pinotlover

Don't know where you are going, but O's excursions are so overpriced that even with the discounts one is gouged. By using the CC roll calls, one can typically get into small group excursions for less than half of O's posted large group excursions cost. At some ports, one can likewise find great tours for far less than O's right at the docks.

For $40 on board, you looking at a typically $10-$12 retail priced bottle of wine. Thirty percent (30%) off a $40 bottle of wine leaves one with a $28 price tag, plus plus. So is paying $28 for a $12 bottle of wine a big savings? Most of these lower priced wines seem to be selected because they are easy to drink, unabusive, and can compliment the food. None will rock your boat but they are easily quaffable. They would all mostly be Wine Spectator 85-88 point wines.

If the only drinking one primarily does is during meals, then probably doing the three bottle deal is very reasonable. We meet couples on the 10+ cuises that had trouble finishing off the three bottles during the cruise. We just found the upgraded package to give us plenty of options to do as we pleased, when we pleased, especially during the days at sea.

Kinkajou;

Thanks, I'll try that next time. For the last two I've booked after you add the $399 air dev for flying in early, plus the $199 for alternative airport, the free air offered was not a deal for me. I could book it cheaper myself, and that's before I address going economy plus in addition to booking my own seat selection.

Jim;

Did Oceania upgrade you to Econ Plus or did you do it personally through Delta?

The time I tried it, and used Oceania air, Oceania put us on Scandinavian/United. Oceania would not allow the upgrade. I tried to do it through Scandinavian beforehand, and they would only refer me back to O. At the airport, pre flight, SA gave me the option to do the upgrade, but the price was near $1K each because of class of our ticket. Had we bought the tickets originally ourselves the total price would have been far less.

My wife and I normally take the upgrade beverage option. It's convienent and the wine selection is OK. Individual prices appear to be 3x-4x retail prices, so getting a 30% deal isn't really a deal. We do occasionally bring a really great bottle in, perhaps for Jaques or one of the other specialty restaurants and pay the corkage.

I don't typically use the free air and take the credit. I always go into the departure city early and do a little touring there. Plus my convienent departure cities are always price add-ons. So add the two deviations together and Oceania's air prices are rarely a deal. Which brings us to another big reason. Oceania will book you cheap economy or business/first. I've never been on one of their flights were their upgrade was especially attractive pricewise, so I will typically fly economy plus. Oceania does not, and will not, offer this seating. They told me it's because of the super discounted rate they get for economy. So, for me, if I'm flying 10-14 hours over water, I'd rather pay the extra for economy plus which O won't offer. Turning down the "free" air is easy.;)

We were on the Marina this past summer and used the Concierge Lounge. My wife needed to check back with work, on line, and found the internet service far faster and more efficient in the Lounge than in our room, or elsewhere on ship. So she used the Lounge far more than I.

It was nice to be able to read the entire paper in the louge likewise. We had one partially rough day a sea, and many flocked to the Lounge that day because not being able to see all the tossing and turning ( in that "closed in basement") seemed to make it feel smoother! :D

Nana4x;

We're taking Marina on 2/5/15 for our AU and NZ cruise. Booked it the first day it opened up.

Most of the complaints on the 2012 Black Sea cruise were centered on the land tours ran both by Oceania and local tour companies. Things like going to construction sites, poor transportation, expensive while seeing very little on shore, etc., etc, I believe they got things worked out, it would be interesting to read a good post from any 2014 cruisers and their viewpoints of current conditions.

No sports coat required. I took one anyway and felt that it was appropriate in a couple of occasions. You rarely see them in the MDR. However La Reserve, and a couple of the specialty restaurants (we were on Marina) sports coats were worn by the majority of the men.

Let me add, that in a couple of those restaurants, with the air conditioning, I was glad I had one along! Women often carried (and used) sweaters or wraps.

Currently planning on doing this one in 2016, unless we work it in next year. Already doing AU and NZ in 2015 so probably the latter one. In 2013, they had an Istanbul to Istanbul that we considered doing a BtB with Athens to Istanbul. Trip sold out before we could get it booked. With the current schedule that is not an option. Be interesting to see what the future lineup holds. I've heard nothing but great reports on the 2013 cruise. There was quite abit of disgruntlement on the 2012 cruise, which held me back in booking 2013, but it looks as if O got those problems worked out.

Guess I see both sides, since you are able to check your bags and take local tours. If you arrive early a.m. into Europe, most hotels won't allow you to check in unless they just have rooms available. You check your bags, wash your face, and see the local sights. What's so different here. I was amazed, at the end of my last cruise, at all the people arriving early in the morning (pre-9:00 am) trying to get on the ship! Oceania did the same thing, told them check their bags and take a local tour (or maybe just a hike!);)