New To Oceania - a few Questions

[HaveDogWillTravel]

@jondfk. That’s encouraging news about your wife tolerating the R class vessel. Adam is a trooper and never complains however I try to give him the best experience possible.  We had booked the Pacific Princess to Alaska once but had to cancel. Then she was gone before we found another suitable time and itinerary.  
The Grand was my first ever cruise during the 50th anniversary celebration year. Sailed on her many times since and love her warts and all. The Island is our favorite though with those 200 sq ft aft balconies. 
 

Oceania has so many things I’m looking forward to…..food, the friendly well travelled people, the food, the reportedly exceptional crew, the food, the smaller size, the food, nice upper decks……and the food.  I’m excited to finally try this line. 
 

My only concern is the size of the cabins in A and B categories on the R ships. I’m willing to give it a go!  

[HaveDogWillTravel]

7 minutes ago, LHT28 said:

AFAIK  the balcony has more of  a footstool  height table  but we have not been on an R ship for several years

Hopefully someone will comment further

 

You may need a PH for your  needs

Thank you.
I do agree about the PH. However, those are long gone on this sailing. I’ll keep an eye out for cancellations as the dates approach for cancellation fees. 

[GrammieK]

4 hours ago, HaveDogWillTravel said:

 

4 hours ago, HaveDogWillTravel said:

 

Will they bring food course by course or do you have to order appetizers, main and dessert all at once?  
 

 

 

I’m pretty sure course by course meals are only served by butlers in categories PH and above. 
k

[HaveDogWillTravel]

Thank you @GrammieK

[Jancruz]

I have spent over 400 days on Oceania and never had a problem with A or B and my husband is over 6'

 I am going on the same cruise to SFO April 24 and September 8..so I am sure I will see you on board..

LHT is correct only PH gets dinner course by course..

Jancruz1

 

 

[HaveDogWillTravel]

@Jancruzthank you. I’m looking forward to meeting you. With that many days on Oceania I am sure you have a wealth of knowledge about the O class and R class ships. 

[HaveDogWillTravel]

I am unsure what the difference is between an “OCI Cruise Specialist” and a “Personal Consultant”.  

 

I received an email from a Personal Consultant whose signature includes both Regent and Oceania. When her internet went down and our communication halted I received a phone call from a lovely gentleman explaining her issue.  Then he answered all my questions and more. When I asked him to put a hold on a cabin for a few days without payment he said he (and the first person who emailed me) could not do that but if I called the number on the website they could put a no payment 7 day hold for me. 
 

So I did just that. The Guest Statement I received includes this persons name, contact info and the title of Cruise Specialist.  He wasn’t particularly helpful, didn’t articulate his words making it difficult to understand him and the phone call ended a bit awkwardly.  He is not someone I would be interested in working with. 
 

I now would like to pay the deposit and begin a relationship with a single person at Oceania. The first person I emailed with sent this comment 

“Thank you for you kind words.  I am happy to hear, you have someone assisting you in the reservations department.  I will note my records so you do not get any further calls or e-mails from me.  Any further questions, would be directed to them.  We look forward to welcoming you onboard Oceania cruises.”

 

Does that mean once I book Personal Consultants no longer work with me and I must use a Cruise Specialist?  If so how do I get a different one than the random person who picked up the phone the other day?  
 

Thank you in advance. 

[1985rz1]

12 minutes ago, HaveDogWillTravel said:

I am unsure what the difference is between an “OCI Cruise Specialist” and a “Personal Consultant”.  

 

I received an email from a Personal Consultant whose signature includes both Regent and Oceania. When her internet went down and our communication halted I received a phone call from a lovely gentleman explaining her issue.  Then he answered all my questions and more. When I asked him to put a hold on a cabin for a few days without payment he said he (and the first person who emailed me) could not do that but if I called the number on the website they could put a no payment 7 day hold for me. 
 

So I did just that. The Guest Statement I received includes this persons name, contact info and the title of Cruise Specialist.  He wasn’t particularly helpful, didn’t articulate his words making it difficult to understand him and the phone call ended a bit awkwardly.  He is not someone I would be interested in working with. 
 

I now would like to pay the deposit and begin a relationship with a single person at Oceania. The first person I emailed with sent this comment 

“Thank you for you kind words.  I am happy to hear, you have someone assisting you in the reservations department.  I will note my records so you do not get any further calls or e-mails from me.  Any further questions, would be directed to them.  We look forward to welcoming you onboard Oceania cruises.”

 

Does that mean once I book Personal Consultants no longer work with me and I must use a Cruise Specialist?  If so how do I get a different one than the random person who picked up the phone the other day?  
 

Thank you in advance. 

Is the personal consultant an independent TA or a person at Oceania?  Was the Consultant's email a result of something you requested because you saved a cruise on O's site?   I think that O uses both the terms Personal Consultant and Cruise Specialist.  Our O invoices come from our TA with her agency and Contact information on it.  They send it to her and she forwards it to us.  She's Cruise Connoisseur Club Member.

Edited March 24, 2022 by 1985rz1

[HaveDogWillTravel]

1 hour ago, 1985rz1 said:

Is the personal consultant an independent TA or a person at Oceania?  Was the Consultant's email a result of something you requested because you saved a cruise on O's site?   I think that O uses both the terms Personal Consultant and Cruise Specialist.  Our O invoices come from our TA with her agency and Contact information on it.  They send it to her and she forwards it to us.  She's Cruise Connoisseur Club Member.

I thought it was an Oceania employee. I’ll include a screen shot of the signature bit with the personal info excluded. 
I had been looking through the itineraries, mocking some bookings and saved some to my account. That’s when the email came. 

[1985rz1]

3 hours ago, HaveDogWillTravel said:

I thought it was an Oceania employee. I’ll include a screen shot of the signature bit with the personal info excluded. 
I had been looking through the itineraries, mocking some bookings and saved some to my account. That’s when the email came. 

If you save a cruise to your account, you will most likely get a call and/oor email from a Personal Consultant at O to help you (read that sell you) with a booking.  If booked, you then deal with an O Cruise Specialist.  You can transfer a cruise booked with O to a Travel Agent within 30 days of the booking.  Your challenge will to find one, since it's against CC's rules to name TAs on the forum or exchange email addresses for the purpose of recommending a TA.

Edited March 24, 2022 by 1985rz1

[fishbio1]

Timmy,

 

Are you on the April 18th cruise out of Rome? My girlfriend is a doctor doing a CME and I am tagging along. she is in her 30s and I am in my 40s.