Classiccruiser777

On these kinds of posts I always question why the person didn't raise the issues onboard, while they were occurring, but waited to complain on a forum well after the fact. I have no sympathy.

32 minutes ago, Flatbush Flyer said:

NO. All passengers on all itineraries must have a valid passport.

Bingo!

Apply early for your passport, or make sure your current one will be valid at least six months beyond your travel dates and has two or more blank pages. Your cruise company may also require you to have a passport even if U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) does not. Source: https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/before-you-go/travelers-with-special-considerations/cruise-ship-passengers.html

20 hours ago, basor said:

We will be facing the same dilemma on our upcoming VISTA B2B2B - we will find something to use the OBC for because we will not leave the $$$ unused. It will be fun to see the new shopping opportunities on VISTA.  

There are travel agencies that will mail a refund after the cruise is completed rather than OBC.

On 2/22/2023 at 5:58 PM, SeaWatch12 said:

Thanks for your responses. I thought about not doing OLife, especially since we don’t need air travel. I just realized we need to pay for some internet, so the OBC can go towards that (I hope). 
 

Air and OLife are completely independent of one another. You may purchase one, both or neither. Air may also be purchased for one direction only or round trip. “Your world, your way.”

Wasn't a problem for me and we've been all three of the current ships.

O shore excursions are very expensive.

A friend of ours asked for the same beverage that was available in the spa and gym. Her steward did so.

49 minutes ago, Travrat said:

Is gluten free pasta available in GDR and Toscana by request? 

Yes and it is reasonably good.

Overall O is good regarding GF but if you dine in the Terrace Cafe (buffet) you have to ask regarding each dish. Usually the servers don’t know if something is GF and will go to check with the chef. Wastes a lot of time.

“Pitching” is likely, rolling would be managed by the stabilizers unless the sea is extremely heavy.

33 minutes ago, ak1004 said:

Exactly! And people who want to buy from the shops will find the time to do it even if the shops were open just one hour.

Oceania pitched this as environmental stewardship which is disingenuous, that’s the point. The reduction of port time is to save fuel and have a captive audience for onboard sales. Your argument is specious.

34 minutes ago, halfapair said:

They can save fuel by sailing slower between ports, thereby reducing fuel costs. Taking away time in port allows them to go slower....

From 2008, but looks like it applies to 2023:

https://www.seattletimes.com/life/travel/cruise-ships-cut-ports-and-slow-down-to-save-on-fuel/

And less time in port means more time the ship’s stores, casino, spa and bars can be selling to a captive audience.

12 minutes ago, Cruzin Terri said:

One of the reasons I moved from HAL to Oceania was because HAL kept shortening the times in port and O had longer times in port..  Having said that. Oceania is disappointing me by doing the exact same thing.

Thankfully i still feel that the other reasons for booking Oceania—food, service and smaller ships, bringing my own wine on board without paying a corkage fee up front—make me want to continue to sail with them.  

However, make no mistake.  I do not cruise to spend all day on the ship.  I cruise for the itinerary and shortened port times do not sit well with me.

Terri

Several years ago Oceania “enhanced” the loyalty program. 

We are “Diamond” on Cunard but haven’t cruised since about 5 years ago and we have a few questions.

How does the food compare now to then? We have always dined in the Britannia restaurant so please no comparisons to QG or PG.

Are the laundromats still complimentary and is soap still included?

Has the entertainment, including the enrichment lectures, declined in quality?

Has the internet connectivity improved, declined or stayed about the same?

Oceania has yet to update their website with the revised port times. This is both deceptive and unethical.

This decision of reduced port times is to burn less fuel by decreasing cruising speeds and to increase the onboard sales opportunities for NCLH, thus improving the bottom line, nothing less.

As I said, deceptive and unethical.

16 hours ago, Paulchili said:

We had 4 O cruises scheduled for 2020 and all were cancelled by O.

This is exactly why I chose to get cash refunds on all 4 to avoid the FCC “mess”

Oceania just agreed to provide us with a full cash refund.

40 minutes ago, LHT28 said:

what were the terms of the FCC?

 Maybe you had to sail prior to 2023 ?

Seems odd they would refuse the new booking otherwise

Oceania  just agreed to provide a full cash refund.

It had been a FCC from a cancelled 2020 cruise that was used for a similar 2021 cruise. The condition of the original FCC was that it must be used and the cruise completed by the end of 2022. With all the ongoing cancellations my feeling was that it would only be fair to extend the window of these FCCs.

1 hour ago, LHT28 said:

Were you using an FCC ?

Yes

3 hours ago, Redtravel said:

Ask for extensions. I did and got it.

With whom did you talk to get an extension? I just tried to book an early 2023 cruise using our just cancelled Alaska cruise funds and was refused.

With the cancellations of all Oceania cruises through July 2021 Oceania should extend the window in which FCCs may be used. To maintain the requirement that the credits taken in lieu of full refunds must be used on a completed cruise by the end of 2022 is unacceptable.

At a minimum Oceania should enlarge the window in which FCCs can be used.

On 11/10/2020 at 8:16 PM, pinotlover said:

Any other US ports not want visitors? Please speak up before we finalize reservations.

Many in Seattle don’t want cruise ships even though the cruise industry contributes approximately $500,000,000 per year to the local economy. Seattle seems to be engaged in a massive economic suicide movement. Very sad.

Included in the fare are all non-alcoholic beverages and specialty restaurants. There are no “art auctions” or photographers. The food is a large cut above the other lines. The atmosphere is quiet, refined yet relaxed and comfortable. Tea in Horizons is wonderful. 

On Oceania unlimited lobster tails, prawns, steaks, chops grilled to order every night in the Terrace Cafe: 

Carnival Corp. announced retiring at least six ships across the brands, most likely to be scrapped.