Flatbush Flyer

And yet, OP’s TA “called” O but didn’t bother to get the latest pre-purchased shore excursions PDF. Not exactly “on the ball?” Using your logic, TA’s word based on a call to his/her O phone rep may find the same “axed” scenario. More importantly, once onboard, getting hold of your TA in a timely fashion just adds an unnecessary step to the equation. And you seem to always forget that your TA experience may be the exception rather than the rule in an industry fraught with a broad spectrum of competence. Really very simple: With or without a TA, that PDF (as well as your Cruise Vacation Summary with all of your specialty reservations - yes the ones that have been disappearing onboard due to some computer glitch) is the “poster child” for “don’t need it until you need it.”

Again, the easiest (and most unquestionable) proof that YWYW stays/doesn’t stay in place is to have a copy of the current PRE-PURCHASED SHORE EXCURSIONS & ONBOARD EXPERIENCES.PDF in hand when one embarks. When, as I often suggest, you purchase/modify/etc your tours direct with a knowledgeable O phone rep who will send you the updated PDF (or have your trusted TA get a copy), you have the what matters should the poop hit the fan. There are many relatively new Destination Services staff right now and some (including several on Marina) truly do not have a clue. Remember as well that, should you ask for the DETAILED version (tours listed by name et al) of your account-to-date once onboard, not all staff know how to print that version. And, even if they do, cancellation/YWYW/O Life may not appear until the final days of the cruise segment. Getting that most current PDF only takes a quick email or phone call.

Today is 12/19. SFO is 40s-30s F. Clear LIH is 80s-70s F. Thunderstorms It’s winter. It’s the Pacific Ocean: Smooth as silk unless it’s not.

I know what you were suggesting (which makes good sense). I was more concerned about your mention of “sorting it out” once onboard and wanted OP to know that cancelling the replacement YWYW (or trading it in for a new one) technically is not an option. If I remember correctly, even the tour tix for YWYW choices say “no cancellation.”

Execucar.

FWIW: No onboard refunds on YWYW purchases that the passenger cancels.

Your TA is not Oceania. Now you need the newest prepurchased shore excursions pdf - the one with the 7 tours remaining. See if that new one still shows the YWYW discounts.

Tons of personal experience with O Life and YWYW. You want this all squared away before you board. Some Destination Services staff are clueless (while others fully understand how it works). At a minimum, get the latest prepurchased shore excursions PDF from O (the one that shows all the math (not the minimal one with just the names of your tours). It will show you which tours have the YWYW and/or O Life pricing and is your proof of what actually exists.

Yes. Your onboard account will be adjusted. Just pick another tour.

Not always 2 weeks - particularly on Insignia during ATW months.

Use the search feature here on CC to find the zillion threads explaining O Life strategies. NEVER take the SBC. It’s a wash with what you paid extra for O Life. The booze is only worth it if you upgrade to Prestige (+$20 pp/day) and drink doubles of better booze. The wines-by-the-glass with either option are mediocre. The best value is the excursions with a base value of $100 each that can be doubled up to $199 by picking the most expensive allowable ones. If you do O Life, take the air credit and DIY - especially bizclass. Again, search for the O Life threads with very detailed instructions. I and a few other regulars have posted very detailed strategy summaries.

