They don't just change the itinerary before you board...

[Martin20]

We were on the Auckland to Sydney cruise in February, having been on the previous cruise Papeete to Auckland, and experienced two incidents which left us very disillusioned with Oceania.

 

This second leg had many days at sea, which we are not fans of, but at least one of those days was shown on the itinerary as "cruising by White Island and Mercury Island" as opposed to "day at sea" so we were looking forward to this. In particular, we knew that White Island was an active volcano which was experiencing some heightened activity but nothing that prevented tourist landings (on a previous trip to New Zealand we had taken an organized tour by boat to the island and these were still running in February and continue to currently do so).

 

We asked the previous day what time we were expected to sail past White Island and were amazed to be told that the ship was going past both islands at about 3 in the morning! When we asked for an explanation, it was treated as no big deal but as we persisted our complaint was passed to the Executive Concierge. His response was that just because it was in the itinerary it did not mean the ship had to sail past these islands during daylight hours!!!! We found this incredible, particularly when also told that we wouldn't even see a glow from the volcanic activity if we wanted to get up in the middle of the night as the ship would be passing too far away.

 

We do wonder why days at sea exist at all on Oceania's itineraries as they could presumably find a couple of islands that the ship passes each night to substitute the day at sea to make the itinerary sound more exciting.

 

To add insult to injury, not one mention was made of the omission, either by Dottie the cruise director in her morning monologue or the Captain's mid-day announcement. We heard a couple of fellow passengers asking questions at reception but we got the overall impression that most passengers didn't realise the significance of White Island.

 

We asked for our complaint to be passed on to head office which we were told would happen at the end of the cruise but, as expected, nothing more has been heard.

 

The second incident was a change of arrival time for our arrival into Sydney Harbour, from the billed 8am to 6am. We had planned to be up on deck to experience the fantastic sight of entering through the Gap into the harbour at about 7am as it got light and asked Reception the evening before if this was about the right time. We were very surprised and disappointed to be told that the ship's docking time had been changed from 8am to 6am, when it would still be dark. We asked reception for the reason for the time change and were told that it was probably because of passengers with early flights who need to leave the ship early. Strange, because surely they would have known the time the ship was due to dock before they got on the ship...We then received the "Currents" newsletter a couple of hours later which said "Marina has been advised by Sydney Harbour officials that the ferry workers in the harbour have planned an embargo for tomorrow morning. In order to safely and efficiently guide Marina into the harbour and avoid the blockade, we have to adjust our arrival time to 6am. Any later tme would not allow us a guarantee of entry".

 

Fair enough, but on waking the next morning and drawing the curtains expecting something reminiscent of a Calais blockade (fellow UK readers will get the gist) we were surprised to see the ferries operating as normal and no signs of any industrial action. Furthermore, when we walked over and asked a worker manning the gates at the ferry entry, he said that no action was planned and indeed the last action he could remember was the previous August. We also later checked at the tourist office and they said the same and, upon checking the ship arrival calendar, said that the Marina had long been scheduled to arrive at 6am.

 

Make of this what you want but we have been left very disillusioned by both incidents.

[hypercafe]

All you can do is send a letter telling of your disappointment. I expect you will get a form letter in response saying they feel bad. If I really want to see a place I do not use a cruise but that is just me.

[CintiPam]

I confess that I am astonished that you are disillusioned, feel injured and chose to join and make your very first post here because of what appears to be very minor changes.

[Martin20]

I suspected that I would get a reply as above. There appears to be a lot of devoted supporters of Oceania on this forum who seem to think Oceania can do no wrong. Perhaps their enjoyment comes from just being on the ship but for others the enjoyment is seeing new places and having new experiences.

 

This was not my first cruise on Oceania and I generally feel they have a good product. However, their cruises are not cheap and on this last cruise I personally felt that the complete omission of the content of one day of the itinerary, as advertised in the brochure and onboard itinerary, without any acknowledgement of it by anyone on board, was unacceptable. Maybe some passengers couldn't care less what they see whilst on a cruise but I was particularly interested to sail past White Island and, out of respect for their customers, someone should have made an announcement as to the reason this was not happening. The fact that both cruising by White Island and Mercury Island was advertised as being part of the cruise when there was never any intention it was going to happen in daylight hours is, in my opinion, totally unacceptable.

 

With regards Sydney Harbour, the arrival into Sydney by water is one of the world's great experiences and was part of the reason for choosing this cruise. I could find no evidence to support the statement issued by Oceania for the change in arrival time and yes, it does make me annoyed.

[no fuss travel]

We solved that problem on the same cruise by taking a ferry out and walking out to watch the ships pass through the narrow channel. We had a glorious day and a beautiful view. As far as New Zealand went, in order to be able to have casino opened and shops opened the ship must be a certain distance away from shore. It was not a deal breaker for me and the cruise gives you a taste of what each port has to offer and lets one know if you want to go back and do an more in-depth visit. Yes, New Zealand and Australia in depth are on our bucket list, but we will do it from the land rather than the sea to see what we want to see.:D

[Earl Rosebery]

You are kidding right? I'd hate to see your reaction if something serious happened to you.

