ATWCruiser

Good to hear ATW 2024 passengers got something back. So, no compensation for those that want to depart in Dubai? Sorry to hear that these changes spoil somewhat what should be a fun cruise. ATW 2025 is not going through the Red Sea so itinerary is probably not going to change. ATW 2026 is going through the Red Sea but I am prepared for an itinerary change in case the situation in the Middle East doesn't improve. I am mainly going on ATW 2026 for the Vista ship and if the ship gets rerouted to Africa, I'll be okay as I never been around that area but it would be nice to get some compensation. So, the situation for ATW 2024 will dictate what I should expect.

My old phone had an IR blaster and I just use a remote app and that worked for me on Insignia. My new phone doesn't have an IR blaster but you can purchase one that attaches to your phone.

Is there still a streaming package option on top of the Simply More free internet? Is Starlink on Vista now and how is the speed? I don't watch streaming anyways but I do download videos and watch it on a storage device.

I remember on Insignia, the open HDMI port was locked meaning you couldn't use their remote to switch to it but I found a way to get around that. I don't know what they have on VISTA. I'll figure it out when I get on VISTA in the future.

For the next ATW cruise, I might just log in myself and try to get the cabin I want and then transfer it to my travel agent to get perks. The question is when does the online system open on the first day of booking so I can be prepared?

Yes, you have to book six month in advance. But if you want to book a year and a half in advance, you have to book the cruise, put down a deposit and then in six months before the cruise starts, request that the cruise you book becomes the free cruise. With the new cancellation policy, the risk is if for some reason the cruise request is declined, you are out of $300 ($150ppx2) - administrative fee. I did the best I could to make sure my cruise request is within the rules (as well as asking Oceania Club to take a look without getting a final approval) so I feel confident that all will be okay but just want to let others know about the new administrative fee.

Congrats! Great to hear a happy ending! "Trust But Verify" - good advice.

Yes, that is what I heard regarding priority for current ATW passengers. Since the deposit is 20% (which is a lot) due in a week, there maybe cabins available after that period like pinotlover mentioned above. The difference between the French Veranda and regular Veranda is at least $16,800. Not sure if it is worth it. But I'll be happy either way.

Booking on Around the World Cruise on Vista started on 3/13 and I wanted a French Veranda B5 with specific cabin number going through my TA. My TA even mentioned she worked with a contact at Oceania to have that cabin reserved beforehand. I ended up getting a B3 Veranda category once the dust settled with a wait-list for a French Veranda. Was told it was a busy day. I know the highest and lowest categories always go fast. That got me wondering. Is there a secret to getting the cabin you want? What is the procedure for who gets what first and how can you improve your chances for getting the cabin you want? I even went on the website myself and click on every available stateroom and it said "ALL STATEROOMS ARE CURRENTLY CHECKED OUT All available staterooms for this category are currently being booked. Please select another stateroom to continue." Every stateroom I click on under "available" said the same thing. Can't move any further. Maybe it is quite popular!

With Oceania's new cancellation policy of $150pp, those that book a free cruise as part of Oceania Club Benefits will have to make sure they are qualified. There are a lot of rules for using your free cruise. I think the normal procedure is to book the cruise you want, put down a deposit and send a letter to Oceania that you want this particular cruise to be your free cruise. If for any reason, Oceania Club Benefits declines your request because it doesn't adhere to the strict rules, then you are out of $300 ($150 pp x 2). Anybody else know of this or have this experience?

Maybe I am missing the details, but you called your TA to cancel the first cruise back in December. She did not but you didn't get a confirmation from her that she cancelled it from December to now? Sometimes, it is better to treat it as 2 separate cruises. Cancel the first, get your refund. Once you get your refund, pay for the 2nd cruise when due. This transferring of money from one cruise to another sounds like it brings more problem then it is worth. But if you got an email confirmation that the first cruise was correctly cancelled, all problems should have been resolved. So, it sounds like a communication issue?

Regarding expenses and excursions, it depends on the person. We don't normally spend extra for Oceania excursions (too expensive) or local guided excursions so the $8,800 excursion credit given is fine. As for the Suez Canal, I am glad they put that on there. If the situation in the Middle East doesn't improve, they will likely go around Africa like ATW 2024 (with 17 extra sea days and no compensation so far). I think everybody that books this trip will have to accept that possibly in this day and age of cruising around the world. For us, we are planning to go on this trip for the ship and not as much for the itinerary (as we have been to many of these ports) and because it could drastically change.

They break down pricing with and without airfare. It is a $1,700 difference. Cheaper to book your own BUT if something happens like Covid situation in March 2020 where you are forced off the ship or departing from a far away different port, it maybe cheaper to go with Oceania on airfare as the flight changes are all covered. Consider it a flight change insurance policy that you are buying.

I was monitoring their official cruise blog because in the past they would announce it through that channel. Now it is on their main page.

It is released now. https://www.oceaniacruises.com/special-offers/2026-around-the-world-cruise