Flatbush Flyer

We’re on Marina too. Foot Reflexology 50 minute massage will go from $149 to $199.

Incomplete info. There are many variables at play: What disembarkation port? (There are some ports where carrying luggage on and off a steep gangway is ill-advised.) What time is SCHEDULED for arrival? (You may arrive at a significantly later time.) What are the Operational policies, practices and hours of the disembarkation port authorities? Which cruise line/ship? (Some have specific time slots for which you sign up [with or without luggage in hand])

Best tip? Way too short a layover anywhere.

Of course, personal taste should be a major consideration in choosing a dining venue. But, the value of considering the opinions of well-respected food critics/publications and organizations lies in the breadth and depth of their experience, expertise and recommendations when you’re investigating dining opportunities in an unfamiliar location or from among an extensive list of possibilities beyond your capacity to try them all.

Again, your (and my) opinion pale in comparison to professional critiques. Show me one food magazine or respected food critic who sings the praises of a cruise line like HAL. Also, look at the CLIA data on what the lines you mention spend per passenger for food.

Fodors hasn’t got a clue. Look at how CLIA classifies cruise lines that comprise its membership.

What you think means zip to me. Perhaps you should look at reviews by the pros including writers for Saveur and Bon Appetit. Note as well that respected F&B authorities like Jacques Pepin, the Dom Perignon group qqet al. have aligned themselves with Oceania. Even Wine Spectator points both its wine and food endorsements toward O.

How ever would you consider any of these a “premium” line?

And it’s gluten free!

Several days prior to disembarkation, you’ll get a questionnaire regarding your preferences/intentions for departure.

OOPS! Fat finger. I thought I typed “I” in front of “visited.” Perhaps I just should’ve used a “-“ Of course, anyone with a basic understanding of geography would know that Masada is an excursion from a cruise ship as is Ephesus and Delphi (and Rome and Paris and a zillion other places that cruise lines questionably advertise to catch your eye. “Piraeus? Let’s just call it Athens.”). And, of course, some lines other than O do multi-segments which is why I suggested a TA and a “short list.” But, only a few do them with the option of multiple booking configurations that maximize perks for specific categories of repeat customers. That particular Oceania idiosyncrasy can save the savvy “regular” far more than “chump change.”

Actually applies directly to the question. The term O Life “choice” can be both which option or what within each option (e.g., the specific tours that qualified for the tours option or clarification of what is included in the basic booze package). M&Dcruisers said s/he looked at the “invoice.” Perhaps it’s a TA invoice and not the O invoice which would clearly state (in the Amenities Section) which O Life basic option (SBC, tours, booze) was selected. But, if s/he wants to know which tours they’ve selected were O Life “options” (and which others are paid) the excursions PDF I mentioned is where they need to look. AND, most importantly, with others reading these threads, certainly some of them will appreciate and benefit from knowing where specifically they can find the greater detail about the O life tour “choice” and “choiceS.”

Sure it may look “cheaper.” But, then on HAL (or even Viking) ships, you’re stuck with their food.😳 If all that matters to you is $, do a true “net daily rate” comparison - door to door - of all required and optionally preferred amenities (and don’t forget airfare or an air credit which lines like Oceania offers). That comparison may surprise you particularly if you then add the qualitative components of food, service and ambiance. Do your homework and you’ll most likely v find Oceania on your short list.

OP: find a highly regarded cruise specialist TA who will interview you regarding your travel experiences, preferences and expectations and recommend a short list of cruise lines/ships as well as itineraries that are within your means. We prefer Oceania, which fits our travel profile perfectly. The small ships (<700 or <1200 passengers with excellent crew and space ratios), “finest cuisine at sea” and flexible menu of included amenities supporting a wide range of multi-segment itineraries that crisscross the globe with numerous unusual stops come together at a value laden price. We’re currently on O’s Marina having combined four segments (total 47 days) that will move us across BCN-ATH-FCO-BCN-MIA. In a word- STELLAR.

