cat shepard

I also appreciate you sharing your experience. I am now actively planning my first cruise in more than ten years, so your info helps me.

Ann

A couple of things I forgot to mention.

 

There were some exceptionally good flavors of Ice Cream, some of the best I've ever had on Oceania.

 

On a related subject I usually average around 1 lb a day weight gain on a cruise. We were on for 25 days and I only gained 16. :rolleyes: Not sure if I should celebrate that or not, new diet started this morning:mad: Whoever said there are no calories in vacation food was a liar. ;)

Orv! Love ice cream. This is great news. Though I am sorry to learn that there are calories in vacation food. But what a way to go!:D

I appreciate the details. Find these posts so informative.

I'd say this has been quite a successful thread. When I do my compound trips I normally do several threads, one on each of the cruise line's forums and one thread somewhere on neutral territory covering the entire trip.

 

How would people feel about me reporting the entire trip here since most of my time will be on HAL?

 

 

How do you feel?

 

Roy

 

---------------

Roy, though more of a lurker than a poster, I would love to follow your thread. I learn so much form those of you who do this. And now I know how to subscribe to threads, I won't miss a post. :D

 

Ann

They have a few panama cruise in 2016

the one Dec 19th is booked

 

LA to Miami Jan 4th, Jun 15 nov 25th

Miami to SFO Apr 24

SFO to NYC Aug 31

My TA did not list these on their website. Silly me to assume it was a comprehensive list. Off to O's website to see what I can find. Thank you for taking the trouble to do this.

There are some deals on sailings from MIami

shop around some deals out there which bring the prices down & of course they take off the air if you do not need it so that brings it down further

 

It may not be HAL pricing but worth trying O & deciding for yourself

 

One person's value may not be the same as yours

Thank you. I would agree that something out of Miami might be a good place to start. I was hoping they might have a Panama Canal cruise, but couldn't find one. Perhaps I could find a segment on a longer cruise.

I agree that people's opinions vary. That is the joy of this forum. :)

Let me give an example of what I consider an Oceania failure in this regard.

 

I returned to the ship with some significant bleeding on the back of my hand. I did have a tissue, but wanted to bandage it ASAP.

The gangway was just a few feet away from the Front Desk, so I went there for the bandage; they gave me a hard time about it. First they wanted to send me to the Infirmary to get it (walking is very difficult for me). Then they made me wait until someone was free to go behind the counter and give me the bandage.

There was plenty of attitude to go around, and none of it was the helpful kind.

 

When a similar thing happens on HAL, they not only jump to get me a bandage, but they make sure I have extra.

Your example and Jacqui's additional info is exactly the info I was hoping for. I appreciate your taking the time to respond.

Ann, some of the crew were fabulous - service wise.

 

I don't need anyone to be warm and bubbly either - but I do like someone to say they are sorry when you get a cracked cup of coffee (the pic is on my live thread). It took time to get a get a new cup of coffee and he just took the the coffee cup and didn't even say he was sorry about it.

 

I know LH278 doesn't like me calling some of the crew snooty but that was DH's definition and his best one. OK, if that word is appalling then let's call it uncaring, indiffernet, couldn't give a hoot what your experience was.

 

the only place that asked how our meal was was Jacques.

 

that's it. We ate in all specialities, the Grand Dining Room several times, etc.

 

this cruise might not be typical of O - I don't know - it was the only cruise that we were on.

 

And unless those that want to comment that they have done 10 cruises and didn't have this experience were on this one, then it is of no help if they weren't on board.

 

I can honestly tell you I was not the only feeling this way and I have been kind. Just check some of the posts on the Noro thread as well and you will see comments from our roll call there.

 

DH is fuming, literally and for those that know him he is the most mild mannered non complaining person I know.

 

When he says he will fill in his own survey (he never does that) you know something is up.

 

If snooty sounds impolite, then try "above them", "don't care", "walk right by you", etc.

