canuck.qc

Your TA should have explained all this to you. That said, a good TA should give you some of their own perks such as PPG, OBC, internet, etc. that can make up the loss. It all can be very frustrating so if this TA doesn't come through, on your cruise ask around for recommendations. Have a nice trip.

I personally would not upgrade to a concierge level cabin, it is the same size as the B3. The ex balcony is practical and has room for 2 loungers, worth more than a bottle of bubbly & spa deck. We enjoyed lounging on our balcony rather than spending time on the spa deck (somewhat boring & no services). The 7111 cabin, depicted in the previous post, is excellent because of the open side. Of course, just my opinion.

Those are both the red eyes that objection was found with... same 11pm like departure same crummy 5-6 am arrival in PPT

 

On my next trip...I am taking the air credit $1200 because I can get an Air france business seat for$1750. O wants like $1900 for coach, and with the deviation of $175 that pushed it to $ 2075, moreover for Business O wants $2850pp plus the deviation... I only need a 1 way Tahiti to US. I dont need a a flight to LA to catch the cruise.. other cheaper ways.

Dan,

None of the flights I mentioned are Redeyes. There is no way anyone from the east coast can get cheaper flights than what O offers. To get the flights you want one has to take the deviation.

I am very sad to read about Don. We spoke several times thru emails, giving me advice and recommendations. He will be missed, especially here on CC.

All costs we incurred from the few visits we made to the ship doctor was covered by our travel insurance...we were not overly concerned what the costs were, exactly why we always purchase travel insurance including cancellation.

I know O has charter flights from LAX too Tahiti,do they also have charter flights from Tahiti to LAX? Leaving earlier than the usual midnight flight or the early 9 am flight?

With a deviation, which I highly recommend, I got a 4:30pm flight out of LAX and a 10:30am flight out of PPT. Both on ATN.

There is no liquor in the mini fridge

I seem to remember small liquor bottles in the mini fridge in our cabin:confused::confused:

My three hotel recommendations: Hotel St.James, The Nelligan, and Place d'Armes. They are excellent boutique hotels in Old Mtl. and in walking distance to the sites.

I have sailed on both size O ships and also in concierge on the Nautica and this is what I found: I would not book concierge again as the extra cost was not worth it IMO. I like the intimacy of the R size and it's ability to get up close to the destinations. It was also quick and easy to disembark on port intensive itineraries. I also like the larger O ships when the itinerary has more relaxed itineraries and plan to spend more time on the ship. More restaurants and more activities as mentioned by LHT28. I very much enjoyed the B3 extended balcony on the Marina (7111) which the R size does not have. I would recommend you choose primarily for the itinerary and be assured you will definitely enjoy whichever O size ship takes you there, they are both great!

Hands down one of the best travel diaries I've read here in years!

Thanks for all the work you are putting into your posts, totally entertaining.

L

Great blog, beautiful photos & commentary.

Thanks for doing this, I'm following along!

These are my pics of cabin 7111. I absolutely recommend this cabin!

You will enjoy the extra space and the open side of the balcony.

Bon voyage:)

I have to agree, it's not O, it's your fellow passengers.

+1 Some of the worst behavior I've ever witnessed while travelling has been on our cruises...we've sailed exclusively on Oceania:( I often wonder- where there is affluence there is an elevated sense of entitlement. This type of behavior has been my principal complaint on all our cruises.

All sounds lovely but just don't come to Switzerland and try to open an account here as an American. Swiss banks have been "firing" their US clients and won't open new accounts for US nationals - because of FATCA amongst other things.

 

I have the greatest sympathy for our Canadian friends. For the past 15 years or so I have been dealing here in CH with a USD that was dropping and dropping. Finally it has started to turn around. But is still a long way from the 1fr20 to the USD that it was 20 years back... You just put your head down and get on with your life. Currency fluctuations are not something you can control - but you can budget for a "worst case" scenario and be happy when it is less than that.

 

happy New Year everyone!:)

+1 Gerry

I am more than happy to take land vacations through our beautiful provinces till the dollar gets back on track:) Happy Holidays

We booked one of the Canadian specials - 20% off the usual price. The email / linked page only gives some sample prices - for other cabins, take off 20%. Yes, I know our dollar has dropped more than that, but still reasonable.

