bbqoug

2 hours ago, mnocket said:

This is disturbing.  Is Travel Insured known for denying claims?  

I had to file a claim with Travel Insured 5 years ago when we had to return home early from a cruise because of a death in the family.

They were very helpful and promptly paid my claim for the portion of our trip that we didn't finish.

12 hours ago, osandomir said:

So if one’s TA can get the discount that Oceania supposed to apply based on their terms (booking on board benefits?) and the other one can’t do the same I’d think it’s the time to look for a new TA.

I agree. I would be using a different TA for my future bookings.

I can't help but question whether the current TA made a good faith effort to get the discount for their client, especially since others had no problem getting the discount once a supervisor at O became involved.

1 hour ago, jonthomas said:

We are on the Alaska, Sept 14...

 

After final pay there was a sale, 400 pp less, O gave us 200pp obc.

 

O still can't fill the ship, so now it is 100 pp less, flash sale.

On Monday I will attempt to get more, although the TA had a tough time even getting us 200 pp. So much for best price guarantee. After final pay, it's not easy.BBQ  you did well.

The flash sale ends in a couple more days.

@jonthomas

It may help if you tell your TA that someone else on your cruise was able to get the difference in OBC and that you should be able to as well. Our TA said the Oceania Rep got approval from a supervisor to apply the OBC.

Monday is the Memorial Day holiday, so you might not get through until Tuesday.

Our Regatta cruise in September is part of the Flash Sale. Our cabin category (A1) is still available and $908 cheaper than what we had paid.

Our TA contacted Oceania today and they have applied $908 OBC to our account since we were past final payment. I am very pleased with the outcome.

2 hours ago, Vallesan said:

I can’t see any of the food I’ve reported here that is cooked for ‘no-no’s’. In fact I think that’s a rather derogatory term. 

This I definitely agree with!

We are sailing on Regatta in September on one of the itineraries listed in this sale.

Oceania adjusted our price in March to match their sale at that time. This reduced our fare by $300 per person.

The current sale is $1,000 pp more than we are paying now for our A1 cabin.

The small table on the balcony is one of the few things we didn't like on our previous cruise on Insignia.

On Azamara the table was big enough for us to eat breakfast on our balcony (something we really enjoy). On Insignia we would have had to keep our plates in our laps.

35 minutes ago, durberville said:

*sighs. Thanks for the honest review but man o man am I bummed. Have booked our first Oceania cruise on the Regatta for October (25 days). Sounds like it will be a floating nursing home with poor food. I convinced my husband to try this line since we’ve become disillusioned with Celebrity. Full of regret now. 😟

I felt the same way before our first O cruise on Insignia in September 2022. I thought I had made a mistake after reading all of the negative comments on CC about the decline in food quality, lack of energy, etc.

We had a fantastic cruise and thoroughly enjoyed the food as compared to our previous cruises on Azamara & Celebrity. We enjoyed ourselves enough that we are sailing on Regatta this September. While I have some concern about the recent negative comments, I have to remind myself of the negative comments back then as well.

Like others have said, go into your cruise with an open mind.

45 minutes ago, Flatbush Flyer said:

As I have often posted over the years: At least a month (preferably two) prior to embarkation, you or your TA can make special F&B requests which O will do its best to accommodate. 

We used your advice on our last cruise on Insignia.

My wife was very happy to have our cabin fridge stocked with Fresca.

Thank you martincath.

That's a wealth of information for me to go through. I'm up for it though since I love the planning part of a trip.

5 hours ago, KeepCalmBearOn said:

The best Chinese tends to be in Richmond, but there are several good/decent places by the Pan Pacific, including Jade Dynasty, Victoria Chinese Restaurant and Jingle Bao.

Thank you. I will do some research on these before our visit in September.

22 hours ago, KeepCalmBearOn said:

What is “not to be missed” in Vancouver?

 

Chinese food, especially dim sum.

Any recommended restaurants? Someplace within walking distance of the Pan Pacific Hotel would be preferable.

My wife & I always take a walk throughout the ship, checking everything out even though this will be our 4th time on an R-Class ship. We always take a walk through the casino taking note of what slot machines we will play on a few of the nights (wine in hand) after the evening show.