[CintiPam]

I suspected that I would get a reply as above. There appears to be a lot of devoted supporters of Oceania on this forum who seem to think Oceania can do no wrong. Perhaps their enjoyment comes from just being on the ship but for others the enjoyment is seeing new places and having new experiences.

 

 

I simply am struggling to understand your outrage at missing a sail-by of an island which you stated in your post you previously had visited on an organized tour by boat, but of course you are entitled to your opinion. Characterizing this as missing one day of your itinerary compared to many who entirely miss port stops due to various factors seems a bit harsh.

 

Any who have read my previous posts certainly would not classify me as a devoted supporter.:) My last and next cruises are on a different cruiseline.

 

Anyway, in spite of these annoyances, I hope your enjoyed your cruise.

[pacheco18]

I simply am struggling to understand your outrage at missing a sail-by of an island which you stated in your post you previously had visited on an organized tour by boat, but of course you are entitled to your opinion. Characterizing this as missing one day of your itinerary compared to many who entirely miss port stops due to various factors seems a bit harsh.

 

Any who have read my previous posts certainly would not classify me as a devoted supporter.:) My last and next cruises are on a different cruiseline.

 

Anyway, in spite of these annoyances, I hope your enjoyed your cruise.

 

I agree with Pam. I too sail various lines. Missing a port or a site is a fact of cruising and in the scheme of things a minor inconvenience. We are sailing now to our ports in Israel and we all have our fingers crossed.

 

Do you think o would intentionally do this just to dash expectations?

[hondorner]

...but I was particularly interested to sail past White Island and, out of respect for their customers, someone should have made an announcement as to the reason this was not happening...

If I understand you correctly, you are annoyed that there wass no announcement. I'm sorry; I fail to see how an announcement would have changed anything...

 

...With regards Sydney Harbour...I could find no evidence to support the statement issued by Oceania for the change in arrival time...

I don't know how to navigate a cruise ship, thus I tend to not question the statements of those who do.

 

While you may feel that many of us feel the cruise line can do no wrong, the fact is that most of us have experienced missed ports and changes in schedule on many different cruise lines. These situations are part of cruising, not specific to any one cruise line.

 

I do hope you continue to use Cruise Critic for all it's positive benefits. Remember that not all crticism is negative -- even film critics like some movies...;)

[Martin20]

So if an itinerary says, for example, Day 5 "cruising by Easter Island" as opposed to "day at sea" you're saying you would not expect to have an explanation if all you saw was open sea and it the turned out the ship had passed it in the middle of the night...

 

Yes, I accept that unavoidable changes to the itinerary happen all the time on cruises, both before sailing and during the cruise, because of weather, wars, mechanical problems etc. I have experienced these and have no problem whatsoever, apart from disappointment, when this happens.

 

Unavoidable changes are not the subject of my opening post, however.

 

With regards White Island, my point is that Oceania never intended to sail by this island, or Mercury Island, during daylight hours but it was still included on the itinerary. Indeed, now I look at my New Zealand map I can see that Mercury Island isn't even en route from Tauranga to Napier and is much further north off the Commorandel Peninsula. Why anyone would think this is acceptable behaviour on the part of Oceania, beats me as in my opinion it is false advertising. To add insult to injury, the shuttle bus driver in the next port of call, Napier, said you must have passed White Island on the way here- I bet that was fantastic as you won't see it like that again any time soon. Unfortunately not...

 

Also, with Sydney I am sure there was a reason the ship docked two hours early but it certainly did not appear to be the reason given to passengers. But who am I to say, I'm just the paying passenger.

[wripro]

I must say that, in general, I have had more missed ports (for whatever reason) on Oceania than on any other cruise line I have ever sailed.

[CintiPam]

I must say that, in general, I have had more missed ports (for whatever reason) on Oceania than on any other cruise line I have ever sailed.

 

So, wripro, so much for my interest in cruising with you!:)

[Jancruz]

So, wripro, so much for my interest in cruising with you!:)

 

ROTFL

Jancruz1

[wripro]

Cintipam,

 

I would think it would have more effect on your interest in cruising with O. Even so, we could have lots of fun on the ship!

[Paulchili]

wripro is a valuable and prized member of any trivia team :D

[CintiPam]

wripro is a valuable and prized member of any trivia team :D

 

Well, in that case, I withdraw my earlier comment. I love to play trivia onboard; therefore, I cannot wait to sail with wripro!:)

[nana541]

I must say that, in general, I have had more missed ports (for whatever reason) on Oceania than on any other cruise line I have ever sailed.

 

This thread has opened my eyes in a very large way....yes I have missed my share of ports but the above statement by "wripro" and some of the concerns brought up by the OP have really taken me by surprise. Frankly, missed ports is something that happens, Santorini last year was a disappointment, Rome would hav been a major deal, but I understand "stuff" happens that the cruise line can not control.

