Cahpek

We read with a bit of concern under the P&O discussion section that someone reported plumbing problems with the MS Arcadia. And then someone else replied and mentioned that Vista class ships "all seem to have plumbing" issues.

Of course, HAL has a number of Vista class ships (MS Zuiderdam, MS Oosterdam, MS Westerdam, MS Nordam, MS Eurodam).

Has any HAL cruisers here experienced any plumbing issues with any of them?

We have been on Koningsdam and really liked cruising on her, but plan to be travelling with HAL again in the near future. It would be good to know that if one those cruises will be on a Vista class ship, would we encounter plumbing issues ?

I have two things to add to the conversation here:

1 I do not need to engage the officers in conversation nor do I need my ego stroked. However, I would like to be greeted or at least acknowledged by a passing officer - even if it is just a subtle tilt of a head. This usually does not happen on Oceania but always does happen on Azamara.

2 We spent an incredible Azamazing evening in Ephesus when we had a private evening concert in the amphitheater. There is nothing like being the only group in Ephesus and having the whole place to ourselves.

All that said, we definitely prefer Oceania to Azamara when all things are considered.

Agree with you totally @Paulchili

It is not a "deal breaker" if senior officers ignore passengers, but if it would be nice if Oceania management try to encourage their senior officers to at least acknowledge guests

(as you had indicated, a subtle tilt of the head). The thing is, it would not cost the company or the senior officers, anything, to show a little bit of friendliness to make the cruise environment just that little bit nicer. Oceania train their junior staff to be warm, friendly and helpful, which they are, it would have been nice if senior staff officers lead by example.

Azamazing evenings are great on Azamara, but Azamara really needs to up their game more if they wish to compete with Oceania. All things considered, to date, like @Paulchili we would also prefer Oceania.

I couldn't agree that it's 50% more expensive. £3656 for 11 nights is 3 times the price of P&O. We have booked a 19 night cruise on Oriana and paid £1299 pp. Just doesn't compute, even with the freebies like Grats and drinks.

Different cruise fares vary, even when it is the same company (let alone with different companies). It is not easy to compare prices with precision. We went on 12 nights on the Ventura earlier in the year, and if we remembered correctly, it was nearly £1900, much more than what you paid for 19 nights on the Oriana for £1299. So, if based on our fares, fares on Azamara Persuit is NOT 3 times the price of P&O, more like 2 times the price (And if you are smart, you would try to look for deals and get even fares lower than the rack rates).

In any case, it is not fair comparing just the fares alone - it would be like comparing fares for flying in Business Class and in Economy class on a plane and complaining why Business Class fares are so-oooh expensive! You have to see what you are getting for what you paid. Azamara offers a different class of cruise experience with more items included compared to P&O. They cater for different markets.

So with respect, @jeanlyon, whether you are (or I am) willing or not, to pay the level of fares asked for on Azamara Persuit, Azamara Club Cruises feel that there will be others who wish to cruise with them at that level of fares. And that is all that matters to them.

I appreciate the responses so far. Really looking for recent information and different opinions is okay. In response to Cahpek the Viking cruise that we just took was the Viking Sun, a transatlantic from Lisbon to Miami. This was the 5th cruise that the Viking Sun has done. With all the raving reviews about Viking I felt the wait service at both pools was very inconsistent. The buffet, especially at breakfast was very disorganized. I suppose that this crew will improve with more experience but the customer should not be the provider of that experience. The first night that we ate dinner in the main dining room, we ate at a table for 6 and all our appetizers were wrong or delivered late. Wait staff was totally screwed up. Now the next night we had dinner in the main dining room everything was perfect and it should be noted that we ate in a different area of the dining room.

 

Our cabin steward was excellent, the ship is beautiful. The cabin was comfortable and the heated bathroom floors were very nice. The entertainment is better on Oceania. Food is better on Oceania, no contest. I like the option of a casino, no casino on Viking. We knew this before we booked.

Thanks for your reply and answering about your views on Viking. Oh dear, we may have to be prepared with the less good food and less good entertainment on our next Viking cruise, two rather important issues for us. Might even "jump back" to cruising with Oceania again after that and appreciate it more! We'll see. Have to say having no casino on Viking is a "plus" for us, but that is not a deal breaker. Oceania is not perfect, no cruise line ever is, but we have to admit it is very, very good, and quite hard to beat. (That does not mean it cannot still improve further, mind !:))

Have cruised on Oceania 4 times, last time two years ago. We are at Elite level on Celebrity. Just cruised on our first Viking ocean cruise. We came away feeling that we preferred Oceania to Viking. We are trying our first Azamara cruise in February. Interested in hearing from cruisers who have been on both Oceania and Azamara regarding how they compare.

