Sthrngary

@kasimir Your last point says it all. You don't like the kids in the hot tub and controlling the Haven Pool. I don't either. So you adjust your places to avoid that. Whether it is getting a drink at a bar, kids in the Hot tub, not providing drinks in the Haven Room service, or a Menu that does not change in the Haven Restaurant. All things are manageable. "But should we have to do so???" The Haven is GREAT for Family vacations with kids. They stay free in the suite and makes choosing the Haven easier. If a 60 something couple like my wife and myself go, we choose dates, times and itineraries very carefully to avoid some of those issues. Would I go on another Haven Cruise, YEP, YEP, YEP. I would just really study it and pick and choose to avoid disappointment. I could and have chosen other brands but like I said, give and take. Nothing is ever perfect on a cruise. Cruise well and enjoy every moment.

@kasimir I just spent my early morning watching this video. "Cruise with Ben and David" are a series I really enjoy. They do a great job. The entire reason for this hugely long and detailed stream is to find every way possible to enhance your Haven Experience. Many have compared the Haven to the Retreat and Yacht Club. Each are different in their own way. Somethings better on some but not others. Every single complaint that Ben and David had are VALID. Every one. From the Menu, to drinks in the room, to coffee in the Haven Lounge. When the Viva and Prima first came out, it was all the hot ticket. Then some issues starting happening. The water slides in the balcony of the some suites, they are simply a bad design. Some categories of suites show hot tubs on the balcony but in reality don't have them. The list goes on. On another of my streams I ask for "Great Deals" in the Haven. This ship in Europe is one of those great deals. Maybe those kinds of complaints honestly given by Ben and David is the reason the Haven on these ships are not selling out. Yet I can't help thinking, if they did a little research prior, "I know it was a surprise", maybe their experience would have been better. Now allow me to be straight with every single person on this thread. I took the last five years to find every single way to make the Haven an enhanced luxury experience. Things few used to talk about. For me personally, it turned out well. Yet the amount of work, study and due diligence was enormous. Not something everyone would do even famous YouTube cruise personalities. It was to much effort for obtaining a luxury experience unless the premium was not over the top. I considered the Viva for my "Once in a Lifetime Mediterranean Cruise". I knew all of what "Ben and David" just found out. I compared the pricing at the time a year ago to Luxury and Ultra-Luxury cruise brands. In many cases the Viva was more money and provided less amenities. It just was not a good value so I choose another brands. The sales prices now available are much more competitive, but not at time of booking. This video review should be watched with other for ships like the Encore, Bliss, Joy Ect. I prefer those ships to the newer Prima and Viva. Personal choose. Yet still, at these prices we all have to look at all brands in the Luxury and Ultra-Luxury categories and compare. Be open minded and know what the rules are to the game before you get to excited with your booking choice. Another's words, "Have realistic expectations and a Plan to get there". Cruise well and enjoy every moment.

@YourWorldWithBill sorry, “5”. Decisions are usually made based on previous experiences. The first I I bought Cruise Travel Insurance which was health, cancelation, delay, baggage, etc. it covered $5,000 due to a cancelation 8 days prior to a cruise. The second time my son got sick and it cost close to $800. Now it has become a habit. I got lucky on these situation. Just my experience, not every one. Cruise well and enjoy every moment.

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@Hearthosesteeldrumsplayin The economy is not the issue really for me. It is me being cheap. I want nice things, nice cruises and nice vacations but don't want to pay the full freight. I have had a ball learning all the sales, marketing events and to coin a phase, "Secrets to Oceania". During this very lone 18 month journey, I also learned a lot about airlines and booking for my friends. I made a post on this and well got schooled. Seems, some members take airline situations very seriously. So I will briefly let you know how the airlines gave me a break. I booked my guests air flights on Delta Fully Refundable Coach. Because I am nuts, I checked their flights every morning. I wanted to see the cost of "Upgrades" for each segment and how it adjustments up and down. Months after I still have no clue how it all works but I did score some benefits. First a short leg one hour and 15 minute flight showed upgrade to first class for $39.00 per person. DONE for my friends. Second, same flight on the return was $49.00 per person. DONE again. Finally, the three hour flight from Atlanta to JFK was $149.00 per person upgrade and I used some extra Delta Sky miles to get those. My friend will not consider the upgrades for the long hauls so I did all I could do for them. All of this, from which brand, booking, insurance, Air, Post/Pre Hotel and transfers have been so much fun to learn about. My lively bride is using a highlighter, ruler, and pen to cross out half my journey document which is currently 50 pages. When she is done with it, it will be 5 pages. Every time she reads a page she "Rolls her eyes". What she does not know is, all I wanted was someone, anyone to say, "I don't want to do this, I want to do that." My wish has come true. The federal government is going to fine me for using so much paper in my original draft that we lost a forest. I have to learn to say more with less words. See, I am very self reflective. Cruise well and enjoy every moment.

