pacheco18

The two programs I mentioned give free entry to member. Fee for guest.

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If these boards are only partially representative of the sentiment of Azamara cruisers, there is no question that this marketing ploy is a dismal failure. All that remains to be seen is 1) whether it translates to significant passenger loss; and 2) whether the line can survive by alienating its most loyal passengers, eliminating loyalty benefits so as to deter cruisers from other lines from migrating over, having a dismal shore side center in Guatemala, eliminating months of itinerary time with charters, not refurbishing their ships substantially, not building any new ships when other lines are doing so.

I just do not understand why a brand with so much promise has made so many ghastly errors. Truly incomprehensible.

I just used a Priority Pass lounge in Guadalajara.

Peaceful, lots of good food, terrific lattes and cappuccinos -- not from a self serve machine.

You cannot generalize.

Even some of the airline lounges are better than others.

Again, I suggest getting a credit card that gives you FREE lounge access. No need to pay for these programs

BTW - Lounge CLub, the program from United Explorer Card (much lower fee than Amex Plat), includes many of the same lounges as Priority Pass (including the one in Buenos Aires). This is one of the cards that gives you 20k in trip cancellation and interruption insurance, for those of you who have read the thread on alternatives to buying expensive trip insurance.

More questions

The Cruise Planner is not showing any options? Is that because I am trying to book too early for a cruise next October?

I saw a reference to dining packages? Is there a discount to booking multiple alternative dining pre cruise?

And this one is for my husband -- is there Dr. Pepper on board?

Priority pass is free with Amex platinum

United explorer card also comes with a lounge access program.

U must apply but there is no fee for membership

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How do u know crew will be shared ?

I am utterly astounded at the assumptions being promulgated in response to this sale. Based on no information other than speculation

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I see that as part of the world cruise, but in may.

It's one of the new itineraries just released. Bookings open on the 17 th Your ta should have it. If u send me an email I will send brochure to you

Pacheco18@comcast.net

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I booked early for significant discount. My Veranda A-3 room at $2899 for a 7 day Carribean cruise. Just received a brochure for that cruise - our category listed as $2513.

Caribbean cruises often drop in price. The market is saturated. Many cruises do not sell well. It's the one itinerary I would not book early unless I wanted a specific cabin

Your ta should be able to help you with the price drop

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I have never been influenced to take a cruise from a brochure. I usually book before the brochure reaches me.

I agree. A lot of money is wasted on promotional materials but I imagine the marketing folks think it's worth it.

The A1 Veranda suites on Deck 7-----if you look over the veranda rail does the lifeboats on Deck 6 obstruct the view or are they completely underneath Deck 7. Hope that makes sense. What I am trying to ask is if I look directly down will I be seeing the top of a life boat.

 

Also, is there a Concierge Lounge on this ship?

 

Thank you for your help!!

There is no concierge lounge on any of the R ships -- Nautica, Regatta, Insignia

I believe Deck 7 is unobstructed. Someone else can chime in.

Hope to sail with you both again some time

We seem to have made similar choices for alternative lines

The rolex broke in a week LOL

I warned him

We had a really disappointing experience on SS in Asia. Poor food, bad attitude, etc, etc. it was a waste of money and not as they advertise. We were on the Shadow and had brown water in the bathroom sinks, and were told it was just fine to drink. We are looking forward to our Oceania trip in November. Birthdays! The big 70! I would like to see Oceanias New Zealand trips for 2016, but they do not seem to go there historically...I have booked a Royal Suite on Celebrity, which will be fine with the new suite perks. Oh it is all an adventure!

Feb 23 2016 - New Zealand

Sydney, Australia; Eden, Australia; Geelong, Australia; Melbourne, Australia; Hobart (Tasmania), Australia;

Cruising the Fjords of Milford Sound; Dunedin, New Zealand; Akaroa, New Zealand; Picton, New Zealand;

Gisborne, New Zealand; Rotorua (Tauranga), New Zealand; Bay of Islands, New Zealand; Auckland, New Zealand

Dining reservations/entertainment

Are reservations required in ALL the dining venues -- complimentary and for a fee?

How far in advance can I make reservations for dining and for entertainment?

Is there a "basic" production show as well as all the special shows that require reservations?

You need top rebook the comedy club, or you will not get in, even as a suite guest.

What type of show is comedy club?

Improv?

Basic standup comedy?

I would book main shows and some specialty dinners but leave the rest till on board

Book any special activities you want also prior

Also go to roll call section and look up the ship and cruise and join that hhread everyone will help you there

Welcome to cc and rccl

 

 

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Thanks

I have joined the Roll Call

One of the few times I haven't been the one to start the roll call. LOL

What special activities are you referring to? We are not going to do the zipline or rock climbing wall, LOL

Also Starbucks and most coffee places.

In fact, I was just in Guadalajara and San Miguel de Allende and EVERY restaurant we were in had free wifi -- they would just give you the password.

The reason we buy the unlimited internet package is that we just don't want to be bothered looking for free wifi -- especially if we are out touring. Since we are not big drinkers, the internet is our "booze."

