edgee

8 hours ago, Keith1010 said:

You are incorrect

I do not believe I was incorrect. I acknowledged that there was some grousing about the decision at the time. Main point was the inclusive move was eventually accepted and appreciated. Crystal continued to be successful and loved by guests, until other factors intervened several years later. Also, the quality of enrichment and entertainment did not suffer in any way. Thus, I was pointing what IMO is the false choice of including laundry or keeping quality enrichment.

39 minutes ago, May B said:

They don’t allow you to do this for a fee? 

Oh good grief. We've already been through all of this, discussing the "luxury" of having it included, vs. paying several bucks for each pair of socks, for example. I see many Crystal cheerleaders who talk about how classy/ wonderful it is to have drinks included...not having to pull out your card every time a cocktail is served. When Crystal began including alcohol and other drinks about twelve years ago, I did not see the false choice being raised about how enrichment would suffer...maybe a little bit of "you're paying for it somewhere," but mostly praise. Now even the suggestion of Crystal including another benefit now trending in the luxury cruise market brings out cynical comments with the implication that if Crystal doesn't or can't offer it, it isn't a good idea, anyway.

On 7/2/2024 at 3:10 PM, 1985rz1 said:

Oceania  provides free detergent.  It's ocean friendly, so regular detergent from home is not recommended.

Ocean friendly and less effective IMHO. Also, on Vista the machines have a not pleasant mildew like smell, which can happen with front loading washers unless you leave the doors open when not in use. (We used to have one at home.) Between less than stellar laundry detergent and slightly stinky washers our laundry we did on the ship lacked a fresh smell...had a slightly unpleasant odor to it.

On 7/3/2024 at 10:37 AM, vlthom said:

You are right about Dominique.  He’s a very hands on leader and runs things very well, in my opinion.

Dominique is wonderful. During our recent two cruises on Vista he stood at the bottom of the gangway as we came down headed for a shore excursion. One day, as usual, he greeted me with a smile. Then simultaneously with pointing out that my shoe was untied, he got down on one knee and tied it for me. It was an embarrassingly (for me) wonderful level of service from a great, caring guy. He also was the bearer of the bad news I learned in a discussion with him, of the reasoning (legal liability) that NCLH companies do not enforce chair hogging issue, as they are not allowed to remove personal belongings from loungers. He did not say he agreed with it, merely that it was corporate policy. I appreciated his candor.

3 hours ago, BWIVince said:

Those lines get the win for allocation on laundry, and Crystal gets the win on allocating those resources on other things, and whether that’s a win or fail depends on which you value.

 

I think while a couple of hundred bucks for laundry service during the course of a cruise is comparatively trivial, folks balk at the thought of paying a specified amount per laundry item such as $3 to have a pair of socks washed or $5 for a pair of gym shorts, etc. etc. On the other hand if, the cruise fare is $200 higher with included laundry service being a contributing factor, they gladly pay the fare and marvel at the "wonderful" inclusion. I guess same could be said about Crystal's wonderful entertainment and enrichment sessions...you are paying for them in the fare. On the other hand, if you do not appreciate or want that level/quality of entertainment you can go on another luxury cruise line and be satisfied with much lesser entertainment/enrichment quality or load up your kindle or visit the game room and entertain yourself.

20 minutes ago, Roland4 said:

YAWN!!!!!!

 

Let's look closely and see just how many angels can dance on the head of this pin!!!

 

Let's get real here! If one can afford Crystal/Regent/Seabourn/Silversea, why are we arguing about "free" laundry?? If ever there was a "who cares" topic, this is it!!!

Some folks do care. Significantly adds to the luxury experience. 

2 minutes ago, Thefling1982 said:

Sorry. The title is correct, but also might be a little click-bait-y. I'm having trouble sending the wire transfer for casino funds on an upcoming cruise. My bank requires the recipients address, which is oddly not listed on the wire instruction. Any chance anyone has dealt with this before and maybe knows the address they use? Customer support can't help me, and I can't get a response from anyone with the cruise line. I can't be the first person to run into this issue. I'm hoping maybe someone can help me. I apologize if this info is up in another thread. I'm new here and didn't see it. Going on my first cruise at the end of the month. Thanks in advance if anyone has any info. 

Have never wired funds to Celebrity and I play a great deal in the casino. I just apply for a line of credit,  get approved, take out markers to play and bring a check with me to pay any debt at the end of the cruise. Easy.

2 hours ago, Keith1010 said:

I have always said choice is good.

 

You have two choices.

 

Use the self service laundry.

Have Crystal do your wash.

 

But that does not mean you get it free when you have Crystal wash it fro you?

 

 

But on Regent you do get it free...so Regent gets the point on that one comparatively small issue. Geesh...some other cruise lines do a FEW things better than Crystal... but on the whole Crystal wins by a good margin IMHO.

