Live from Oceania Marina South Pacific

[Snowcold14]

We even called the tour company (Kia Koa Tours) from the ship at 1000 to tell them we would be later than expected. He said he would wait until 1100, but unfortunately we did not get there until 1130. I think Oceania needs to tell people what to expect and maybe it would not be so disappointing. And we were in line early--0825--before the ship was even cleared.

 

What has your experience been with Oceania cancelling tendered ports on your other cruises?

[TERRIER1]

We even called the tour company (Kia Koa Tours) from the ship at 1000 to tell them we would be later than expected. He said he would wait until 1100, but unfortunately we did not get there until 1130. I think Oceania needs to tell people what to expect and maybe it would not be so disappointing. And we were in line early--0825--before the ship was even cleared.

 

What has your experience been with Oceania cancelling tendered ports on your other cruises?

 

Oceania consistently cancels Hiva Oa but continues to leave this island on the itinerary knowing that they never go there. It would one thing if we couldn't tneder but the port is actually cancelled either after final payment or when you get on the ship.

[Paulchili]

We even called the tour company (Kia Koa Tours) from the ship at 1000 to tell them we would be later than expected. He said he would wait until 1100, but unfortunately we did not get there until 1130. I think Oceania needs to tell people what to expect and maybe it would not be so disappointing. And we were in line early--0825--before the ship was even cleared.

 

What has your experience been with Oceania cancelling tendered ports on your other cruises?

 

Again, sorry about your EI experience.

We have cruised on Oceania 13 times and have never missed a tender port other than Pitcairn. Perhaps we were just lucky.

[Snowcold14]

Soooooo. It is an ongoing trend for Oceania to cancel tender ports. Makes one think about booking future cruises with tender ports.

[LHT28]

I guess we have been lucky as well ..in 9 cruises we have only missed one tender port due to rough seas

[CruiseMacks]

I am doing this itinerary next year and it will be my 8th "O" cruise.

 

As for the safety drill it is LAW that they MUST have the safety drill within 24 hours, and with people not getting to the ship until 9 PM, the morning is the only time they could do it.

 

I have NEVER had a port cancelled in all my cruises, even going down around South America where the seas were extremely rough. They will only cancel a port if it is a danger to the passengers to try to get in.

 

It was interesting to read the posts about the tendering. I have always gone to Destination Services, told them I have a tour going and the time I need to get off the ship, and have been told to get my group into the lounge a half hour before we needed to get off, and then they set aside that many tickets for me. So far I haven't had a problem. We will see next year!

 

To the person using Kuoda Travel - - please let me know how your tour of MP went - we are thinking of using them next year.

 

Nancy

 

Enjoy the rest of your cruise!

[canuck.qc]

I am doing this itinerary next year and it will be my 8th "O" cruise.

 

As for the safety drill it is LAW that they MUST have the safety drill within 24 hours, and with people not getting to the ship until 9 PM, the morning is the only time they could do it.

 

I have NEVER had a port cancelled in all my cruises, even going down around South America where the seas were extremely rough. They will only cancel a port if it is a danger to the passengers to try to get in.

 

It was interesting to read the posts about the tendering. I have always gone to Destination Services, told them I have a tour going and the time I need to get off the ship, and have been told to get my group into the lounge a half hour before we needed to get off, and then they set aside that many tickets for me. So far I haven't had a problem. We will see next year!

 

To the person using Kuoda Travel - - please let me know how your tour of MP went - we are thinking of using them next year.

 

Nancy

 

Enjoy the rest of your cruise!

On our FP cruise in March, along with the a.m drill there was a late drill at 5:00pm for those who couldn't make the a.m drill. I also posted a detailed 'How To' get an early tender [email=http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2025834]http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2025834[/email]which would prob. helpful for those people to read. I never had problems getting on the 1st or 2nd tender. Regarding cancelled ports, I can see how weather can prohibit tendering. Also there are a few ports that have "issues" and if one reads previous posts they will come to know which these are... the same names come up Hiva Oa & Easter Island are common cancellations.

Also because of cancellations the itinerary can get shuffled, mostly common in FP.

