Offroad911

First time for cruise on O.

Does O send the paperwork, ie. boarding passes, luggage tags via TA, mail or do they have a link to print your own online (can't see a link if there is one)?

Also, does my DH need a sports jacket for the diningroom or the specialty restaurants?

Thanks for any assistance and have a good day everyone!!

We always receive our final cruise itinerary (no boarding passes are required at check in) and baggage tags from our TA about a month or so before sailing. Others have stated they receive theirs as much as 75 days before sailing. Country Club Casual dress does not require a Jacket in the GDR or specialty dining venues, however I always feel more comfortable and appropriately dressed when I have a jacket on. For me it's NOT about impressing others, it is just my make up and upbringing.

Others have answered this question, and I think it's correct that streaming is blocked (although I never tried it.) But I have to ask, why should there be a difference between an R ship and an O?

Until the pending refirb of the "R" ships, their IT capability has not been at the technological level of the "O" ships. The Marina and Riviera have newer, faster IT capabilities and you can be sure that the "R" ships IT capability will be improved during the refirbs. Those cruisers who have enjoyed both the "R" and the "O" ships can attest to the "speed" difference between the two.

Can anyone tell me if one can stream video using the ships internet for watching movies on Netflix with an iPad? We have been on 9 cruises on Oceania, but next month will be our first on an "O" ship. I wouldn't dream of doing this on an "R" ship, as much as I adore them. I know one can borrow DVD's onboard, so that would be plan B. Also, unfortunately, we have to work while on our cruise. Has anyone used the ships internet to work remotely, i.e., LogMeIn? Thank you for any help!!

The internet on Riviera/Marina is simply too slow to stream a movie. You can barely stream a video off youtube.com. Load your Ipad up with Netflix /Amazon Prime movies before you go and between your Ipad and the on-board DVD and video offerings on the in-suite entertainment you should have more than you can use.

I am indeed listed. Will definitely attend. Look for the petite lady with short dark hair and a husband who is the stereotypical Oklahoma rancher, complete with boots and cowboy hat.

That's AWESOME! I will look for the "Lil Lady and the Cowboy Hat (Rancher)". I will have a white Tommy Bahama "Relax" cap on (got to cover the chemo hair) with an attractive woman (wife) who makes sure I am looked after with my larger than life friend from South Dakota with his Lil wife.. More than ready to be outta here and some where (anywhere) warm.

Looking forward to your reports. We board when you get off. And Happy Anniversary.

I don't see you listed on our Jan 23 Meet & Greet ( http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1822140 ). Would love to have your experience in the group. See you in a week!

I did not notice any discount prices for pre booking culinary classes can you elaborate ???

I did not specifically call out culinary as a discountable item (I did specifically call out liquor and excursion packages), my comment was a general comment regarding profit centers and how Oceania structures payments (pre-board or on-board) to achieve margins favorable to the company, not the passenger.

No Lyn, the gentleman at Reception told me wrong info that I could not get 10% off until my cruise #11 (which was wrong info) when in fact I do not get discount at all unless I prebooked package(s) before boarding for my 10th. In other words they proclaim we get 10% off Bevs but do not state that they must be purchased prior to boarding (thus not being able to use OBC toward the pkg). That is what ith which I had a problem. I did not read fine print as so many advise

A large percentage of OBC is extended by the cruise line and Oceania doesn't want you paying for a discounted item, service or commodity with their money as doing so would dilute their profit margin. :( Liquor packages and excursion packages specifically, along with Privee reservations and Culinary classes are items that are paid for with your credit card when pre-booked, several of which represent either a discounted package price or have a discount available to some passengers. Oceania wants you to use OBC for high margin purchases like Internet, boutique purchases, casino markers, onboard wine (you get the idea)!;)

Arlene,

I couldn't agree with you more.

I suspect it is a matter of the "bottom line" economics for Oceania (as any other business). In the beginning there were not that many Silver/Gold members and the benefits were not a significant expense for the company - in fact, they were a great incentive to encourage loyalty.

