babydrum

I'm very interested in hearing the answer to this as my May 2nd cruise that I just signed up for has two days in Israel. I knew when I signed up that Israel was not a likely stop but now I'm worried about Egypt and Jordan as well. The cruise has plenty of sea days already so I'm hoping they do at least go to some other ports.

Sorry, that was a typo, I meant thread! You are correct, I guess I just felt overwhelmed reading all of the suggestions. I'll try to get creative. I've never been on a cruise line that had more than a few formal nights and normal resort casual was acceptable the rest of the time even at dinner.

I'm starting to dread my cruise after reading this threat. I'm on a 34 night cruise and it will be difficult to find the balance for excursion clothing and ship clothing because my excursions are usually very active (lost of walking or hiking when available) and I may not feel like dressing up in the evening. I also do want to have to bring two outfits for each day or a bunch of shoes. I'll likely bring a black dress or two but I'm not dragging any long formal gowns, I dress in suits every day for work and I'd like to be comfortable on my vacation and not forced to wear elegant clothing every evening. I think too many people care what other people wear. Is this elegant dining for eating venues only, if so, I'd rather eat in my cabin most evenings.

My upcoming cruise in May includes an Ephesus port stop. I've been in the day before (man was it hot!). I will definitely take the night tour if offered. Might do the day tour again too.

Thanks. I'll check out the SB board. I looked for a Roll Call for the cruise and couldn't find one so I don't think this is that popular of an itinerary which might explain the price.

I am definitely going to cancel the O cruise but I wanted to replace it with another O cruise since this was going to be my first O experience. I really like the way the Riviera looks in YouTube videos, it’s size and it was port intensive so I wasn’t going to be bored. I found this around the same time of year searching cruises on CC using my desired port and dates. It’ll be easy to change my to vacation dates but I don’t love the itinerary. It does include my most desired ports so I’m leaning toward it and trying to decide by Monday. I’ve heard O cruisers compare it with SS and SB but I don’t know which one measures up to the O experience so I wanted to ask people who have done both.

I agree and I checked with the TA this morning and I can get a V1 for about $1900 more. So that’s what I’m going to do. This itinerary has more sea days than I would normally go with, do they have a lot of activities, what is the average age compared with O and the dress code for dinner in the evening? We are active 50s and 60s. Thanks.

My Oceania cruise was a 27 day Dubai to Barcelona on May 14th for $21,198 for a B3 cabin. It was originally more as my son was going to come with us but he couldn't so for two of us $21,198. This included PPG, $1500 OBC and of course SM. My SB cruise (that I'm looking to replace it with) is a 34-Night Grand Voyages Cruise on May 2nd in an OV for 2 for $20,148. It includes $1300 OBC, gratuities and unlimited drinks and $2000 off of airfare. The itineraries are very different but both include Safaga and Aqaba and Israel (which I know won't be a stop). I like the Oceania cruise because it gave me 5 days in Israel but since that isn't a factor, the only other two stops I cared about was Egypt and Jordan. I've been to most of the Med stops on the O cruise so that wasn't really of interest to me. I picked it for my son who hasn't been to those places. I haven't been to most of the places on the SB cruise so it is more interesting in that respect.

I am going to cancel my Oceania cruise in May and I'm looking at a 34 night SB cruise on the Sojourn. Has anyone down both and if so, which one do you like better. It has all the gratuities, free drinks and I believe restaurants included. Anyone prefer the food on one over the other? One thing I don't like is the fact that it is an R class ship and that seems a bit small to me. This one isn't as port intensive as the O cruise I'm canceling so the ship becomes more important. The bathrooms and the room size seem to be bigger though so at least I won't have to sorry about that. I have to decide soon. I will be getting an OV on the SB cruise which cost almost as much as a B3 verandah on O.

I think that's a special UK option because of the rules the country has in place.

I get a bit nervous when they change the embarkation or disembarkation ports. That's difficult to account for in planning. I've had the flight that leaves in 3 or 4 hours after scheduled disembarkation time (not anymore). I arrive early and stay at least overnight so that I'm not put out by last minute changes.