I would hardly call the 20% reasonable when the CDN is at 1.40!!!

It's a nice gesture but it hardly makes a dent on the total & when one is traveling overseas you get hit with the Euro exchange. I, for one, am thinking of cancelling my Sirena cruise for and extended x-country trip.

Cheryl,

PPT is unlike most embarkation ports. There are absolutely no facilities and the arrival/departure flight times pose a real challenge. If you are prepared it will be less of a strain. The options are few, the best is to arrive a few days in advance, book a day-room, or book a transfer which includes an island tour. The same applies to excursions. To guarantee quality tours, book them online and in advance. Most ports are not DIY.

When you opt to pay the air deviation fee and provide a preferred flight itinerary, how long before Oceania comes back with their outcome (let you know about possible additional upcharges, confirm or deny your itinerary, etc). Do they wait to book/ticket the air itinerary until 75 days prior like they do without an air deviation fee?

Put your deviation request in ASAP to your TA. My flights were confirmed far before 75 days. I can't be certain, but I think it was at the earliest booking date (270 days prior) The upcharge was calculated immediately. Give your TA a few flight options. I found the process to be quick, a good TA is important for getting you what you request.

We are doing Papeete to Lima on April 11/16. We leave from YUL which is one of their gateways. Before I booked I quickly priced one way air from YUL to Tahiti and the cost was an amazing $3000pp CDN and then I would still have to add the Lima to YUL flight. That prompted me to take Oceania's air, so even if I pay a deviation fee, I think I will still come out ahead.

We did a Polynesian cruise on Marina YUL-LAX-PPT and we opted for the deviation. It was impossible to get better than the O price.

We researched the best flights, asked our TA for the 8a.m. AC YUL-LAX and the afternoon ATN LAX to PPT. The up charge was minimal, around 100pp over the deviation cost. We had our flight details and seats nearly a year out. It took a bit longer to get the LAX-PPT flights settled but it was at least 6mths out.

We asked our TA to pay our deviation cost as a perk, along with PPG and OBC's.

It is important you use a TA who deals with O. They can make it work out for you. Bon Voyage!

Are you on the Regatta?

The smaller 'R' Class Oceania ship Sirena start FP itineraries in 2017.

We did FP on Marina and I never felt that the ship overwhelmed the locations.

If you are into water sports the PG is better choice. If the ship is your destination O ships are beautiful.

Fabulous photos.

Thank you

Thank you Kazu for your posts. I very much enjoy this travel- type of review the pictures are wonderful and not boring at all!

Really enjoy the formal nights on P&O but are happy to go with whatever dress code applies to a cruise line. Can't do with people who book a cruise and then complain that the cruise line doesn't allow what you want !!!

 

Just thinking that if we were to do Oceania hubby would wear what he always wears for smart / casual nights (smart trousers and a shirt with collar and sleeves) while I wear smart dresses / dress trousers / nice tops. He also has a nice casual jacket he could wear.

 

Am just wondering if I could be ok with a long black dress like I wear on a formal night on P&O. NOT a ball gown or dressy formal gown, just a simple black evening dress or similar.

 

I know that people say you wear what you want on O but I would feel uncomfortable as the only one !!!

 

Hope this makes sense - thank you:)

Your long dress will be fine & you will not be out of place. I've worn short, long & maxi dresses on my O cruises. Comfortable & easy to pack. I think the faux pas would be wearing them dripping in jewels & matching tiara:eek:

Hubby brings a jacket, more often worn for pre & post cruise occasions.

I am certain you'll enjoy the the casual-chic ambiance of O.

So sorry about the stress regarding the flights-no way to start a vacation.

 

Glad you are taking us along with you-we were so close to booking an Oceania cruise but then booked HAL. Just having trouble leaving what we are used to so am really looking forward to your comparison.

 

Hoping the rest of your trip goes very smooth.

Oceania has some very good 'Canadian Specials'. Ask your TA about them, they

do not appear on their website. I just got an email within the last couple days. I highly recommend you give O a try, their service & food is excellent and the ships are beautiful!

Don, your page is fantastic. Subscribed and ready to go!