Vallesan

Glad her ambition was achieved! For us cruising works better than ‘resorts’ purely because of the ‘distances’. Resorts, as wonderful as they are, tend to to be ‘spread out’ which I can’t do!

Our very first cruise was Fred Olsen in 1969, our honeymoon! I really can’t remember it but i know it was quite formal and the Norwegian smorgasbords were amazing! We travelled with them again in 1971 mainly because my husband wouldn’t fly at that time. Our next cruise was Tui around the Canaries in maybe 2013/14. We were just ‘testing the waters’ to see if cruising with mobility issues was possible. It was! But we knew that only small ships would be suitable. We found Oceania! So we sailed Oceania in 2015. On one cruise we met people who raved about Regent, a bargain came up so we thought “why not”. The only good thing was that we met a couple from Manchester who we still keep in touch with. Funnily enough they had sailed once on Oceania and hated it! Horses for courses springs to mind! I must admit I like Oceania, mid range prices (although that may not be for much longer), good service, good food, no formality, pleasant fellow travellers (in general!). Oceania suits us. Our first cruise was on the Riviera and then we tried the R class ships which we loved. The problem now is that on the smaller ships we had a PH and they are now becoming so expensive that we look at Seabourn or Silversea which for similar prices offer more space. For the moment we are happy with balcony cabins on the Riviera etc. Time and price will tell!

I must admit I’ve only once not enjoyed a cruise. I don’t think my expectations were unrealistic. We’d sailed Oceania several times and Seabourn then we tried Regent and it just fell short in so many areas, especially the service. I do agree that many complaints and discord are caused by unrealistic expectations. Often ‘stepping up’ to a new line goes hand in hand with unrealistic expectations. I think that the best way to approach any trip is with the knowledge that not everything in life is ‘perfect’. That way there’s less chance of disappointment!

I paid for a waitlist for an A cabin 4 months before the cruise. We were number 1 on the list. Everything was waitlisted apart from a handful of B cabins. I checked every day but no availability. Then a B1 midship came up so we took that. Sometimes you need to be very flexible!

We have a special occasion on our upcoming cruise in October. Normally in an A cabin we have never had a problem booking 60 days out. This time could only get a B grade so I wrote to customer services before the dinning reservations started and asked if they could reserve a table for 2 in our preferred restaurant on the date we wanted to celebrate our special occasion. I had a speedy reply saying she didn’t have access before the 45 day opening but would do her best. When I came to book my dining reservations there was my preferred reservation! So no need to ‘bribe’ or be unsure of having the celebration you want. Just be organised and ask!

If true that’s sad! Not the Oceania I know and love! But ……..

Just one tip. We have travelled with friends before but couldn’t always get a table for four. So, we booked as separate couples at the same time/night, even on sharing tables and they managed to get us sitting together on the night!

Oh dear! Yes, ‘life on a luxury cruise line’ may, or may not be what it used to be but it’s still a damned site better than not cruising at all!!!

I do think that often people ‘just put up with’ what is offered and don’t think to ‘ask’ for alternatives. My suggestion is if you are not happy with the ‘offered’ wines PLEASE SPEAK UP. If you don’t ask you won’t get!

“Nappypoh” you’re starting to sound just like us ‘oldies’ who frequent Oceania🤣 The weather in Europe is beautifully warm at the moment without being too hot. Have just spent two very pleasant weeks in Portugal. Enjoy your trip I’m sure it will be wonderful!

I agree with you about the food. We’ve not sailed on the Vista but do prefer the food venues on the Riviera and Marina to those on the Encore. As you say the food is much of a muchness. When it comes to the wine offerings do you ask for alternatives that are more to you palate. We’ve found on all the ‘premium/luxury’ lines that they will always ‘find’ alternatives if you ask. In fact back in 2018 we sailed on the Encore from Singapore to Dubai. The first lunch time we asked if they had Albariño but they didn't. The very next day at some port in the Andaman sea they took on board Albarinho and we had it for the rest of the trip. Not sure that would happen now😄 Enjoy the rest of your trip!

+ 1, many times!

Absolutely! It doesn't to matter to me either. Yesterday is gone we only have the NOW! Tomorrow… well who knows??

Can I turn your analysis on its head? SM may not have been beneficial to those who don’t drink or who prefer private tours BUT SM was not beneficial to Oceania because people were taking the tours and drinking! The bottom line is pretty simple: SM was costing Oceania too much!

Pringles …. please look at the ingredients! They don’t advertise themselves as ‘crisps/chips’ because they aren’t! They’re just a huge assortment of ‘e’ numbers and other indistinguishable ‘ingredients’. Buyer beware, and eater take even more care!!!

Take a look at your ‘contract’ for the cruise you booked on board. I’m sure you will find that Oceania will honour any decrease in price especially when you have booked onboard ?

P.S. price reductions tend to occur most frequently when a cruise isn’t selling well. Booking late on a cruise that sells well isn’t a good idea … poor choice of cabins if any!

Sounds like when you rebooked they only had ‘guaranteed’ cabins in the A4 category. It would seem unlikely that they would upgrade you to another ‘guaranteed’ cabin. I know this is too late now but you could have asked for a price reduction on your original cabin. I’m surprised that when the price dropped again your TA couldn’t do anything about that. Oceania usually guarantee that if the price falls they will honour the reduction. Could this be do with your TA getting a lower commission on the lower price??! Usually if you have paid in full then Oceania will add some onboard spend in lieu of the price decrease. Try your TA again or even ring Oceania yourself if you get no satisfaction. Another minor point, check your Oceania invoice for the date of final payment it seems to be a little early given your cruise is over 4 months away. Often agents get you to pay the final balance a few weeks before it’s actually due to Oceania. There may still be time to get a further reduction.

Having sailed on all three lines I would say that they are all ‘similar’ yet ‘different’. I don’t see any disadvantages to any of the three. However I feel the same as you when it comes to Azamara…. don’t want to take the ’risk’!

I guess it depends on whether your glass is ‘half full’ or ‘half empty’. As a silver member yes we no longer get ‘pro rata’ benefits because gratuities are now included for every booking from October 1st. BUT …. we do get $250 per stateroom OBC which, if you like, is ‘cash in hand’. Yes prices have increased but they probably would have anyway so it is a ‘net loss’ but not in ‘real’ terms. At the end of the day the ‘price’ is still the ‘price’ for your chosen cruise and it either fits or it doesn’t!

Thank you. Interesting post. I have just started to look at Explora as an alternative to Oceania. We have sailed 10 times with Oceania with another in a few weeks and then again in April. I’m less than happy with the reduced ‘perks’ but no price reduction so am looking for another line for the future. Have you sailed Seabourn, Regent or Silversea? If so how would Explora compare? Price wise they are all similar now. Have sailed on the ones I’ve mentioned but not Explora. Thanks in advance for your thoughts.

I’m sure Perrier and Pellegrino will still be available in the restaurants as they were before (fingers crossed!). I really dislike the Vero both still, and sparkling!

I did too! Sailed on Sirena and Nautica several times and have fond memories. Now, I just prefer the choice of restaurants on the larger ships but do miss the atmosphere of the ‘R’ class.

@1985rz1 ….. well said!

But only R class ships!