Flatbush Flyer

“Use it?” “Book by” or “cruise by” or both? In either case, pick a future cruise from what’s currently available through much of 2025 and ask again for that specific extension.

There are two FCC restrictions to be considered. One is “book by” and one is “cruise by.” In our case, “book by” was not as much of an issue as was “cruise by.” In each of our cases, we wanted future cruises outside of the “cruise by” restriction. And they were approved.

If you’re talking about O’s current primary demographic (geezers like me), most of those “thousands” won’t be “thousands” forever. Doesn’t make me happy but it is what it is. Fortunately for us, we are always poised to “jump ship” for new travel opportunities and have already booked a land/sea expedition package for next year.

I’d say pretty much all of them unless you’re talking about a higher priced five figure trip.

FWIW: I have, on several occasions, been able to get an extension on a Future Cruise Certificate and a Future Cruise Credit (not always but often enough). A worthwhile strategy is to, first, not ask for an unspecified extension. That will always get a “no.” Instead, have a specific cruise in mind (preferably two with at least one more expensive than the value of any Future Cruise Credit). Then ask O directly and/or via your preferred TA (I do both) to apply the requested extension to that first priority new booking possibility. Expect the reality that this will need to be approved by an O reservations supervisor. And, in my experience, this has worked well in getting it applied. Having a second possible future booking as a further negotiating tool (particularly if you intend to book it anyway) bolsters your proposal.

If I remember correctly, the computers in the computer center, at least on the O and R ships, are not hard wired and are also using wifi. Perhaps someone onboard can verify.

This is a great idea. I’m currently facing this possibility on an upcoming cruise with a HUGE bank of non-refundable SBC I got in a negotiation around the ES sale prices and adjustments to the paid fare. And, although pre-existing SBC definitely lightened the load of my initial tour purchase pre-cruise, I still had some out-of-pocket CC charges. I’m going to have my TA look into it and also ask my trusted O rep (used to purchase tours) about a switch. We board Regatta next Monday and if it works, I’ll report back.

Most importantly, not all of the SBC “coming your way” will ever be available in your account for pre-purchased anything. Most notably, refundable SBC provided directly by your TA will only show once you are onboard. Usually, what will be available will exist when you initially book - old O Life SBC perk (or unseen tours perk that auto-figures in the cart’s bottom line) or new SM tours SBC. To that, add O Club SBC and designated BoB SBC (all non-refundable). As for a strategy regarding added SBC once you’ve put the tours balance due on your CC, the “easiest?” solution is to cancel, at least, some of the prebooked tours and rebook them (while still available to do so pre-embark). Of course, that is not without its own major issues: 1) the selected tours may be sold out and your rebook puts you on a waitlist and 2) you will now be at the bottom of that wait list. The other solution is, once onboard, make your short list of useful items from the onboard shops to secure on the next to last day of the cruise. You can always add to your collection of Oceania branded merchandise or finally take home one of those cute little anti-gravity globes.

Oops. Not “Bobbie.” Rather “no one.”

Perhaps a company cannot shield itself from all liability law suits. But, the real questions of importance to an unhappy cruise ship passenger with perceptions the they have been wronged are: 1) where exactly do they think they’ll sue that cruise line and 2) at what potential expense to that passenger should they not prevail.

Yes. With O Life, this used to be called the YWYW discount. It remains the same for SM and you can add more discounted tours once onboard.

Did you miss the part about two cyclones and an earthquake? Everyone of our extra days was related to severe weather. Vanuatu even turned down tha Captain’s offer of humanitarian aid because the situation was so dangerous. So, should we now also blame cruise line for bad weather?

Since we generally don’t do cruises less than three weeks long, I can’t comment on the short ones. How about comparing cruises with overnights in ports? Azamara used to claim it as one of its best features. O finally decided to follow suit about five years ago. Since then we enjoyed quite an additional number of port overnights -sometimes even two nights in a single port (e.g., Reykjavík). In any case, we still keep coming back to the fact that, if folks are unhappy, Bobbie is forcing them to stay with O.

I have no answers other than I have little trust in limited anecdotal “evidence.” But, nonetheless, here’s some of mine: Of course, I too have personally experienced some O port place and time changes over the past twelve months. But, a quick review of my records shows that over approx. 100 days on O ships in those past twelve months, we had about 10 added sea days with most of them due to weather (e.g., cyclone damage in NZ, cyclone/earthquake in Vanuatu, etc). We also had port location changes (e.g., Trieste instead of Venice- fully expected) and arrival/departure time changes (often obviously necessitated by the weather related port changes). In the grand scheme of things, at least for us, the changes were no big deal. We enjoy sea days, understood the needed modifications, were disappointed but not devastated enough to jump ship.

