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Cruise Reviews

Oceania - You Let Yourself & Your Guests Down

Reviewed By: Carter, Upminster on 7th Oct 2008
Cruise Line: Oceania Cruises Times cruised before: 3-5
Cruise Ship: Nautica Sailed: August, 2008
Destination: Mediterranean Age: 56-65
We were unfortunate enough to sail on the mediterranean-cruises/">Mediterranean cruise of 12 August and have waited to submit a review, until we received a reply from Oceania on our email, sent on our return. However, I am disappointed to have to report that I agree with all the comments made so far. What a shame that Oceania has let itself down like this.

It was 3 weeks before we received a derisory response, which completely overlooked the reasoning behind our complaint, and chose instead, to believe that our letter was an attempt to obtain yet more compensation from the company and focussed on the fact that they were acting purely with thought for the safety of their guests. In my view, this was never an issue as everyone accepts that, whatever the decision might be, the Captain has the ultimate responsibility for the safety of his ship, his crew and his passengers. We might not agree with his decision, but this was never the issue. The problem lay in the way that 'guest relations' dealt with the situation. We have cruised with other 'high end' cruise lines and this was our 3rd cruise on Oceania. Our previous 2 cruises were a delight and on the Caribbean cruise in February, we experienced far more difficult sea conditions (and weather) in the Dominican Republic, but the ship's transfers were used on that occasion, so we were somewhat surprised when we found ourselves sailing out of Portofino, instead of into it! It's insulting of Oceania, to offer an amount of US$125pp, which can only be retrieved by putting your hand in your pocket yet again. Surely, Oceania do not expect us to be grateful for such an offer? An offer of US$125pp to be taken from our onboard account would have been appreciated and accepted in the spirit it was offered.

It is with regret therefore that I have to say, in spite of the amazing efforts of ALL the crew (dining/stateroom/pool/below deck etc.), you might think twice before booking an Oceania cruise. Come on Oceania, get your act together and respond in a more 'customer friendly' and acceptable way to these situations, a response worthy of the high cost of your cruises and your advertised policy of 'Your World, Your Way'.
Quality of Food5
Entertainment2
Shore Excursions1
Staff1
Very impressed with all staff except for Guest Relations, who let everyone else down by their 'non-responses'
Children's Facilitiesn/a
Onboard Activities3
Cabins5
Overall Rating1
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Opinion: Agree Comment by Carte, Upminster (12 Oct 08 18:38) about this REVIEW
Just thought I would add an additional comment to my earlier review. We have sent several letters to Oceania, complaining about the non-service we received from them when ports of call were missed out (ie: making us pay to take the coach to the port of call in question) and also the fact that a discretionary goodwill payment from Oceania, was only able to be accessed if you put your hand in your pocket yet again and paid to take ANOTHER CRUISE, but only until the Spring of 2009. This is outrageous! Oceania's response has been disgraceful each time, choosing to disregard my comments and suggest that I was questioning the Captain's decision regarding the safety of passengers - THIS WAS NOT THE CASE and also indicating that I was requesting a further COMPENSATORY payment from them - again, not the case - I was requesting that they show more regard for their customers and offer the payment, regardless of whether another cruise was booked, which might encourage people to give Oceania the benefit of the doubt!
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Opinion: Agree Comment by Wade, Currambine Western Australia (10 Oct 08 08:11) about this REVIEW
Had a similar experience in June with the ship sailing away into the distance at Sorrento bound for Naples leaving guests ashore with only one representative (Destination Services) whom was completely out of his depth in handling the situation. Our complaint was the poor handling, lack of information and on arrival by coach at Naples there was no one or sign telling us how to get to the ship. We complained to the concierge. A complete waste of time - they noted our stateroom number but nothing. The next day we missed out on Positano and spent the day in Naples again as the weather was expected to be as bad. So much to a smaller ship being able to access smaller ports of call. Not on Nautica. To add insult Silverseas had a ship anchored at Sorrento also and they were still operating a tender service. No which cruise line I will be with next time
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