Hanoj

My best wishes for those of you directly impacted by the cancellations. I’m following this news with interest since I am booked to sail in August on the Oceania Vista, which Fincantieri delivered in May of 2023. How would I go about learning if the new ship I’m to sail on is fit (err, ill fit) with faulty fire retardant panels?

Question: when will I receive travel documents? Facts: I booked an August 18, 2023 cruise on Vista through my local TA on June 2, 2023. This my first experience with Oceania. Since the sailing is before October 1, SM does not apply. I have read comments on the roll call from others who have received their Tartan books. Should I expect one? Will my travel documents be delivered to my TA? If so, when at the latest? Thanks, Steve

https://smaartcompany.com/the-launch-of-the-luxury-cruise-ship-has-been-delayed-as-dozens-of-ships-face-potential-safety-risks/

Perhaps the offending pet owner will take an Alaskan cruise and permit the dog to go ashore unleashed. This could provide a great opportunity to witness wildlife up close as Bald Eagles have been reported to swoop down and carry small dogs away. Eagles have needs too.

Great recommendation, for those with such flexibility. I would sooner deal with some cool and inclement weather than throngs of pax. This I would want to weigh against the likelihood of rougher seas.

Port overcrowding may be the demise of cruising, at least for the itinerary focused. Will capitalism decapitate the cruise industry? It seems most operators are seeking to increase their own market share in an increasingly competitive environment where all lines took on massive debt (or failed) during the shutdowns. One line in particular, which Oceania seems to want to emulate as indicated by its new SM campaign, is continuing to introduce new ships to beat the ban unabated. Is this sustainable (notwithstanding weak overtures to reducing carbon footprints as an excuse for shortening port stay durations)? I would like to visit Santorini, but not with 10,000 other pax. So, if I cruise again (it’s been 4 years since our last cruise) after our Vista British Isles Splendors in August 2023, I will be more careful selecting itineraries and dates.

The Buck Moon, because deer antlers are in full growth.

Sounds like an opportunity for an on ship excursion (especially for us cruise only pax). “Crew for a Day.” Get a real behind the scenes look at ship operations and sample some well seasoned and spiced vittles. Perhaps the staff get better cookies too! Before all the naysayers opine why this can’t be done, consider this. There is always a price point that equilibrates supply and demand that adequately compensates an operator’s risk, at least theoretically. As for regulations that may be in the way, these can be changed over time. I’m being mostly cheek over tongue, and I may be imagining more demand than exists (though there’s the Field of Dreams supply side of “build it and they will come”), but anything is possible, for everything that exists was first imagined.

Interesting, as this seems to be an increasing complaint about Viking (shore based operations for booking etc.) from some (us included) long time loyal customers. Heidi13 won't sail with them again due to L.A. office issues (there is a thread on Viking CC).

It is 2023? Such inaccuracies on O's website do not present well. How difficult is this? Is such inattention endemic to the company?

O's website indicates Marina was refurbished in 2021. I'm surprised to read about so many maintenance issues (my idea of "luxury" or premium line cruising doesn't entail bringing bungee cords and duct tape). Our first O cruise is on Vista next month. I have my eye on a couple 2024 Marina itineraries, but will be reluctant to book unless sailings are after her next dry dock. Is there a definite date her next major maintenance is scheduled? I have read conflicting indications on this and the other "On Marina" thread.

“Leave the tuxedo, take the duct tape.” Quote adapted from The Godfather

To add taste to the cookies (or disguise the lack there of).

In the frozen foods section at Costco. Be sure to get some chocolate chip chunk cookies at their bakery to take on board.😎

This is exactly our approach and why we are likely to consider several different lines for future cruises. But we are also doing more resort vacations and are doing more private tours in new destinations, an idea we have adapted from cruising. Prior to the shutdowns, cruising had become our preferred mode for travel. But now cruising is one of several options for travel/vacationing and we may go years between cruises. Our first cruise since two Viking cruises were canceled in 2020 and 2021 will be on Vista in August 2023, our first with Oceania. SM is not available for this cruise, and loosing the ability for cruise-only fares will mean we look at several different lines for future cruises. The cruise-only fares with ala carte pricing was a significant factor in choosing O since it was a better value to us since we eschew alcohol and ship sponsored tours.

Windstar? Im not familiar with them but was on their website yesterday and they offer a cruise only fare.

The question from the OP was impact of SM on “current bookings.” So isn’t the only relevant price what one would have to pay to move to SM? For this purpose it doesn’t matter when previously booked or under what incentives. It just means considering what I give up (if anything) and what I get by choosing SM and determining if it is worthwhile. I doubt the relevance of yesterday’s price for booking any future cruise. Since it’s no longer available it has no bearing on future decisions. I will make future decisions based on the information available at such time. And I’m not going to kick myself for not booking a cruise under the old regime if I discover the price has increased significantly or if it has unwanted inclusions. My first O cruise is August ‘23. I considered booking a 2024 itinerary before today to get “cruise only” fare, but decided not to since I haven’t yet experienced Oceania.

Marketing is what they are doing right. Reminds me of a certain software company headquartered in Redmond, WA. Not the best products, nor the highest ethics, but via their marketing they established dominance.

I understand this. It appears some customers have received brochures announcing the new program, suggesting the fare increases may not be as steep as some speculated. However, if these new introductory offers expire soon it may indicate O is trying to get a feel for how the new program will be received. Or, it might be a way to obfuscate steeper fare increases later. Kind of like a soft landing for what may be received as unwelcome changes by some customers, especially those cruise only patrons.

What is the deadline for the introductory simplyMORE offer?

Chief Execution Officer

Ship’s rudder, anchor winches, ad infinitum. But we mustn’t forget about the cost of hammers. 🤓

We are traveling to resorts more frequently since cruising isn't what it used to be; perhaps it never will as good as the halcyon days before the shutdowns. We stay in one and two bedroom suites, preferably with a full kitchen since I have allergies. One thing we especially liked about cruising was not having to grocery shop or cook. In some destinations there are ample dining opportunities to accommodate dealing with my food allergies so we'll make a room with a cooktop work. I'll reassess after our first Oceania cruise in August '23.

Certainly not about the cookies!🙃

Prior to our first Viking cruise (river) in 2017, I had not travelled abroad (besides British Columbia) since the early '80s. Raising kids (7) and getting them all through college were higher priorities than world travel. So for us, the conveniences of a floating hotel with included excursions was very useful way to resume travel abroad.