[mringenoldus]

Well, we are enjoying a very relaxing Sunday at sea. Tomorrow is our last day prior to disembarking on Tuesday morning. We have had such a wonderful trip with good friends! It will be so hard to leave the ship and friends, but we still have the Machu Picchu trip ahead. I'm glad to hear the great review above. We will be staying at the Sumaq hotel in the Sacred Valley.

 

I'm surprised to hear that it is possible to have tender tickets aside. We are in a PH cabin but we're not able to receive priority tendering. I'll have to remember the tip for next time.

 

 

 

 

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[CruiseMacks]

If anyone who did this cruise this year, please email me at lmcd (that is an L) at gv dot net. I am doing the M&G for next year and with ports the first 6 days and people being out on excursions, and then probably the Captain's party the first sea day, I am trying to figure out the best time to hold it. Where was yours? What time and when?

 

Thanks.

 

Nancy

[mringenoldus]

We had an extremely we'll organized roll call member that set up the Meet and Greet with the pursers desk for the first sea day at 11:00. We were a large group so it was held in Horizons and there was a crew member to serve champagne. Jackie put a notice of the meet and greet in the mailbox of all roll call members that indicated their plan to attend.

 

We also had a slot pull ($15) and roulette spin ($10) hosted by the casino staff one afternoon. The roulette spin was awesome. The staff gave us each 100 chips to make our best plays during 5 spins. Each set of five spins had 5 participants. Then we had a final playoff for the pot with the top 5 players. (since Lady Meer won the slot pull champagne and Mr. Lady Meer won the first prize at roulette - I think it was rigged! Just kidding - it was a lot of fun. All those who have been posting their disdain for these roll call activities couldn't be more wrong :))

[hondorner]

Soooooo. It is an ongoing trend for Oceania to cancel tender ports. Makes one think about booking future cruises with tender ports.

I wouldn't call it a "trend", but a wise precaution for guest's safety. On Marina's maiden voyage from Barcelona to Miami, the first port was to be Malaga, Spain. We were in calm waters outside the harbor, but the port authorities declared it to rough to enter the harbor. Frank Del rio (Chairman and CEO) was on board, and planned to disembark in Malaga in order to imake it to important meetings. Also, seamstresses were waiting in Malaga with costumes for the singers and dancers. Believe me, if there was anyway to safely enter the harbor, it would have happened! As it was, the singers and dancers had to change the schedule of shows around, and FDR had to stay on board until Casablanca.

 

These things happen, and not just to Oceania. We have been on other cruise lines when a port had to be skipped. There is no grand conspiracy theory to entice passengers with a port and cancel it when it's too late.

[oceanbabe]

Hi: Returned from our first "O" cruise on May 6 in Lima. We were happy with this cruise, except for a few complaints: We had 2 lifeboat drills, not one! I think the food, although more varied, including lobster everyday, was not as great as everyone had said. There is a new entertainment director and we really enjoyed most of the shows. Loved all the ports even though unable to tender into Pitcairn. My husband had an accident getting off the tender in Fakarava (won't elaborate), but wasnt able to enjoy rest of cruise. We did all our port stops independently. Must highly recommend Haku Tours in Lima. Over 70% of the people live in Shanytown. A real "eye opener" and plan on doing a fund raiser for them now that home. Would still cruise with "O" again

[Mura]

Elaine,

 

I have to believe you had two boat drills because of the length of the cruise. This isn't the cruise line's decision -- it's a legal requirement.

 

Better safe than sorry!

 

You're not the first one to be somewhat disappointed in the food. And all the hype doesn't help. For us, O has the best food we've had on any cruise line but that doesn't mean every meal was perfect! Besides, we all have our different tastes, likes and dislikes.

 

Mura

Edited May 17, 2014 by Mura
typo

[mringenoldus]

Having been on Insignia and Regatta, I really think the food, although very, very good, is impacted by the need to prepare it for twice the number of passengers as the R7 class ship.

[Paulchili]

Having been on Insignia and Regatta, I really think the food, although very, very good, is impacted by the need to prepare it for twice the number of passengers as the R7 class ship.

