Panama111

On 5/29/2023 at 1:56 PM, loerie said:

As an ex South African .Going up Table Mountain is dicey.aIf weather is not too windy or too cloudy the Cable Cars will work.Same with Robbin island although there are far better places to see than that the island .

You can easily book your own tickets to Table Mountain at tablemountain.net, they are goos for a week. Do the same for Robbins Island

On 2/1/2024 at 12:02 PM, Sandie5 said:

We sure love cruising but getting to the cruise eats up a big chunk of our travel dollars because we need to fly in the day before and book a hotel room. The flight can be cheaper depending on when you fly but then the hotels are expensive. We're only going there to sleep and then dashing off to our cruise. 

 

Have any of you figured out a cost savings method for this part of the trip? Maybe ports with cheaper hotels or loyalty deals?

We always fly in the day before. We are seniors and do not like the stress of late flights.  We like to be downtown so we can walk around and eat a local restaurant, not a chain. We  have saved quite a bit on hotels by booking our room the day we book the cruise.  We always book a room that can be cancelled. E.g. the room we booked in Capetown 18 months ago  for $160. Is now (3 months before cruise departure) $300.

We have sailed Nautica and would not do so again. It is dated, smoke from smoking areas was bothersome.

The  O ships are much nicer and still considered smaller ships.

The best small ship line is Seabourn. Every aspect of the cruise is  noticeably superior.  Food is  5* We would prefer to stay with them, but they are expensive. Liquor, wine  is included- top brands, but we do not drink alcohol so feel we were paying a lot for a benefit we did not use. So we stay with Oceania- RIVEIRA is a  good size.

Oceania May 21. 2024, Capetown to Lisbon
We will not try to use Oceania custom air again. We could not get the flights we wanted. We were given flights with 1 or 2 stops with  day long waits between flight. We were charged $ 400 for deviation + flight deferential. The Premium  Economy  not qualify because we wanted different flights. It was going to cost us  over $2000. more  for inconvenient flights. It was a waste of time. I requested a refund and just booked direct flights in business class- and saved money.

this happened on our last cruise too, we  will not try again.

On 1/15/2024 at 10:45 AM, terry&mike said:

Yes, I realize this walking involves navigating stones and steps, all with suitcases, as I've done these routes myself. And yes, we've discussed their luggage which will be one carryon size each. 

 

They were able to follow my instructions and utilize public transportation and walking easily in England last year, and enjoyed it, so they have expectations that they can handle this as well. 

 

If they are not feeling up to it, they can always switch gears. In every instance, their itinerary from me gives them options, for example, here is what I wrote for Trieste Centrale to the hotel: 

 

Make your way from Trieste train station to hotel by taxi, bus or walk. Taxis outside station, approx 6 euros. Bus details here https://collezione.starhotels.com/en/our-hotels/savoia-excelsior-palace-trieste/contacts.html or Walk appr. 14 minutes. 

 

As to navigating streets and walkways, while they are not well traveled they are not daft or uneducated, and are capable and functioning citizens of the modern world and residents of Washington, DC. I have no doubts in their ability to use a maps app. 

 

But your concern is appreciated, as I imagine for some, this would not be a suitable way of travel. 

We used  a taxi to get from the hotel in Trieste to port. It was inexpensive. When we didn't have luggage it was a great city to walk around.

On 12/26/2023 at 2:08 PM, Psoque said:

 

There are multiple factors that should be considered before deciding to do your airfare vs. paying the cruise line, but my personal bias is to just book your own to Marco Polo (VCE) and spend a night in Venice, then take public transport/taxi to Trieste.  Or, if you don’t need to do anything in Venice, I would perhaps fly into Trieste on your own.  I’m partly suggesting this because if you let the cruise line book your flights, they may fly you to Venice or Trieste and you probably have no control over how, and for the matter, when, you will arrive there, unless you pay them more for “deviation.”

We changed planes in Frankfurt and flew to Trieste.  We were 3 days early. It is a delightful city. A highlight was a day trip to Slovenia- not to be missed. We would go back to Trieste in a heartbeat.

On 2/14/2023 at 9:57 AM, Free and Easy said:

I was about to resume sailing with Oceania Nautica. Yet to my alarm, I read on both Cruise Critic and TripAdvisor pax reviews that Oceania (and Nautica) now is not what it used to be pre-COVID (in fact that seemed to be true for many Cruise lines which are in a catch-up mode). Particularly so for the food which has always been the main reason I sail with Oceania!!  Would appreciate any sharing on recent sailing experiences with Nautica. Just wonder if I have been only able to see the negative feedback,,,,,,,:(

We sailed on Nautica last Nov. 23. It was our first Oceania and we were disappointed. There were 2 smoking areas that permeated the entrance to afternoon tea and one side of the pool. There is no promenade to walk around and no shaded area with loungers away from the pool. The service was great, the food was good not great. I asked how OCEANIA got the label “best food at sea” and was told they gave the title to themselves.

it was not our best cruise, but we booked again for May 2024 because of the Western Africa itinerary.