12 hours ago, Keith1010 said:

I remember having dinner on the 2015 WC with two other couples and for whatever reason the discussion turned to laundry and the gent was complaining about it saying Regent included it but Crystal didn't.  Knowing that he enjoyed lectures as we did I said how did you find the lecture program on Crystal compared to Regent. He said far superior on Crystal.  I said there is a cost of doing most things. In Crystal's case this meant dedicating rooms to lecturers that could be used for revenue generating guests (yes I know not all cruises were full but on the 2015 WC it was full for most segments) and said which one do you want more lectures or included laundry.

 

I learned in business that often the customer cherry picks. I get it but the reality is each line does some things the other one does not do.

 

I did read on another site the CEO chimed in about the laundry when people asked why they could not include this for everyone.  She said it was not possible.  She also noted it was for one cruise.

 

Having visited the laundry area on tours done for the World Cruisers I am amazed they can even keep up with the basics including linens, towels, etc for all of the rooms/suites and those who pay to have items done.

 

I've not sailed Regent. I have sailed other luxury lines and on many other ships. My own experience is that the self service laundry rooms on Crystal are significantly larger than on the other ships we have sailed and with less guest capacity now it makes it easier to find open washers and dryers.

 

For us even when laundry is included we don't send it out. We prefer to do it ourself knowing how we prefer to wash it including what gets dried and what doesn't and when it needs to come out.  I also think back to people who we've become friends with on that chance encounter(s) of meeting them in the laundry room.

 

It's interesting that both new Crystal and old Crystal chose not to include laundry as part of the Crystal Society Benefits Program so they have to have thought this through.

 

I wonder how many people end up seeking compensation when their laundry doesn't come back the way they thought it would and something changes color or shrinks permanently.

 

I am just happy new Crystal is back and that there are these terrific self service laundry rooms on board.

 

Keith

 

 

As many have said, it is good to have choice. Regent offers choice with nice self serve laundry facilities on every deck as well as included great/quick turnaround laundry service. Regent offers more choices in that than one aspect than Crystal. Check one in the comparison box where Regent is better. Period.

Now if you want to talk about enrichment, entertainment, customer focused attention, excursion opportunities, dedication of staff, could go on and on...we know where those boxes are checked.

Would be great if they copied Regent model where everybody gets free laundry including pressing...24 hour turnaround. Leave it in bag on your bed before nightly turndown..back before dinner next day.

3 minutes ago, rim2rimhiker said:

There were a lot of empty tables on the first night of the cruise so it shouldn’t be so rushed.  They weren’t going to add any new reservations.

First night in the moment observations are not a fair indication of demand and available reservation slots.

I am understanding of the need for such a pace. Fact that there are fewer available specialty restaurant slots available than can meet demand is a probable reason for slightly faster pace than many would like. As a courtesy to fellow guests I am willing to tolerate a pace which us a bit on the fast side.

1 hour ago, Jim_Iain said:

I've taken numerous cruises to Norway and Scandanavia.    As many said tipping is not expected and common.    My observation has been that the majority of the tips he gladly accepted were in USD.   He was just pleased to be so honored for his hard work. Since they work in the tour trade they easily convert whatever they receive in any currency. 

 

Remember they appreciate gratuities regardless of currency.   They fully understand most of their guests will not have Norwegian Krone

I respect your opinions and almost always find your postings most insightful. However on this one, I respectfully disagree. I think making the slight extra effort to obtain a small amount of foreign currency for tips is a way of showing respect for citizens of the country I am visiting.

On 6/14/2024 at 7:54 PM, Rebels82 said:

Oceania and Seabourn casinos are non smoking.

Add Regent to the list.

On 6/25/2024 at 10:21 PM, AMHuntFerry said:

SM shorex credit can only be used for shorex; anything left over goes goes into the abyss. That's how it currently works, but change is always possible. If any of your tours have a spendier version "OE" that would be a way to eat up the remainder while taking the same but less crowded tour.

One thing to note is that the SM shorex credit will be used first, so if your other shorex are being covered by OClub and TA OBC, then any remaining OClub/TA OBC is put toward grats (or other onboard spending).

I love your use of the term "abyss." Definitely accurate. We were on LA to Miami cruise on Vista last November. Excursion at Grand Cayman, our last stop, was cancelled after we got off the tender boat in port. (Seas too choppy for snorkel excursion.) No alternate tours available...went to reception desk who sent me to destination services for clarification whether there was a way to use the now remaining $198 worth of SM excursion credit. Was inaccurately told it could be used for cooking classes, but they were all booked. Destination services sent me back to reception desk where the officer in charge told me that the $198 was now unusable since there were no more ports to take excursions.

3 minutes ago, ORV said:

Are they at a comparable price point? But to be fair don't you have to compare at least a PH on Oceania to those suites in the Retreat?

Good point. I was only addressing the issue of size. 

6 hours ago, ORV said:

You can not be serious!

 

Have you seen an R ship bathroom? 

 

We all have our points of view, but frankly I find it hard to see any credibility here if you think a Veranda bathroom on an O ship is cramped. What are you comparing this to? You mentioned Celebrity Retreat, they have quite a few levels of rooms. 

