Flatbush Flyer

We use the combo of O Life excursions plus YWYW on pretty much every O cruise. We’re using it right now as I write this on two Marina segments from BCN-FCO-MIA.

Not enough info. Most importantly, since you said “we,” I assume you’re talking about double occupancy. Here’s my understanding: How did you “book” them? Online or by calling O or by having your TA do it? (Always do your own math and then call O to compare numbers and book). Also, “3 free excursions?” They are normally provided “per cabin” in even numbers (based on double occupancy) but are meant to be split evenly. So, was your perk actually 6 per cabin (ergo, 3 per person)? That said, the minimum tours required for YWYW is also per person. So, if the YWYW minimum was 4 tours, and “you” (the cabin) have 6 O Life tours, “you” the cabin would need to book TWO additional tours. However, that would have to be done as ONE PER PERSON in addition to the 3 per person from O Life. You EACH need to have four tours to qualify. One person cannot have 5 tours while the other only has three. And from your post, it looks like you added a fourth and fifth for yourself while your shipmate added nothing. Whether that’s the case or not, you’ll need to call O for any changes involving dropping something already booked.

Your approach (and points about a specifically desired itinerary) are valid. And when Antarctica is on our radar, we will opt for an expedition ship. However, for now, we have zero interest in that location. And, fortunately, Oceania adds new/interesting small ports each year. So, we have yet to not find something of interest to us. Happy cruising.

There are multiple Marina threads spanning the segments that start tomorrow (10/18) through December 4 which have Athens in the mix. One of the others said that s/he contacted O and was told that the ship requirement is still in place pending review. S/he found that “outrageous.” Here below is a copy of my reply (We’re on Marina until December and, obviously, we don’t want infected persons joining unchecked along the way.). What is “outrageous” is the removal of required pier-side testing and masks for both crew and passengers. Required vaccination and boosters is not enough, particularly with the newest Omicron variants. Sadly, I am betting that O will continue to see numerous onboard Covid cases including a winter surge of cases not unlike last January when they first loosened some of their Covid restrictions. What many people are erroneously doing is not looking at the building evidence of the long term impact of Covid. Not getting “too sick” because your eventual infection was offset by vaccination doesn’t stop the potential for long term consequences. Follow the science.

Multitudes of folks like us, who tried mass market (and other) cruise lines and found them lacking in so many ways eventually have discovered a premium line that consistently “ticks all the boxes” (particularly itineraries, quality of food and service, and comfortable accommodations). Importantly, our (and their) “preferred” line does so at a “value laden” price with very few disappointments over many years. This is no different than land travelers who strongly favor a particular location - enough so that they buy a vacation home there. Of course, both land and sea travelers with “preferred” cruise lines, hotels, etc can (and do) keep things fresh, new and exciting in ways that allow greater exploration of locations visited - in part because, at the end of each day, they return home to a familiar and welcoming “home away from home.” If anyone is “amazed,” it would be us. We explore the world with a combination of land, sea and air travel that allows us to focus our attention on new location adventures by providing trusted/consistent/preferred services to get us where we need to go and keep us nourished, cared for and entertained in ways we truly enjoy. From our point of view on travel, it makes little sense to hop from one cruise line to another just because it is (or may be) different than the last one. And, BTW, it has nothing to do with “brand loyalty” When any of our “preferred” supportive travel services (e.g., United Air Lines, Intercontinental Hotel Group or Oceania Cruises) starts to consistently disappoint us, we’ll look elsewhere.

And don’t forget the other premium/luxury fare inclusions beyond the array of food options, e.g., - minimally, internet, beverages and usually one or more other perks like SBC, tours, booze….. and my personal favorite - DIY air credit.

Oceania’s claim to fame is its being recognized for having the “finest cuisine at sea.” And that includes no extra charge for its various dining venues (comprising the Grand Dining Room, Terrace Café, Waves and several specialty restaurants (two on the “R” ships and four on the “O” ships). And, of course, there is no charge for Room Service. Note as well that, beyond a pre-cruise scheduling allotment of specialty reservations, you can dine at the specialties as often as you want (no added charge) on a space available basis. One final item: Unlike mass market lines, where you find yourself paying for “better quality” food in their specialty restaurants, all Oceania dining venues are included in your basic fare and have quality offerings with the only real difference between/among them being the menu focus and ambiance of the space.

Check with a local dive shop.

“Look the other way?” Why? O makes it very clear that it’s okay to bring personal booze aboard. Just follow the rules.

PLEASE do not disturb natural features. Most importantly, it’s the tiny “hitchhikers” you can’t see that can be devastating to a region in your chime country that has a large agricultural economy.

