Jayne E

24 minutes ago, pinotlover said:

Still have the Vista booked in June and paid for. 13 port days on a 14 day cruise. One sea day. How they perform on that cruise will determine if we keep our cruise next April. Several lines go to Japan.

We’re also on next year April cruise to Japan. We’re on Riviera for 21 days with 2 sea days in May. How it goes will determine if we go forward with O to Japan.

4 hours ago, pinotlover said:

Always the issue. Those that cruise for the ship versus those cruising for the ports. Looks like the cruisers are winning out. After our recent Marina experience and having spoken with several on the recently completed OZ circumnavigation quite a few of us are cancelling our Dec 23-Jan24 35 day OZ cruise. We’ll make both Oceania and the cruisers, not concerned about missing ports,  happy by freeing up space for them. Not willing to spend $35K each, including BZ class air, to float around missing ports or watching the hull be cleaned for the following cruise. They’ll just be more delightful sea days for the cruisers, Oceania’s customers of choice.

 

When spending $35K you don’t want to wind up with as many sea days as a  crossing cruise.  Our first 17 O cruises, cancelled ports,  shortened port stops and completely changed itineraries were never something to be concerned about and didn’t occur except for an isolated obvious extreme weather condition. Our last 3 cruises and one future have been quite different.  Croatia ports cancelled on 2 cruises and Venice switched to Istanbul (expected Trieste) and 14 day southern Carib cancelled and replaced with 12 day. western Carib cruise. We cancelled 3. Never any explanation for these changes. 
We never use O air or excursions but with all the changes, one may now have to. 

2 hours ago, babysteps said:

Hey @Jayne E could you share the embarkation date of the Aug 2023 Riviera where they changed ports on you? We're looking at a Marina Oct 2023 with some of the same ports, trying to see when/if they update the online itineraries. Will help us decide whether to book or not, and after looking online I wasn't sure which exact cruise they did this to you on, thanks!!

So sorry......typo....it was our August 2022 on Riviera that had the changes with Croatia ports cancelled.  Now our June 2024 had all Croatia ports cancelled.

8 hours ago, ak1004 said:

 

Accidently we will be on this sailing.. but the funny thing is that the very next sailing shows the actual Bordeaux, not Le Verdon.

So are the “tides” changing in one week? Probably not.  Yes, Le Verdon was not misleading….just underwhelming, especially compared to Bordeaux Port. 
Can we all agree that recently there have been numerous itinerary, port and time changes?

Weve been cruising only Oceania since 2007….have encountered an isolated situation occasionally but nothing like our recent and upcoming cruises.  Not limited to a particular region…..changes are across all. 

47 minutes ago, ak1004 said:

 

Looks pretty clear to me. The same way as Paris (Honfleur), London (Portsmouth) and many other ports.
 

Sorry, your comparison doesn’t work in this case as Bordeaux has a beautiful port located in the heart of the city. Paris, London, Rome, Florence do not….reason for long drives to visit.  The Oceania 2 day stop in Bordeaux is wonderful. Le Verdon is not.

Way too many shortened port times, cancelled ports and an entire itinerary cancelled!

14 day cruise on Riviera, December 2024, Southern/Eastern Carib cancelled and replaced with 12 days Western Carib. $250 SBC offered for “inconvenience”.  We cancelled!

August 2023 Riviera, all Croatia ports cancelled and replaced with 2 stops in Igoumenitsa and 2 other unknown Greek ports….notified after final payment.
Last week notified that Venice (expected Trieste) and Croatia ports cancelled. Replaced with a sea day, Izmir & Istanbul. $250 SBC offered for “inconvenience”. We cancelled!

This May is our free 20th cruise. We will then monitor these boards regarding cancelled ports, shortened times, etc. with regard to continue cruising with Oceania.  A shame, as food and service is still excellent. However, management is messing up the product. 

PS: Don’t advertise Le Verdon as Bordeaux. The Bordeaux port is in the heart of Bordeaux and was a wonderful overnight.  Le Verdon is an isolated port with not much to see at all. Two hours each way to Bordeaux. 

9 hours ago, mauibabes said:

For those of us who use Oceania Air, I think it is an outstanding policy change. 
Mauibabes

Agree….also good for O. On our August 2022 cruise out of Rome, 42 people with O air didn’t make the ship and when they caught up with ship at next port, many had no luggage. Big expense for O.  They’re quite aware of cancelled flights and strikes and now probably would prefer passengers arrange flights 1-3 days early. 

11 minutes ago, rbtan said:

Wow! You're the epitome of a chair hog & pretty much admit it.

You like to toss about your “chair hog” description. Get a good book and stop watching how long everyone’s lunch and/or bathroom and/or swim time takes.

I completely agree 2 hours away too long and yes, one couple holding 4 loungers unacceptable. However, your harsh label of me for wanting a lunch and bathroom break is mean spirited. 

5 hours ago, shepherd really said:

As soon as you get up, it is no longer your lounge.   Enjoy your lunch, then find an unoccupied lounge.

And you can keep telling yourself that…..

2 hours ago, cjwags said:

I was able to see the list of cruises available from my TA today.  Our 2024 Riviera cruise is listed.  Now comes the question if Oceania will honor the sale on an already booked cruise.  Any experience with this out there?  I realize that I would loose any previous promotions, but all three O Life perks would be a much better deal for us.  

 

And yes, we do take ship excursions (in combination with independent ones), we do buy the drinks package, and we would love extra SBC to offset gratuities, bottles of premium wine at dinner, etc.So this sale seems like a good deal to us!

Should have no problem. Yes, prior promotions eliminated. 

I received the current promotion of $600 OBC on an already booked cruise, but my TA’s grats of $250 OBC from O was removed. Still an extra $350 OBC

Getting up for lunch should not be a lounge loss.  Same as getting up for the bathroom!! And shouldn’t have to make lunch “quick”.  Some have lunch in MDR and can easily take an hour.  As long as you’re at the pool for the day, should be your lounge.  
It’s those who go off for an excursion and return hours later that are unfair to fellow passengers, not someone who needs to “get up” for a good reason.

“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. 

2 hours ago, LHT28 said:

Ahh  maybe  trying to recruit  new pax

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. 

8 minutes ago, LHT28 said:

if you are signed up with O for their specials  do they not  notify you?

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.

1 hour ago, shepherd really said:

Yes, in North America it doesn't appear on the Oceania website yet but if you have the right agent you can get the list of included cruises.  

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. 
 

4 hours ago, jgoldchain said:

Thank you for the detailed explanation. We also skipped Puerto Plata and also ran out of certain food items. We have been on 12 Oceania cruises before and also found the lunch buffet was not as good as on previous voyages. This cruise was not the Oceania we are accustomed to.

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.

2 hours ago, What A Market said:

Same as your cruise. 
Puerto Plata cancelled due to expected high winds at the time of our departure. 

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. 

4 hours ago, BSR said:

Yes, random person who answered the phone.   I tried asking about the 20th Anniversary sale and the promotions, but she wasn't very helpful or maybe not experienced. 

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