Jayne E

I think you hit the nail on the head there, avalon. On board entertainment is my biggest disappointment on O, and I've always wondered why, after the show in the lounge, they kill any atmosphere stone dead by making everyone get up and move up several decks to Horizons. Very occasionally there's been a great atmosphere on deck 5 but up on deck 10 there's a big empty room with very little happening. I think it suits the staff to have everyone go to bed early!

 

We have good friends who cruise with Crystal - I must ask them about the entertainment. The really enjoy the enrichment.

Never thought of that! So true....Oceania does nothing to keep the mood upbeat. Piano player just sets the mood for SLEEP! Several years ago they had a magician mingle on Deck 5 and the place was packed!!! No one left. Unfortunately never again. Singer in lounge some nights, dj spinning .... anything more lively than Trivia!! Our last O cruise they played some deck games with crew and passengers.....everyone either joined in or got up to watch. Looked like all enjoyed the change of pace. Doesn't have to become a party boat but a little more social activities besides Bingo and Trivia would be nice. We may be older but still like a good time!

We are shortly cruising with Oceania and our cruise has been substantially altered and our PH grade has dropped 20%.

My TA informs me that Oceania will honour price drops, if booked onboard! Nothing for booking early....not even an upgrade, gratuities or OBC.

I have another cruise booked on Oceania this year.

Not happy.........

Yes, you are right!! If you book on board the lowest price will be guaranteed if you are paid in full AND even if your category is sold out. Very different than prior to payment and category available. My days if booking early on O are over. Too many price drops on all sailings. Eventually if more do this, O will adjust pricing rules.

Doubtful. Maybe…2-to-4 (if you're lucky)…. Maybe.

 

Ya want peers (And I don't know if you do….)? Lovely as it is, O probably ain't fer you!

 

Keep searching…you'll find it. (The right cruise line, I mean.)

 

Best!

All underware does the job

 

How you personally feel about the fit or the texture is entirely up to you

 

Pick a cruise or pair of underwear that you think will fit for your taste

 

I have met 32 yearolds that felt like they were 70. Likewise I have met 70's who felt like 20's

Its all about how you feel. How open and relaxed you are. Do you have opinions on what to expect? Do you have expectations of how others receive you? Do you worry about acceptance in a new or unfamiliar situation?

 

The bottom line is being open...its no big deal if you dont exactly fit in to a mold . If you dont, why, heck your on a great ship. great food and can enjoy far more than you could at home.

 

Try it...if it works cool If it does not, then crank back your expectations and go with the flow. Blend in.mellow out... Don't let the situation, even if it is not ideal mar your enjoyment.

There is a poem that goes.

" The greatest adventure is what lies ahead,

Today and tomorrow are yet to be said,

The chance, the changes are all your 's to make....the mold of your life is in your hands to break"

Well....Amigo, the door is open.......

This is a very poignant response, however spending $20,000 on a cruise is quite a stretch from buying underwear. Yes, if it doesn't fit, throw it out. There are wonderful cruises that are more befitting people in 30's/40's.

We're 70 and after 21 days on Nautica, we were looking forward to getting back to work and the "kids" we work with. The mold was being only with other seniors for 3 weeks. Reason we haven't retired

That sounds like a good deal - hard to go wrong with that.

Yes, but we had already booked summer cruise and they did give us Club Certificate discount but no price match.

Considering how their prices keep changing, on board booking with price match would be "priceless"!! Said it's new marketing on started on Nautica.

But it sounds like your TA DID give you something after final payment - so it does help to have a good TA. They will never match the price after final payment but one can get OBC, upgrade, beverage package, etc instead.

Alternatively, one can gamble and wait to see if the cruise is selling well and if not, wait to book after final payment for discounted fare (if offered) - not my way to go.

O's pricing has been "all over the place" since sale to Norwegisn. They used to advertise that early booking was a guaranteed lowest price AND IT WAS!!! Not any longer!! Our b2b last summer started as $1,000 less than 2 individual cruises and ended up $1,000 MORE!! TA fighting with O for refund and they offered $100 OBC!! Luckily, got an upsell and cancelled cruise. Looks like best prices are after final payment.

However, we were just on Nautica they gave a guarantee of best price match up to sail date only if you booked on board. New marketing.

Doubtful. Maybe…2-to-4 (if you're lucky)…. Maybe.

 

Ya want peers (And I don't know if you do….)? Lovely as it is, O probably ain't fer you!

 

Keep searching…you'll find it. (The right cruise line, I mean.)

 

Best!

Definitely not for you. Especially at night. Bedtime for most is after mediocre at best show or after Trivia, about 10:30 PM:-(

We love O for dining and itineraries but nighttime is quite dull.....and we're much older than you.

I'd take an upgrade, but the ship is sold out. ;)

 

Looking forward to the balcony. No, it's not private at all. Those on the side can see us, too. Oh well, as my DH say, no one knows us from Adam. :D I may be wrong, but isn't there a small overhang that we can sit/hide under...is this correct?

Overhang is exactly the size of a standard verandah. Extended area open. Best of both worlds.

Anyone with info at earliest they were able to disembark in Citavecchia? Ship docks at 6:00 AM.

That is correct! And we already have the B3 7111 booked. :D

 

I did book the Beverage Packages yesterday. ;)

 

E-Docs came today, but I am still confused about what, if anything, I take for check-in because there was no paper to print out and sign. I dis already complete the online check-in. We received the huge booklet with our luggage tags a few weeks ago.

