's a lovely, social place. 

We haven't sent laundry to the service since my husband's polo shirt was shrunk. 

I guess I am going to be looking for non crinkle things, and steaming the in the shower. 

I seem to be finding this our right now, there is no chance of Ironing anything on the Noordam?? 

I always need to iron because of the suitcase and the clothes, you know. 

I have read somewhere there is a press service. How long does that take? 

On 2/14/2024 at 9:44 AM, OregonGirl1980 said:

Just recently uploaded our experience on a Nieuw Statendam 7-day Western Caribbean cruise from January 2023, hope it's ok to link here. Hubby goes into some detail about the Navigator app if anyone is interested, right around the 2:18 mark. 

 

Hi! That brought up a question: is the Gala dinner (before 9 mins in) a 'formal' night, or a normal dinner in the gdr? I thought formal nights were on sea days, so am guessing my hubby needs a jacket with him for a normal dinner? 

On 2/7/2024 at 9:44 PM, david63 said:

From what I have heard if you have Noro then moving out of your room is not an option!

Yes, I meant this knowing some have trouble staying in their room, so don't tell anyone, and bounce around the ship from bathroom to bathroom. 

On 2/7/2024 at 9:03 PM, ski ww said:

No you do not. When you booked your cruise did you or your travel agent book a set time, early or late at the same table to eat in the MDR? The reservation is for any time dining.

I didn't, so it must mean I have any time dining. So why would someone need to hotfoot it to the MDR at the beginning of a cruise? Do some TAs not arrange it, or can't you do it online? 

On 1/26/2024 at 3:19 PM, Monarda55 said:

... so I can skedaddle to the dining kiosk to make MDR reservations. I have a gift for turning the wrong way initially in most circumstances, lol. 

Egad!! 

I am new to Hal as well, cruising in a month. 

I have to make reservations to eat in the MDR??? 

On 2/3/2024 at 5:02 AM, WantedOnVoyage said:

And telling it's the first thing they lock down when they have these outbreaks, too. Wonder why? 

I take it they isolate pax to stop them from using the public area conveniences, not washing their hands.

Not the most effective, as it stops ppl from reporting, but has a good ring to it. If they threw in free medical, maybe it would be an encouragement? Or free rehydration drinks and immodium, if they stay in their room? Free online movies, crosswords or newspapers? 

Maybe other things. Suggestions? 

17 hours ago, ak1004 said:

 

This is an assumption that has zero proof. But of course you must know something that the captain doesn't about the anticipated weather and all other things that impact the sailing.

 

Looks like you completely lost your faith and trust in O, it's probably better for you to find another line that puts the customer first. Just make sure to check the posts about that SS sailing I mentioned before with at least 5 cancelled ports.

And BTW, the cruise isn't till April 2025, so the captain must really know something about weather 😜

17 hours ago, ak1004 said:

 

This is an assumption that has zero proof. But of course you must know something that the captain doesn't about the anticipated weather and all other things that impact the sailing.

 

Looks like you completely lost your faith and trust in O, it's probably better for you to find another line that puts the customer first. Just make sure to check the posts about that SS sailing I mentioned before with at least 5 cancelled ports.

Wow, nice!!! 

4 hours ago, jazznruby said:

4/25/25 Riviera - Tokyo - Vancouver. Also booked on this. Yes, it was shortened by 1 day, 3 ports changed, 1 cancelled. Reason given was 'due to limited berthing availability for Vancouver'. It does seem strange that a year and a half out, these changes would be indicated, though my non-educated guess is that this much advance planning is sometimes required for berthing at certain ports. Certainly not weather related, (at least not yet) so who knows? 

 

Yes, very definitely a fact free assumption, and you know what they say about that. I will choose to believe what O is saying, go with the flow, and continue to look forward to this one with great anticipation. (And I gotta say... kinda hoping all these O cruisers, new and otherwise, who threaten to 'jump ship' actually do so. More and better opportunities for the rest of us. Until that perfect alternative they're looking for comes along, Oceania will be our line of choice, imperfections and all.

 

I love O too. Had to cancel the recent Montreal to Miami that just came back, couldn't be helped. Loved, loved, loved the last cruise we came back from in May. It's not a threat, moving to a different line, it's something where I don't see a lot of value in SM. I have let my O rep know that's the case, it's all I can do. She tried to sell me the same cruise on Regent. But it was in 2024, when we can't go. 