That's interesting that you preferred Oceania over Viking. We have been on Oceania several times but thought we will try Viking Ocean next "for a change", and have booked it to go on the Viking Star.

Can you perhaps give us some idea why you preferred Oceania to Viking?

How is the cuisine offering on Viking compared to Oceania? Is the Viking dessert offering not quite as sumptuous as with Oceania?

We have been on Azamara some years back. Their cuisine was good but not quite as good as Oceania. However, with Azamara, the senior officers from the Captain down, they are some of the friendliest ever. They are often so approachable. The Azamara Captain usually gives you a warm feeling that you are a "guest" on "his" ship, rather than a customer on a floating hotel albeit a luxurious one! That is something which Oceania could take note. So often, the captains and hotel managers on Oceania ships, in our opinion, they shy away from passengers and kept their distance (there was one exception on our last cruise on the Riviera when the French hotel manager actually took the trouble and stood around greeting passengers and talking to them on a regular basis - and we appreciated that, and we even thanked him. However, the captain on that cruise, he was still as aloof as other captains on previous Oceania cruises).

(Just a thought: The captains on Azamara are very fluent in English, but on Oceania, some of their captains, usually Italian (?), they may not be so comfortable in mixing with others, or making announcements and speeches, speaking in English. Perhaps Oceania could in future, when they recruit captains, ensure that one of the pre-requisites is that they are fluent in English, as the majority of their passengers on board speak English as their first/only language, and are from English-speaking countries. And that they enjoy and are relaxed with meeting clients - it does not help being shy in the hospitality industry!)

I had problems logging into the discussion forum. Wrote to Cruisecritic.com at community@cruisecritic.com and still have not had a response. Then checked a member mentioned in the Holland America site that if we go to: https://boards.cruisecritic.com/usercp.php , which ask you to register. As you have already registered, go underneath the registration box and there is another box that allows you to LOG IN. And if you do that, you will get in and you can send in messages again.

Wish CruiseCritic.com would look into this as this would have kept off so many members from participating.

Interesting that its taken you 4 years to make a post. Obviously not happy that P&O intend to bring themselves more in line with other cruise lines.

Not all cruise lines have the same policy taking drinks on board. The following are still relatively relaxed about passengers taking alcohol on board* ( most information from from https://www.cruise118.com/advice/bringing-your-own-alcohol-on-a-cruise/ , https://www.cruisecritic.co.uk/articles.cfm?ID=2076 , AND https://www.icruise.com/blog/can-i-bring-alcohol-onboard-my-cruise-alcohol-policies-by-cruise-line.html )

OCEANIA CRUISES:No beer or liquor may be taken onboard for consumption. Passengers may bring a maximum of three bottles (750ml) of wine or champagne, per cabin, only in their carry-on luggage at embarkation. A $25 corkage fee will be charged if wine or champagne is consumed in a public space or dining room. Alcohol purchased in port or the ship’s duty-free shop will be retained until the last night of the cruise.

AZAMARA CLUB CRUISES:Passengers are allowed to bring liquor, beer or wine for private consumption in the stateroom upon embarkation day and when purchased in a port of call. For the consumption of outside liquor, beer or wine in any shipboard restaurant, bar or dining venue, a corkage fee of $10 will be charged. Ship bars and dining rooms (when open) offer a limited number of complimentary standard spirits, international beers and a changing daily selection of red and white wines by the glass. Premium wine, beer and liquor packages are available for purchase.

DISNEY CRUISE LINES: Passengers are allowed to bring liquor, beer or wine onboard upon embarkation day and when purchased in a port of call. Beverages must be packed in a carry-on bag - which must not exceed 22 inches wide, 14 inches high and 9 inches deep in dimension. Outside alcohol cannot be consumed in any lounge or public area At Palo and Remy, a $20 corkage fee will be charged for outside wine and champagne.

SEABOURN: Spirits, wines and Champagne may be brought aboard

REGENT SEVEN SEAS: Spirits, wines and Champagne may be brought aboard

SILVER SEA CRUISES:Spirits, wines and Champagne may be brought aboard

VIKING OCEAN CRUISES: Passengers can bring beer, wine, champagne or liquor onboard at embarkation "within reason." Viking Ocean does not charge a corkage fee.

