JimandStan

Every season brings a new generation of folks who imagine that they have a deep insight into Cruise economics and pricing.  Enjoy the freshman euphoria, you'll soon realize how complex the equations actually are.  🤑

4 hours ago, ABoatNerd said:

I agree with LHT28, if Oceania undertakes a cosmetic update of the R ships only, but ignores the structural/mechanical issues in a fleet of 20+ year old ships, then Oceania is sending a message that they think we are lemmings who will continue to book despite known quality issues. If Oceania tackles the big stuff, then I will know they are committed to ensuring a premium operating fleet.

My recent trip on Regatta included no hot water, no cold water, lukewarm water in the shower (not at busy times), no toilet for most of a day, flickering lights, no power in the middle of the night. That is not acceptable on any cruise, let alone a premium cruise line.

 

 

 I agree with you on about 95% of what you say, but speaking as somebody who has been through the Cruise Ship wars for far longer than you, I would urge you to consider that:

A) as any mechanical device ages, there are bound to be glitches along the way

B) the expense of prophylactically replacing every moving  part would be ruinous

C) the logistics of making interim repairs in the tight quarters of a cruise ship often makes a simple problem insurmountable at a given moment.

Given these realities, one has to balance the increased pleasure gained by the small passenger capacity of the R ships (which are alone in the World, at anywhere near this pricepoint) against the possible inconveniences of a plumbing or electric malfunction.

In the past when I've written a post similar to this, I've used the Waldorf Astoria in New York City as an example of a hotel where quality and  ambience trumped antique infrastructure , but sadly, the Waldorf is no more.

Outrage over small inconveniences may force the sale of the R ships to another less deluxe cruise line (they are about 25 years short of being scrapped), but that won't help any of us who are looking for low passenger capacity WITH Oceania quality in food and service.  Food for thought.   

1 hour ago, LHT28 said:

 

Hopefully   ships  are built better now than in the 60's

 

I suppose that hope must spring eternal.

Outside of electronics which did not exist, then, I can't think of anything that is built better now than in the 1960's

4 hours ago, golfguyhhi said:

Did the TA from Barcelona to Miami in November 2016 and November 2017.  No problems, no rough seas, no missed ports.  Doing it again next November.

Glad that you had good weather before, and wish you the best, next November-

However, if you sail enough at that time of year, you will learn that the Atlantic is a crapshoot during any month with an "R" in it.

This is storm damage to an Italian Line ship, sailing the supposedly calmer Southern Route during ApRil

A word to the wise is sufficient.  😉

5 minutes ago, LHT28 said:

if you board the  ship Monday  that is the 1st  night  so Tues  will be 2nd & wed the 3rd  night

 

More importantly, why wouldn't you want to be in a Specialty on the second night?

2 hours ago, floridatravelersforlife said:

FYI Sirena is doing the Barcelona to Miami TA in Nov 2019.  We are booked on it.  Should be a lot calmer.

Calmer in November?  Are you kidding?  

1 hour ago, Go-Bucks! said:

GERD is a physiological disorder after gastric surgeries too. Water intake makes no difference in those cases.

Doctors can't make money selling water, so they push pills, instead,  😒

1 hour ago, ABoatNerd said:

I paid for my cruise and I expect my service provider to explain to me why my ports were cancelled and why alternative product (ports) could not be provided.

After 40 years of working in marketing, I am not what marketing people call an "obedient and docile consumer". There are many of those.

You may want to alert that marketing team of yours  that your contract with the cruise line is for Cruising on the ship for a specific number of days, not for transportation to specific, or substituted Ports. 

In the passage contract, you agree to that concept 45 ways to Sunday  😉

10 minutes ago, Mrs f. said:

Nope. After endoscopy...GERD with hiatal hernia. I always drink loads of water

You are the exception which proves my rule 😜

1 hour ago, Mrs f. said:

  Heartburn (even with meds) if I eat too late. 

This isn't cruise related, but this information may help somebody, so I am going to pass it on:

Heartburn is nature's way of telling you that you are not drinking enough water.

Whenever one experiences heartburn,  increase water intake (note, water means water, i.e. pure enough to wash clothing in ).

