I paid over $14,000 for a solo stateroom for a 31 days luxury cruise. OCI's confirmation brochure informed that an automatic 18% gratuities would be added to my account. I called the cruise planner stating that gratuity paying is my prerogative, not OCI's. He stated that I must inform the Purser on board. I did so after embarkation. Even then "automatic gratuity" charge appeared on every charge statement.

The overall cruise experience was anything but luxurious. Yes, the food quality and service was very good but not luxury class. The land excursions were average in quality except in Bali. That was the opinion of the most other experienced passengers.

Majority of the senior cruise personnel was 'white.' They displayed a colonial and arrogant attitude, including the captan. His brief announcement in broken English dealt with position of the ship but nothing more engaging. Read more