 

I am sure our cabin number is infamous on that ship and so be it.

 

I don't need someone gushing all over me, but I do like a dirty plate removed, water refilled, coffee replenished without having to wave frantically.

 

I also think a waiter should come and ask how the dinner is before an uneaten dinner has sat there for 45 minutes and you finally call for the Maitre D'.

 

Yup, kazu is really fussy and hard to please:rolleyes:

 

I am a walking zombie with lack of sleep from flying all night and this morning and getting nowhere. So, I'm sorry if this sounds harsh.

 

I will do the valuation tomorrow when I have had some sleep.

 

There is value in O for the right person I think.

 

It's probably just not us - this was not a cheap cruise - so to expect us to spend that kind of money again in the hopes that it will be improved is a bit ludicruous IMO unless there is some assurance and fixes done.

 

Tired or not, I stand by my statements and OUR experiences.

Jacqui

Bless you for providing this detail.

I share your expectations. I wonder if the crew was stretched to the limits by the Noro outbreak. Regardless, since this behavior seems to be the exception and not the norm for O, I hope you and Jose receive a more customer-focused response from O. I know I always appreciated my customers who helped me identify service improvement opportunities.

Again thank you for taking the time to answer my question so quickly, in spite of your marathon trip home. Rest well.

Ann

I know that I said this before but I think most people that have followed your reporting are very grateful for all the wonderful words and pictures you sent us. Almost feels like I was on board. THANK YOU. Travel safely....

I agree. Your pictures and words convinced me that I need to try Oceania, and be prepared for the types of things you experienced. I am a glass is half full kind of gal, so I like to think I am not unreasonable. :D. Perhaps I will try a closer-to-home cruise, with lots of ports. That might be a great way to dip my toe into the Oceania pool.

But your pictures of the ship and the food;) have convinced me that I need to try one!

Thank you again for your dedication to this thread.

Ann

Jacqui

Thank you for sharing your thoughts. I do have a follow-up question re: the O crew's attitude. I don't need a crew that is bubbly & friendly; reserved and subtle is great. But if the attitude you mention in your post equates to them not caring about their customers needs, then I would like you to confirm this. I don't expect perfection, but I would expect them to care about fixing a problem, or meeting a reasonable request. That is one aspect of cruising I look forward to experiencing.

Thank you again for sharing your thoughts.

Ann

Thank you for doing this! Bon voyage. I eagerly await your updates.:D

I had to keep adding more offers to my list before I found it - but there it was. And now it is safely added to my card awaiting my booking. :)

O should ask your permission to use some of your pictures. My mouth is watering from too much food porn. Thank you again for taking the time to do this!

Home Lines Oceanic. All those Italian men.

Interesting about the second drill. Perhaps a result of the travel alert issued recently. One of the few preparations a cruise line can take that includes passengers. If not this, then I have Jo clue.

Hmm, I must need to use my decoder ring to read the message in the above post.:D

Thank you for this post. Not only are your pics great, but you have also given me a great veranda cabin option.

Thank you for sharing your pics. I love the sense of movement you captured in your pictures of the dancers. You have quite an eye.

I will be taking my first cruise on a HAL ship next year, so I really appreciate that your focus is on ship life.

You take amazing pictures. You have a great eye for composition.

I appreciate you posts. I will be taking my first HAL cruise next year, and I welcome you insight.

I will be taking my first cruise on a HAL ship next year, so I welcome and appreciate your posts.

Having too much fun to be a faithful poster. My Mom hated the " big F ", as I call it, but I am pretty sure that she would be shouting it at the top of her lungs for Shannon.:D

Art, thank you for sharing your pictures. Beautiful scenery, and it appears that you had amazing weather.

Thank you for your postings. I do understand that this is your perspective, buts your balanced reports help me decide which issues would/would not bother me. I do agree that problems and mistakes happen, but it is how one handles the situation which illustrates the true level of customer service a company delivers.