hondorner

Interestingly, while other cruise line's ships of the same class like NCL Jewel class or Celebrity Millennium class may not be identical, all of the "R" ships are virtually identical, or become so after all go through dry dock refurbishments. For example, Sirena will have several differences this year, but they will be added to the others during subsequent drydocks.

The "O" ships are also nearly identical. Marina was first, and some improvements were made when Riviera was constructed. Most have been duplicated in Marina, but there are a few which would be nearly impossible to retrofit -- for example, the ceilings in Polo and Toscana are about 10" higher on Riviera than they are on Marina. I defy anyone to tell the difference by observation alone...:D Also, the Ocean View cabins on Marina have bars across the glass wall while Rivera does not.

Dave is correct that the air credit (to give it it's proper name) does not differ regardless of your home airport -- for everyone on the same cruise. The amount DOES differ depending on the destination location, which is what Jim meant by stating the credit is different depending on the distance -- from Miami, the home port of the company.

The easy way to determine the amount of the credit is to make a dummy, or practice, booking on the Oceania website, without going all the way through and completing the booking. Simply answer the question of whether you will need air or not.

Is there anyone who did not understand what she meant? Isn't that enough of an effort to keep folks informed?

Mr. Del Rio has never been in favor of reducing prices as a cruise nears. In fact, for years his Oceania policy has been to increase fares as a cruise nears, based on the law of supply and demand -- as the ship fills, the supply of cabins is less, the demand is the same, so the price increases. Of course, Oceania has always had a very high number of repeat guests -- as high as 80% -- so demand has always been high. Most experienced Oceania cruisers know to book their preferred cabin the very day that new itineraries are announced.

While prices are rarely lowered, the number and value of incentives may rise. The bottom line is about the same, but the cruise line has the reputation of holding their price, not cutting to bargain basement pricing. Anyone who has owned a business knows that consistency of pricing is very important to one's reputation.

FDR also followed this policy when taking over Regent Seven Seas. The economy was tanking, all the other luxury lines were lowering their prices, but Regent held their pricing while offering free excursions. Regent surged while others slipped.

Things are a bit different on mass market ships, which are so large the percentage of repeat guests makes little difference, and on which there are always enough cabins available. Also, if a cruise line is already at the bottom of the heap, like NCL of the past and Carnival, their reputation can't get any worse.

Therefore, you will find savvy CEO's following FDR's lead (and the success of Oceania) and offering more perks while holding their prices.

So, why are some deals still available on NCL? Simple -- it takes time to change the culture of a cruise line. Richard Fain has been CEO of Royal Caribbean for a long time, and when he says "jump", the leaders of the various cruise lines they own (RCCL, Celebrity, Azamara, among others) say, "How high?". FDR is still new to NCLH and is still feeling his way in the larger company. Eventually, however, his wisdom will be apparent to all and NCL will flourish.

I know who you mean -- same bus, same guide! Good advice.

Sadly, we took the same excursion in the afternoon. We had a very different experience with the guide, in the fourth of four small buses. At our first stop, parked alongside a waterfront park, the guide said we could "get out and take some photos if we liked". No one did. Then, we sat there for more than 20 minutes, someone finally asked him why we were siting there! He replied, "Until everyone is back from the church." "What church," we asked? "The one around the corner." "You never mentioned a church!" "You want to go now." he asked? Three people did, but they were back almost immediately as by now it was time to leave.

Next, we went to the fort, and it a good visit. The fort was immaculate, the folks friendly, and the tiles inside were outstanding. The guide disappeared and explained nothing.

From there, we drove to a narrow spit of land with the ocean on one side and the harbor on the other. The spit of land was at least 4 or 5 miles long and was all beach. About halfway, the guide said, "On your left is a beach." The procession of buses continued to the end, turned around and headed back, with no other comment.

Next, we went to the first President's mausoleum, and the guide again disappeared. Someone saw him later with a couple of local folks. The mausoleum was very well done, beautiful inside, and desrving of respect. Every gentleman on our excursion removed his hat.

We then returned to the ship, with no other comment from our guide. I'm sorry to say it was the first time we ever stiffed a guide with no tip.

