kiawahdon

I believe American a Cruise Lines has at least 3 ocean going ships built in the US. These are small ships plying fairly protected waters such as Alaska inside passage, North east coast of US, Puget Sound, etc. On second thought, "ocean going" may be a stretch.

From Host Andy:

With that said, both ships are roughly 50% larger than Journey and Quest, so you lose that small ship feeling.

An industry standard to measure passenger space is the "space ratio"- tonnage divided by passengers.

For O and AZ's former R ships the ratio is approximately 30,277/684 or 44.26

On the 2 larger O ships, the ratio is 1250/66084 or 52.86--20% more.

I submit that if you ever sailed on one of O's larger ships, you might change your mind about "losing that small ship feeling"

I will admit that if your itinerary has a lot of tender ports, the additional passengers can "stress" the tender operation (and some passengers). On the other hand, there are so many more places to relax, hide, have cocktails, etc. on the larger O ships, that you never feel crowded.

No question that a ship with 650 pax "feels" differently than one with 1250.

but the higher space ratio takes care of much of the issue.

As you have no direct knowledge of what the financial impact was on Azamara's operation, I would suggest you stop your uninformed public speculation.

What is more direct knowledge than what an enterprise reports to its shareholders, the financial community, and it's Federal regulators?

The "accident" and any subsequent costs have nothing to do with the delay in the LCV announcement, and no one here suggested they did. I brought up the accident in response to the unfair criticism of Azamara in postings 311 and 315 that said Azamara did not deliver on its announced plans for the 2012 and 2013 drydocks. Those drydocks were cut short because of the costs incurred in the Quest fire, and it was disingenuous not to mention that while criticizing Azamara in posting 315.

Just to add some more facts:

1-All SEC registered companies are required within a few days to report any material financial event on Form 8-K. RCL did not report the fire as the loss was not material. Not one word in the SEC filings!

2-The Annual Reports and SEC filings on Forms 10-K and proxy statements indicate that RCL has hull & mechanical insurance on ALL ships. Thus any "loss" would have been recovered.

Based upon the above, it is very difficult to believe the loss to RCL was $17 million. If it was, it would have been reported.

1. No, some is, some is not. The TA might be passing along a promo from O or from an arranged group booking and those are not refundable. How would you know if it is refundable? Ask your TA or as per post #2

 

2. No charge if it is refundable

 

You mention another cruise lines policy so I'll add that unlike some other lines any OBC can be applied to the auto-charged daily tips so if those are not pre-paid the OBC is as good as cash

I suggest you check with O. Unless the policy has changed in the last 30 days, there is definitely a 5% fee for taking refundable OBC's in cash.

That is disgusting :eek:

 

Just as bad as being served raw chicken

 

How can this be on Oceania ??

 

Maybe the hiring agency needs to test the cooking skills of the chefs before hiring them, sometimes hiring cheaper crew does not always pay in the long run

 

Lyn

What one needs to understand is that the issue may run deeper than a "hiring agency". Prestige Cruise Holdings (AKA Oceania & Regent) is majority owned

by Apollo Global Management (APO on the NYSE). One of Apollo's subsidiaries

hires and manages almost all crew except those on the bridge & engine room.

This includes the kitchens.

Even though I routinely did it in Jan-Feb., there is now a 5% fee for getting refundable OBC 's paid in cash. I went all the way to upper mgm't 2 months ago to get this change in policy affirmed. A very poor decision for those of us that want some casino dollars.

Did those complaining ever thought about writing to Oceania directly about their problems instead of discussing on a board forum? It is fine to share information and tips but when the subject is dissatisfaction I think one should do it to the cruise line customer relations department.

 

As far as Oceania is concerned I have had only one situation to complain about up till now and I was very impressed by the way they reacted and handled the complaint.

As Crazy Si on Duck Dynasty is want to say "happy-happy". No negative comments allowed- only happy-happy.

No more comments about the cookies by Laraine- not happy-happy.

We have been blessed with glorious weather and very calm seas

 

 

Cd update

Latest rumor is that Nolan dean will only be on the remainder of this cruise. He boards tomorrow

David shermet will join the cruise starting aug 2

 

 

 

 

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Spent a month with David this winter in the South Pacific and had zero issues with him. The only thing you have to get used to is his super proper enunciation.

You will never say "what did he say?" . Didn't play trivia, so can't comment.

Many seafarers will tell you it can be the roughest water in the world. The convergence of the Atlantic and pacific does not bode well. But.... We did the Drake Passage a number of years ago, and the Captain called the area the "Drake Lake".

Also on Oceania, the suites get first choice of dining times 90 days out. By the time it gets to the Balconies time to pick speciality dining at about 30 days out then all the best times have all been taken. We found that only the 6:15 slots were available ....much too early for us, especially after a day in port.

 

Speciality dining on Azamara has always been on a first come basis and I can't see why that should change.

 

Hazel....we can book at Check In! I think Prime C on Constanta Day and Aqualina on a Sea day? What do you think? :)

Correction-from Oceania's web site:

Owner's, Vista and Oceania Suites can make reservations 90 days until 7 days prior to embarkation. (The 10 really big suites)

Penthouse Suites can make reservations 75 days until 7 days prior to embarkation. (Club Continent)

Concierge Level Veranda Staterooms can make reservations 60 days until 7 days prior to embarkation. (deck 7)

Veranda, Ocean View and Inside Staterooms can make reservations 45 days until 7 days prior to embarkation.

