sydneybound

Joe, Thanks very much for this step by step guide. I really appreciate the effort . I will make sure I follow the instructions carefully. Thanks again. 

41 minutes ago, JoePDX said:

Yes, there is a big markup!     I just secured our Turkish Visas for our upcoming cruise.  Oceania wanted $99 per person, I got them through Turkey's eVisa website for $51.50 and about an hours time for both of us.   

 

Joe

Yep definitely worth the work to get the visa ourselves.

42 minutes ago, JoePDX said:

You are not required to use Oceania's Visa service.   

 

The process to apply for an Indian visa is detailed and their website (at least when I did in in 2017 for an Oceania Cruise from Mumbai to Athens) was not the easiest to navigate.   But in the end, with about 2 hours invested, I was able to apply for both of our Visa's, get the applications overnighted and within 2 weeks we had our Passports back with the necessary visas.   

 

Best advice - don't wait until the last minute!

 

Joe

Great advice Joe. Thanks for the info

Thanks very much . I am sure I can DIY for the visa. Just seems a big mark up to get Oceania to obtain for us. 

Hi,

I am booked on a cruise that stops In India. We will need visas and Oceania are offering to obtain them for us but at a cost of $400 each. I can obtain them myself I am sure at a cost of $80 each.  Is it almost mandatory to get visas via Oceania or is it ok to do it myself ?

You folks are just making a good case for using a large online Cruise Agency. We avoid using cruise line sites to book (with a few exceptions) and instead work through a few online agencies (usually by just clicking our mouse). If we need customer service it is normally a quick toll free call (have never been on hold more then 30 seconds) or we can fire off a quick e-mail which is usually answered within the hour.

 

My few experiences dealing direct with Celebrity have not been positive. On one occasion we called X to ask a question about Aqua Class/Blu and were transferred to an RCI rep. On another occasion we decided to let Celebrity handle our one-way air arrangements (coming back from Europe) only to have them book us air that would have us departing Rome on a day while our cruise was still out in the Atlantic. And then, when we called them about the error they at first tried to blame us (until they realized they had chosen the flights and dates). That cruise air experience had us spending more then 2 hours on the phone with more then 5 phone calls. (the air was finally resolved (after 3 days) with Celebrity reluctantly agreeing to pay the extra $200 in change fees (due to their own error)).

 

 

Hank

Hank,

I cant disagree. If i ever cruise with X again i think it will be booked via an agency. Funnily enough my previous cruises have been with RCL and the pre cruise service has been fantastic. Calls answered instantly and any problems ironed out immediately.

Maybe X have a big problem.

Funny that this post jumped out at me because I was just getting ready to start a thread titled "Finding it impossible to pay!", I have been trying for a week and a half to make my final payment!

Tried online numerous times, tried calling main number, captains club number and our personal celebrity agents number!

Left messages, no one has called us back.

The only thing I haven't done is "hold" for the estimated 89 minute wait time that it keeps saying! Day after day...

I keep looking to be sure my reservation is still there because it is outside of the 60 days! We sail on 4/12!

I really don't know what to do! I quite frankly just have not had time to hold that long but I may need to this afternoon!

BTW, when I go to pay online it seems as if all is fine and then once I click what appears to be the final click it says page not found.

I noticed it was originally due on 1/26 but hadn't looked online and I guess I thought they'd send me a bill like the old days! So I actually didn't start trying until about the 3rd of Feb.

What an odd situation to be in: "PLease take my Money!"

Any advice from anyone, and sorry to take this thread over, didn't realize I was still typing on your thread:)

This may be a long shot but : Make certain you havent actually been charged . When i made my payment last night (should have been $500 but they took $7000) i got a message saying payment hadnt gone through and asking me to try again. When i (fortunately) checked my account on my booking lo and behold i found that i had been charged 7K. Good job i didnt pay it twice!

They are refunding the $6500 dollars that was mistakenly collected.

However it will take 3 or 4 days and will be in $1000 increments!

All a bit strange but i guess it will get sorted out .

My first cruise on Celebrity for 15 years , so far I have to say that I am not best pleased.

Lets hope service improves from here..

Have just had an answer and they are looking into it.

I will update .

Hi

I booked a SS for next September yesterday.

Upon completion of the booking i noticed that instead of taking $500 deposit Celebrity have charged the full $7000 to my credit card.

I checked with my bank and also on the booking (online) and both confirmed this.

I called Celebrity last night and was not answered for more than 1 hour before i disconnected.

I have called again this morning and I am in the same loop , so far 48 mins.

Does anyone have a direct number please?

The Solarium is a wonderful place to relax. The pool is tiny but the rest of the Solarium is great.

Excellent, thanks for the info .

Are you sure you're not think of Princess? 4 times on Oasis Class and I've never heard of or seen of this. In fact, I'm certain it doesn't exist.

You are totally right . I was thinking of Princess. At the time of booking i hadnt decided between Princess or RCL Oasis .

Really pleased we have chosen RCL Oasis.

Where would you suggest we head for the quieter relaxation areas ?

I think they are confusing the fee part from Princess' version of the Solarium. Perhaps the new Royal Princess is where the confusion might be coming from.

Exactly right ! I got confused!!

Found the post i was looking for . Small problem its with Princess!!

Its the Sanctuary area on there. Sorry to waste peoples time!

I am on the Oasis shortly . What lounger areas would you recommend for quite relaxation ?

Are you talking about the reserved area for suites? It's on deck 17, above the main pool deck, and has it's own bar. There is no charge for it. Where did you get the $20/day thing? :confused:

Thanks for quick replies.

I read it here about 4 or 5 months ago but i cant find it .

It was an area i think near the solarium . The reserved loungers could be booked by the day or by the week.

Im sure it was $20 a day .

I recall clearly a forum member saying they use the area but not on shore days

I am now on a mission to find it!

I read on here about the reserved lounger area but i can't recall what its called nor any details.

I know it was roughly $20 a day but what deck is it on and whats it called etc.

Any info will be much appreciated