(....So, if you expect to be taken to the "Naughty Room", on board ships with these cruise lines, you could be disappointed because the don't do that !!!)

*Please confirm with the respective cruise lines before you cruise to make sure that their policy still holds.

Thanks to our Adonia cancellation we looked around for another small ship. We are going on Silver Wind (only 375 pax) and we got a bargain price from our TA. Flying premium economy with Virgin to Barbados, a night in the Hilton then seven days in a balcony suite on Silver Wind and then a further three days in the Hilton before we fly home and we are still paying less than the quoted price for 11 nights on pursuit. Two weeks to go and I can't wait.

 

Peter and Jenny

Good for you. It shows it's always good to shop around -or have a fantastic and informative travel agent.

We learnt that the hard way when we first started cruising on our holidays. On our first cruise, we found that some fellow passengers who were staying in identical balcony cabins for much , much less than the price we had paid for ours. We felt like some kind of "suckers". Since then, we always look for good deals, compare with the competition for similar cruises and the fares they charge, look at what "extras" are thrown in free, and try not to pay the full rack rate/brochure price.

Silversea Cruises (which operate the Silver Wind) probably offers an even higher level of "luxury" than Azamara (Persuit). They are competing with the likes of Seabourn, Crystal, etc., etc. , the "ultra" luxury cruise lines. That is quite a jump up from Adonia to Silver Wind! You've got a great deal. Enjoy.

Having recently sailed on Azamara Journey I can agree with you that yes it is expensive BUT very nice. Gratuities and port shuttles are included in the price. Also you get drinks included with a nice selection of wine and spirits although you do have to pay extra for high end drinks. Speciality dining restaurants ( 2) are excellent but carry a surcharge unlike those on Oceania Cruises. The 2016 refurbishment of the Azamara ships is extremely nice although we did feel we should have brought our slippers to walk on those carpets. Bathrooms of course on this old ship are small unlike the fabulous bathrooms in all grade of cabins on the Oceania Riviera and Marina. We have booked a cruise on the (new to Azamara) Pursuit however we are still very much looking forward to our next cruise on P&O Aurora.

To @Alanbab, agree with what you said above as we have also experienced cruising with Azamara , and with P&O. Generally, Azamara usually caters to a different market than P&O, and the former competes with the likes of Oceania and Viking Ocean cruise lines. Someone commented the difference in fares between cruising on P&O and Azamara . (Without meaning to offend anyone in saying this), this is not surprising as it is almost like comparing flying Economy Class and Business Class, so there is bound to be a difference in fares.

The ex-Adonia, and soon to be Azamara Persuit, will probably be "re-mastered" and refurbished and upgraded in its accommodation.

Savy cruisers here probably know that there are different levels of cruise lines with different prices to suit different markets. Cruise lines are not all the same. Some cruisers would know that all cruise lines offer special deals, so if you are "shocked" at the rack-rate fares quoted to cruise with Azamara,if you are smart, you could probably be able to get a special deal and not pay the full fare.

Of course, Carnival Corporation, the parent company of P&O also have their premium class brand cruise line too, in the form of Seabourn. Seabourn is probably even more expensive than Azamara (in general) but they would argue that the quality they (Seabourn) offers is even higher. We wouldn't know because we could not afford to cruise with Seabourn, even if there were special deals!!!

Your post was generally OK as it was your opinion to which you are entitled to but you spoiled it by this insulting and offensive comment. This is the kind of comment that really gets my back up. Who do you think you are? Do you really think that this is an acceptable comment? To me it makes you look like an arrogant and supercilious person.

My apologies if it upset you. Perhaps I could have chosen my words better. No offense meant or intended.

During a Peninsular lunch recently one of the guests at our table said that he thought P&O standards were dropping, the senior officer hosting our table replied that he thought P&O was heading towards being the Walmart of cruising, pile 'em high and sell 'em cheap! I think they are more likely to become the Ryanair of cruising.

A few months back, we were on a P&O cruise, and we found that the quality of food offered, especially in the buffet has come down. I knew one of the senior officers from a previous cruise and I asked her what had happened and why had the standard of the cuisine become so poor. I said the food was much better when I was on another P&O cruise ship she was working on. She seemed rather embarrassed and she mumbled something about cost cutting and some of the food had since been manufactured in factories before being brought on board (thus presumably affecting quality and taste).