On 7/16/2023 at 9:43 PM, YourWorldWithBill said:

Good point. I use Viator to find the tour operator.

I have not been happy with VIATOUR. I find  THAT BOOKING DIRECTLY With A SMALL LOCAL TOUR COMPANY  is always cheaper, sometimes considerably cheaper, plus there are smaller groups and more flexibility and additional extras added on.

When the port was changed we decided to spend 3 nights in Trieste with a day trip to Slovenia. We booked our flight home departing from Trieste. We have been to Venice before and Trieste looks fabulous.

16 hours ago, LHT28 said:

Were you asking for BIZ  class?

 The  $598 sounds like the deviation fee

Did you opt out of the  air when you booked the cruise then decided to use the O air ?

 

 Sounds like some strange  bookkeeping with the air dept 😉

 

 

 

No kidding strange bookkeeping. We booked air in our original booking. No business class was mentioned. Premium economy in our original booking.

“By accepting this Custom Air you are authorizing Oceania Cruises to charge the non-refundable Custom Air Fee of $299.00 per person to the credit card on file for your reservation. Any differential in airfare will be added to your invoice and will be collected at the time your final payment is due.”

“598.00 + 1,440.00 = 2,038.00” in addition to air paid”

17 hours ago, basor said:

Oceania charged $3096.00 plus $1440.00 plus $598.00 - what was the $3096.00 for?  I understand the $1440 would have been the air credit but if you paid for custom air how did you not receive the specific flights requested?  A little confusing...was this for business class or ?

The $3096 was  original payment with booking [ this was  refunded when I cancelled air]

the $550 was the fee to use custom air. The $1440. was  the cost difference between the flights we wanted and the flights we were offered by Oceania.  Economy  tickets. Paying custom air  lets us choose between whatever seats Oceania has available. We did not want to leave for the airport in the middle of the night  and wait 7 hours in Frankfurt to change planes. To get better departure times with shorter layover on return  was a deviation fee. To fly Toronto to Amsterdam direct instead of changing  flights was a deviation fee. I had numerous calls and quotes and then gave up.

On 6/2/2023 at 1:44 PM, LHT28 said:

Due to circumstances  I find  us  having to fly on Rouge out of FLL  back to YYZ 😲

 

 We have flown with them before  but only in Premium

 

The Premium seats  are  way out of our budget  so question on the Preferred seats compared to the regular economy

 

Are the Preferred  that much bigger/comfortable ? 

The extra fee is $65 pp but if the seats are  not any better then economy   it probably is not worth it

 

Anyone  flown in the Preferred seats on Rouge ?

 

Thanks

 

 

I would avoid Air Canada  Rouge at all costs. I did it once. There was almost a riot on the plane because of small seats and no legroom. Life is too short.

15 minutes ago, Panama111 said:

We are flying from Toronto to Amsterdam and return Trieste to Toronto.

oceania RIVEIRA Sept 2023

Oceania air differential was  $1440 + $598 for custom air.   This was on top of the amount already paid to Oceania  $3096. This was ridiculous.  For flights to and from Toronto to Europe. 
$5440 USD  for 2.  with early flights, extra stops and long waits for connect flight. I booked Air Canada, the flight we wanted for  $ 2886. Can. for 2.

Let the buyer beware. 

On 6/22/2023 at 2:11 PM, jonthomas said:

Thank you for your post. 

We hope that O treats us better.  Hate to give up premium econ for 149 pp.

To do our own flights would be at least double, since we are in Canada with fewer flight options.

We are flying from Toronto to Amsterdam and return Trieste to Toronto.

On 4/8/2023 at 4:58 PM, jonthomas said:

Let me simplify my request. 

 

Those soon  flying with O, could you please comment if you were able to get good flights, using the new rule, coming a couple of days earlier and no longer paying deviation.

We had booked flights with Oceania to Amsterdam, return from Trieste, Italy.

we just cancelled and booked our own.We saved money and got better connections.

The deviation fee pp is too expensive. On top of that, we did not like the flights they gave us which were very early morning departures and then long  wait for connecting flight. I explained our special needs which prevented us getting up at 3: am. 

Oceania would change  to the flights we requested ( with better times ) for a huge differential flight fee.

it was take it or leave it.

We left it and got  a refund from 0ceania. They could have cared less.

On 6/5/2023 at 12:18 PM, wcGma said:

I currently am awaiting information from my TA in reference to when I would be able to select seats on my custom air request if I accept the proposal from Oceania. Do I have to wait until I make the final payment for the cruise before I can select seats?  Can anyone advise me as to their experience

Oceania flights.

with custom air?  I have requested specific flights specific dates and realize the offer cost I received included the per person custom fee plus a fare differential. My question is, if I accept and pay the custom fee as required to secure these flights, will I then be able to request specific seats.  O policy says the fare differential will be added to my reservation as the amount due “final payment”.  

