Jayne E

“Feb. 8 was a letdown. The Captain skipped Puerto Plata(Dominican Republic) He said the sea was too rough. Most of didn't buy it. For over half the stops we arrived at 10:30-11:30. This eliminates half your day. They used the excuse of protecting the seas. We feel it was really to rush the cruise.” Was on Riviera 2/10-2/20. Same itinerary as previous cruise. Captain skipped Puerta Plata again. This was announced at 8:00 AM . Sea was calm but told winds were expected. Wind conditions never materialized. Staff told us that last 3 cruises skipped this port. We also docked at other ports 11-12, losing a half day. We also believe O is cutting back on port time for monetary reasons.

I think so. Although it wasn’t for true last minute cruises, they were only 3-5 months out. I know you’re aware of the “Lowest Price Guarantee” when booking on board, no way of knowing there was a new lowest price. Makes O’s guarantee not true.

No. I’ve been signed up since 2006. My TA had no notice of this Florida Resident sale and it did not appear on her O database. When she called her person at O they said they would give me the lower price. My friend’s TA same situation The sale was for several cruises Miami-Miami in 2023. it appears there are “selective” targeted promotions.

Google “Oceania Ultimate Sale UK”. Multiple TA listings showing 80 cruises.

Last November there was an apparently targeted sale for Florida residents. A friend showed me a brochure mailed to her from O with all qualifying cruises. Our February ‘23 cruise was $500 pp less. I called TA who had no knowledge of this “sale”. It was also not on O’s website. She contacted O and received sale price. However, had a friend not showed me the mailing from O, we would have paid $1,000 more. As my friend has never cruised with O, I’m guessing that the sale promotion was targeted to Florida residents who have cruised other lines??? I told another Florida friend that their upcoming O cruise was reduced. Their TA also wasn’t aware of sale but obtained the $1,000 reduction for them.

No cream for coffee this morning in MDR. No jam yesterday. No ice cream cones at pool at 3 P.M. today. No escargot in Jacques entire cruise. F&B Director not managing well!

Last several years lunch in MDR replicates Terrace Cafe items but with excellent service.

Last 3 Puerta Plata stops cancelled for same excuse and numerous others according to passengers and staff. The expected “high winds” didn’t materialize but decision to suspend is made early morning. Time to remove Puerta Plata and reinstate St. Martin which was never a problem. Reducing port times and extra sea days feels more like a crossing cruise 🙁

Today Riviera was unable to dock in Puerta Plata. We’ve been told by staff that this has been a common occurrence at this port. Isn’t it time to drop this port from itinerary? How about bringing back St. Martin? Why have Marina/Riviera not ported there last couple of years and nothing planned for 2023-2025?

My therapist was excellent. She did say that bookings were way down and passengers cutting back due to increases. The $50 coupon was targeted to certain passengers. Have never seen a spa coupon before….guess they’re trying to stimulate business.

I get mani/pedi regularly at home spa. However big jump from $93 1 hour pedicure to $238 for 50 minute massage. O does have good therapists and this company does not push products. The former one did.

Price increases for spa treatments were exorbitant. No increase in spa loyalty credit. 75 minute massage was $300. Spa was quite empty during December cruise. I saw a man using a $50 coupon and asked therapist where he received it. I was told that they were given to “some cabins”. I didn’t receive one and spoke to manager about it. He agreed to reduce my next scheduled massage $50. Poor business practice.

called O and told to have TA cancel and then rebook to get 20th Anniversary promo. TA said not necessary and had promo added. However, the $250 SBC from O in lieu of TA paying gratuities was removed.

If you received OBC from 20th Anniversary promotion, you will not receive the Shareholder credit.

We were on the same cruise. Very elderly passengers. Very common on cruises out of Miami.

Our 19th O cruise is next week and free cruise in May. Obviously we’ve been very happy with this cruise line since 2007. However, the vast majority of passengers will be your parents’ ages. My children are your age and I would never suggest they cruise O. Not for at least another 10 years….or more. Everything is geared toward seniors….music, show productions, comedians, etc. If you’re ok cruising with older folk, the cabins, food and service on O are top-notch.

We were on Marina. Verified this info with a supervisor. Removing a $10 mirror after 10 years and making it an upscale “amenity” is incredibly petty! And half the bulbs on the vanity wall mirror were out. And no announcement to booked passengers when items they’ve become accustomed to are no longer! Same with the non-existent Oceania bags. We brought our old one and were bombarded with others asking how we gone it. We’ve booked primarily on Vista and Rivieria and avoid Marina unless dates/itinerary not duplicated, until we have information when to expect the refit to be rescheduled. our free 20th cruise is on Riviera this May and happy it’s on the refitted ship.

A small number of cabins on Riviera still have a bathtub, for those who prefer one. I just spent 2 weeks on Marina and we did have a wonderful cruise. The furniture has more than luggage scuff marks. Drapes, bedskirt, headboard and sofa fabric worn. Lights not working, robe hook broken off, cabin door didn't completely close. This wasn't specific to my cabin. All the necessary repairs were made promptly. Service and food excellent. Public areas in better condition than cabins. On Riviera this February and May and looking forward to the new cabin. BTW, you no longer get a vanity mirror unless it's Concierge and above. When I called to say my mirror was missing, that's what reception said. I thought she was kidding. She wasn't! A $10 mirror is now an amenity for Concierge and above. What's next? The soap dish??

Bottom line IMO, is that there’s a very good reason that a total refit was scheduled for October 2023. It was needed. Can’t get any information as to why it was cancelled or when it will be done. Refurbished ship was scheduled for first cruise November 13, 2024. All passengers scheduled on Marina from that date forward should have been advised of this cancellation. Many would stay, some would rebook another cruise and some would cancel. Oceania needs to be more forthcoming with its passengers. They’re prompt to let you know by email when ship is arriving/departing an hour more or less but a refit cancellation is not broadly announced.

Not to worry…..although the cabins do look to be ready for the refit that was announced, the food and service is still excellent. Bed is in very good condition. Chairs in several dining venues are new as well as carpeting in some areas. We had a good cruise….just disappointed as we were looking forward to cruising in 2024 on the “new” Marina.

On Marina last month. Agree….worn, faded and torn drapes, bedskirts, couch and headboard fabric, chipped furniture, broken lights. Booked a 2024 cruise thinking ship would be new….will cancel. Every travel magazine and service had numerous articles about the refits. Not a word about Marina cancellation.

How about a statement put out as to this refit cancellation. Those cruising Nov. 13, 2023 and beyond booked believing they were on a refitted ship. Oceania making too many changes and last minute changes. 14 day southern Carib Dec. 2024 totally cancelled and replaced with 12 day western cariib. Offered $250 shipboard credit to stay with inferior itinerary. 5 hours port time reduced on Feb 2023 Riviera.

Our Marina 2019 overnighted in Bordeaux. Wonderful 2 days! Our Riviera cruise in May will dock at Le Verdon where you are basically “held hostage”. This should not be a port stop at all!! Wine Trails in Bordeaux will pick up Le Verdon for Medoc wine tour….1400€ plus additional 180€ pick up charge plus tasting fees at wineries…8 people max. Only full day available.

No one answer. Some friends book a TA on O every year and love it. We find 3 sea days on a Caribbean cruise too many. Our 17 day Med cruise last year had no sea days….just great! If we needed some down time, we returned to ship earlier, particularly a port we had previously been to. We’re loyal to O, but IMO the on board activities are quite lacking. Bracelet weaving and needlepoint not very exciting…..and they were repeated several days over the course of the cruise.

Four of us also cancelled.