marion10

We paid a deviation fee and picked our flights. Turkish air is nonstop from IST to ORD so we wanted that flight. We have taken it before - as far as I know it the only nonstop from IST to Chicago. I have found communication sometimes to be a challenge- but food and service very good. We paid deviation fee to get non stops at both ends. 

Update- we booked directly with Oceania using one of their travel consultants- she called me back and gave me the Turkish Airline Ticker number ( 13 digits) which worked! We’re good- seats selected.

Now Turkish air says my ticket was canceled.Oceania says they cannot do anything until Turkish air notifies them. Who can I escalate this to?

I left a message with my rep and sent an email to her and custom air. Will call tomorrow if I do not hear anything.

I have- thanks.

Leaving on the Marina October 21- returning from Istanbul and requested custom air on Turkish Airlines. Call Turkish and they said my ticket had not been purchased yet.

I usually wear a smart watch - but I have an analog watch that I use it  port and have it set to ship's time. Smart watches and cell phones can change to local time.

I still get the airfare- I am content. 

13 hours ago, Flatbush Flyer said:

We do a lot of O cruises and would never use O air - particularly for biz class. Just too many negatives in relying on a third party for airfare. Use the search feature here on CC for a zillion  threads on DIY for nonstops, bizclass et al.

Not doing business class ( I wish)- I have done both trip before non-stop (that coming back from Turkey- that's a long one. I feel more comfortable doing air through the cruiseline - the price seems fair and it is just easier - particularly with an open jaw.

Yes- but I really, really, really want non stop flights. We are flying from ORD and non- stops are available to Rome and Istanbul- don’t want some crazy routing where we have to be at the airport at 3:00 am and make multiple stops.

We went with whatever the sale thing is with airfare and one choice. I picked the excursions- but might change that to OBC. Will spend $199 to pick our own flights- now just decking how long we want to stay pre and post cruise. 

Thanks all.

We just booked Legendary Pathways departing October 21, 2023 and I bought the O Life Ultimate Package and a Concierge Veranda. Ultimate was airfare, transfers, 6 shore excursions. beverage package and 600 shipboard credit. Oceania rep called me and wanted to talk me imto current promotion where I only pick one of the "perks"- beverage, 600 credit or shore excursions.  Difference would be $2000 a person cheaper. Said that beverage pacakge was just beer and wine and not mixed drinks. Is it worth it to go with the cheaper package?

If and a big IF - this follows the path of the Spanish flu, there will be resurgence in the fall.

Kindergirl- you are a good daughter. I wish your parents an easy journey. Keep us posted.

I am with you. Beyond a certain age- 70? There needs to be a mental status test as well.

Contain COVID-19. Develop a vaccine.

We are on back to back and have to leave the ship tomorrow from 10-2 for deep cleaning.

Do you sail on the 22nd of January? That’s our date.

We will be on the Konigsdam. What specialty restaurants are open for lunch?

Also , if we bring a glass of wine into dinner- will we be charged a corkage fee? This is what we did every night on our last carnival cruise and never an issue.

Another very satisfied T mobile customer. We have used in China. Sicily, Mexico and worked great. I used to not have international coverage (had Consumer Cellular) until we had out flights cancelled in Israel and had no working phone!

Please post a link If there is one)- these never show up for my American Express Hilton- but I have been able to use a link.

We had planned to tour Volcanoes National Park with an audio guide- but due to the Shutdown - most of the Park was closed. We saw what we could. We drove to Rainbow Falls and Pe’epe’falls and stopped  at the Mauna Loa Macademia nut plant- the processing lines were closed because it was Sunday but the store with lots of samples was open and their small botanical gardens. Ice cream was delicious. We drove down Banyan drive and stopped at a small beach- we could see the ship from the beach. A really delightful day at very low cost. Then back to the ship.

Next stop Hilo on the Big Island. This was Sunday so a lot of things were closed. I think there was a free Walmart shuttle- not sure. The rental car shuttle ( Dollar) picked us up and we went to the airport at Hilo to get the car.

Turns out we didn’t need to worry about getting back to the ship - because we received word that we would be unable to tender to Kona and would be staying another day in Honolulu. We moved to another pier - closer to Aloha Tower. Because of the government shutdown we decided not to try Pearl Harbor. From the later pier- it was an easy walk into downtown Honolulu. We had a guidebook with us and did a self guided tour - the Anglican cathedral, State House , Palace (we did not go inside) , then walked back to the ship and spent some time at Aloha Tower. After lunch on the ship- we took a cab to Waikiki beach, walked around, had some shaved ice and explored some of the hotels , then Ubered back to the ship.