clarku

This happened to us on our April ‘23 Nautica cruise, getting locked out of some excursions. We ended up booking independent private tours and they ended up being our best days.

This is the email we had received when we had originally booked an A4 on Marina, while sailing on the Riviera. We then upgraded to an A3 in order to have the new bathroom configuration. Would’ve been nice had they reached out to us instead of having to stumble across the update on CC. Dear Valued Guests and Travel Advisors, We would like to provide you with an important update on your cruise vacation that is scheduled to sail aboard Marina. Recently, Oceania Cruises unveiled its plans to re-inspire Marina by dramatically upgrading all of her guest accommodations and public spaces. All guest accommodations will be completely transformed and outfitted with all new furniture and furnishings, wall coverings, upholstery, lighting, technology, additional storage space, and new bathrooms. Based on feedback from guests, one of the major upgrades to the accommodations is that bathrooms in all category C Deluxe Oceanview Staterooms, all category B1, B2, and B3 Veranda Staterooms, all category A1, A2, and A3 Concierge Level Veranda Staterooms, and all category PH1 and PH2 Penthouse Suites will now feature an oversized, walk-in shower. The dramatically more spacious and functional walk-in shower was made possible by removing the under-utilized separate bathtub and small shower stall. These changes will debut with Marina’s November 13, 2023, sailing. The current bathtub and shower combination bathroom configuration will remain in place in category B4 Veranda Staterooms, category A4 Concierge Level Veranda Staterooms, and select category PH3 Penthouse Suites. Details on those specific accommodations are listed below. The Oceania, Vista, and Owner’s Suites will all retain their current shower and bathtub, albeit in spectacularly re-inspired bathrooms. Penthouse Suites and Staterooms with the bathtub and shower: PH3: 9138, 9145, 10002, 10003, 10004, 10005, 10008, 10009, 10010, 10011 A4: 9002, 9003, 9004, 9005, 9006, 9007, 9008, 9009, 9010, 9011, 9012, 9019, 9126, 9128, 9130, 9132, 9133, 9134, 9135, 9136, 9137, 9139, 9141, 9143 B4: 7010, 7011, 7012, 7014, 7015, 7016, 7017, 7018, 7019, 7020, 7021, 7022, 7023, 7024, 7025, 7026, 7027, 7028, 7029, 7031, 7102, 7104, 7105, 7106, 7107, 7109 Should you desire a suite or stateroom with the bathtub and shower combination, or if you are currently booked in one of the suites or staterooms listed above and prefer one of the new shower-only bathrooms, please contact your Travel Advisor or Oceania Cruises to request a change. Thank you for taking note of this important change. We look forward to welcoming you aboard the better-than-new and dramatically re-inspired Marina. Warmest regards, Carlos E. Ortega Vice President, Guest Services

I get it, you’re right, many of us are just more risk tolerant than others and are more willing to take the hit if a cause for cancellation arises. I would’ve put myself in that category in recent times, but as we do get older, unfortunately you do begin to notice that some surprising things do happen to the people around you, making you think taking these pricey trips is a bit of a “game” of Russian roulette. We’re fortunate enough that it wouldn’t have broken us to forfeit the prepaid cruise funds, but it does lessen the sting of why we’re having to cancel, somewhat. I suppose I should have titled this thread, “carefully consider insurance”. I echo the sentiments of support to all of my fellow Oceania cruisers who are facing your own health journeys.

Hi all - Just a reminder to those that wing it and don’t bother to get insurance, I’m a 57 y/o and thought I was in great health, walking 3+ miles/day, hiking on weekends with wife, eating nutrient dense foods, & try to keep my weight in a good range, I just had a surprise diagnosis requiring 7 weeks chemoradio therapy starting next week, which would end a little too close to our planned Feb ‘24 embarkation on the Vista. While my expected post therapy result is very promising, the process will leave me wiped out for awhile. Very glad that we decided to get insurance and hopefully will get reimbursed. We also have a Jul ‘24 Marina sailing booked and will use that as motivation for the next 2 months. Live for now, but get insurance just in case. 🫤

Of course it won’t ruin our cruise, but we went up a category because we were told that would be the minimum cabin with the new walk in shower layout. I think we’re justified in being disappointed, and no, it’s not anything to cancel our cruise over.

We had booked an A3 Concierge on a July ‘24 Marina sailing specifically because this category was getting the larger walk in shower. Feeling a bit cheated.

We just had our A3 rebooked at a considerable savings

We also had two days in Tokyo prior to our cruise and had a private guide on our first day and he showed us the ropes of how to use and navigate the trains, mostly the Yamanote line which is the circular one that hits many of the different areas you want to visit. Also, not sure if you booked a Tokyo hotel already, but we stayed at the Tokyo Station hotel and loved it, very convenient. They provide a Meet & Greet service and will have a porter waiting on the platform in the precise location of your Narita Express rail car, you just need to text or email your ticket stub information once purchased at Narita airport

We had taken a Japan intensive cruise on the Nautica this past April and had hired a private guide in Hiroshima that took us to various sites that we wanted to see, using public transportation. I’m sure we could’ve figured it out ourselves but it was such a timesaver having someone know exactly where to go and what to do. We also found a private guide in Tokyo, Kyoto and Nagasaki, and those days were the highlights of our trip. We ended up booking private guides because the excursions we wanted to were sold out.

It looks like they do. Here’s a screen shot from a Harr Travel YouTube Vista video tour

Thanks, We’ve tried these and can work great but if they lose WiFi connection can stop abruptly , waking us up. The travel sized one we have works great and takes very minimal room in suitcase.

On our last Nautica Japan cruise we brought a small travel white noise machine and used every night to block out any outside noise and it worked perfectly, never heard any unwanted noises, like passerby’s or neighbor’s TV. Our stateroom was near elevator and were concerned. Wife could hear elevator “ding” without noise machine, but not with, might help with this topic.

Wouldn’t go if we can’t get a firm answer, thought I’d try here first. Would never complain if we didn’t like pairings, it’s about the experience and thought it could be fun to try if vegetarian options were available.

No, I would never just show up and expect them to whip something up. I guess I should’ve been more specific in my original question, asking whether anyone has ever had experienced vegetarian options at La Reserve. Thought I’d ask here before calling O.

Yes, I’m aware it’s a pairing event. We have a vegetarian in our group of four and if they provide vegetarian alternatives we’d like to book. We’ve been accommodated on other lines for similar pairing events without having to ask.