As any O regular will tell you, their personal booze policy is extremely liberal. Even though the website has a CYA statement about 6 wine bottle limit, THAT is not “enforced.” Depending on the itinerary, we will often bring a case at embarkation and try to replenish at appropriate spots enroute. You can also bring your favorite spirits with you as long as you understand the very simple rules of “no personal spirits outside the cabin and wine is okay as long as you pay the corkage fee of $25 per bottle for any wine poured from it and consumed in any dining venue or public space.” There are the occasional cheapskates who do what you’re asking about. Fortunately, cabin glassware is distinctively different from what is used in the bars and restaurants (and easily identifiable by F&B folks). Most of the maitre d’s and bar staff who recognize someone violating the rule will tactfully have a private conversation with the offender. In addition, there are occasional reminders of the personal booze policy in the daily Currents. An even more specific statement appears in the FAQs on the O website: ….Guests are welcome to enjoy their wine in the comfort and privacy of their stateroom or suite, or, if they prefer, may enjoy their wine in one of the ship’s dining rooms. Any wine consumed in the dining room or a public area will be subject to a corkage fee of $25.00 per bottle. So, please do comply with the very simple and clear rules.

Correct me if I’m wrong but I distinctly remember that O, at least years ago, did not allow dogs claimed by their owners to be “service” animals except on a case-by-case consideration of a formal request with evidence that the animal in question was truly a bona fide “service” animal. I also seem to remember some ADA legal challenge regarding ships embarking from the US.

Perhaps most importantly, check with your cruise line as to whether “service dogs” are prohibited. Some lines do prohibit them - particularly on itineraries embarking outside the U.S.

California is calling to you……

Headed all the way to Sydney and not staying a few days? In any case, the flight your looking at is too early. You could always ask Delta if they’d let you change to a code shared partner flight leaving later. But, you’d be “on the hook” for any fare differential. Best plan? Stay a couple of nights and enjoy Sydney.

On Cruise Critic? Over the several years I’ve used CC, there’s not been a messaging function.

The best example: There was an absolute government “requirement” for YF vaccination for French Guiana - since we were going to Devil’s Island. This was on an Oceania Amazon cruise with other scheduled S.A. countries, at least, “highly recommending” vaccination. I’ll always remember that once we got to French Guiana, we were never asked about the Card by anyone. We also did an Indian Ocean cruise on Oceania that started in Cape Town and hit several East Coast Africa ports before heading East toward Asia. No one (ship or port) ever asked to see our WHO cards.

SOME travel agents. Sadly, there’s way too many who haven’t got a clue. Nonetheless, great ones do exist! For cruises, they are …………………………… And here’s their direct contact info: …………………………………. Just kidding around and supporting the CC mandate to NOT discuss TAs.

Different strokes for different folks.

What exactly did whatever you received say? Whatever it says you may want to pursue some additional clarification - even if it means calling back and speaking to multiple Azamara people to get an email saying you’re okay to go as long as you have the WHO “Yellow Card” with an official entry that the Yellow Fever vaccine is “contraindicated” and “waived.” If Azamara truly is saying “no cruise without the vaccine- NO exceptions,” there won’t be many folks over 60 years old on that ship - since getting the vaccine now will be contraindicated for them. It looks like you’re from San Francisco. I suggest that you get an appointment now to go to the “Adult Immunization & Travel Clinic” (SF Dept. of Public Health) at 101 Grove Street (www.TravelClinicSF.org). They issue the official WHO Yellow Card (see pic) and authorized “vaccinated” or “waived” notation (if waived, you also get a note on their letterhead). If this doesn’t satisfy Azamara, next time book with Oceania. I’ve never had a problem there with the Yellow Fever waiver (for South America, Africa….)

Yes- I realize that since I know that the several TAs on my “short list” will not do bookings on some specific cruise lines because it would not make it worthwhile for the TA.

I’m confused. From your profile, it looks like you’re in San Diego. So, I gotta ask: Why ever would you want to go to the Caribbean when the Pacific beckons? Hawaii, Polynesia…. ?????

Most importantly- know that Oceania is a different experience. No “class system” here. No dining venue or section of the ship is “closed” to any passenger based on cabin class. Upper level cabins do have butlers and a few other perks like earlier pre-cruise initial dinner reservations, a few bags of laundry and occasional hors d’oeurvres. But, even spa deck access is available to all (albeit for a few for lower priced cabins). The two O ships have lounge space for upper level cabins but the coffee/tea and nibbles are also available to all at Baristas (never an extra cost unless you add booze w/o a booze package).

Does anyone know for sure if the HDMI inputs on the newer Samsung TVs on either or both R and O ships are functional (or disabled)? And if they are functional, can the television’s “input” be switched using the provided remote (or manual control on the TV set itself)???

The two best luaus we’ve ever been to (on Kauai) were a fundraiser by a local high school and a family one done by the owners of the Tahiti Nui bar in Hanalei (yes the same “dive bar” Clooney frequents in the movie “The Descendants”).