Well my day was just made, really. I finally got a smiley face from @LHT28. See, I grow on people. Cruise well and enjoy every moment.

@rxlowry LMAO. It is easy to stay focused, on target and use the skills I learned in business if the situation is all about me or the friends joining me. No one can take up your case with a brand better then the actual guest. I also rarely if ever give up which wears folks out. I "Nice" them to death. Hard to say no to a really nice person, phone call or correspondence. Become a travel agent, NOT-A-GOING-TO-HAPPEN. The way I approach things, I will only have two client a year and might not have enough time for both of them. Cruise well and enjoy every moment.

@rxlowry My initial purchase was through the Travel Agent and it was Allianz Travel Protection Plan. In the past, I have used this same company and done it on my own. I had to phone number so I called. They never flinched and fixed followed by took my money. I have had three claims and they were very good. This time, I had my agent do this for me initially. I never, ever use the cruise companies insurance, just me. I hope that clarifies what happened.

@rxlowry In every story there is one side, the other side and in the middle the truth. I try to stay in the middle even if it was an issue I had done to me. My agent called me to ask how I got the paid upgrade when she could not do so. I shared the story and that lead to her saying, "Let me update your total cruise insurance amount to cover the upgrade amount". Seemed like a good idea so I said yes. After five or so minutes where my agent was getting frustrated, I said, "Just skip it. What the insurance company won't pay, I will apply to AMX Platinum." Then I woke up in the middle of the night saying to myself, "Fix this in the morning". So yes, I called the insurance company and increased the amount. Gave the my credit card for the added premium and set to go. I know I am over answering your question but I do have a point. 44 years booking cruises has taught me a few things. 1) I love great cruise travel agents and the one I have now is the best. 2) When a travel agent can't fix and issue with the cruise brand or cruise related topic, I can. 3) I have much more time then my travel agent because I am retired and the issue for me is personal. So when she can't get the job done, I do it and have no issue with that. I hope all that makes sense. As so many say online, and in my personal life, "Gary you are one off the wall dude." Cruise well and enjoy every moment.

Cruise well and enjoy every moment.

Here is our itenerary!

@lisa6191 Let us approach this differently. You list your ports for me and if I have information about them, I will respond back. My approach was: 1) Ground Transportation from Airport to Hotel in Athens; 2) Hotel in Athens; 3) Each other port was time in and out, ground transportation from port to city central, Main Attractions and some food options. Again, give my your ports and I will give you what I have for those ports. My document is excess of 50 page which is to much to cut and past. On the video, it is private because I included reseration numbers and other personal information. Sorry. Cruise well and enjoy every moment.

@zipher36 Plus 1. I originally had my pre-cruise hotel with Oceania in Athens. I check out the hotel and its reviews. I realized they are on the Marriott Guest Point Program. I look at how much it would cost me $, it was about 1/2 and I had two rooms so my guest joining us benefit as well. I am Elite Status with Marriott, the rate had Nothing to do with my status. For that I get perks like upgrades, internet and breakfast. It is my personal opinions that cruise lines do cruises best. Airlines do air best. Hotels do hotels best. Deal directly with each of them (aside using a GREAT travel agent for the cruise.). Cruise well and enjoy every moment.

@scottie920 Consider the Free at Sea PLUS program or the Premium PLUS Beverage Package. Read the fine print because it matters. Consider your options and your decision will be made for you. I always buy the PLUS beverage package. Just me, not everyone. I remember my family of four in the French Restaurant and we could have the Champagne by the glass on the program. I think my adult daughter and I finished a bottle and a half. After a while, the server simply brought the bottle over and put it in ice by our table. I think that is what happened, I can't remember much except the next morning. For another post. Cruise well and enjoy every moment.