Luanda was interesting nevertheless, everyone else was friendly, there were no problems. An entire section of ramshackle shacks along the waterfront is being torn down for new waterfront residences; we did not learn what they were doing with the poverty-stricken folks who lived in the hovels.

thats sad, i don´t like FDR.

Huh. Do you know him?

Unfortunately they will never get the 6 and 7 from Azamara..

Jancruz1

Nor the R8, which also sailed for Princess as Royal Princess, then was transferred to P&O as Adonia, and recently transferred to Fathom, the new cruise line started by Carnival. I believe P&O will still operate the ship for Fathom. Although I suppose it might be possible for Carnival to put the ship up for sale some day if Fathom is successful enough to warrant one or more larger ships.

...it seemed to me care as they had their clientele indoctrinated that the little princess ships were the epitome of luxury....( which they seemed after sailing their monster mega ships)

7

Sort of like the recent Azamara announcement of their "Ultimate World Cruise", 102 days from Australia to London (written as we sail Oceania's 180 day cruise completely around the world from Miami to Miami).

If you are going to Ghana, that is the place to get fabric. My son bought quite a bit when he was there working for a NGO

 

 

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Nope, not this Cruise, someone suggested Mozambique. Betsy did buy a large African dress today, thy she'll wear a couple of times on board, then cut up for quilt squares. It was less cost than the equivalent fabric.

betsy is a great photographer. Lighting not the best and she still pulled it off....good job!!

We had a great time on Sukey's tour in Togo; 25 passenger bus with 15 on board, drove to a river bordering Togoville, then crossed the river in rickety wooden boats, poled across about 3/8 mile. Walked through the village, visited the "cathedral" that is the target of pilgrimages ever since an image of the Virgin Mary was seen in the river. Because of shallow water the boats could not reach shore, so several husky fellows waded out, reached in and carried us ahore. We were also carried back to the boats when we returned. Of course, each carry cost us "dollah".

We then traveled to the African Art Museum, which had carvings, statues and furniture from all over Africa, then to the National Museum, which frankly was a bit of a bore. Next, to the Fetish Market -- which was definitely not our cup of tea, although others seemed fascinated. We returned to the bus almost immediately. Finally, we visited the largest central market area, where everything -- and I mean everything -- is available in streetside kiosks spreading over several blocks. Unfortunately we had to follow our guide or become hopelessly lost (they moved our buses), and he moved too quickly for us to linger and shop. Betsy will get her African fabric in some future port, perhaps tomorrow in Benin when we do it all over again in a small group with Sukey.

I didn't want to pay the ship's price for haircuts for 180 days, so I bought a couple of Wahl professional clippers (one large for my head, one they call "Peanut" for my beard, the same as my barber used) and started cutting it myself. #2 (1/4") for hair, #3 (3/8") for beard, and a Wahl electric razor to keep my neck hair under control. I cut it once a week (usually on Sunday) so it always looks decent. I started doing it a year and a half ago before the 2015 world cruise was delayed; by now I'm used to it after a lifetime of longer hair. The savings paid for the clippers a long time ago.

We're considered "thrifty" (our kids call us misers) so saving money was more important than how I look. I figure 13 haircuts (over 26 weeks) at $33 each a pricey indulgence.

Cynthia (CBB) and David receiving their Platinum pins at the Oceania Club party on Insignia tonight.

Yes, very nice! :)

 

Two more weeks to go for us and our first cruise on Oceania. I know y'all will be glad when I am not asking anymore questions on this board. :rolleyes: That is, unless we decide we like Oceania and then there will be a lot more questions to come. :D

I'm pretty sure, based on experience, that when you come back you will be answering questions from other newbies! There will always be something you experience that will help someone else.

Enjoy your cruise!

Here on Insignia I've seen only one ramp since the beginning of the cruise, sometimes from deck 3 and sometimes from deck 4, depending on the port. When they use the long ramp from deck 4 it's 32 shallow steps for lower drops and 32 steeper steps for higher drops. I don't know how they handle the wheelchairs; and there are quite a few on board. Have not seen any hoverounds or scooters.

But, on every cruise we've taken on Marina or Riviera, there has always been a lower crew ramp that is also used by physically challenged folks. Can't imagine why there is not on the OP's cruise.

