Sabbycat

The client service centres are confirming it. So it would be official, announcement or not

I predict they will kick them out of Retreat. But I don't know how they will justify the expensive prices.

Just wait, they will take away those benefits too. But keep increasing the cost. Apparently they think their customers are idiots

We paid $200 pp/night more for SS Retreat than Penthouse suite on Oceania, so I would not say that Celebrity is cheaper.

I find once you complain/provide feedback the service magically gets better EVERYWHERE! But one shouldn't have to complaint to start getting the level of service that is advertised.

It is important to note that on July 1, not only did Oceania change over to the new fare schedule, they also increased fares across the board, and so it is impossible to know the actual impact (price increase) on fares that the new fare schedule has had since both occurred on the same day.

Except nothing is perfect and rather than be grumpy about things not working, having little tricks like bungie cords can make things better in a flash. No frustration. Make lemonade out of your lemons!

While it is true Oceania is costly, It is not a lot cheaper than an equally long cruise in a suite on a premium line such as Celebrity, Princess, or Cunard. Our 10 day Retreat cruise on Celebrity was more than half the price of my upcoming 20 day Oceania cruise in a suite. And I find the ship and food much better on Oceania.

Having done both directions, I strongly recommend East to West. In doing it this way you end up with a bunch of 25 hrs days rather than 23 hr days, which one would think wouldn't be a huge deal, but somehow is. We are scheduled for another Europe to N.America sailing this autumn, and Oceania does not disappoint with these sailings with lots of fun activities. I cannot recommend their autumn TA sailings enough.

Celebrity does not have belly flop contests or a lot of drunks. You are very confused. There are almost no children on Celebrity. You truly have your lines confused. I came off a Celebrity cruise recently. Average was mid 60s and it was, as usual, very sedate and quiet.

Generally it is expected that you speak quietly when there is a musical performance in a venue, regardless of the venue. Manners dictates. Alas, manners are in short supply these days. Rude behavior is being so loud that one disrupts the enjoyment of others. So yes, loud behavior is considered rude.

I didn't say it was from their own stash. The question was is it tacky to bring a glass of wine to dinner. The answer is no. I will often order a bev in one of the bars pre-dinner and not finish it. Therefore, I will take it with me to dinner to finish while looking over the menu. There is nothing tacky about that.

Judging by the number of Oceania cruisers who bring many bottles of wine aboard you would have to call half the passenger list tacky. And no, I would never say it is tacky to bring a bev with you to dinner. You are on vacation and if you are only half finish your drink when it is dinner time, then take the drink with you. People need to stop thinking what others think when it comes to something harmless as taking a drink to dinner.

It is now scheduled for May/June 2024

We really enjoy getting a coffee at Baristas after breakfast and sitting in the Library while drinking it. It is very relaxing. But it is a very busy spot on a sea day!

@DCGuy64 Love Azamara, although we have not sailed with them since Sycamore took over. But Azamara is an amazing line. Younger demographic, more adventurous shore excursions, more inclusive. And quite a bit cheaper. On this line we tend to choose a Veranda Plus stateroom, as they are aft staterooms. It has that small intimate small ship feel, but a little more happening.

We felt much the same way after our first Oceania cruise, with the exception of the dining, we do not mind dining. We were in our 30s and early 40s when we first sailed with them. However, now in our mid and late forties, we are returning and cannot wait to sail with them again. We miss the smaller ship experience. The refined service, the relaxed dining, and beautiful ship with its smaller crowd and less busy experience. We also prefer the more unique itinerates that companies like Oceania sail hitting some of the smaller and more out of the way ports. We sail in a suite and really enjoy the benefits of suite life and the perks that Oceania has made available. Love the size of the stateroom, the walk-in closet etc. We usually sail for three weeks or so the larger stateroom and balcony are a huge selling point. We do find the weakest point for Oceania is their shore excursions as they are very short and not very in-depth when compared to other lines, but given the average age and mobility of Oceania cruisers I guess it makes sense, but it would be nice if they had a few that were long and very in-depth. I also really enjoy the fellow cruisers of Oceania, who are older and more well travelled. They have some fun stories to share and are enjoyable to talk to, making small talk easy and fun.

There is a little button on the top right corner of the screen (active reservation area), when you press on it, it shows you a list of about four to six cabins, certainly not all of those available, but some. However, when you try to choose one of them, it never updates to one of those. However, you can take this info to call to book a reservation via the phone, as you will know some staterooms available. But yes, I agree with everyone, this new site is horrible. Good luck everyone.

I heard on Cruise News that Oceania is bringing StarLink satellite to their ships. Has anyone heard details regarding this, such as roll out? I looked on their website but didn't see anything. Thanks 🙂

Perhaps worry more about yourself and less about others. As long as people use their technology politely, i.e. quietly, is it really any business of yours? I personally like to check the news, email and communicate with my friends and family at home. Everyone is different. But why judge others.

Please don't be the food police. Mind your own business. Seriously, so rude to do this.

Marina is getting done right before the TA cruise from Europe to N.America. There is a gap built in at the end of her last fully European cruise and the TA cruise, as I am booked on the TA cruise and tried to extend it with the last European cruise but could not due to the dry dock schedule.

Yes they are. You will see testing instructions for Up-to-Date* Guests vs Fully Vaccinated** and Unvaccinated Guests. This is mainly for cruises 10 nights and greater. All guests are treated the same, generally for cruises 9 nights and less. Please note that cruises departing from certain ports or calling on certain ports may have unique testing requirements. Please refer to Celebrity's website, Healthy at Sea for details regarding your specific sailing. COVID-19 Cruise Health & Safety Protocols | Celebrity Cruises

Pre-pandemic on Celebrity we always cruised Aqua and never had an issue with Blu. Ship was full and never had a wait time. Post-pandemic I have a feeling it has to due with lack of staff. My understanding is that they are limiting seating so that they can ensure those seated are provided with good service. The seating delay, with a pager, allows you to enjoy the rest of the ship, while you wait for your table. Easy way around is, is to head down a half hour early and grab a pager and that way you will be seated at about the time you would like to dine.

It is an iron and prohibited. Would you like to burn down the ship just for sake for wrinkles?