 

So what this thread has pointed out in a big way, O maybe misses more ports than other lines, then we have the failure to sail into Sidney harbor at the "promised" time AND the missing Islands touted in itinerary/brochure....had I been on this cruise I would say that sailing into Sidney harbor would have been a HUGE deal and the sail by the Islands is really scenic and would have been looked forward to on those long sea days.

 

Sorry these lapses are starting to add up and I will be remembering these comments when planning our next booking. Very very concerning!

[A Knitter]

This thread has opened my eyes in a very large way....yes I have missed my share of ports but the above statement by "wripro" and some of the concerns brought up by the OP have really taken me by surprise. Frankly, missed ports is something that happens, Santorini last year was a disappointment, Rome would hav been a major deal, but I understand "stuff" happens that the cruise line can not control.

 

So what this thread has pointed out in a big way, O maybe misses more ports than other lines, then we have the failure to sail into Sidney harbor at the "promised" time AND the missing Islands touted in itinerary/brochure....had I been on this cruise I would say that sailing into Sidney harbor would have been a HUGE deal and the sail by the Islands is really scenic and would have been looked forward to on those long sea days.

 

Sorry these lapses are starting to add up and I will be remembering these comments when planning our next booking. Very very concerning!

 

6 O cruises (2 pending)and one missed port (Portofino) 20 other cruises and two missed ports. Santorini was one and the other was a carribbean port. Sailed to Egypt year before 911 and there was some concern then but no missed Ports.

[LHT28]

Eight O cruises ..arrived earlier for debarkation because some people booked flights a lot earlier than they should have, (10:30 am flight from London, seriously)

One port substituted because of a storm so havd to go to another port or a sea day, we got lucky with getting to another port

one port missed to sea conditions ..to rough to tender

 

Three changes out of 120+ days for us

 

 

Some ports are missed regularly due to sea conditions not just by Oceania

[nana541]

Thanks for the responses and like I said I have certainly missed ports! I'm afraid the early arrival into Sidney without a real reason or at least a darn good reason would have really pissed me off. Wripro apparently is just unlucky and manages to pick cruises that misses ports, I will need to check with him in the future to avoid the ones he sails :)

[Tiggertastic]

Yes it's disappointing that ports get missed or arrivals don't happen when you expect them to and sail bys happen at an inconvenient time - that's cruising

 

It will happen again too I'm afraid so at least you won't be too shocked next time

[potterhill]

We have done 8 cruises, all on O, and never missed a port. Just lucky I guess. We have had arrival and departure times adjusted, some longer, some shorter. Some ports have been changed well in advance such as switching Kusadasi for Izmir.

 

Last year we arrived in Sydney at 6 am and it was beautiful. This was end of March, so day length may vary. I wouldn't sweat the early arrival. I find it difficult to believe they would arrive early to accommodate passengers flight times as it all has to do with traffic flow at the port, availability of the harbour pilot etc. Not an easy change to make.

 

Mo

[hondorner]

Probably one of the most ironic missed ports in recent years was on Marina's Maiden Voyage, when the winds and waves in the harbor at Malaga, Spain were too rough to permit us to enter. My understanding is that it was not the Captain's decision, that the port authorities actually denied us entry. The irony came from two situations. One, the costumes for the next production show, and seamstresses to alter them, were waiting at the Malaga dock. The cast had to change the order of their shows to one where the costumes were already on board, and the costumes were flown to Casablanca. The second was that CEO Frank Del Rio was aboard from Barcelona, and had plans to leave the ship at Malaga. He had prior commitments, and if there was any way possible for the ship to have docked there, I'm certain he would have ordered it. He sailed with us on the Casablanca.

 

Yet, there were folks on board who were heard to say, "That harbor didn't look that bad -- I think they wanted to save the Port fees", and other such drivel.

[sparty1]

Couldn't resist adding my 2 cents worth:) Our first 7 cruises with Princess had at least one missed port on each cruise! One itinerary we missed 5 ports(each for a different stated reason). Another itinerary missed a certain port 9 out of 10 times, but they still had it as a port stop on their itinerary!(it was an unusual port, so it makes you think they probably keep it advertised just to get people to book the cruise) Having said that, we kept trying their intineraries becuz they had the most unusual ones at the time.(glutton for punishment maybe?) Over the years, though, we realize all cruise lines miss ports at some time, so we've learned to always look for our "plan b". Our 1 Oceania cruise missed one port, but research showed it was greatly possible; and Oceania replaced it with having the residents of the island come to us for the day!(Pitcairn) It was handled well by Oceania and worked out great as far as we're concerned. I'm sure the lines and the Captain really do want to please their passengers! We have 2 more Oceania cruises booked for now:-) Guess I gave more like 10 cents worth...sorry.

 

I must say that, in general, I have had more missed ports (for whatever reason) on Oceania than on any other cruise line I have ever sailed.

(

[wripro]

Thanks, Paul.

 

Am I to believe now that anyone who wants to cruise with me is just engaging in trivial pursuit?