75 is freezing for us; we keep our home AC at 81-82 in the hottest part of Summer, which is the only time we use it, primarily to remove the humidity (and we live in south Florida). We always adjust the cabin thermostats to a warmer setting, then use only a sheet. I do miss our paddle fans when we're cruising. Having said that, we, too, have not always been able to adjust the thermostat to our liking.

What is the difference between "waitlisting with a deposit" and "buying a guarantee", then?

I've never understood the difference.

If you request a waitlist, you'll get on the list, but may not reach the acceptance point. Your bad luck, but you haven't lost the opportunity to use your money.

If you put a deposit on a waitlist (and I'm not certain Oceania does this), you move to a spot on the waitlist ahead of those who have not placed a deposit, but behind those who placed a deposit before you. Once again, you may not reach the acceptance point. If so, you will regain your deposit, but will have lost the opportunity to do something else with the money while the cruise line held it.

In either of the above cases you will only make the cruise if all the guarantees and all those ahead of you on the waitlist are accepted.

A guarantee (GTY) (at least on Oceania) is something else entirely. In this case, you place a deposit and are guaranteed a spot on the cruise, just not in any specific cabin. You will at least guarantee a cabin the the category you have chosen. Guarantees are not available for every category, and are limited to the number Oceania expects will be canceled by those with cabin assignments, based on historical numbers.

If there is no cabin available in the chosen category, someone with a GTY will be bumped to an available category. This is rare, however, as Oceania prefers to make offers to others with confirmed cabins in that category to make room for the folks with GTYs.

The basic difference between a waitlist and a GTY, at least on Oceania, is that a GTY will make the cruise (will never be bumped off), while a waitlist might make the cruise. A deposited waitlist (if Oceania uses that level) has a better chance but no guarantee.

Oceania will never bump a GTY, but will continue to make ever more attractive offers to confirmed guests to make room, even going so far as making offers too good to refuse to move to another cruise.

There are always cancellations before a cruise; the purpose of GTYs and waitlists is to create a pool of guests and potential guests to fill those vacancies. If they predict the number accurately, all GTY's will get their cabin but no one on a waitlist will get to go. If they predict inaccurately on the low side of cancellations, everyone with a GTY will get to go, while no one with a waitlist will be called. If there are a higher number of cancellations than predicted, the pool of GTY's will be exhausted and those on the waitlist will start to be called, beginning with deposited waitlisters (again, I'm not certain if Oceania uses this level).

Oceania is generally very good at predicting the number of cancellations. The odds are that few, if any on a waitlist will be called. I'd have to be extremely flexible in my planning and not really care if I make the cruise to ever decide to go on a waitlist.

There is another type of waitlist; for those who have already confirmed a cabin at a lower level and hope to move up. For example, one could waitlist for an Owner's Suite...but there is probably little likelihood of making that.

Not much can be done about cabin sizes; all 8 of the R ships were similar (except 2 did not originally have larger cabins on deck 8). Oceania is supposed to be removing the tub/shower combos in penthouse and above cabins (don't know what they were called on Ocean Princess) and replacing them with walk-in showers.

All soft materials will be upgraded, especially the mattresses. The Tranquility mattresses on Oceania have always been fabulous, but Sirena will be the first to get new Ultra Tranquility mattresses.

In keeping with Oceania tradition, virtually everything on the ship will appear to be new. It's difficult to believe their ships are 14 to 18 years old!

I pretty much ignore the reviews, try a new cruise line out and decide for myself. I do feel the recent reviews are an anomaly, while likely correct, are based on severe, out of the norm circumstances.

Would not think about showing up for dinner in jeans anyplace on the ship.

Your opinion is quite valid -- for you. The rules state otherwise, for the Terrace, and as long as you at least follow the minimum rules, no one cares if you go them one better.

It's not just the thrusters. Ships with real shaft-driven propellers cavitate as they accelerate, and the cavitation creates temporary vibration Repeat: temporary. It goes away when the propellers "bite" as cruising speed is attained. There's nothing wrong with the ship, and nothing can be done about it. It's like drag racing cars "burn out" with wheel spin.

All Oceania ships are driven with shaft-driven propellers. It's a much more reliable form of propulsion. Many other ships have what are called "pods", which are like outboard motors hanging under the hulls. The pods are notoriously unreliable and almost every ship equipped with them has developed problems at some time. The pod propellers also cavitate, but they are not attached to shafts and the vibration is localized. That said, I have cruised on a pod-equipped ship that had to be slowed due to constant pod vibration.