Best cabin. 1st extended and open on one side. Great views. Not good if you're shy....wave and say hi to those above who will see you. Have fun.

We were upgraded to an A1 on one cruise at no cost and put away their laptop and blanket, did not shine shoes or press pants, didn't use concierge room and took care of our own reservations as concierge always saying everything was booked. next cruise we turned down concierge upsell for $100 pp. Not giving up my verandah!!! Just my opinion though.

Since sale of O, the pricing changes and promotions are making the booking experience quite unpleasant!! Used to be Oceania guaranteed the earlier the booking, the better the price and so it was. No longer!!! Now it's become a guessing game when to book. Additionally, most B2B are now "Grand Cruises" and no discount on 2nd itinerary. Need an accountant rather than a TA!!!

Why is Oceania taking us to Lesbos on Tuesday 8th Sept:confused: We are due to port at Mitilini. Lesbos for 9 hours. If you are not up to date with the current news or on holiday on Mars then you are excused but to be serious, Oceania is taking us to a refugee base for the migrants trying to leave the Island by whatever means to get to mainland Greece. The newspaper photos coming out of Mitilini (UK Daily Mail, dated 4 Sept) show migrants rioting on the port streets, throwing stones and rocks at police who are reported to be firing stun grenades into the crowds to disperse them. Not the quiet Greek Island we are expecting!!! I for one will be staying on board for the day and questions to Oceania are going to be asked:(

A shame regarding the present conditions, but there is virtually nothing to see at all in Lesbos. You can walk the streets for 1 hour and back to ship. It should never have been an Oceania port stop. This was everyone's opinion on our cruise last year.

I am currently on Riviera on a 14 day sailing - two 7 day back to back sailings.

 

I'm happy to report that the Riviera is still absolutely fantastic....our only small disappointment is that they are in fact repeating the same 7 day menu from the last cruise. Same menu items at lunch and dinner in both Terrace and MDR. The food is wonderful but I do miss the other options that we had on our true 14 day last year.

 

So we go with the flow....life is good.

Cruise was sold as a 14 day Grand Voyage and "not" a B2B..... menus should never have been repeated. As cruise(s) sold so well (overbooked) they're offering several of these Grand Voyage combos for next year

I am assuming that the "free" excursions will be limited choice, and not all available. Probably will have additional surcharge for the more comprehensive tours. Does anyone know? The unlimited excursion package is not unlimited..... has surcharges on so many tours.

I wonder if that means they are going to stop offering new perk 6-8 mths out

 

We always book over a yr in advance then see perks added later so far my TA has been able to get us the new incentives but does not work for everyone

 

I could care less about the free excursions & already get the PPG

not a big deal for me

To me it is smells of another marketing ploy because sales are slow on some sailings ;)

Cynical maybe

 

just saying

 

Lyn

Completely agree!!! On Riviera 8/5, booked a year out as a 14 day cruise and then O sells it as two 7 day cruises with Your World Sale for both but not for 14 day cruise and with no B2B discount. Had to fight with O to add "Sale" amenities to our 14 day and did get it. Then price of both 7's were reduced and are $600 less than 14 day!!! What happened to assurance you get the BEST PRICE booking while on board? I was offered $100 OBC when I requested a price adjustment prior to final payment.

Probably will not go with Oceania any longer....this has been very unpleasant and unfair. Rewarding 7 day and overcharging the 14? Makes no sense.

Play our cube quite low....no complaints....yes, have encountered the loud drunks.....def not melodius

After reading and re-reading this thread I am now wondering if it is the "parents" that no longer want to sail on mainstream cruise lines or the "teenagers". Generally, teens are more than happy to be on a cruise line with areas for them to "hang out" and meet with other teens. They don't seem to have a problem with being on a ship with 2000+ passengers. Most would not be happy with very limited space and little to do as is the case on Oceania (except when there are special programs). Thinking about it, I cannot imagine teens wanting to be on a cruise line that usually caters to adults. IMO, the parents need to be patient....... their teens will be gone all too soon and they will have years to cruise on premium and luxury cruise lines. I suggest that they choose the cruise line that will leave a lasting impression on their children and not worry so much about themselves.

 

Sorry -- this will probably be an unpopular opinion but it comes from the heart.

Maybe not popular reply....but point on!!

We spent years cruising with our children mainly on Celebrity Carribbean cruises from the time they were small through college. Perfect family vacations! We now choose small ships and avoid the Carribbean....but did return to a Norwegian XMAS cruise as our granddaughter was with us..also took her to Atlantis. Hope to go on a Disney cruise one day with grandchild coming in March

:eek:

 

What time do you go to bed?

About midnight....after a nightcap on the verandah

We sailed from Barcelona last summer, and there were quite a few kids and teens onboard.

 

Go for it.

Also on cruise from Barcelona and those children seemed sooo bored. Couldn't blame them. As for evenings,....the same old piano music, corny trivia and poor shows (early) makes for an empty ship by 10:30 PM!!! We dine at 9:00 PM as the food is Oceania's best form of nightlife. Sound like you and your husband are too young for this line, not just your daughters.

Thanks so much. Port info is detailed and up to date. Will skip St John Hotel. No need for 2 meals there.

We also got the 70€ packages. So disappointed. Really don't want 2 meals there.