Believe you me, that was the only cruise I had experienced where the general level of cuisine was so poor I had actually LOST WEIGHT after the cruise , instead of gaining weight !!! I could not believe it until I went on the scales after getting home . This subject has been made earlier in a different thread , and I gave a list of examples why the cuisine, I had thought were poor, so I will not repeat them ere. As expected , as in any discussion, there were some people who agreed, and some who disagreed).

Sure, there will still be people who will go on their (P&O) ships , especially the P&O "die hard" supporters and those who do not mind the falling standards of food, or are not very particular about what they eat. However, there are others , like us , who feel that excellent standard of cuisine on board a cruise is one of the most important things to make a cruise an enjoyable experience.

We are seldom on the P&O discussion board on CruiseCritic.com these days, and even less contribute our thoughts, because since that last cruise with this cruise line, we have moved on to travel other cruise lines - the last one being on Holland America which was wonderful including the cuisine, and next one will be with Viking Ocean (no formal dress code evenings on that cruise, hooray!!)

Sadly, we have deleted P&O off our list of cruise lines to book for future cruises. We are not moaning, we just say it as it is, and we have moved on.

It is quite a shame really, because, apart from the poor standard of cuisine, other things on P&O were actually quite good. If P&O goes back to its older standards and improve the quality of their cuisine again, we will not hesitate to go back and support them. Meanwhile, we will just cruise with other companies.

 

 

Also, the spa on the ship is amazing and beautiful, however, the guests on board have no general respect for the limited spa resources. They are 4 heated spa chairs, and people would leave their stuff on the chairs and go elsewhere. I have no problem with people lying on these chairs for as long as they want, but to simply leave their stuff on the chair to go elsewhere? 3 chairs were left like this while someone was on the fourth chair.

 

Are there only 4 chairs in the spa? Oh dear, that sounds like a small room, we had thought it was much bigger. In fact, we thought that there is one spa for men, and one for women. Or is that incorrect? We will be taking our first Viking cruise in a couple of months, so am trying to get as much information as possible!

Hi,

We have been “fans” of Oceania and have cruised with thema number of times on both their “O” and “R” class ships – lovely accommodationand wonderful cuisine. We have also tried Azamara and liked them too, especially their “Azamazing”evenings and friendly Captains and senior managers.

Recently, we have booked with Viking Ocean on a two-weekcruise . We tried to look for threads on the boards of Cruise Critic thatcompares Viking vs Oceania, but we couldnot find them.

Can readers here on CruiseCritic who have had experiencetravelling with both Viking and Oceania give us some idea what to expect whencomparing these cruise lines? Also those who have been on Azamara and Viking,perhaps you could give us you your opinion of your experience comparing betweenthese two cruise companies?

Hi,

We have been “fans” of Oceania and have cruised with thema number of times on both their “O” and “R” class ships – lovely accommodationand wonderful cuisine. We have also tried Azamara and liked them too, especially their “Azamazing”evenings and friendly Captains and senior managers.

Recently, we have booked with Viking Ocean on a two-weekcruise . We tried to look for threads on the boards of Cruise Critic thatcompares Viking vs Oceania, but we couldnot find them.

Can readers here onCruiseCritic who have had experience travelling with both Viking and Oceaniagive us some idea what to expect when comparing these cruise lines?

When we were on the Koningsdam recently, and had booked into a "VE" Varandah cabin/stateroom, we felt that the cabin was rather "cramped" in comparison to varandah cabins in ships with many other cruise lines. However, apart from the room size, most other things seemed to be fine (we even discovered a way how to "speed up" the waiter service, which has been commented to be quite slow, in the Main Dining Room! As for so many of the not-so-good desserts in the buffet, we just avoided them, no big deal.)

We are planning on another cruise with the Koningsdam next year, and whilst doing our research, we discovered that the size of the varandah staterooms varies from 228 sq ft to 420 sq ft. We guessed that the stateroom we were in during our last cruise was probably the smaller 228 sq ft one.

Does anyone know if we go for the higher priced Varandah staterooms, that the size of the rooms would be bigger? Which varandah rooms, and which level of the rooms (eg VA, V, or VS) would we get the 420 sq ft accommodation? We won't mind paying a bit extra for a bit more room and comfort.

We checked on CruiseCritic.com , and so far, could not find any information about that. Can anyone help please?

PS: We just realised we misspelt the name "Koningsdam" with two "n's" on the Thread Title . (Oops , sorry about that!)