I am currently holding business class tickets for Turkish Airlines. It's my first time flying with them and I am looking forward to their long-haul inflight service. I purposely booked a 22 hour lay-over on one end and a 9 hour layover on the other so that I can hang out in Istanbul and see some of the sites. I couldn't figure out how to get a multi-day layover without paying extra. Anyway, I had the option to hold for 3 days for $90, 7 days for $130 or 15 days for $200. All holding fees would be added to the cost of the ticket so it won't really cost me anything. Is there anyway you could do a mock booking and hold for 3 days to see if you find something you prefer, then cancel your existing booking and keep the new booking? I know at one point, I was able to select the available seats and then hold at the end. I'm not sure what I'd do if they extended or shortened my layover. I don't think the cancellation fees were that high for business semi-flex.

Make sure you actually click on the circle under the Simply More column for it to apply the 25% credit. It'll show the correct amount in the column but it won't deduct it from the total until you click it. If you look at my cart, the radio button under simply more hasn't been selected and my total due is $1900. But in the second graphic, once I've clicked the radio button in the Simply More Column, the total due is dropped to $975.

Is the flat rate per person or per vehicle?

Great review. Very helpful indeed. I am concerned about the itinerary changes as well because I usually book private tours. I am going to do a combination this time and hope for the best. I was originally booked in a B4 but I wanted an extended balcony so I switched to a B3. They should have the larger showers with no tub which makes me happy reading your review. I'm still looking forward to my cruise after reading several Riviera reviews but I am finding myself stressing about the potential port changes and not necessarily choosing the best tour providers but prioritizing the cancellation policy because I know O is subject to skip a port.

If they changed the excursion, then they knew the times had changed. Why not notify passengers so that those with private tours can adjust if possible?

Where does it say that? I have several ships tours on hold in my basket waiting until I finalize my plans in Israel. I've always assumed this to be true but never actually read it anywhere.

Shouldn't that request come from OP? Perhaps their fears have not been allayed just yet. So far, this thread has been an Oceania love fest so I'm not sure why it bothers you for others to share their experiences for those of us who are planning to sail Oceania for the first time to consider.

I think you win for the most cruises taken. Do you have a favorite line?

Thank you for your response. This is exactly the type of info I was looking for. I guess I didn’t realize that GTS was going to try to put the group together. I asked for a 6 to 10 small group and they said they would automatically cancel 7 days before if there weren’t enough people. We are holding a hotel and planning on staying in Jerusalem for 3 to 4 days and taking tours from there since no one has expressed interest in our GTS. tours. I think it’s because the 5 days are during the end of one cruise and beginning of another so many will be on one half of the cruise but not the other. I’m glad to know the ships Israel tours are good also. At least that’s an option if everything else falls through.

Thanks. I do put out a post on our roll call for the 5 days to see if anyone was interested. I am also looked at the Overland tour (had never heard of that one before) which offers an overnight in Jerusalem. I'd like to spend 4 days in Jerusalem and tour from there so that is what I'm working on how but at least I have some options.

I agree with you, I cruise for itinerary as well but I usually want a balcony because it feels like it extends the room for me. I just know they require you to rebook for some of the sales because they are new bookings only so you'd lose the deposit because they won't let you apply it to the new booking. That is why I said I'd watch the cruise and wait for one of the big sales to book initially so that I wouldn't lose the deposit. I know it's not that much when compared to the total cost of the cruise, but it is something I'd consider before booking.

Does that still work with their new non-refundable deposit? I guess if you don't have to cancel and rebook to get the sale price it's fine but I think I am going to watch and wait for something like the extraordinary sale or the 4 category before booking anything in the future.

No I hadn't seen that. It would give us an evening in Jerusalem to explore and transportation to and from the ship. Seems to include guided tour for the Jerusalem part. I'm definitely going to look further into this. I wish they had it for more days. Thanks LHT28!

Thanks, I'm holding the Oceania tours in my cart for Jerusalem but I was hoping to read some reviews on how well they were executed. When I booked with Holland, a lot of the tours had reviews and some were very helpful. If I can't get at least 1 couple to join us on the private tour, then I'll book with Oceania and I guess I'll put out a review of their shore excursions on CC. I'm keeping my fingers crossed because that would be my preference.