PaulMCO

More garbage and BS from Oceania. It also impacts Oceania tours. At Recife -- changed a 1:45 pm tour to a late morning tour because of an earlier planned departure. That tour got back (all 4 buses) at 2:15pm and Terrace promptly closed forcing 200 people to descend on Waves. Guess what that looked like. That day my wife had her never Oceania again face on.

Travel agent -- effective Jan 1, 2023

MIA - day 18 of 21 (segment 1)

Seems like they are running out of things. Some fruits are getting old. Dry cereals out of certain ones. Ran out Lamb Chops in Terrace 3 nights ago. Have plenty of liquor in the cabin 🙂

NEW | Beverage Package Pricing Structure Advance Purchase (Prior to Sailing) $29.95 per guest, per day – House Select $59.95 per guest, per day – Prestige Select Onboard Purchase $39.95 per guest, per day – House Select $69.95 per guest, per day – Prestige Select

We are not talking about wood versus beige. We are talking about dimly lit halls, that are further accented with dark brown carpets - that is the current Marina. Ugly looking furniture that looks worn (but is not). No USB charging. No outlets next to the bed for charging an iPAD (Oceania Suite). The ship was obviously designed 10 years ago and shows it.

Marina will not be re imagined until 2024 from multiple sources on board. While not worn -- everything on Marina is dated. Very dark and dim.

Maybe they will eliminate the 6 free bottles you get in a top suite (O suite and higher) 😞

It was not because of their $30 charge on a specialty restaurant. Their parents structural issues and over expansion into river cruises and ship yards caused its failure. (an of course you know this) We are now RSSC fans, might give Crystal another look but certainly being burnt and owed money leaves a bitter taste in ones mouth.

And Jacques was quite empty last night at the 630pm seating -- perhaps it was because New Years eve. So go figure.. Meal was disappointing - had the pork rack which was tough and tasted like a slab of Virginia Ham (salty) We have Toscana 4X already 2 in restaurant on 2 in the suite. Most consistent of the specialties. Polo bad both times -- I really do not understand the meat issue. Texas Roadhouse has better steaks. As a Crystal regular, yes the howls initially, but they sort of died out after it was implemented as on the longer cruises you would get 2 reservations per. Then of course $60 for two at Nobu is a bargain compared to the price he charges in Vegas (at Caesars)

Have you looked at who are the board of NCL Holdings. The CEO -- Mr. who shall be not be named -- are all old buddies/cronies of his. Lets see -- several former members of Apollo Management, a former travel professional, former bankers who have been given business by NCL. The board has been negligent in its oversight of the company and too generous of certain executives pay, including that of who that shall not be named.

You also have to look at SS new Port to Port fares where the 15% deposit is not refundable. This is a big downer for me and would cause me to give my future bus,iness to other lines. I book my own biz travel and used to do 200 nights per year in Marriott, IHG, Rotana and Accor properties (still do 100 nights per year). Definitely seeing more non-refundable offers. What I noticed in the last year are more first night non refundable deposits especially at IHG properties, or fully refundable but you have to prepay the entire stay to gain cash post COVID. When I encounter these crazy rules, I try to find another hotel or find a decent corporate code I can use to get a better cancellable rate.

I have commented on mid cruise survey and heard zero from this. One letter back stated they are waiting for Miami to make a decision on compensation. The other said no compensation will be given. I will not hold my breath...

It's been three years since an Oceania cruise. We generally do DIY or private tour using tours by locals. This cruise has been an exception as we booked several Oceania tours since we had a boat load of non refundable OBC. So far all but one has been a disaster. I NOW remember how bad and inconsistent their tours were. What Oceania publishes when they sell you the tour in advance from the descriptions online, in your final emailed documentation, and the blue book are markedly different from what is actually done. Non of these descriptions have been updated since the Pandemic. Example -- St Maarten was to be a stop at the Butterfly farm and then a stop for shopping at Marigot. Well guess what -- just an Island tour. The Butterfly farm was destroyed in 2017 by Hurricane Ian and never rebuilt. We are in Manaus today and yesterday. Same issue. Rubber Plantation was closed. Military Zoo closed, Animal rescue center closed. All have been closed since COVID and never reopened. Destination services response -- we will forward your comments to Miami. Good luck with that..