Pod driven ships have forward thrusters, but not aft thrusters, as the pods may be rotated and drive the ship sideways.

Bottom line is I much prefer the safety and reliability of a shaft-driven ship than one with pods. I am perfectly willing to "suffer" the occasional, temporary vibration in exchange.

...So...how are PA announcements different on a more European cruise line?...

We once cruised pon Costa -- every announcement, from routine cruise director announcements to poolside dancing lessons to bingo to trivia was in 5 languages! Everything! Italian, French, German, Spanish and lastly English...

I know there are a lot of postings on this and I thought I had read them all! I thought they were considered comparable lines....

Back when Azamara was created by Royal Caribbean, they attempted to steal guests from Oceania and copied O completely -- same policies, same itineraries, even hired some O executives. Essentially, they failed miserably. So, they hired a new President (Larry Pimentel from Sea Dream Yacht Club), renamed the cruise line "Azamara Club", and started adding some incentives beyond Oceania to try to be successful.

At the time, Frank Del Rio, CEO of Oceania, was asked if that concerned him. His response was, "I'm just happy they quit trying to copy us." At first, it was just wine with dinner but as time went by, they've had to add basic drinks and gratuities to overcome negative reviews. Reports now are they're not bad. However, they are no longer similar to Oceania, if they ever were.

Recently their guests have been unhappy that cruises have been canceled in favor of chartered cruises. Recent reports are they are finally going to do some ship refurbishments; maybe then they'll be closer to Oceania in that department. Their ships are similar but not identical.

Disclaimer: I have not sailed Azamara and most likley will not. I do harbor some prejudices because I'm more aware of the story of their beginning than most.

The City of Napier, NZ and the Marina put on quite a welcome back to the ship for us. The band was out by the gangplank for about an hour playing for all the returnees coming back to the ship. Since the City is such a retro City, even as we came off the ship we were meet with locals in their old cars and in custom period dress. Great Visit and cute City and surrounding area.

 

I have been on river cruises, Uniworld for certain, where we are meet with warm towels after morning and afternoon tours. I only recall a warm towel greeting on the Marina upon our embarkment in Copenhapen. I don't recall any warm (or cold) towels upon return other than that.

We're visiting Napier on the world cruise, and we've booked (together with another couple) a wine tour in a 1930 Oldsmobile named "Bugsy".

We're really looking forward to it; your report adds the spice!

Hondoner, Thank you. I'll go there. Say, I met you on the Marina Maiden voyage. I was the one who did the badges for our Cruise Critic meeting. You and my husband had a wonderful visit. Unfortunately he passed away May 30th.

 

I will follow your world cruise, and am thrilled that you all are onboard. What a great line. And again, thanks time for giving me the instructions for your blog.

I'm not always great on names, especially after a few years, but I do recall the occasion. I'm sad I won't have the opportunity again, but happy we did have the chance.

I also recall that cruise critic get together; the seas were very rough, the Horizon lounge is very high and forward on the ship, and I think it was the only time I've been queasy on a ship since 1980

You can bring liquor, beer and wine aboard not only at embarkation, but at any port. It will not be confiscated; indeed, no one will notice or care (it will show up in the security Xray when boarding, but if it's not a weapon, security will; ignore it. In most ports, you'll find the best bargains in the local grocery store. We're on board now, and so far, in Aruba and Curacao, we've purchased and brought on board 9 local beers, 3 bottles of rum cream (2 of them on sale), 3 bottles of wine, and bottles of Frangelico, Amaretto and Godiva liqueur. We're stocking up for the remainder of our 180 day cruise...Betsy will buy a local beer in any country that brews their own.

...There is no corkage fee unless you take wine to the dining room; all the adult beverages are intended for consumption in your cabin. Oceania treats it's guests as responsible adults; these privileges could always be rescinded if folks take advantage of it and carry their own drinks around the ship. Oceania has a clause in their terms and conditions to cover that possibility, or to chastise obnoxious drunks.

Some folks have been known to bring cases or wine and a case or more of mixed liquor on board. Absolutely no reason to pay ship prices.