 

True. However, for us, this is counter balanced by the fact that there are 2 extra and excellent specialty restaurants as well as an outstanding grill selection in the Terrace Café (which is far superior to its equivalent on the R ships). Also, there is La Reserve for those interested.

[potterhill]

With regards to the quality of the food. We have had outstanding food and merely adequate food. All depends on who is in the kitchen.

 

Mo

 

 

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[Hawaiidan]

Soooooo. It is an ongoing trend for Oceania to cancel tender ports. Makes one think about booking future cruises with tender ports.

 

 

To be very clear no one tenders at Pitcairn. Talked with several residents who told me in the past 17 ships..not one has tendered to shore except one adventure cruise for 18 people.

To be fair to the ship the South Pacific region of the "danger islands" is iffy at best. Its the ocean for petes sake...its not Disneyland. When you venture off the normal track expect bumps....

A local told me that there is a $50pp landing tax based on the ships occupancy I was told...not how many actually set foot on the island. So your looking at at least 50 to $60,000.

As this has been the norm for the past years the Pitcairn islanders always set out by boat every time a ship comes... its standard procedure.

Fanning Island tried this with NCL several years ago and NCl pulled out.

[pinotlover]

My primary comment is that Oceania should be very upfront about these destinations. I have three tendering ports on one of my upcoming cruises, and have now read that all three are iffy, and typically become sea days. Had I known that info going in, I probably wouldn't have book the cruise, because the ratio of sea days to ports and tours soar.

 

While I wholeheartedly agree this is not Disneyworld, but the ocean, if the cruise ships are experiencing the number of waveoffs as reported on Pitcairn, it should be dropped as an advertised destination on any cruise, imo.

 

A question of ethics: Should O, and the other cruise lines, clearly advise their clientele to not book any pre paid tours at these highly iffy tendering ports?

[TERRIER1]

My primary comment is that Oceania should be very upfront about these destinations. I have three tendering ports on one of my upcoming cruises, and have now read that all three are iffy, and typically become sea days. Had I known that info going in, I probably wouldn't have book the cruise, because the ratio of sea days to ports and tours soar.

 

While I wholeheartedly agree this is not Disneyworld, but the ocean, if the cruise ships are experiencing the number of waveoffs as reported on Pitcairn, it should be dropped as an advertised destination on any cruise, imo.

 

A question of ethics: Should O, and the other cruise lines, clearly advise their clientele to not book any pre paid tours at these highly iffy tendering ports?

 

Totally agree. They haven't made Hiva Oa yet and it has nothing to do with weather. They list the port in the brochures and then cancel it either after final payment or on the ship.

[shipcat]

In the winter 2014/15 is Hiva Oa not more in the itinerary.

[lais]

I am doing this itinerary next year and it will be my 8th "O" cruise.

 

To the person using Kuoda Travel - - please let me know how your tour of MP went - we are thinking of using them next year.

 

Nancy

 

!

 

I heard Kuoda Travel was very good. We used adventurestoperu.com and it was also very good and $$$ less money than Kuoda. Check it out on trip advisor. It is run by a California man who lives in Lima and it was very easy to communicate with him. He also personally met up with us on our 1st day in Lima.

[sailorgirl]

On our FP cruise in March, along with the a.m drill there was a late drill at 5:00pm for those who couldn't make the a.m drill. I also posted a detailed 'How To' get an early tender [email=http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2025834]http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2025834[/email]which would prob. helpful for those people to read. I never had problems getting on the 1st or 2nd tender. Regarding cancelled ports, I can see how weather can prohibit tendering. Also there are a few ports that have "issues" and if one reads previous posts they will come to know which these are... the same names come up Hiva Oa & Easter Island are common cancellations.

Also because of cancellations the itinerary can get shuffled, mostly common in FP.

 

What's an FP cruise??

[no fuss travel]

French Polynesia or to simplify even more that islands around Tahiti.

[sailorgirl]

French Polynesia. Of course. Thanks.

[no fuss travel]

You are welcome. Beautiful place to visit.