Now, many years later and with a total of 5 ships, the members have grown exponentially and soon the Silver/Gold members will be "a dime a dozen" (sort of). This amounts to a very large expense for the company in terms of OBC given (and other benefits).

I don't like it but it is a sign of times. Airlines have done the same thing with their Frequent Flyer programs (especially Delta recently) as have hotel reward programs.

It's a business and the bottom line matters.

In the end, people will take Oceania (or not take Oceania) for many reasons other than Silver/Gold benefits changing.

For me personally, if the food quality deteriorates, the onboard experience diminishes (however I define it) and the costs get unreasonable - that is when I look for a new favorite cruise line.

As always, YMMV

Paul

I am truly amazed at the uproar over this policy change given all the changes we, as travelers, have endured in all forms of travel from cruises to air, hotels, car rental, credit card loyalty and any other travel related loyalty program in the last five years. We can bitch about the Oceania loyalty changes, we can complain how unfair they are but like Paul succinctly stated above, it is a matter of bottom line. Get used to it, more of the same will be attempted. Some will stick, some will be adjusted and some eliminated. It was previously stated that the loyalty programs are just now becoming mature and therein lays the revenue issue. It's like a Ponzi scheme where the first in rely on later entries to cover their returns. Eventually the program has to change (or collapse) because not enough new blood is coming into the program to cover the initial members costs.

I, personally, hate the fees assessed for services I took for granted over nearly 50 years of flying for business. With the advent of these new fees, have I stopped flying, NO. Will I stop flying, NO. I do however make every effort to avoid, eliminate or minimize said fees when and where possible. Every one of the airlines have changed their frequent flier program, some numerous times. In fact, it has been so frequent in some cases that the frequent flier could not keep up with the changes or the current applicable program rules.

So here is the real answer, aside from all the bitchin and moanin. Make your statement with your wallet! FDR understands your wallet, in fact, he is trying to get into your wallet with these new loyalty changes. The only message that will be heard LOUD & CLEAR is a shrinking revenue base as supported (or lack thereof) by your wallet! I agree that one MUST make a statement on the comment cards but that won't be as LOUD & CLEAR as the statement you make with your wallet. Complaining to each other won't make this issue change. Get the message to FDR!

We used QANTAS Premium Economy Class on our 2011 Down Under cruise.Found it fantastic.It was $3500.00 PP round trip from JFK.much better then economy and alot cheaper then Business class ,the same service and food as Business and seats where very wide and went back with a foot rest.

:)Thank you for your input. Please address a couple of questions for me;

1. How comfortable were your seats?

2. How far back were you able to recline?

3. Were you able to sleep in the seats?

Your description of the seat sounds very similar to the seats we were in for the flight from LAX to Tahiti on Air Nui Tahiti. Thanks for you time!:)

the bus class upgrade and flying time are a killer.

But appreciate the info, will look forward to a review.

Nice to know how soon it sells out.

Was thinking of booking the 2015 on the 2014 cruise,guess not.

May have to rethink whole thing and do another one.boo hoo.:(

1. The Australian itinerary is a bucket list event and demand is increasing on all cruise lines, booking out Australian cruises sooner and sooner.

2. The distance is constant, the flying time is a small inconvenience compared to the experience. I am not fond of the travel time or the travel costs, but we are not getting younger. The older we get the harder it will be to complete and enjoy this cruise.

3. I have an exceptional TA that always extends incentives which are always better than those offered on the ship, so you don't have to wait!

4. The prices for the cruise AND the air are not going down, so...........

BOOK NOW !!!!!!!! :)

Trying to find info re this one for 2015.Seems to be offered only one time.Has it been done before or is this first?

Going on Riveriera in Dec.2014 and thought I d book onboard for discounts,like I just did for this one on my Oct.one.Cant beat the price,and for Australia NEED the biggest I can get,,,EXPENSIVE.Plus, will have to spring for business class upgrad,not sure WHAT tha t ll cost.

 

Any details would really help.;)

My wife and I are booked on the Feb 12, 2015 Sydney to Auckland "Discover Down Under" sailing.