Since this will be our 2nd Oceania cruise, we have some items we didn't experience the first time that we want to try this time:

- Afternoon Tea

- Breakfast in the MDR

- A wine tasting

5 hours ago, no fuss travel said:

We got ours about three weeks after the cruise ended.  They mailed a cheque to us.  If it is a large amount, head office usually refunds it as the ship usually does not have enough cash on hand to pay it out.

Did they automatically send it after the cruise? Or did you have to go to the reception desk to request the refund?

Our TA has contacted Oceania about the sale for our Regatta cruise in September. Our fare has now been reduced to match the sale. Our refundable OBC was reduced slightly, but we still came out quite a bit ahead.

13 minutes ago, babysteps said:

Deck 5 starboard, top of the 'grand' stairs just forward of the aft elevators. One level up from reception. On same level as shops/GDR etc

Thank you for the information. We will likely head there on embarkation day to see if there are any tables available for that night.

23 hours ago, DENIE said:

If on a 10-day or so cruise on one of the ships with 4 specialties, you can often get an "extra" specialty by going to the reservation desk on embarkation and inquiring.  On our Riviera and Vista cruises the last 2 years, we snagged an extra Red Ginger restaurant on embarkation day because they had availability.  No guarantees, but always worth asking. 

Great information. Where is the reservation desk on the R-Class ships?

7 hours ago, cluso said:

We booked the 2024 Sep Vancouver to LA cruise on Regatta.  It will be our first Oceania cruise but our 5th time on an R class.  Got an A2-Conciege Veranda (aft). 

We are booked on the same cruise in September. The itinerary looks fun. We are in an aft A1 Concierge.

We previously cruised with Celebrity on the S class ships & had a great time. After trying Azamara & more recently Oceania we won't be going back. We love the R class ships.

12 hours ago, JYDCruise said:

I was able to upgrade my SM drink package before sailing (which still is over a month out) by calling Oceania directly. It only took a few minutes.

Has this policy changed?

For my previous Oceania cruise on the Insignia 15 months ago, we had to wait until we were onboard before we could upgrade the drink package.

We are currently on Insignia and very much enjoying the food and service. Definitely a step up from our other cruises on the likes of Azamara (which we enjoyed).

Toscana was not to my liking 2 nights ago, but I look forward to trying it again.

The lamb curry in the Terrace Cafe was fantastic last night.

We have witnessed a certain gentleman complaining multiple times about the food and service. His wife seems embarrassed each time. It seems that some people just like to complain.

I'm glad Robjame asked these questions. This is good education for our first O cruise on Insignia that boards this Saturday.

I would have assumed that we couldn't have wine delivered with our room service lunch. On our Azamara cruises I have had to run to a bar with our 2 cards to bring glasses of wine back to the room. Is alcohol included as options when ordering room service using the interactive TV?

We will also have the prestige package.

The concierge at our hotel said there are locations throughout Manhattan by a company called LabQ. They do not require an appointment & bill your health insurance. You are not responsible for any amount your insurance does not pay.

We plan on using them for an antigen test in early September before our cruise.

https://labq.com/covid/

I just completed our online check-in this past Saturday for our upcoming cruise on September 10th.

Times beginning at 11:00 AM were available in half hour increments. We are in an A1 Concierge cabin.

1 hour ago, CurlerRob said:

This is incorrect. Canada requires a pre-embarkation test for any cruise ship visiting (or starting) in Canada, regardless of where it originated, or how long it takes to get there. The test can be a PCR up to 72 hours prior to embarkation, or a rapid antigen test up to 2 days prior to embarkation (not arrival in Canada). 🍺🥌

Good to know. I was confused by the wording of the SailSafe document.

8 hours ago, rheasue38 said:

Hi!

 Quick question` If you are leaving in Oct. from NY and will arrive in Canada 4 or more days later do you need a covid test at embarkation? 

Rhea

Since you are embarking in the U.S. I don't believe you will need to provide a negative Covid test at embarkation. If you were embarking in Canada, or if your cruise was visiting Bermuda within 4 days you would have to provide a negative test result.