I have no problem with offers or contests but am not happy with the deals that are available only to customers in the U.K. What are we....... chopped liver :eek: :D

I have no program with targeted offers.

Oceania marketing probably has a good reason for this.

Many UK passengers can more easily get to some of the European ports e.g. -- airfare is not as big a deal. Perhaps they can cruise on short notice. Maybe they want to build up UK business. Incentives are the way to go.

Companies do targeting marketing all the time -- credit card sign on bonuses are a perfect example. I may get one in the mail; you may not or vice versa.

It's the way of the world.

Oh, please don't get me wrong, I did think there was value there, just not double the value. Although, I certainly think it's worth crunching the numbers each and every time, because the airfare offered by Oceania can make a difference (I'm not going to call it "free," because it's not, but it's quite reasonable -- at least on the cruise I took).

For us it is the intangible.

What dollar value can you place on being on a ship with 700 passengers vs one with 2500 or 3000? I do not think there is any number crunching that can account for that.

We have had enjoyable cruises on Celebrity -- where we get a much better cabin for half the money and we now have elite benefits -- and we think the food is just fine (especially in their specialty restaurants). But every time we sailed on Celebrity we would say, "It's not Oceania." IMO NOTHING compensates for the size of the R ships and the number of passengers. Probably worth a multiple of any other priced cruise for that reason alone.

Oddly, despite what I just said about the pricelessness of a small ship, we are giving Allure of the Seas a whirl -- a 7 night cruise -- to see what the hoopla is all about. We have a top suite for a fraction of the cost of an inside on O -- and then we are going on Seabourn -- which is even smaller than an Oceania R ship. I really try not to do comparisons because I fully expect every one of those cruises to be different from Oceania. I want the differences. Doing the same thing all the time is boring.

Also on the Allure and Oasis the CL serves hot breakfast (very good and hot) and also has a lunch menu daily with wine or "champagne". I recommend the cod and chips, and any dessert!!

Thanks -- another perk I might never have known about

I hope I don't get addict to big ships. All sounds good

Hi! I am new to Cruise Critic but I am long time member of RCI. Is there anything I can help you with?? Cheryl

Thanks

I can help you navigate Cruise Critic. LOL

I think I am set for now and I really appreciate the responsiveness to my questions on this thread.

Oh no...this is the train headed for you...

 

This is a Segway for the NEW marketing strategy... Brand swapping, buy a Oceania or Regent... get a free a NCL cruise. Prepare for the time sensitive gott'a do it now... sales

Get ready for the last min discounts which NCL is famous for. Too I see the liquor package rolled into the fare for EVERYONE like Regent. because if you charge everyone the package ( which is wildly profitable since probably only 30% of the passengers at most can put away that much liquor)

 

Say goodbye to Gratuities included.. all sorts of little things

And you base this on what??

Nothing -- because you have NO information.

These kinds of posts which are raw speculation based on no information really do not contribute to any sensible discussion.

I guess I hadn't had enough caffeine yet this AM when I looked at that. Sorry for any confusion I caused.

 

But what's this about? Is this a joke? Does this satisfy some government regulation? Are Canadians bad at math? :o

 

" If Canadian resident, mathematical skill-testing question must be correctly answered to win."

If it's not a joke, it might be a way to verify age? competence? Very strange

*NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. A PURCHASE WILL NOT INCREASE YOUR CHANCES OF WINNING. LEGAL RESIDENTS OF THE 50 UNITED STATES (D.C.) AND CANADA (EXCL. QC) 21 YEARS AND OLDER. VOID IN QC AND WHERE PROHIBITED. Promotion runs 12:05 a.m. ET on September 6, 2014 to 11:55 p.m. ET on September 8, 2014. For Official Rules, prize descriptions and odds disclosure, visit http://www.oceaniacruises.com/sweeps2014/. If Canadian resident, mathematical skill-testing question must be correctly answered to win. One Grand Prize (value $3,598). Sponsor: Prestige Cruise Holdings, Inc., 8300 Northwest 33rd Street, Suite 100, Miami, FL 33122 U.S.A.

Ships' Registry: Marshall Islands.

Oceania Cruises, Regatta, Insignia, Nautica, Marina, Riviera are trademarks of Prestige Cruise Holdings, Inc.

 

Oceania Cruises, Inc. | 8300 NW 33rd St., Ste. 100 | Miami, FL 33122

 

This was on the Email from O

Jamcruz1

I entered and I hope I win

Those who are put off by this "cheap trick unbefitting of an upscale cruise line" do not enter as to increase my chances. LOLOL

+1

Jancruz1

+1

and O just INCREASED benefits -- lots of free internet

That's not an NCL approach

I have heard from several people who are "luxury" cruisers that The HAVEN on NCL is divine. I would have booked a Haven Suite for a TA but the schedules did not coincide with my plans so I am going on Seabourn instead.

For those who cruise O for the food, ANY NCL cruise will disappoint I am sure. For the rest of us, who feel they can always find something to eat on a ship, it is not a big deal IMO.

I have learned in life that you can waste a lot of your time worrying about things that never will happen. There will be plenty of time to consume ourselves with worry about the state of Oceania if and when the proverbial other shoe drops.