I wouldn't say that the U.K. is expendable, however, why should Regent give lower prices because of their devalued GBP? When our neighbors in Canada had their dollar devalued, there were a few specials for them but, even today, they are still having to "bite the bullet" and pay more for their cruises. Before the devaluation of the GBP, Regent cruises were a bargain for people living in the U.K.

 

Things change in the world -- for years people in the U.S. paid a lot of money to visit the U.K., Europe and other countries where our dollar was weak. Then it happened in Canada and is now affecting people living in countries with the Euro and GBP. And, as mentioned previously, many European itineraries are less money than in the U.S. because of the cheaper air fares.

 

I ask the same question as "Harters" did...... kindly show evidence of a 25% increase in pricing for people in the U.K.

Pardon, did you say Regent Cruises? Think you are travelling with a different cruise line!!!! Imagine your thinking you were travelling on with Regent , and then paying Regent Cruise prices, and then found the ship you boarded was an Oceania Cruises vessel. Now, that would be a real shocker!!! :p:p:p

If you only read my first message at the beginning of the thread, you would have been aware the "evidence" of the differences in prices for the same cruises. We even asked anyone to show us that we are mistaken, and to date nobody did!

No one is saying that there shouldn't be any differences for cruise lines to sell their cruises in different geographical markets. But to create a difference of 25 per cent is way too much (that was comparing fares charged between residents in Britian and in the Netherlands. If we had compared the differences in prices between those in the US and in Britain, who knows, they could be even more than 25 percent!!!! ). British cruisers should not be taken as "suckers", we are reasonable people and we are willing to pay a fair price to cruise, giving different conditions including the devaluation of the GBP(pound) due to Brexit and the cost of covering for British specific regulations. However, we also do not like to be taken for a ride.

Just thought I would mention that many US cruise lines do allow UK residents to book through US agents. We always book our Disney cruises through an American travel agent. Of course then it is a gamble on exchange rate fluctuations between time of booking and final payment. But the advantage is that you can cancel before final payment without losing your deposit.

That's interesting. Wonder if Oceania would allow their UK customers to do that (book through US agents)? Does anyone have any idea?

ABTA were quite clear that the booking had to be made in the UK to qualify, i gave them a scenario of booking a cruise through a US TA and they stated that the PTR would not apply as the booking would be 'made' in the US and US regulations would apply, it is not the advertising but the place of booking that is relevant.

So, it means that technically, someone residing in the UK could book a cruise (Oceania Cruises or whichever cruise line) through a US Travel Agent and get the LOWER fares offered to those residing in the United States? Would the cruise line companies allow that?

Just wondered when the cruise line company put up the UK prices compared to those offered to people in the United States or Europe, would the extra prices Britons or British residents have to pay exceed the cost of covering for UK PTR? We mean, could the cruise company perhaps think, "Since we are charging Brits more for their cruises and they are still willing to pay for them, why do we not add even a bit more to the already higher prices , so that we can make even more PROFITS?" .

Looks like the BIGGEST LOSERS are the poor BRITS.

Maybe British cruise customers need to find out exactly how much extra the PTR costs for each passenger, and what would be the "fair" amount the cruise company should add to cover PTR? And if a cruise company constantly/frequently exceed the amount used to cover PTR, in their fares, perhaps they ought to be pointed out and uh, "named and shamed" ????!!! That might make the cruise company think twice before putting up the fares for Brits and perhaps at least make the difference we Brits have to pay to be a bit fairer and not to be so great (e.g. 25%?). After all the UK is the THIRD LARGEST cruising market in the world, so our business is not insignificant to cruise companies. If cruise companies want our (UK) money, they need to treat us fair (if they have not done so).

Now the price is €5549 for a B1 and €4449 for the C1, I think when the price was showing €4449 for the B1 it was already discounted for the Promo "2 categories upgrade".

We found that out when Oceania sent an email with their "2 categories upgrade" promotion.

The comparisons for the two list of prices for identical cruises were done on the same day. Both fares offered have the same 2 categories upgrade offer. Everything looked identical apart from the HUGE fare difference .

Like so many people, we received that 2 categories upgrade offer, and use there email link to the cruise offers and fares.

When we used VPN to "click" the link to the cruise offers and fares via the Dutch list (because the VPN had the server in the Netherlands), the price quoted in Euros was much lower. When we did not use VPN, and therefore, as we are based in the UK, we were directed to the link offers for British based customers, quoted in pounds sterling (£). When we converted the fares in pounds to Euros , that was when we were SHOCKED to see the difference! And it was not just one fare. Initially, we could not believe what we saw.