Every Celebrity retreat cabin bath is more spacious than those in an O class ship category A or below. However I do agree, that all bathrooms on O class ships are decent sized except the unremodeled Marina showers are a bit cramped. LOL, unless you are very thin, impossible to bend down and pick up a bar of soap off the floor without opening the shower door.

On 6/17/2024 at 8:01 PM, TN_travels said:

I took the Uniworld Paris-Normandy cruise last year and it was great- I am

happy to answer any questions. 
 

The longest bus rides were to Honfleur (maybe 45 minutes?) and the Normandy beaches. On both occasions the tour guide gave a nice talk about what we were going to see, and the rides themselves were quite lovely (very interesting scenery). In Rouen, Caudebec en Caux and La Roche Guyon we walked right off the ship into the city. In Paris we were docked by the Eiffel Tower. We arrived early before the start of the cruise on Sunday and took a quick Uber into town to sightsee. 
 

there is a bistro onboard which is more casual, but it is not open every night and due to space does require a reservation. They do have a bar menu of sandwiches, salads, etc which you can eat if the dining room is closed. 

We have already spent a meaningful day at the Normandy beaches...off of an ocean cruise four years ago. If we choose not to take a Normandy tour, Uniworld offers no other options. Is the location on the river where the ship docks on the day of the tours to Normandy a good location for individual sightseeing?

Considering Uniworld. Reviewing on line videos and deck plans. Unlike many other river cruise lines Uniworld top decks do not appear to have a running/ walking track. Is it possible to do exercise walking on the ship, or does no marked walking oval mean that chairs are often in the way?

3 minutes ago, clo said:

It just occurred to me that Oceania is turning into several different cruise lines. Passengers are going to need to study each one. Is this how small lines do?

Lots of larger lines have huge differences between their different ships..Celebrity comes to mind.

Glad you enjoyed your time on Vista. After 27 nights on her in two different cabins the TV sound between cabins issue is a deal breaker for us. Kudos to you for having a plan to deal with the issue. Inability to use SM shore excursion credits after our excursions were cancelled near the end of the cruise is a distant second. We have a 25 night cruise on Marina coming in July and are very much looking forward to it, but due to our disappointment with Vista and the way SM is being handled by the company, we will be very selective about the kind of Oceania cruise we book in the future and it certainly will not be on Vista.

2 hours ago, Sthrngary said:

BTW, since you are both in the Concierge and going to Alaska; when the do Glassier Bay, you have access to the Thermal Outdoor Spa Area in the front of the ship.

Oceania never ever does Glacier Bay. Only a couple of cruise lines have the needed federal approvals. AFAIK no NCLH cruise lines have the approvals. They, of course do visit other Glaciers, however. 

6 hours ago, Janie1229 said:

Looking for recommendations on travel insurance with good primary medical coverage and adequate trip delay/interruption. I purchased insurance with IMG Travel SE and now still waiting after 30 days for a claim I submitted for hotel cost when our outgoing flight was cancelled. 

 

Has anyone purchased travel insurance and had good luck with filing a claim, quickly and painlessly? Many of these policies seem great and unless you actually file a claim, you really don't know how "good" they are to work with. I may be reimbursed by this trip insurance, but still waiting after 30 days. Maybe that's normal, I don't know....

Call tripinsurancestore.com. Owner Steve Dasseos is truly a guru of trip insurance.  They handle several different policies including img and give great advice. Difference is they will intervene on your behalf if you are getting an inappropriate runaround when you file a claim.

44 minutes ago, Flatbush Flyer said:

most food oriented publication (and major metro news food reviews) have always placed O at the top of their cruise ship accolades list (and way ahead of Regent).

Not sure what you mean by "most" reviews, but IME, Regent's Compass Rose main dining room far exceeds Oceania's Grand Dining Room in terms of both service and its much much more diverse menu options. Specialty dining on Regent is equal to Oceania. O's Terrace Cafe "buffet" is probably a little better than Regent's equivalent venue known as La Veranda. I do like Oceania's Wave's (Sandwich, Burger bar area) better than equivalent area on Regent, but not by much. One advantage of Oceania is that they offer a very good buffet area with Lobster/steak grill each evening. It is wonderful for a casual evening meal after a hard day of touring, for example. Regent has no such equivalent evening dining option, since their buffet turns into a sit down Italian restaurant in the evening. Regent has promised a casual dining option on their two upcoming new builds which will debut in 3 and 5 years.

On 10/7/2023 at 3:56 PM, Roz said:

No, I always buy 3rd party insurance. 

I normally purchase 3rd party insurance when I travel, but because Tauck coverage is not age rated for anyone 65 or older it is a great value. Taking my first Tauck river cruise and the travel insurance agency I use recommended the following strategy: Purchase the Tauck policy which insures the cost of the Tauck cruise and then purchase another policy with a very low coverage threshold to cover medical costs and air travel expenses not purchased through Tauck. By keeping the max payout of the 3rd party policy really low, you will save a lot in terms of the premium, yet still combined with the Tauck policy you will have great coverage to meet your needs.