I see this thread is gaining momentum, i.e., heating up, so I'll jump in here to say I have not heard on the internal grapevine that there is a problem around Guests getting into the Specialty Restaurants and/or the new Dining Packages.

 

That doesn't mean it isn't so, just that there's no internal buzz that there's a problem - which is one of the reasons I read this CC forum regularly - to see if a problem exists that we didn't know about. Sort of like reading indian smoke signals rising over the distant hills...some smoke means there's trouble brewing and other smoke simply means they're roasting dinner over the spit. What I'm saying in an off-handed way is that I worry this smoke has turned from dinner to trouble.

 

I have sent off an email to the Hotel Dept tonight to get an assessment. I expect I'll have some sort of response in the morning. I'll let you know when I hear.

 

Bonnie

Very proactive and I am sure much appreciated!

Thanks, Lynne. I speak to Larraine every day. The point of my post is the mysterious absence of any information being given to us.

[/quote

I am on the next cruise, and I can assure you, I am not staying awake or taking more meds because of this "mysterious absence". I have never believed that the CD is all that important. It the ports, the ship and fellow pax that make a difference. I know I am odd, but I don't pay thousands of dollars to play trivia with the CD.

From Cruise Critic today.

Where oh where is Seabourn???

Norwegian Cruise Line Bans Smoking on Balconies

Beginning November 2014, smokers won't be able to light up on their cruise ship balconies when sailing Norwegian Cruise Line. Norwegian is the second major cruise line in eight days to extinguish cigarette smoking on cruise ship balconies.

Have done both PG & Marina in French Polynesia. I would recommend PG for several reasons:

-Marina only goes during the rainy season (Jan-March).

-PG is in the area almost year-around. Thus "knows" the islands much better.

-With a smaller ship, PG can go places and dock where Marina can't. PG will anchor in some coves that are right out of Nat. Geo.

I think both ships, even though much different, are both good in terms of staff, food, etc. Obviously with Marina much larger, there are several things PG can't offer: Cooking classes, artist loft, more, larger pools, etc. But the other side of the coin is that PG has considerably fewer passengers.

Another observation

 

 

The cookies on this cruise are awful. Hard as a rock. They taste like boxed cookies that have been sitting on a supermarket shelf Good for the waistline I suppose

 

The ones on regatta were irresistible

 

 

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I have found that cookies are not one of O's strengths. A lot of times we don't want desert, especially at lunch. But would like to grab one good chocolate chip cookie on the way out of the Terrace. Doesn't happen. Maybe Hampton Inns will share their secret for their fresh baked chippers.

-and if the Government subsidized Shipyard holds the debt, would that change your opinion?

Typically the shipyards-thru government subsidies-offer a lower than "market" interest rate on the debt owed the shipyard. Maybe LIBOR+1 when market is 7%. This "deal" does not do anything with the debt, only the interest paid on the debt. The debt will still be on PHC's balance sheet.

A fact that may negate a new build announcement anytime soon is that earlier this year Apollo Global Management, LLC filed a blank Form S-1 with the SEC.

This filing(when the blanks are filled in) would take Prestige Cruise Holdings public and greatly reduce Apollo's holdings. Theoretically it might also provide some cash to PCH's to reduce their debt for Regent's new build and maybe help facilitate a new build for Oceania. Until the offering, which is solely at Apollo's choice, I personally do not see more balance sheet debt, due to an O new build, as a positive to any public offering.

Posting as a dirty old sen(ile)ior citizen, unlike HawaiiDan that lives near the great beaches, many of us from the great hinterlands don't. Therefore, as long as there aren't to many kids, having a few of those kid's moms in their bikinis at the pool is a delightful injection of scenery when compared to having only those ladies of my more advanced age! :D

Great post!

Why does this thread exist? There is no creditable information presented that even hints at a new build. Why not discuss the existence of the Loch Ness Monster- more productive.

They are not the first cruise line to book charters, and they won't be the last.

I would like to hear of another "major" line that charters for 3 months. A week or 2, ok, a number of lines do that. This isn't necessarily about more revenue as it is guaranteed revenue. You take the risk of soft bookings out of the equation in exchange for lower, but guaranteed, revenue. If charters were more profitable than normal bookings, many lines would do this all year.

270 days prior is when the Airlines typically announce their flights.

It was never an Oceania restriction.

It has been 330 days for years. Some airlines are even 336.

The above response from Seabourn is essentially the same as they have been saying for over 2 years. The new White House press secretary couldn't have said nothing any better.

Dear CC members,

 

We are in the business to make a profit so that we can provide our guests with an unforgettable holiday experience.

Any comments and speculations on this forum regarding the 2016 voyages we list as "sold out" are unfounded.

Don't stop with "unfounded". What is happening, are the cruises available or not? A lot of potential pax would like to know the true skinny.

Wouldn't you think they'd set aside a certain number of tables every night so that suite guests who are entitled to eat in the restaurants wouldn't be denied a seat?

I have no clue. I was hoping someone who was in a Club Suite could give some input.