ATWCruiser

Hope this link helps on your question.  It looks like you can take your free cruise together but your husband won't be able to double dip once he reaches his milestone as they have his info on record that a free cruise was already used.

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

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

It is February 28, 2024.  Any update?

On Vista, I don't know why they had to move the crab cake from Polo Grill to Ember and where is the Prime Rib (Queen and King) at Polo Grill?  I use to order that all the time.  Just don't understand these decisions. 

If anyone can please post the updated itinerary and map with the changes that would be great.  Thanks!

"I did see itinerary from memory pretty standard - three days in Singapore two in Bali stuck out for me schedule for Suez Canal five / six stops in Egypt etc  "

Just wondering, where did you see this?  So, based on your info on ATW 2026, they are going through the Red Sea?

Thanks for the info on the date.  Just for fun, I put together every past ATW cruise announcement date and first available booking date that I could find.  Only pattern is that when Oceania announces around Jan-Mar time frame, the booking date is usually right after the announcement date.

Any word about ATW 2026 on Vista?  I am assuming it will be announced sometime in February.

I bet they had previously mapped out an itinerary but now scrambling to change it due to the Middle East conflict.  ATW 2025 is going east.  ATW 2026 should be going west this time and they would normally go through the Red Sea and the Mediterranean (alternate itineraries based upon history) but that seems very unlikely now.  Expecting a big price increase now that it is on Vista and inflation!    

I went back and searched posts regarding the Milestone Cruise and some commented that you get a different answer "Yes" or "No" depending on who you talk to on Oceania's side.  Now with Oceania's new cancellation policy fees, I have to verify that it will be OK before booking but yes, need to book soon or potentially lose out on this benefit!

I am guessing that this milestone cruise requirement is for new customers. The legacy customers that have free cruises to use can book without the milestone requirement.  But I think I am seeing the writing on the wall. Book your free cruises early before policies change.  I noticed there is an 80th cruise credit free cruise which is not mentioned in Oceania Club Benefits web page.  Whoever ( I know a few) reaches that is in rarefied territory.

Oceania replied "Yes, each time you reach 20 cruise credits, 40 cruise credits, 60 cruise credits and 80 cruise credits you get a free cruise.  You currently have 45 cruise credits, so you are eligible for your 20 and 40^th free cruise.  You should request your 20^th free cruise now and then your 40^th." Which doesn't jive with that the free cruise must be taken on the milestone cruise. Not that I am complaining just unclear.