Slamming Oceania Cruise Line
I’m not someone who usually posts online, but I feel compelled to share my story in hopes it helps others make an informed decision before booking with Oceania Cruises. I had booked what was meant to be the trip of a lifetime—a $30,000 cruise with Oceania. I was excited, grateful, and looking forward to an unforgettable experience. Then, everything changed. I was diagnosed with cancer and had to begin immediate treatment. My world turned upside down, and I had no choice but to cancel the trip. When I contacted Oceania to explain the situation, I expected some level of understanding or compassion. Instead, I received a polite but ultimately cold message from Guest Relations Administrator Sana O’Brien. She offered her condolences—and then told me there was “nothing they could do,” because giving me a refund “wouldn’t be fair to other customers.” Let me be clear: Oceania is going to re-sell that cabin. They will earn full revenue from a new passenger while keeping every cent I paid. So in the end, they profit twice—while I, in the middle of cancer treatment, am left with nothing. No refund. No credit. Not even a gesture of goodwill. Just a boilerplate response and a closed door. I understand that companies have policies. But I also believe that policies should have room for humanity. What happened to empathy? To basic decency? I am devastated—not just by the diagnosis, but by the way I was treated by a company I once admired. If you’re considering booking with Oceania, I urge you to think carefully. Ask yourself what would happen if you had to cancel due to a personal emergency or health crisis. Based on my experience, you can expect no compassion and no help. This has left a lasting impression on me—not just financially, but emotionally. Oceania had an opportunity to do the right thing. They chose not to.