@KBrote It was MY pleasure to provide even the smallest amount of joy and laughter to your visit with your spouse. For years, I thought I was the only one that felt the way I did when planning a detailed family vacation. I thought, I was the issue, problem and causing all the conflict in my family. Then I posted my real life experiences and BINGO, like with you and your spouse, I am NOT alone. It is nice not to be alone on the lonely Island of "Over Preparation" with only my laptop, excel spreadsheet and social media. Lets add some more crazy Preparation to our already long list. WHY, because it JUST HAPPENED. I upgraded my Stateroom with a "Guest Paid Upgrade". Long story what happened and not really the issue. The issue is, I had cruise travel insurance on the OLD amount. My travel agent was having a hard time updating the amount to be covered. So I said, "Never Mind". Just leave it. Last night, at 03:33 AM, I know this because for what every reason, I wake up at 03:33 AM every morning because I am OLD and YES have to use the rest room way to many times at night. People my age don't laugh at that, they live that. Young people laugh at that and I say, "Laugh now but you will be in my position soon enough". When I woke, all I could think about while taking care of "Business" was my Cruise Travel Insurance amount. I had to commit to myself I would fix it in the morning to "ALLOW" myself to go back to sleep. This morning I called the insurance company first thing and FIXED IT. After, a sense of calm and satisfaction came over my mind and body. My mind said, "Gary, you can let this go now. You have done your due diligence. HUMMMMMM, HUMMMMM (that was verbal meditation)." To be honest with everyone and myself. I am not sure if I like the actual cruise or the preparation for the cruise better. That is yet another discussion with my Phycologist (I know NO ONE is surprised "I" need help mentally). Yet another day in the life of a anal retentive cruise planner. What can I say. Cruise well and enjoy every moment.

@Hlitner Very well written and thank you for taking the time. Cruise well and enjoy every moment.

After years of learning as much about cruising as I can, I have come to a few conclusions. My opinion is going to seem cold and non-caring. It is not my intent. I feel for this family and the issues they had. No one wants these kinds of things to happen to them on a Dream Cruise. Yet, we as consumers must learn from this situation and understand we have to be our own advocate as well as take accountability for knowing all the rules/policies/procedures. Again, not trying to being cold here, just want all parties to take a level of accountability. Brand bashing is a thing now-a-days and Social Media seems to promote it. One last thing, I have NO skin in the game. No stock in any cruise brand. "Let the Buyer Beware": We ALL need to read the LONG and BORING cruise contract from "soups to nuts". I assure everyone, it protects the Cruise Line over the client. This is NOT an Oceania Cruises issue, it is EVERY SINGLE cruise brand I have traveled on. The cruise contract is scary. "Special Needs": We hire travel agents and think they can see ALL the potential issue that can happen on a cruise ship. Travel agents especially when they know a guest has a disability, should do their due diligence. Yet we as guest have a responsibility also. So does the cruise brand. All three parties are at fault here. "Porters Assistance": Hit or miss. Especially outside the United States. Should Oceania have had a porter available, YES. Is it their responsibility, debatable. Can't fix the past for these folks, but we can sure learn from the OP's experience in the future. "I Will Never Cruise This Brand Again": Fine, but we as guest have to take some level of accountability for situations like this. We knew our guest had mobility issues, we knew we would be in a place outside of our country. If we needed to have a wheel chair/scooter/walker, for short walks, we should have brought one. I see them all the time being checked by the airlines and provided when the guest gets off the flight. My mother used to do this on every flight with no issue. Should the cruise brand have allowed the use of one of theirs, maybe but I would put dollars to donuts it was a legal issue. Read the contract. Everything is a legal issue. "Social Media Complaints": My career before retirement was in teaching brands "Issue Resolution". How to handle when things happen that make our clients upset. What was missing was how to teach a client how to get their issue resolved. Complaining on Social Media scratches an itch but the issue is not addressed. Feels good to let out some steam and maybe get some sympathy. We all need to have folks support our positions, it is human nature. However, the issue can only be resolved by direct communication before, during and after the issue happened with the brand. Sympathy from social media does not fix the issue for others, nor does it resolve our less then satisfyingly experience. Again, I am NOT trying to be harsh here. I am only expressing the thought, lots of errors were made in this situation and all parties need to accept the blame so it can be fixed in the future. Cruise well and enjoy every moment.

@zipher36 I am no expert but is seems Oceania offers airfare as part of its fare. When you want to book your own air, their is an amount (In my case is was $1000) that your fare is reduced if you do your own airfare. In the past, before the "SimplyMore" program, you could do a Cruise ONLY, or not use their airfare. When not using their Airfare, for me I apply the money reduce my fare as the amount I had to make my own airfare. I hope I answered your question. Cruise well and enjoy every moment.