The ship is already heavily booked due to the unique itinerary. All the suites are on wait list more than a year from sailing. See the "Roll Call" at http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1916533

Business class air upgrade using Oceania air is close to $16K., making the total Oceania air close to $20K. I plan to use my Amex Platinum companion ticket for the air and should be able to reduce the total air to about $12K.

I've been looking at some of the tour options for our May 2015 cruise, Coasts and Cultures. I see that there are tour packages - Unlimited Passport Collection and Your World Collection. I'd appreciate insight into these tour packages and whether or not it's worth it to do one or the other, or simply purchase any tours we're interested in individually. Our preference is to take private tours, which I am going to try and put together on my own. However, I'd appreciate input from those who have taken Oceania's tours. This is our first Oceania cruise and I'd welcome hearing from seasoned Oceania cruisers. Thanks!

 

Happy New Year!

I am confident you will hear from other Oceania regulars that will agree, the Oceania excursions and tours are grossly over priced, significantly higher that comparable cruise line offerings. Your best value is private tours.

Paul, thanks. After the barn door was opened;) I signed up for the Experian service like this and of course I have Fraud Alerts on all 3 services so for the next 90 days I will be notified immediately if anyone applies for credit in my name. And I plan to sign up with Lifelock which I had in the past. They cover all bases. Still, I'm not confident there's any fail safe way to stop these criminals. They're clever, smart, and happy to lie in wait. I will never feel entirely safe again. I don't think any of these services protect you against fraudulent use of your SS# to file with the IRS. So I've tackled that with the IRS, but not too confident in them either to be honest.

 

And so far I have found no way of blocking outsiders from forwarding my mail, but I'm working on it!!!:)

Heather - You (and any one else who is concerned) might add "AARP / Fraud Watch Network" which is a free information service provided by AARP. It is simply another level of advice, education, information to prevent and or eliminate ID Theft.

We will be trying Oceania for the first time in about 3 weeks but,have cruised Cunard. Cunard is a unique experience and very formal. We enjoy dressing up and loved it. DH says it makes him feel like he's in a Humphry Bogart movie. In the past few years we've accepted the trend toward country club casual that has become the norm on most cruise ships. You have to think about what you enjoy most on your cruises and if you want to try something different.

I see where you are booked on the 1/13 Riviera sailing, we are on the Jan 23 Riviera sailing. I wish we could get more of those sailing involved in the CC "Roll Call" to meet other CC members and participate in the "Meet & Greet". Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah. :)

I've seen the term "r"ships used alot. Please explain. Thanks

There are a lot of other differences between "R" ships and the newer "O" ships, specifically tonnage, length, capacity, crew to guest ratio. "R" ships could be classified as very large yachts. I think that most dedicated Oceania cruisers will agree, the primary appeal of the "R" ship is intimacy;

"R" Ship Specification:

Year Built: 1998 (Depends on the ship)

Year Refurbished: 2011 (Depends on the ship)

Gross Tonnage: 30,277

Length: 593.7 feet

Beam: 83.5 feet

Max. Draught: 19.5 feet

Stabilizers: Yes

Cruising Speed: 18 knots

Electric Power or Voltage: 110,220 AC

Guest Capacity (double occupancy): 684

Crew Size: 400

Guest-to-Staff Ratio: 1.71 to 1

"O" Ship Specification:

Year Built: 2012

Tonnage: 66,084

Length: 785 feet

Beam: 106 feet

Maximum Draught: 24 feet

Stabilizers: Yes

Cruising Speed: 20 knots

Guest Decks: 11

Total Decks: 15

Electric Power or Voltage: 110, 220 AC

Guest Capacity: 1,250 (Double Occupancy)

Staff Size: 800

Guest to Staff Ratio: 1.57 to 1

I use American Express Platinum EXCLUSIVELY for all travel related charges unless not accepted by the merchant. I get OBC using it, I get Airline credits using it so I get MORE than the annual fee back as credits every year along with Membership Rewards, concierge services, travel related services and other services that make the AMEX Platinum worth paying the fee, AND NEVER a foreign transaction fee, EVER. :)