dsegel

Thank you everyone.  I didn't think to try to appeal to our CC company.  We actually have a "travel" cc with Chase that we make our payments with so will try that route.

The final payment for the April cruise was in January (customary for final payment to be 2 to 3 months before cruise) which we paid before news of Covid.  

Yes $12,000.  I don't remember the number of nights but it was for a penthouse.  This is Oceania and they are much more expensive than Carnival.

they are saying we don't get a monetary refund b/c we cancelled the April cruise for medical reasons but we don't think it's fair that they still won't refund for the January cruise which they cancelled.  That's the point of this post to find out if there is any other recourse.

Thanks for your response.

I was kind of surprised not to see any topics relating to this. Hopefully I'm in the right place.

We had a fully paid cruise planned on Oceania in April, 2020.  About 3 weeks before the cruise we requested to cancel b/c of Covid and an underlying health problem that would make it dangerous for us.  The line agreed to accept our cancellation and we transferred the cruise credit to another cruise with the same line we had scheduled for January, 2021.  A week later the April cruise was cancelled anyway.

In August we learned that the January, 2021 cruise was cancelled.  Oceania does not want to refund that credit to us but wants us to use it for yet another cruise in the future.  At this time there is not even any timeline for when they will resume cruising.  We do not feel it is right for them to keep our $12,000 for some undetermined amount of time.  Never was there any contingency for what would happen if THEY cancelled the January cruise.  We have appealed to a higher level and was promised a call back within a week.  Of course that week has come and gone and we get nothing but silence from our calls and emails.

Does anyone have any experience, suggestions or thoughts on this?  Thank you in advance.

46 minutes ago, corpkid said:

I'd make it a priority if you are able - it's mind-blowing. We sailed Oceania for 20-ish days through N. Asia (China/Japan/Korea) and it completely changed my perceptions of Asia. The cruise was a hot mess in terms of logistics (outside of their control/force majeure) yet it led to the most memorable trip we've ever taken. I'll never forget when they *finally* opened the Huangpu river near Shanghai and our HUGE ship navigated that tiny river dodging thousands of smaller ships. It's something you can't really express. Oceania handled it like a boss and we traded a "meh" port for 3 whole days in Shanghai and had a total blast. We are very much looking forward to exploring SE Asia this time especially as my husband is a Vietnam vet and was hesitant to return but now is all in.

Wow, sounds incredible!  I'm sure you'll have a wonderful time.!

3 hours ago, corpkid said:

Many thanks!

You are most welcome.

We haven't been to Asia yet.  One of these days! (Hopefully) ;}

2 hours ago, corpkid said:

Hi all - long time no post (been working overseas for past few years).  Anyways - about to go on our 5th O cruise after a several year hiatus and I can't for the life of me remember when the Maître D' is available to take requests for extra dining reservations. We will be in a B2 and won't have a butler. Many thanks!

It is something like 9 am to 4 or 5 pm.  It will be posted in your daily newsletter.  It's actually not the Maitre D, but a person from guest services.  They have a separate desk in the lobby area or you can call them from your room.

The last cruise we were on with them was in August and after you have used up your allowed reservations, they would only make a reservation for same day so your best bet is to contact them in the morning of the day you want a reservation for.  Good luck, it's not always easy to get them.

8 minutes ago, susiesan said:

Does Sirena have the Red Ginger entrees available at the Terrace buffet? AS that is my fave rest, if I can't get a reservation there I will just eat the Red Ginger food at the buffet. The miso glazed sea bass to die for.

I've never been on the Sirena.  I've been on Marina and Riviera.  I have never seen the buffet offering any of the food from the Specialty restaurants, though I could be wrong.  They do often have the same offerings in the buffet as the GDR.

Your best bet would be to go to the dining reservations desk early in the morning and request the Red Ginger.  If they are full, they will call you if they have an opening.

2 hours ago, ORV said:

It's not just the servers available, it's the reservation timing. If I go in at 6:30 odds are I won't be leaving until at least 8-8:30. There are people reserved for 7:00, 7:30, 8:00 8:30 etc. If they filled all tables when the restaurant opens then the people reserved at those times would not have a table to be seated at. 

Yes, this makes sense as well.  I specifically remember that the tables were set for certain number of people.  For instance, we were seated at a four person table that was only set for two.

2 hours ago, ORV said:

Most people in suites do tip their butlers. 

Ha, ha, I know we always do.  What i mean is do they give their butler an extra tip for getting them a reservation.

We just got back from the Marina.  I believe seating times were 6:30 - 9:30 on the half hour.

18 minutes ago, ORV said:

This is why so many people mention their butler being able to get extra reservations. 

That's interesting.  Do they "tip" them?

3 minutes ago, Mrs f. said:

What I did notice and puzzled about was several times we were in Polo at a large table with empty seats at our table. Did nobody want them? 7:30 slot.

There were empty tables at all the specialty restaurants we were in.  I think they have to limit it depending on servers available.

We are just back from an Oceania cruise--they are top notch, as usual.  BUT we had made our specialty restaurant reservations in advance.  Supposedly, once you are aboard, you can make more reservations on a first come, first serve basis. When I went to make the additional reservation, the first thing they ask is, "what is your stateroom?"  Then, "What restaurant do you want?"  Then they look on their computer and say there is nothing--this happened two times on different days.  This person has been sitting in front of the computer all day and should know if there are openings.  It makes it seem as though only "certain people" get the openings.  We were in Consierge level balcony cabin and are Silver card.

Does anyone know how this truly works?