You mentioned the fare(s) has/have gone up now for that quoted in Euros. Just wondered if they changed it (and raised the European fare list) comparable to British fare list after they read what has been mentioned on this board ? Of course, it would have been better if they lowered the fares quoted in pounds , rather than raised the fares quoted in euros, but then, we have to live in the Real World!!! It just shows how low some cruise fares could so, we guess, even for them to make a profit. It's only a question of how much profit.

Perhaps, in future cruisers here could be more "Eagle-eyed" and look out for the differences in fares offered in different currencies/countries, and mention them on this board, as a way to support each other (cruisers) to get the best deals.

Actually the PTR coverage is not baloney. If you do some basic research you will find that it applies to cruises. A cruise by its very nature includes both lodging and transportion and therefore falls under the PTR.

If that is the case, isn't it true that similar PTR would apply in other EU member countries as well the UK? After all, to date, the UK is still part of the European Union and standards and rules in the UK are "harmonized" with other EU member countries. (Brexit looks like it will happen, but it will not take place until at least next year, so in all intends and purposes, the UK is still part of the EU. ) Cost of covering for PTR in the UK would therefore, be similar to costs of covering for similar PTRs in other EU countries, wouldn't it? So why is it that fares offered for the same cruise in the Netherlands still so much lower than in the UK now ? Have we missed something?

We just wondered that covering for PTR in the UK is really the reason for the HUGE differences in fares? Could it be the company management felt that the company could "sneak in" much higher fares for Brits because they felt they (the Brits) could pay more especially when they did not know they were paying that much extra, just to maximize profits?

Post this on their Facebook page and ask for their comments??

That is a good idea. Might do that.

Also different benefits - hence not always apples to apples.

No, it is not different benefits, it is exactly the same benefits, that is the point.

The only different benefits there is , is probably Oceania Cruises will get MORE BENEFITS from the British customer (because he/she has to be more) than the Continental (Dutch) customer, because he/she pays much less.

As for the customer in both countries, they get the same benefit, but one pay much more.

Could it be due to exchange rates? Oceania will calculate their prices in US Dollars and then convert into Euros and Sterling. Since the Pound weakened considerably against the Dollar last year, that may explain the difference.

The thing is, the conversion calculation (between Euros and Pounds, which the two set of fares were listed) has been done based on rates on the internet today, not weeks ago.

This would have taken into consideration AFTER the pound has fallen due to the effects of the last year's Brexit result.

Even comparing the value of the pound before Brexit vs post Brexit, it may have fallen against the US dollar but nothing close to 25 percent ( hope it may not fall any further though, touch wood x 3!)

We received marketing material from Oceania through our email. Although we are based in the UK, sometimes our computer is logged in a remote access VPN site based in the Netherlands. Sometimes, we just not use VPN so our server would be based in the UK.

We were shocked to see two substantially different prices offered to those who reside in the UK and those residing in the Continent (Netherlands). The difference could be about 25 percent HIGHER if you live in the United Kingdom.

For example, for their "Stars of the Pacific" cruise from Papeete to Los Angeles (May 28-June 15, 2018), for a B1 Veranda Stateroom, they offered Dutch residents Euro 4449 (which is about £3,999). However, if we checked the fare offered to us if we did not use VPN, and therefore they know we were in the UK, the fare offered is £5099, a difference of more than £1,000 , or 25 percent. This did not seem to be an isolated case, other fares showed differences offered to Continental Europeans to be substantially lower than British residents who were "hampered" with paying more.

Could we be right? We could not believe our eyes!!!!

We know cruise lines like airlines, offer different fares to different residents in different countries, but 25 per cent is too much, don't you think?

Please tell us we are mistaken (maybe other Cruise Critic posters would like to double check?) because if we are right, we feel rather disappointed with Oceania Cruises. We always think so highly of them, but then, we discovered this!!!!

Can we ask one question about the arrangement for specialty restaurants on HAL?

On some cruises, you could order practically anything you'd fancy in the menu, in any order. If you really fancy that, sometimes, you could even skip the starters and desserts and have two main courses, etc.

However, if I remember correctly , I think someone mentioned that on HAL, you could order more than one starter or desserts, but you cannot order more than one main course. So, there are restrictions for ordering the main course, but not the other smaller dishes.

Is that true?

This will be our first time on HAL, that's why we are asking questions that most "savvy" HAL cruisers take for granted because they know what to expect.