Your attempt to make a point is genuinely appreciated. But, that’s the problem - it’s a single anecdotal comparison. We’re now beginning a discussion of research methodology which I doubt any of us want to have. Perhaps we can all agree that, if any of us don’t like what they perceive to be a significant O issue, they can easily vote with their wallet.

…which is reasonable because it’s your money and it’s your feeling regardless of being unsubstantiated. That said, however, the question remains: “Where does Oceania fall on a list of port performance comparisons compiled by a neutral agency or organization?

I don’t know the current number of cruise lines. But, I do seem to remember that there are/were approx 400 cruise ships afloat (perhaps someone here has the correct numbers). Where are the cruise industry “performance” graphs/charts (not unlike those for airlines’ “on time” performance). I can’t remember ever seeing anything from the US Federal Maritime Commission or the US Department of Transportation regarding cruiseline performance stats (which still would probably only deal with itineraries from US ports). And what CLIA numbers I’ve seen appear to not focus on that kind of info. In any case, “following” a handful of lines on a chat room that does not require source citations for allegedly factual info (beyond personal anecdotes of extremely limited experiences) does not constitute evidence that O (or any NCLH line or any other line at all) leads the industry in port changes.

Well, let’s first have someone cite a bona fide primary source that confirms that assumption. I doubt that any of us here have the schedule change specifics for all (or even most or even many or even two handfuls of) cruise lines.

Some folks here are still turning a deaf ear to those port changes caused by port authorities at times closer to or during their cruise and to the reality that many small, exotic ports don’t offer shore power because they don’t have it. And, finally, there’s another edge to the “port fees refund” discussion: ships may still incur some of the contracted costs for a missed port while picking up added charges for a replacement port. And yet, O does not pass any new port charges onto the passengers. Go figure 🤔. In any case, we will be replaced by the next generation regardless of what O does or doesn’t change and it may be our own mortality that causes it.

Reread my post. I said “we’re” rounding errors. And I seriously doubt that you understand the maritime industry sufficiently to call cutting port times (especially in those ports where utility connections are insufficient and cause a reliance on power generation that negatively impacts the ship’s carbon footprint) “games.” What you may not understand is that, often, the ship’s future schedule is in a constant state of flux that is dependent on the dictates of a port captain or port authority finding it necessary to make arrival/departure adjustments that don’t consider your (or my) private tours. Moreover, you may not understand that the ship’s cost of a briefly shortened port stay may actually cost O more than the original schedule (in staff et al. navigational/logistical planning/implementation work alone).

Your or their disappointment about a tour (or two or three…) pales in comparison to the responsibility of Oceania’s Master (and Chief) to deliver a safe and secure experience to 1,000+\- passengers and crew while also protecting the ship and shoreside operations in an unusual situation. And, those who don’t like the decisions can certainly use other cruiselines. Does or should O care about your private tour(s)? Perhaps, for a moment or two. But, safety will always prevail. And should you (or I) decide to move on to a promised (yet not guaranteed) “better experience,” let’s not forget that we’re rounding errors in O’s daily bottom line and will quickly be replaced by other cruisers.

The spa credit has never included coverage of the gratuity - even when it was Canyon Ranch (before AquaMar). Also, If you check you’re onboard account, you’ll always see any added gratuity as a separate line item.

Download the Australia ETA app. Very easy and quick. ETA Valid for one year with multiple entries at up to 3 months per trip. Hopefully, you’re really not thinking of NOT getting travel insurance!!! If you don’t, you’ll be the poster child for “pennywise and pound foolish.” Even then, make sure you have high limit credit cards should you end up in a hospital, most of which require paying up front.

Yes, I know. That’s why I had said all SORTS OF…. rather than ALL businesses …. AND used the added example of car salespeople and MSRP. The bottom line here remains that pretty much every consumer advocacy organization/publication often suggests negotiating fee, prices, et al. Another great example of negotiation is real estate sales. Depending on the local market (e.g., San Francisco and NYC), a shack can easily cost $1 million +. In locations like that, I’d say discounted fees are very common and both sellers and their agents can have a mutually beneficial relationship.

That’s good to know but, we’re talking about Travel Agents.