For those who have been on a few cruises with O already, you throw away credits of cruises you already have taken. So changing your line isn't something you do lightly.

But moves where they put forward an itinerary that changes a whole year or two out, an itinerary you chose, it selects easy going passengers who don't rock the boat and deselects those who don't like it, who wonder if they didn't have a booking in those ports in the first place. Previously, late changes were because of weather etc. Someone said here somewhere that berthing couldn't happen because of laws about discharge at a port - maybe - what an idea! - leave that port out in the first place. Expensive ports (maybe?) like Otaru - charge $50 more pp to cover that and we could have a visit to Sapporo. Oh I'm full of suggestions, I know! But simple ones. 

On 10/6/2023 at 12:35 PM, PhD-iva said:

My 25 APR 2025 20-day cruise has been shortened by 1 day. We received an email with a technical explanation, but the details escape me at the moment. A proportional price reduction has been promised.

several ports have also been changed. Here’s a snapshot of my scribbles, comparing my original itinerary to what I found online. I wasn’t that concerned about accuracy, more the broad strokes, and big picture. So don’t quote me.

Adding the post and Screenshot back again, as I realised it was back on page one! Sorry

On 10/7/2023 at 12:50 AM, travelingJimmy said:

I've been on 9 Oceania cruises and I think only one or two cruises have not had a port cancel.   Usually tender ports which are really at the mercy of the weather and high waves.   Sometimes, depending on the cruise, a day at sea can be welcome.   The bigger issue (at least to me) in my cruise last May, isn't the port cancel ( we had one on that cruise), it's the port time changes.  In all cases there was less time in port.  Depending on the port, that can be a big deal especially if the port where you dock is away from the primary cities (think London or Bordeaux).  Oceania appears to be doing alot of that in the name of "sustainability".  IMHO its really about cost savings for Oceania.   Go slower, save gas so less cost, less time in port, less cost.   I really want Oceania to be financially strong, I believe that is in all of our best interests, BUT, that can't come at the expense of level of service or experience.

I am on the Tokyo - Vancouver cruise in the Screenshot, and as it shows, money saving rather than planet saving must be more important here. Especially when we need to leave Otaru mid-afternoon before 5-6 sea days. I was really looking forward to Dutch Harbour and Victoria. There have been more changes to that cruise than any I have been on. I am looking forward to it but expect it to be the last. 

On 10/14/2023 at 11:30 AM, stanzy42 said:

We were signed up for the 2024 ATW aboard Insignia - cancellation fee was $500 per person. Maybe a world cruise is more $ to cancel. Food and service appear to be very similar. Don’t think I would rank one higher than the other. We just completed a crossing from Lisbon to Miami aboard the new SB exploration ship, the Pursuit. If you want to walk with the penguins, the Pursuit and the Venture offer amazing adventures to Antartica, the Falklands and South Georgia. Passengers - 254!!

How was the stability? I am fine on O ships, but have friends who swear by much bigger ones, for the reason of a calmer feeling. 

On 10/29/2022 at 9:43 AM, jonthomas said:

We have used an amazing O rep to book all of our cruises. He makes sure everything is right. Then I use the 30 days to turn it over to an agent that will give me additional obcs and a rebate. I like this system as the O rep is very knowledgeable and always has our best interest. I email him and arrange a time when he can call and get all this done by phone. He usually preps it all just from the email and then holds for a week, while we make sure all is in order. He has told me many times that there is NO loss to him when I turn it over to an agent. 

We have a great O rep. She waits in line for us, let's us know of upcoming sales, does all the math for us. For our upcoming cruise, the price of our room has risen $3000+.

But being in Australia, I am not sure we get benefit from turning it over to a TA at all. Last time I enquired with the agent who has done our flights for our May 2nd cruise, he said it wasn't worth it for them. Maybe there is a difference in treatment of TAs here. Can anyone enlighten me? 

Hi, I can't comment on HAL, but would say the Hilton in Moorea is a good choice before a cruise. Moorea is just a dream. There is a ferry to and from Moorea to Papeete every hour when I last went. Papeete is a bit of a let down. O docks pretty close to the ferry terminal.