@victory2020 Your question was kind of simple, yet as you see from the response not always simple. First my humble opinion, as a new person to Oceania on my way to my first cruise. To go from an Inside Cabin to a Concierge Verandah is worth every single bit of the $300 per person. Book it immediately. Not to the real context of your question. The reality is once you leave your stateroom on Oceania, everyone is treated the same. There for the main advantage is a bigger stateroom and in this case a Verandah that for me and others makes the cruise. You have to judge if it is worth it to you. Now I am not sure when your cruise is going to happen, however if it is far enough out, you get a higher priority for booking your specialty restaurants. I consider that a true benefit on an Oceania Cruise. Here are some other things basest on some research I have done. I am also not sure which ship you are on. I like things other don't but here are my thoughts: You get Three Bags of Laundry (max 20 items each bag) with a 3-day turn-around time. You get Usually, four pressed items, if you send them out within three days of embarkment. You have a very nice concierge private lounge which is a quiet place, with coffee, drinks and snacks. It is usually fully staffed with a concierge. It also has a printer. You as other have said, have complementary access to the outside Spa. For me and others, just the Balcony is worth the upgrade. Now you do you but my heart says, "upgrade". Cruise well and enjoy every moment.

I don't know what an open jaw ticket unless it is booking the ticket with Multiple destinations. Here is my situation and is my only experience. I hope it is helpful to some. Oceania decreased their fare by $1,000.00 for my guests air ticket (total of $2,000) if I did my own airfare. I took that money and booked a Fully Refundable Delta Airline Ticket from Alabama to Athens, Greece. Returning from Barcelona, Spain to Alabama. The booking was done 330 days in advance because that was when Delta opened up the dates. I did this to get the best price. The ticket price was $1,150.00 per passenger round trip. We then purchased Cruise Trip Insurance which is important to know. I now did not need a Fully Refundable Fare so I rebooked it for $850.00 each. I used the savings to upgrade when it became available to First class on the domestic flights. I am NO EXPERT but If you book early enough, the price is VERY competitive, I choose my seats, and controlled my reservation throughout this process. Cruise well and enjoy every moment.

@Cruzin Terri Absolutely. I used to plan every minute. Key word, "Used to". It never worked out. Now I plan what CAN be done, let the group choose what they want to do from the list. Leaves the day open and all I ask is give me a heads up so I can book our entry or train/bus online prior. The only items in my agenda that are in stone are: 1) The Airline flights; 2) the Pre/post Hotels; 3) the specialty restaurant reservations on Oceania; 4) the one cooking class on a sea day on Oceania; 5) The special restaurant in Athens the day before we embark; 6) The Best Steak Place in Florence, Italy with white beef for lunch. I know my list looks like I have every day, every moment booking. Quite the contrary. I just want choices, then let the group decide now or the day of. I don't want to say, "I regret I did not do that because I did not know about it." I would rather say, "I was to tired, so I passed. However it was my decision." Cruise well and enjoy every moment. PS: I am about to be in S.C. at the BMW plant for a "Driving School" on October 1, 2023. I love your state.

It seems I am being nominated of sorts, to be one of the "Enrichment Speakers" from CruiseCritic.com members on this topic stream. I am honored, really, honored but "NO" thank you. When I hold court, usually late night, in a bar (Always in a bar), after a few drinks, no one in my family will JOIN me. If seems, I have embarrassed them SO often, I am put into "time out" after a drink or two. Sometimes I feel like Lenny Bruce. Completely misunderstood and put in jail for speaking my mind. Lenny Bruce is a reference that Oceania guest will understand but my adult children roll their eyes at. Seriously, I hope everyone with a cruise scheduled for the future goes at it with a sense of humor. Look for the unexpected, unplanned, unique event and have a good laugh. I personally plan on waking up early, on a sea day, with a big black plastic bag I am bringing from home. I will go to the pool deck and put all the reserved lounge chair stuff where no one is sitting, in the bag and give it to a crew member for retrieval the guest. Then go to the illy barista coffee shop, get a cappuccino, get a chair above the pool and watch the show. I won't do that but it is fun to think about it. Anyway, engage with folks and let your inner self come out with amusing stories especially about travel. Except my wife who never remembers the "Punch Line". Opposites attract. Cruise well and enjoy every moment.

@YourWorldWithBill at dinner just now, that is exactly what my wife wanted to do. If there is a way to gain that email, without breaking CruiseCritic.com rules, please do share. Thank you, perfect suggestion. Cruise well and enjoy every moment.

@nparmelee I laughed as I read you first few sentences. YEP, YEP, YEP and did I say YEP. My wife just said, I want to go here, vs. here. My reactions with many weeks before our trip was, "Sounds GREAT to me!" All we want is feedback. Take one tenth the time I did to read what I found out and make a recommendation. When we get "nothing", or "it does not matter" it is upsetting and rude because it DOES INDEED MATTER. Cruise well and enjoy every moment.