Doctors can't make money selling water, so they push pills, instead,  😒

36 minutes ago, LHT28 said:

try for 6:30  you will not get food before  7pm anyway 

That might as well be lunch  

1 hour ago, riandei said:

We too are early...i was able to get 6:30 every night but the Jacques night on my birthday...we got 7:30

 

good luck

If your reservation in Jacques is on your birthday, for heaven's sake, don't mention it to them.

Talking Birthdays will result in a cake;  their souffle are FAR superior! 

1 hour ago, riandei said:

We sail jan 2 dinner jan 5... hoping to wait....but will ask them to waitlist

 

thanks

Another quick point-

If they are sold out this early, it may be possible to request that La Reserve be opened for another evening entirely.

We have done that, with success, in the past.  

Good Luck and Enjoy!

2 hours ago, Travels with Lisa said:

It's been awhile since I cruised on a ship that wasn't all inclusive.  Does Oceania have you sign for drinks if you don't have a beverage package?  I hate all those little slips!

thanks in advance

Yes they do, the process is  precisely the same as buying a drink ashore, except that:

A) One MUST pay via the Onboard Account

B) There is a mandatory 18% tip.  

Enjoy!

10 minutes ago, arima22 said:

You were on what Oceania calls a Grand Voyage, not classified as a b2b, very common in all the offerings. You will see many cruises combined when you go to the Oceania website and do a search under "find a cruise." Your TA should have explained the difference.

 

 

+1

Perhaps a cautionary tale for those who use their Agents only to provide Amenities and buybacks.

2 hours ago, Paulchili said:

Yes - airfare is included with O Life BUT it does not state that one must purchase O Life if one wants airfare included.

Airfare is always included in the price of Oceania cruises unless you wish to buy your own air and then you get air credit.

+1  

A very ambiguous point of information, succinctly stated 

1 hour ago, MoreyCreek said:

Does anyone know how far in advance the culinary classes are offered?  We are on the Marina next June and have only one sea day.  I was hoping to gift some classes for Christmas but none are announced as yet.

They  offer the classes as they acquire Staff to conduct them, usually within the 8 month window.  

1 hour ago, Mura said:

I do think we may have had a rose champagne in the pre-dinner "aperitif" get together ... Don't remember champagne during the dinner proper, although that's probably my memory at fault!

Think dessert!

31 minutes ago, Mura said:

I don't think I've ever had a rose, though ...

Funny that you should mention that, Mura, because on all but two of our La Reserve visits, the Champagne has been a 2006 Cristal Brut Rose.

3 hours ago, riandei said:

We are looking to book La Reserve for dinner but i do not eat beef or veal.  Will they make substitutions??

 

thank you

Regardless of what they "would do", I would think that being the only one not eating the suggested food pairing would more or less kill the experience for you.

Remember, in La Reserve, all of the guests are served the same courses at the same time, the point being a discussion of how the various wines pair with the food.  

If you're eating something different, you'll be left out of all that. 

If I were in your shoes, I believe that I would just skip the meat dishes discreetly.   

2 hours ago, jimdee3636 said:

You're correct that boxing gloves, though light in weight, would take up an excessive amount of space in your luggage, which is another reason why most cruise ship gyms don't have heavy bags. In theory, the cruise line could provide a pair of gloves in the gym for anyone to use, but would you want to put on a pair of sweaty gloves someone else just used? Me neither!

+1

I've learned an astonishing amount about these bags and why some suffer from a relentless need to punch them 😇

13 minutes ago, floridatravelersforlife said:

Hey how about equal treatment of women

 

Where on earth did you get a photo of Stans' mother?

6 minutes ago, LHT28 said:

What is the opposite of  a cheerleader ?

 

A curmudgeon.

9 hours ago, Paulchili said:

Could it be Terry from Ohio aka TLCOhio?

My guess is that he has found a more lucrative Site on which to shamelessly promote his blog.  🤐

18 minutes ago, ORV said:

To me there's more important things, like having more drink servers at lunch and dinner. 

+1, this is typically our number one complaint.  The process needs to be streamlined.