So why did they not raise the PH and OC suites??

Hopefully it goes to the crew and not into Juniors back pocket

in 2025 it is 9,500. I think you will find some better fares once the airlines start increasing numbers of flights. For late 2023 I was able to see some $8000 flights on Air NZ and some 8900 flights. It is a roulette game right now. My Japan 2024 cruise had a $4000 Biz class fare when booked a year ago. The booking now has a $6000 fare. Needless to say happy to take the air ticket and pay the $4K Each person has their own choice and who knows how healthy one will be in 2 years. We certainly are finding the cuisine of Regent far better than Oceania. Terrace is the only difference which we like on O in the evenings after a long day of touring. Many people like to do private tours (which we occasionally do also). But if you compare tours and how they are organized, Regent has less people on a tour bus or boat. Today was a zoo with Oceania. They squeezed 76 people on our river Amazon boat. (yes I know should have done a private tour)

You do know you do not have to take either the "free" biz air and free land tours and get credits for both. We do same -- but the opposite -- cruise only prices and add drinks or shorex's at $100 pp per day. Because of uncertain air prices, Regent is hedging the costs of included prices with extremely high numbers. Examples are Biz RT Australia/NZ of $9500 pp and Papeete RT is $10,000. These are extremely high and tickets can be purchase today at 60% those numbers.

If there is no elitism on Oceania then why are the key cards color coded. White/Blue for Verandas, Insides, Oceanview Silver for Concierge Gold for PH Gold with black (and type of suite) for Oceania, Vista, Owner's

Yes I have to all points. Love Durian.. Have had sashimi lobster with the meat still alive and of course rice birds crunchy little devils. My Chinese customers tried to gross me out. I returned the favor when they came to USA in the early 1980's. Been to the exotic food restaurants in Guangzhou in the early 1980's. Tripe and chicken feet soup was food I had growing up as my grandmother cooked these. I really do not like Asian Fusion. Would give a similar mark to Regents Pacific Rim Crystal had a decent Japanese restaurant with decent Sashimi.

I bet they send the divers down to inspect it at the technical stop.

We have been through all of the specialty restaurants at least once - some twice on our current Marina voyage. Only Polo really disappoints. Polo - F steak was overcooked and tough (it was a 12 oz rib eye which should never be either). Toscana - B plus. Service was spotty the first visit second visit was exceptional. Osso Buco was a little tough needed to be cooked longer. Lobster Fra Diavolo was excellent. Jacques - A. Food was exceptional. Onion soup and Chocolate moose were to die for. Lobster Thermidor and prime rib both excellent. Only negative (as expected) is the noise level when full. Red Ginger. B minus. Never a fan of fake Asian food. Sushi and Sashimi were both garbage. Sashimi was micro thin and was only tuna and salmon. The rolls were chewy and the rice was poor quality. Pad Thai was very good -- needed some additional fire and some Chili oil fixed that.

Same here on board in our stateroom after dinner. We are only Gold.

Obviously you have not traveled Regent. Included air can be deleted just like Oceania Included pre cruise hotel can be deleted also. This "free" hotel is only provided for Concierge and greater cabins Not all cruises have a free pre/post land portion. These can be deleted also should you wish. The inclusive points are the included are the booze and the excursions. We we do O we do cruise only, We we do Regent it is cruise only unless their allowance for Biz class Air is a value. Our next RSSC cruise includes biz air to Japan for $4000. Currently that is a bargain but just like O you can delete same at final payment.

Not really -- it is worth $60 pp per day if you use Oceania standards. You can add the delta cost of $100 pp per day for the included shore excursions Plus for the same size ship 750 passengers versus 1200 for Oceania plus a better crew to passenger ratio. Better entertainment - by far Much better enrichment activities. Our last Regent cruise had excellent guest speakers. Our current Oceania cruise has two of the MOST BORING speakers. Why do ex professors seem to be Oceania's choice for enrichment. If I wanted a history lecture, I would go back to college. We like Oceania (and may book another onboard), but for some itineraries Regent is best and others Oceania may suit our needs (plus that of Seabourn and Silversea). But for food Regent is better than O in general.