Take the time to find a highly regarded cruise specialist TA who will interview you about your travel experiences, preferences and expectations and recommend a short list of cruise lines/ships that can deliver a great itinerary along with a stellar onboard experience. FWIW: we’re currently on a 47 day multi-segment Oceania cruise (BCN-ATH-FCO-BCN-MIA) visited Ephesus last week - as well as Masada and Delphi. And I expect we’ll visit many of the ports you’re thinking about. Except for the ocean crossing near the end, this is a very port-intensive trip. You may read here on CC that the ship doesn’t matter with port intensive itineraries. That’s NOT true. The ship is your home away from home and the quality of food, service and sleep experience matters tremendously. Add the capacity for multi-segment itinerary building and flexible amenities inclusiveness with value laden pricing and you’ll quickly understand why your TA will have Oceania on your short list.

Some O policies (like FCC deadlines) can have exceptions on a case-by-case basis. However, this 1.5 hr max “layover” tours rule is fairly “hard and fast” because there are multiple reasons why the earlier tour on the same day might be significantly “delayed.” Sure, there’s the possibility of a traffic snarl that has you returning from your earlier tour past your due time. But, more often than many might think, the delayed arrival of the ship in port will result in the delay of the start of the earlier tour. This just happened to us a few days ago in Istanbul where the ship occupying our assigned berth left late and our daytime tour was rescheduled to an hour later start. Fortunately, our evening tour was flexible enough to be purposefully delayed as well.

If you do the O Life tours selection over the phone with an O rep (or have your TA do it for you), you can request the “pre-purchased shore excursions” PDF that shows you all the math of O Life tours, YWYW discounted tours and the application of O provided SBC toward the balance due. This PDF is essential should an issue arise once onboard involving cancellation credits, substitute O Life selections, etc. And, once onboard, equally useful is the “screen print” of your excursions accounting which can be provided by Destination Services.

Register your cruise on the O website and then peruse the various topics and associated FAQs in your newly established “account” which will answer the above questions and far more (I.e., specialty restaurant reservations, excursion packages, booze upgrades, etc) Also, reading your Ticket Contract and T&Cs will cover many items as well. Finally, do a search here on the CC Oceania forums with specific keywords and you’ll get a list of fairly comprehensive threads that explain it all.

“Pre-booking” is nothing new. Many O regulars checkout the new crop of cruises during the “preview period” and then provide specific cruise/cabin/O Life preferences directly to the O reservation system via trusted O sales reps including onboard O Club Ambassadors and long serving phone reps (TAs have their own O reps but you can establish a similar connection if regularly booking direct). Can you or I book direct online at the exact opening date/time? Absolutely. But, I am convinced that the best of those O employees with direct access to the O reservation system have far greater “speed (and experience) of access” than is capable via a web interface. Our usual practice is to prebook (i.e., request a “hold” for a cruise we found in the preview period) from an onboard O Club Ambassador or our regular O phone rep) and then transfer it to our preferred TA during the 30 day transfer window. FWIW, that’s why we’re currently in one of the coveted four open corner extended B balconies on Marina for four consecutive segments.

Oceania ATW = 6 months

You’re confusing your terms: The published “cruise only” fare includes no O Life perk options. The “O Life” fare includes the O Life perk option of your choice plus economy air tix OR a DIY air credit (which you can opt for when you book). That said, as has been pointed out: choosing the O Life SBC perk is a $ wash with the fare paid. In most cases, the best O Life perk remains the allowable excursions which can have a value that is double the SBC perk. Also, O Life tour picks count toward your cruise’s minimum tour buy requirement for the 25% YWYW discount on any paid ones. IMO, the booze choice is only worthwhile if you upgrade it to the “prestige package” with mostly unlimited spirits ($20 pp/per day additional charge). But, even that only gets you mediocre wines on the wine-by-the-glass list.

No “power” needed. 1. Book Onboard (months prior to any future O holiday sale, which we know from experience will be coming). Of course, this would be harder if we’re talking about someone booking their first O cruise. However, it is possible to have a friend or family member do a “book onboard” for you 2. Transfer to TA during the allowable 30 day window). 3. When O sale happens, have TA exercise your original Book Onboard “lower price match guarantee” (if price is actually lower and there’s cabin availability). But, don’t forget to do the math on any changes in air/air credit $ and/or O Life perks.

On Marina now. The quartet will play on deck today for the afternoon arrival at Istanbul.

On Marina now. The quartet will play on deck today for the afternoon arrival at Istanbul.

Read your T&Cs and Ticket Contract.