There’s a huge difference between “loyalty” and “preference.” Hopefully, I don’t have to explain it. When it comes to cruises, we prefer a single line that meets all of our preferences and expectations (e.g., small ships, excellent food/service and heavenly sleep experience) and does so at a value laden price. And, importantly, the nature of our preferred line’s itineraries include significant variety with a focus on longer, multi-segment trips with the right mix of unusual ports and adequate sea days. A lot of folks here on CC say “all that matters is itinerary.” But, while I agree that itinerary is important, the reality remains that Roman antiquities and/or the Moai on Easter Island will always remain unchanged - no matter how you get there. In one sense, any accompanying “ship doesn’t matter” comment suggests their past shipboard experiences have been less than optimal or they just haven’t found a preferred line where their “home away from home” (whether two weeks or two months) satisfies all their expectations. In essence, as long as our preferred line’s performance/value (as well as itinerary diversity/desirability) remains an excellent “fit,” we will stay with what now serves as our “moving vacation home”- a comfortable retreat that let’s us concentrate on our port adventures while returning each day to an exceptional setting that seldom disappoints us. FWIW: we monitor the offerings and reviews of what some folks consider our preferred line’s “competitors.” We also take notice of what other “regulars” (and even newbies) on our preferred line have to say about their experiences with those competitors. In all honesty, the bulk of those conversations bottom line with our hearing a comment regarding the “competitors” best summarized as “one and done.”

Are you aware that you can bookmark the logon button to your home screen (at least on an iPhone)?

Actually, you may someday see NCLH’s “Senior Vice President for Maritime Operations,” Luigi Razeto, onboard (another O veteran on the FDR team)- perhaps on the inaugural Vista cruise?

If you’re within 30 days from the date of your deposit, transfer the cruise to an actual TA who will add perks like commission sharing.

Corkage fee applies to any public space - not just restaurants.

OP: The easiest thing to do is to email your Rome hotel concierge and have them arrange the private transfer (not as expensive as you might think).

I thought the CC rule is that posting on a Roll Call is only supposed to be done by folks on that Roll Call’s cruise.

DUH! Of course, it’s a scam!

Interesting. Waves is usually open until 4 pm.

As we wade through the food comments, one thing is clear: When it comes to food, particularly ethnic items, a lot of purveyors of the various dishes in any cuisine claim to make the “real” thing. Two of my Oceania chuckle-inducers of late include one dish in Toscana and one in Waves. Relatively new on the Toscana menu is an item that, at first, caught my attention because its name is immediately recognizable by most (if not all) Sicilian (or Sicilian-American) families: Carciofi Ripieni. NOTE: Whenever I see names of “Italian” dishes that are traditional for me (served at other than my favorite land eateries), I usually ask the server to describe their “real” thing. But, I had an insatiable craving for a taste of home. So I ordered it. I won’t say anymore about what I got since you’ll all need to try it for yourself. What I will do is show you below a picture of the REAL “real” thing. 👀😎 As for the Waves item, I’m hoping it’s a temporary hiccup. Imagine a Reuben made without Corned Beef (or even Pastrami)!!, At least, it WAS a sandwich with beef “brisket.” But someone in the O master kitchen needs to visit Katz’s in Manhattan before throwing the term Reuben around.

Ask guest services to connect you with a supervisory officer in engineering. Do not wait until after the cruise. Still no action? Make an appointment with the GM. Of course, this all assumes your “noise” is significantly more than the usual creaks and groans common to a ship underway.

You’ll find that GDR and Terrace menu repeat rates are not bad for long O cruises. Also, be on the lookout for regional food nights in the Terrace and the occasional GDR brunch on select sea days. Note as well that reasonable special requests (with advance notice to the chef) are sometimes possible to have filled).

As aforementioned, there’s this 10 day gap and a Fincantieri facility in Brazil (they acquired Vard years ago). While I’m not sure what is the extent of the services provided, I assume that, at least, drydock structural/mechanical retrofits are on the menu. That the “Horn” cruise starting on 1/21/24 has several “Antarctic drive-by” days in the mix may or may not involve work necessarily related to that. I’m not knowledgeable on changes to polar readiness requirements. So, this all may be coincidental. And, of course, that ten day gap could also be a charter or just some normal hull/mechanical work. ????

Not sure what website you’re looking at. But, here’s an O website (U.S.) screenshot just taken on December 7, 2022 at 7:15 AM. Now, there’s only no Marina cruise from Jan. 11 to Jan. 21. Two days ago, there was no Rio to SDC cruise that I could see. In any case, there’s still a Marina schedule gap in mid-January 2024.