Flights

We had booked flights with Oceania to Amsterdam, return from Trieste, Italy.

We just cancelled and booked our own flights. We saved money and got better connections.

The deviation fee pp is too expensive. On top of that, we did not like the flights they gave us which were very early morning departures and then long  wait for connecting flight and complicated routes.

Oceania ( for a substantial flight differential cost)would change to the flights we requested. Yes, there was a seat selection cost.

it was take it or leave it.

We cancelled and got  a refund from 0ceania. They could have cared less. I think they over flights and  upgrades to enhance booking, but when the time comes, the flights are not acceptable. This has happened to me twice. I won't happen again.

On 6/10/2023 at 1:24 PM, Snaefell3 said:

For tea ...enthusiasts brewing water needs be at 99.99°C.  They "hot the pot" = fill the teapot with hot water and discard before filling it with the hot water they will use to brew.

 

I even suspect they want cabins on the lower decks because water boils at a lower temperature when at altitude, no?  😉

I sympathize. I too am addicted to tea.  The warm not quite boiled tea from room service does not cut it.  I take an insulated drinking mug to baristas and have it filled with hot water and take it to my cabin. It is better than room service

On 6/20/2023 at 10:59 PM, MizLizzie said:

So my first venture with Oceania has hit a snag. We will disembark at Triest which appears quite far from Venice.
Will Oceania offer a post-cruise tour to Venice?  Or even a post-cruise hotel offer in Venice with some sort of transfer?  If an hotel offer,  does anyone know which hotels they use? 

Though we’d barely do it justice, we’d hoped  to stay over a day to at least get a glimpse of Venice, and hoped Oceania would provide a transfer to the city plus an add-on hotel and tour.  I might add that our cruise departs from Valetta, and ended — we thought — near Venice proper.  

Thanks for any guidance. 

WE decided to stay in Trieste at the Continental Hotel for 2 nights. On Oct 31 we have booked a day tour to Slovenia - Lake Bled & Ljubljana. We are flying out of Trieste on Nov.1, changing in Frankfurt. We  cancelled our Oceania flights and booked our own. I was refused compensation for Venice. We decided to stay and go to Slovenia because we had heard so many good things about it. Trieste is also amazing. Let me know if you would like more info. There is more info on the roll-call - Copenhagen to Athens.

Patricia O'Reilly - poreilly871@gmiail.com

On 11/20/2022 at 3:20 PM, lawyertx said:

  We elected to take the business class air option on an upcoming Oceania cruise.  When we received the air itinerary, we saw that it is not non-stop.  While not ideal, 

we can handle a plane change if necessary.  But, the layover is 9.5 hours.  Nine and one-half hours at an airport between flights.  Arrangements scheduled by Oceania. There are any number of available (better) alternatives.   Never again.  Already a really bad taste in my mouth for Oceania, and still more than two weeks before the cruise.  

We were just offered a flight with a 9 hour layover in Frankfurt. I was livid because there are flight every 2 hours and there was a non-stop available.
Also, to fly in a day earlier (to avoid stress) we were told we had to play the change fee pp. I will never use Oceania  flights again.

Patricia O’Reilly

On 4/7/2018 at 8:27 AM, chamima said:

 

Having my morning coffee on the balcony is one of my favorite parts of cruising.

My only concern with a 5 year old would be if he's a climber.

 

(Full disclosure - I'm a worrier)

I would worry about him pulling the chair over to the railing and climbing up on the railing.

That said - we just cruised with our 7 grandchildren (and their parents) - ranging in age from 2 -12 and no one ever did that.

 

I think I would feel slightly claustrophobic in an ocean view.

So each to his own.

I could not sail without a balcony. It is worth every penny. The view, relaxing after an excursion or after returning from the pool, the ocean breeze, the smell of the sea and  the privacy all in my own wonderland!

In Israel, mosques require a loose head scarf and shoulders and knees covered. Modest clothing. Some places will give you a skirt to cover your legs.

Most christian sites  do not allow shorts on men or women, so capris are good.. they will not change the rules for you..

be prepared with a scarf in your bag, there are many unexpected delights.

patricia

Don’t worry in Israel. You will not be going anywhere near Gaza. The Palestinians are friendly and hospitable and need tourists.

if there was a hint of a problem the guide would change plans. I am Canadian and have worked in Israel on and off for fifteen years. I always feel safe. Of course, you have to decide for yourself, but there are extremely fabulous sites to miss.

patricia

Thanks for the advice about the travel agent. I will look into this and ensure to keep cabin 7116.

We are first time on Oceania. We just booked on Riviera Sept 26 2023, Amsterdam to Venice 34 days in B3 7116.

Three  questions

should we transfer to a private travel agent?

Is it worth it to get air with Oceania?

what is this cabin like?