Vineyard View

Thank you for your feedback. I think that it is interesting that many can view the same experience through a different lens. I find that on the few main boards that I follow, you can find this similar take away from each when comparing lines. So those on Viking will argue the same as you feel about Oceania, etc. I truly do believe some of it has to do with the overall brand identity, but some has to also do with individual ships, on specific itineraries, with different CD’s and chefs, or even dates, that provides our perceptions for whom we will want to continue to spend time and money on. That runs true with day in and out choices we make. We found Viking Rivers in 2013, then their Oceans in 2015 and afterwards. We found Seabourn this year and felt it was a better product than V. Nothing was perfect. On any single cruise we have taken. That is travel. And life. You clearly have found your simpatico with Oceania. What a good place to be when you find that.

Then they must have deteriorated quite a Bit since several cruises we took on Viking pre pandemic. I am not suggesting that Oceania is or was less, but rather that Viking was a really good experience on multiple levels.

Would love to hear back on your perspective. If you wouldn’t mind, please let us know your experiences. I hope that you have a fantastic time and love your choice of Oceania.

I am seeing these options. We loved Istanbul, but do not really have extra time on this trip. It’s a really great idea and option if it works!

I’ve read several reports/feedback on various sites now regarding TA. It seems that their economy may be lacking in comparison to others. However, it does seem that their BC experience is quite impressive….the deal is you most likely will always be routed through IST, with a very long layover in one direction….usually it seems headed back to the States. Apparently they will allow for no extra charges if you decide to stay over and explore IST. That or you spend the night on many itineraries. So if that is of interest, it could be an enticing carrot.

Bonine, ginger, and pretzels (or something salty!). I actually travel with pretzel sticks! I know, weird!

Maybe it’s just me, but I don’t see two night worthy in this menu for a 7 night itinerary. Maybe I am in the minority and it appeals to a broader audience than I am thinking. Glad that you are enjoying your cruise, but it’s too bad that food hasn’t been at the level you had hoped for. We all have different tastes. There may be people lined up for this two night special fare!

Seems to happen from time to time still. I am trying to remember if it is more common on the weekends….

And as you said earlier. You ‘like to poke the bear’. Clearly you are good at that…..

Therein lies a very big question….

Thank you for responding. I have not experienced these before on a ship. My first thought is that the privacy would be much less. The second thought is it may feel less closed in. Not sure how I would it would feel in person.

Are all the balcony dividers as these appear to be…more glass frosted than metal or completely opaque?

DH would love this one! Will pass this forward!

Just be sure you get everything in writing that you might discuss regarding any additional benefits, such as air credit or OBC. It will avoid any possible issues after you return home. The 5% discount is a nice benefit.

Travel is in May. Maybe I am a bit too soon. I am so used to using miles, and that approach is the further out the better. Right now Flying Blue wants one million miles! TA suggested waiting as well, but I was really hoping to use some miles. I reached out to one consolidator and he wasn’t very helpful. Maybe I will also research that a bit more so thanks for that tip. I remain grateful to all of you jumping in here!

Thank you for this. I will look further at TA. We are limited on away time with our dog sitting. The extra days in IST would be awesome otherwise. I will read their stopover program details. I tried to do a multi city on their website yesterday but could only find OW and RT, so will dig deeper there as well.

Thank you FlyerTalk. I did take a look at TA. I’ve never flown them. The return itineraries that were so long made me turn away from the option, not knowing that they would provide a hotel. I will look closer at this as well. Our sail date is 5/18, return 6/1. I will not fly in day off but prefer 17th arrival as we have spent quite a bit of time in BCN. We also have enjoyed Rome a few times so would prefer to fly out that afternoon. We spent a couple of days in IST before, and so maybe an overnight would be an option on the return. I appreciate this as well! The suggestions for me on this thread by several are sincerely appreciated. Thank you

Thanks much! I have no problem with booking restricted fares. I will just add them to our travel insurance. Those are my preferred travel dates.

We were PV on our Viking cruises. The showers are the same in the regular verandahs as well, but not sure about their suites. We just felt that their showers were a bonus compared to others we had sailed on, but twice as big would be pretty awesome! When we sailed HAL in the Neptune it was 8 years ago on their ms Ryndam with 1200 pax. It was not a large shower at all, but still a great experience and loved our trip with them. Pinnacle grill never disappointed for breakfast or dinner.

Hi LHT28. Thank you for this suggestion. I have not used this specific matrix. I did look at Google flights, but will explore this further tomorrow. Thanks again. I am hopeful that something will work out.

I believe that you will. We sailed them this year. Haven’t yet sailed Oceania, but several Viking trips, and SB was a much better product than V. I will say though that Viking shines in a few areas, but overall we liked the SB product better. Their Flight Ease air is very attractive. So much so, as you said, that it can really level the playing field out in pricing. I didn’t realize how much so until this experience.

Hi Mark! Yes, same cruise. Great itinerary. Thanks for this suggestion. I looked at Air Canada. Best out of SFO right now BC is $9,665. I am flexible each way by a day+ but absolutely want to arrive nlt the 17Th. We don’t fly in the day off. We almost always have one stop from the West Coast. I would even consider two, which Air Canada had on return with that price. I will keep looking, but paying more for airfare than the cruise is crazy. I also looked at miles with two airlines. One wanted 1 million for BC. Two years ago the same airline wanted 195k for similar. I will keep looking as will our TA. Maybe once Fall hits there will be some breaks. Thanks for reaching out! Terri

Well that is a sticky wicket…..and good for you in making this happen. You are truly a good friend

I have been looking at multi city and not one way, but I appreciate this tip. I am out of SFO and includes BCN going, FCO back. Luthansa wants $11,828 BC BA wants $10,918 UA wants $12,985 I will keep looking, but this pricing is crazy. DH has a bad back, so long haul economy can’t happen. PE is ranging $6-$8k, with the lower end on Iberia. We haven’t flown on them, but I read less than stellar reviews of their PE. IDK. I want to make this trip work, but these types of airfares are certainly lending more exploring of the lines that include Business.

Loved this story of your pre-cruise lead in! Holy moly. Had me chuckling. Do you always travel with these friends? Maybe next time plan a secret trip and hope it sells out before you say anything! Cheers to your sanity. I would have been imbibing as well!